David P

There is no "magic" bait, although the Senko is probably the closest to magic you will get. Senkos produce 75% of the bass I catch, thus being the most productive and "magical bait". The key is, don't give up. Senkos are the most effective plastic bait I have used and few other fishers will disagree. They're very hard to fish wrong and there's very few days where bass just won't hit a senko.. When fishing a senko, I wacky rig it 90% of the time, I hardly ever Trig anything anymore. Goodluck!

Sounds like a great day! Nothing better then catching fish, and meeting another fellow bass fisher!

By far ***, and occasionally Zoom if I need a bag in between orders or for frogs. I fish plastics 95% of the time, so i have no preference in any other types of baits/companies.

lol I use all *** for my plastic needs now. I buy in bulk and save a TON! I second that. Still quality fish (probably better quality in fact), and I save money. Can't beat that.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you're catching plenty of fish while smoking, keep it up! If you AREN'T catching fish, and you're smoking, maybe try something.. From reading this thread, almost everyone that smokes has said they still catch plenty of fish..

Yah, this was something I was a bit concerned about, but figured it wouldn't hurt to try.. I'll give the power worm a shot and see what happens. Finally get to go out this weekend!

I'm looking for some 10 inch worms to fish shakey head style... I've been using Zoom Trick worms, but just looking for something else to try as well... Any other 8in + worms good for shakey head please feel free to suggest!

Great fish man! Always sucks to lose one, but it's always better to lose one then to never have had it in the first place (In my opinion). Think the megastrike made a difference? Or just a good day? I've never been much into scents, but have been lately thinking about giving it a try..

Especially with the average size being that of the first picture. Those are some decent size fish when you catch 8-9 and lost a few more.. Sounds like a great outing in my books!

There are rare exceptions to everything (well almost anything). Although this ONE fish lived, I'd say 9 out of 10 easily would die. Although I have never ripped a gill (THANK GOD), If I do (or once I do), I'd keep it. I hate to keep bass more then anyone, and in the past 10 years have kept ONE bass in my life (The first bass I ever caught). You caught a true fighter.

Since when does "not getting caught" mean that doing something wrong is ok. There are documented cases of idiots bringing non native species to a lake for bait and wiping out the fishery because the "bait" that escapes reproduces and overtakes the system. Son, your in the wrong place if you expect advice on how to get away with breaking the law. Fish and game departments don't create regulations because they got bored one afternoon. There are important reasons why size limits, bag limits, and other regualtions are in place. And don't be sure that you won't get caught. I and many others on this site consider it our duty to report violations to the local game wardens. Violators in Florida risk loosing thier right to fish, fines, jail time, and confiscation of all equipment, including the vehicle that got you there. Let me suggest that you take the time and effort to develop skills so using illegal tactics is no advantage. Let me further urge you to develop a true sportsman's mentality that is characterised by appreciation of the beauty and bounty of nature. You will find this to be the "ultimate" resource. We will, and do assist new anglers to become responsible, and highly productive anglers who often outfish the poachers and low life's who break the law's. We all will be happy to assist you in this endeavor. Avid hit the nail on the head. This is a TRUE STORY: I have fished a local Reservoir for the past 7-10 years. The looks of the reservoir out of water, and in the water have changed ENTIRELY. The reservoir used to be filled with blue gill, crappie, bass of good size, and everything was "perfect". About 3-5 years ago, some guy came to the reservoir, and used yellow perch for bait.. A few escaped, or he dumped the leftovers in the water, and BAM - no more blue gill, no more crappie, and thus, the population of good size bass declined dramatically. The perch were eating blue gill eggs, crappie eggs, bass eggs, and with no blue gill and less bass then before, it was a disaster. They are slowly planting bluegill back in the waters, but it's been a tough few years.. Hope that helps.

Welcome! This is by far the best site I've found. Great people, very friendly, and EXTREMELY helpful!

