Zcoker

I don’t know, I’ve had some pretty big bass go absolutely psycho when lipped. Others can be much calmer…they all have very distinctive behaviors, imho. Probably has something to do with the sudden exposure to atmospheric gravity, the vertical pose, blood leaving the brain and so forth.

Down here in south Florida, it seems like every front that moved down started on a Friday. I mean, it was like clockwork. So what I had to do was to expect it and fish accordingly, which could mean fishing in high winds, storms, and rain. Not to mention the big high pressure thereafter. Believe it or not, I did rather well. It was very challenging but I adjusted accordingly, whether it be with gear like rain suits or whatever. I made the best of it. The bass can be at their peak feeding activity during these bad weather spells.

I did this once. An older couple lived in a house with a garage down the street from my apartment complex. A quick stop, a nice introduction, and $40 a month got me a nice enclosed garage for my 17 footer!

It wasn’t until I started thinking big bass that I started catching big bass. The mind has to be utterly committed to do almost anything to get that big fish, which can mean going days, weeks, or even months without catching her. Learn to explore, to reach out and do the unthinkable. Seek out new frontiers. Yes, there’s great effort involved, much more than ever thought of. Yet I’ve found through my own experience that the biggest obstacle can be right between the ears! And once that gets conquered, things begin to change BIG time!

Looks like bass fishing can lead folks down many different paths, some of which can alter their lives forever. After all, it’s a $60 billion dollar a year industry here in the US. And who in the heck wouldn’t wanna jump on that bandwagon lol Like everyone! Which has turned this sport into one of the biggest money pits imaginable, all consuming. Many only fish for dollar signs. And sometimes that’s what I don’t like about bass fishing…what it can sometimes turn people into.

Changes in latitude, changes in attitude....it's quite expected, really. I see more changes with fish related to the weather or the conditions. So each day has it own sort of attitude, so to speak, and the fish play into that. Just gotta figure it all out....if there's a will, there's a way!

I don’t have a maximum that I would drive in a day (or night) but I try to hit the areas that are the highest probability to get good fish. I don’t usually waste my time on places that are fished out or crowded. My driving not only consist of miles of highway but also miles of off-road, which can be wild when the weather acts up! As far as an average goes, maybe 2-3 hours for the bass. Then there’s the water miles lol All adds up, salt and fresh. My truck is 3 years old and I have 100k miles on the clock, mostly fishing. Costal fishing during events like Tarpon season can cover a good portion of Florida’s east coast. Same with the sharks. Lotta driving to find the fish!

Keep 'em active with all kinds of fishing. They love the trips, the adventure...it may involve a little shopping lol. When I go down to the Keys to fish, for example, I always plan a little Key West excursion to Duval Street lol. Works like a charm! They eventually come around and will get involved with all kinds of species!

I don't see how ethics has anything to do with it, more a curiosity, imho. And since it's on a public lake, you are entitled to the area as much as anyone else. It would then come down to how you approach this spot, which would probably be best when no one is around, that is, not moving in on top of someone else, which I think would be your least intention because of the way you brought up the subject on this site. So when you go out and if no one is around hit the area and fish it to see what all the fuss is about...simple solution, if you ask me.

You are very correct, all bare the responsibility. Most of these kayakers have no sort of running lights, even though they fish at night or evenings, a small headlamp or something, about it, no coast guard approved anything. I've seen it myself many times....some of them are asking for it, if you ask me. As for boaters, they try and pay attention but that one little slip-up can mean disaster. One can only be vigilant in expecting the unexpected, which is the key, like with you shutting down early, preventing a possible collision.

About the only frog that I know of that does not get water in it is the scum frog launch frog...no affiliation. That thing is amazingly water tight, I have no idea how they do it, but I never have to squeeze it. Can cast the thing all day without touching it. Shaking my head.

I have minimal to no backlash when using heavier braid 50#PP on all my Daiwa baitcasters. In fact, I cannot remember the last backlash with the 50 braid...and that's casting mainly in the dark all night out in the everglades. I did have backlash with 40# braid and under. The thinner braids would sometimes backlash so bad, making the reels useless. Aside from that, I try to hate baitcasters lol Spinning is a carry over from my salty side of life. I'm just so used to casting those and some of my setups were perfect for freshwater. So I use both. Rods can make a difference. I think. I find myself using my baitcasters more and more ever since I got some nice rods like Dobyns Champion line. Seems to cast/load the line even better or maybe it's just imagination lol All in all, the heavier braid is the ticket, imho.

There's been many record fish caught but not registered with the IGFA. I've caught a few sharks that were most likely record category but I would never kill them just to get a weight record. The IGFA rules state that the fish must be brought to an approved weigh station....ain't gonna happen with a big shark on the beach in the middle of nowhere. IGFA came out with a length record for smaller species like snook, redfish and so forth but you have to use their official measuring device to claim a record. I have it and carry it around when I'm fishing for them, just in case. Congrats to those who make the record books!

Spinning rods and reels have come a LONG ways yet it still takes some hardcore tactical experience to bring in these larger fish on a 13oz surf rod lol. Especially off the beach on foot. Blacktips sharks are about the worst because when they hit a top water lure, for example, they explode out of the water and viscously dive bomb the lure and then hit the air again, skipping across the ocean like some wild and crazy Tasmanian Devil. At that point, it's all weight and torque.....as opposed to being under the water like most fish, it's full power baby! All the forces are at play. Big difference in the fight!

Like you said, it's the locals who feel they own the place because they've turned it into their livelihood. Those who come out on their own are in the way, so to speak. Signs mean nothing to some of them but a few follow the rules.