farmpond1

How small is the pond? IMHO, if it's less than an acre, there really isn't a great need for a fishfinder. (It's one of the things about a pond that's so nice-you don't have to do a lot of searching to find the fish or appropriate structure). And a cheap (i.e., "less sophisticated") fish finder won't tell you that much anyway. But if you have the money to spend, why not.

I would guess around 4 lbs. Nice fish!

I usually experience burnout when I place too much emphasis on "achieving." Actually, I usually get the worst burnout in the early spring after a long winter of anticipation. I get out on a lake and think, "It's been a long winter! I finally get to catch something!" But of course it doesn't usually work out that way (what, with cold water temperatures, muddy water, etc) and I "burn out" prematurely. Then, I learn to "chill" as the water temperature finally warms up. It's a lot more fun when I don't invest so much of my ego into things.

What really chafes my line is when hollywood depicts a supposed veteran fisherman holding a spinning outfit with the reel on top. I can understand why a novice might mistakenly do this but doesn't anyone on a hollywood set know how to fish? Are they trying to depict fishermen as dumb? Or are they all a bunch of PETA freaks? Maybe all of the above. Anyway, I once watched someone cast a Mepps lure and let it sink to the bottom and leave it there. Before we went out he claimed he knew how to fish. Perhaps live bait but obviously not artificials.

At the risk of appearing like we signed some sort of mutal admiration pact, it was my pleasure to "host" the trip with Matt. He was great fun to fish with and a great conversationalist. He caught the biggest 2 bass of the day and nearly all of his fish were on a Storm swimbait. I'm a believer now. Anyway, we seem to make a great team. Matt, you can fish with me any day!

What do you mean by off colour remarks? They've been deleted so unless you caught them before they were deleted, you wouldn't know.

Basschump, If I may, and this is only one opinion, worry less about which lure to use and concentrate more on where the fish are likely to be. Then, once you think you've got that down, ask yourself which lures can cover that area most thoroughly or effectively and what mood the fish are in. It's all a big puzzle. Some of the time we successfully put the pieces together and some of the time we're left staring at a mass of pieces that all look like sky. Early spring, cold temperatures, and rapidly changing weather/conditions can be really rough times to fish so don't be too hard on yourself. Normally this time of year wouldn't be considered "early spring" but the weather has been goofy. I'm sure you're asking yourself if you've made a good investment. It would be cheaper, of course, to just go to the fish market to buy fish, if that's your goal. But then how would you get sleep deprived, bug bitten, and sun burned all on the same day? Just hang in there and expect some victories and some defeats.

More crappie on steroids! Wow!

I think I, too, would rather go fishing than attend some function where the girls all look like easter eggs and the guys are all tugging at their collars.

Taylor's shaping up to be a fine fisherman. It's a sure bet with a great uncle/mentor such as yourself.

I'm so glad Central Illinois doesn't have a ton of venomous snakes. Not saying there aren't any but they are the exception. Hope you didn't harm your rod when you used it as a weapon. Can't say as I blame you, though. Also, obviously, I'm glad to hear it didn't...invenomate(?) you.

I'll bet those fish will weigh an extra half a pound or more once they start putting on some summertime weight. Nice fish. You never know how the fish are going to react to conditions.

Don't you love it when you hit upon a great pattern like that! It must've been quite a good time.

15 inches is nothing to sneeze at. Good job! Wish you had a picture.

My legs would be shaking too. Be uti ful fish! Well done!

And not just any old fish, either. From where I'm sitting that's a pretty good bass.

Very nice bass! I, too, enjoyed the humor in her using a glove and her shirt sleeve to hold the fish. But I think she's outdone my PB so what can I say-except, again, very nice bass.

I can't understand how one individual can tell another one what, how, or why they should feel about something. That just seems screwy to me. It's okay to agree to disagree but we all have unique and sometimes shared reasons for things. Personally, I like fishing on several levels but largely it's the puzzle I like to try to put together. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail miserably. But whatever reason you like to fish is perfectly fine.

Jan or Marsha Brady?...Too Funny! ;D (I can visualize Jan even now going, "Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!!!"

Holy Schneikies! Now that's a big crappie!!!!

71Rig's idea sounds darn good. I'll have to try this. I'd like to add, if I may, that it's probably a good idea to wash or brush off any dust that is resting on your cars surface. That stuff is as bad as sandpaper at scratching/scuffing paint or clearcoat.

Dyamite is an unfair advantage. Braided line, IMHO, is just one tool in a fisherman's arsenal. Besides, there are times when mono and/or flourocarben offer greater advantages.

Does anyone know of a product that I can apply over a knot to make it smoother. I fly fish some and whenever I add a new length of tippet to a leader, the subsequent knot will invariably snag on or pick up algae or vegitation. Will fingernail polish work? I already trim the line as close to the knot as I dare.

Good question. Don't have an answer for you, however. The last time I attempted to load my canoe, even with the assistance of my g-friend, it slipped and scuffed the roof of my Civic. I've considered using rope and pulleys and suspending my canoe from my garage. But that's only good for when I'm home and does nothing for when I'm at the lake/river.

Actually, some of my best fishing has come out of suburban retention ponds or industrial plant lakes. I don't mind at all that most of the residents there overlook their hidden treasure. They can look at me funny all they want so long as they leave me alone.