Def agree with spinning, you can't go wrong with any of those 3. Casting, I'd put a frog on one of them, especially for the summer Good call bj, as I re-read his post I see he's in Florida.....I'd go with a frog also instead of the cb or sb. Nothin like a big florida bass jumping out of the water and yankin a frog. I live in Cali, and just started using frogs this summer, most intense strikes I've seen. My heart skips a few beats.

Def agree with spinning, you can't go wrong with any of those 3. Casting, I'd put a frog on one of them, especially for the summer

Swimbaits. Get some mattlures baby bass and bluegill and such.. Like avid said, if you dont' mind catching less fish, and can take a few goose egg days then try that. Some people go for numbers, others go for size.

See, that's what I'm trying to avoid. I never believe what the doctor says, but hearing it from others, helps me. Thank you tons. Today I went to work, and it hurts like hell now. Hopefully I'll be ready to hit the water this weekend!! Haven't been fishing in a month.

I second that, looks anywhere from 4-5.

I would have gone if it was "Just a sprain". Doctors say you can walk on a sprain a day after just wrap it up with a bandage. I was given STRICT guidelines by 2 seperate doctors. One said I cannot put ANY weight on for 7-10 Days, the other said no weight for 5-7. If it was "just a sprained ankle", you bet your butt I would a been out there yesterday and today! Guy called me though, said today wasn't that great, pretty slow day. So I don't feel as bad.

Sit him down in a chair in front of the computer, and let him read all of the Fishing Articles on here.. There's so much you can learn just from reading what's on here about fishing in General. Then, nothing lets you learn how to fish better then just getting out on the water. Reading first, then taking the knowledge of what you've learned online, to the water, is a great way to truly understand what you're doing.. Hope that helps a bit..

Yeah you definately don't want to mess with your ankles. I've sprained my right ankle probably 5 or 6 times in my life, twice in the past 6 months (the first time I actually tore some ligaments in it playing soccer - looked a lot like your picture, the second just a standard sprain) and it still hurts sometimes. The thing is with ankles, even if you let it heal 100%, you're at a much higher risk for repeat injuries for life pretty much. Don't take any chances, just wait it out (however hard that may be). Yah, the doctor said that the ligaments are just ripped pretty bad, but not torn all the way through, which is the reason yours probably looked similar to my ankle. I did this playing soccer too, pathetic part was, ball was out of play, and I just took a step forward and put my foot down wrong and RIPPP my ankle just shot up in pain all the way into my knee.. Now my entire foot is swollen, and bruised all over. Looks like my foot was jumped by 10 angry gang bangers. None the less, thank you all, helped me realize I made the right decision.

what size paca do you guys use, and what color is the most effective in general? I was going to order some, but I'm color blind so I can't for the life of me see the difference in 9 or 10 of the different colors pictured.. I'm just going to order one pack for now so what would be the "Best chance" color/size would be great.. thanks

I was looking at that rod, and absolutely love it, looks GREAT, only problem is the price. I can't pay over $150 all together. that rod looks awesome. I wish I had a decent reel and didn't need one, then I could just get that rod!

THANK YOU! The only thing I'm still a bit worried about is the sensitivity of the rod. I have heard a few things about it being too stiff. I really am looking for something that I will be able to feel every little hit, and every little pebble on the ground.. There's the Symetre with a Finesse rod combo that i just saw for 10 cheaper, but I want the Stradic so I guess I'll have to suck it up.. Thanks again, any other suggestions or comments would be great as I won't be ordering till tomorrow morning.

Stradic ST2500FH or ST1000FH considering the fishing I do ? http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90837_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2 That is also another combo I came across, would that be better considering the techniques I fish? I'm really looking for good sensitivity for light weight jigs, shakey head, and wacky senkos and such..

That's the thing, if an ankle doesn't heal properly, then it causes bad long term affects. Thus I stayed home. I still am pist that I stayed home though.. I wish I would have gone.