Kirtley Howe

I know a lot of people find Ben to be pretty abrasive and some of his actions (the way he handles fish for instance) bother me too. But......he is very respectful to fans and always makes time to talk to them and sign autographs. He is also absolutely great with kids. I believe that he does a fair amount of charity work (don't know for sure, it is just what I have seen posted here and there). So, love him or hate him, he does have his good points. And like it or not, the man can catch fish.

I'm trying. If it happens it happens. All I can do is fish the areas that have the potential to hold one and hope for the best. Of course, stealth and presentation count for a lot, but it mostly comes down to being in the right spot at the right time and doing something that attracts the fish. I could go up to Cayuga Lake (45 min from me) and catch 4-5lb smallies with some regularity, but as noted above, a 3 lb river fish will out fight a 5lbs lake fish 99% of the time---and they are more of a challenge to find and catch.

Thanks. It is hard to get 4+ pounders. A 2 1/2 is a good fish around here. A 3 is very good. A 3 1/2 is getting into "really good" territory. For me, a 4 is really a trophy fish. What amazed me today is that the one I caught looked to be spawned out. I think she would have been a good 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 if she was pre spawn. Very few of the bass around here have spawned yet. It has been my observation that the bigger the smallmouth, the earlier they actually spawn. I have always wondered why that is. I will target pre spawn fish, but I try to avoid fishing for ones that are on the bed. That is just a personal thing....I doubt that targeting bedding fish has much real impact on fish populations.

You are right about river fish. I have caught 3 lb Smallmouth out of the river that put a 6 lb reservoir fish to shame as far a fight is concerned.

Now that is one heck of a good day. Nice job.

We have had 2 days of 70-80F weather with totally clear skies and calm winds. Things changed today. A cold front moved in with clouds, intermittent light rain, and lower temps. The high today was 63F at 11am and going down slowly all day. Winds were steady at 10mph with occasional gusts to 25mph. I got out at 3pm and the temp was 55F and cooling off for the rest of the day. I went down to the river (Susquehanna) near Owego NY and did some bank fishing. Water temp was 46F. I was fishing a 6-8FT deep channel that ran right next to shore. On the far side of the channel was a rocky flat that was about 3-5 ft. deep. There was a lot of current. I started with a spinnerbait. It was difficult to cast accurately due to the wind, and hard to get a good retrieve due to the high current. I switched over to a Cotton Cordel Super Spot (1/2 oz in a dark red crawfish pattern). On the second cast I hooked up with something that felt really big. It took me a couple of minutes to land the fish, partly due to the fish size, and partly due to the strong current. I did land it, and it was a 20 and 1/2 inch, 4lb 2oz Smallmouth. The fish was gorgeous. She had absolutely inhaled the lure. I carefully unhooked her, which took longer than I would have liked, and put her back ASAP. After a short recovery period she swam off none the worse for wear. It felt great to have caught a really decent fish. I was stoked. I fished for another 1/2 hour with no more bites. I tried throwing a few different things including a jerk bait, a Texas rigged brush hog, a weighted fluke (coffee color), and dragged a curly tail work around with no luck. Tried a weighted wacky worm (junebug color). No love for that either. I switched to a medium depth crankbait in sexy shad color. That got snagged and had to break it off. I put on a large square bill in a gold body black back pattern. After 5 minutes or so I hooked up with what I thought was going to be a new personal best Smallmouth, but it turned out I had snagged a 6 lb channel cat right in the middle of the back. In the current and due to the way it was hooked, it gave one hell of a fight. I released it. Tried the square bill for another 1/2 hour or so with nothing happening and switched to a 4" paddle tail on a 3/8 oz ball head jig. Worked that for a while, but no luck. I switched over to a brown and black 1/2 oz swim jig. They didn't like that either. I went back to the paddle tail but put it on a 1/2 oz jig head this time. Worked it for 10 min or so and got a solid hit. Turned out to be a 19" Walleye. I could not get a weight because my scale decided to stop working. (Gonna' have to buy a new one I guess). Put the 'eye back and continued with the jig. I had one more hit, but did not hook up. I tried a few more things, but no luck. At that point the temp was down to 44F and the wind was really starting to pick up, so I packed it in and went home. So, to sum up......4 bites, 3 fish, one nice 4lb smallie, one catfish, one Walleye (I hit a trifecta!). Altogether a good day.

Pretty much what I thought. Thanks.

I was just given a brand new spool of Crappie Max 8lb mono fishing line. It feels smooth and seems to be decent line. My question is what is the difference between line made for crappie fishing, and line that is made for bass fishing? Any reason I should not use this for bass fishing?

Possibly there was a Mayfly hatch going on (there is around here right now) and they were schooling up and feeding on them on the surface of the water

A few years ago, when I had lung cancer, I found out who my true friends were. I still have those same 4 friends. The rest of the so-called friends I had are gone. Funny how that works. I really did not expect much from them, but a kind word or a quick inquiry would have been enough...but, no, that was too much to ask. I don't really miss them much.

A true trail blazer and a fishing icon for sure. She will be missed.

I was recently given a Walmart Gift Card, so off I went to stock up on tackle. I have been looking for an inexpensive baitcasting crankbait rod for some time now, but all of the "good" rods that are Medium Moderate Action have been way out of my impoverished budget. While at Walmart, I found a 7' medium/moderate Cherrywood casting rod. It feels like it would work very well for a crankbait rod. All my other baitcasting rods are either too heavy or too fast, or both to easily use as a crankbait rod, so I figure I would give this a go for a whole $29,00. I have not had a chance to use it yet, but I am looking forward to trying it out. Anyone else have one of these that they use as a crankbait rod? I would love to hear how it works for you. I figure the worst-case scenario is it can be a cheap rod to keep in the truck for "impulse" fishing.......

Maybe it is just me.....but although I had no problem with Roland being "creative" (which was not against the rules at the time) and Scott maybe (probably) cheating, I really don't care much. Having met Roland Martin, I can attest to the fact that he is a pretty self-centered blowhard who does not care at all about other people. He was (when I met him) rude, condescending and arrogant. I met Scott about 10 years ago, and he was pretty much just like his father. So, I just don't care what happens to him as far as BASS is concerned. I have however found this whole thread pretty amusing.

I also remember when he showed up with a jet boat so he could go up-river where others could not go. No rule against it at the time, but that changed right after he did it. I have no problem with him doing that. It just showed initiative. It isn't cheating if there is no rule against it. If there is a rule, and you break it (even if by "accident") then it is cheating.

My "secret" is: Don't fish like others are and try to fish where others won't/can't.

Finally got to go fishing. Weather today was 70F, and very windy. I had about 2 hours this afternoon to get a line wet. After driving to the river, I had about 1 1/2 hour to actually fish. I caught one 18" Tiger Muskey, and one 11" Bass. I saw a large Bass....prob. about 4 lbs swimming along the shore...I am pretty sure she was getting ready to make a spawning bed, so I didn't target her. It was nice to get out there, even if I didn't exactually set the world on fire with my catch rate. It will be a while before I can go again. Tomorrow is supposed to have a high of 38F, with rain and snow, and the next few days after that are going to be pretty cool and windy also. Maybe I can hit the water again next week.

When I was a kid, I had two lures that were my favorites. One was the Rocky Jr., and the other was the Fred Arbogast Hiwaiian Wiggler. I know the Hiwaiian Wiggler is no longer made. Not sure if the Rocky Jr. is still in production. I caught a ton of fish with these lures, and I am sure they would still work great.

Katie for me at my age, the way you fish would be the most difficult due to physical limitations. However, a few years ago that would have been my favorite way though I doubt I would have ever reached your success level. From a technical standpoint, A-Jays way would be the most challenging for me. His ability to find and catch the "big 'uns" is truly amazing.

Come on up to New York and hit Cayuga Lake. The state record smallmouth was caught in this lake last year. If you have your own boat, there are plenty of places to launch. Unfortunately, if you don't have a boat, there is not a whole lot of bank fishing spots available. There are a few places that rent boats....but they are only motorized row boats, not bass boats. Many places rent kayaks if that is of interest to you. On Cayuga, you don't really need a guide. Got to the north end for largemouth, and the mid and lower part of the lake for smallies, though you can catch either in any location. Fish weeds, docks and rocky shoreline as you would anywhere else. Summer is a great time for bass on Cayuga. The Thousand Island region of New York is also a great summer fishery for bass, but if you go there, you almost definitely need a guide the first time out....the area can be very tough to navigate, and finding the really great spots can be difficult, though you can catch decent bass from the docks at any of the state parks. Maybe not trophy bass, but a lot of 2 1/2 to 4 lb bass are common. Come on up and have fun. It is a beautiful area with many other things to do besides fish if that interests you.

I hit a max of 6' 2". After my car accident in 1980 my spine was compressed, and I became 6' 1". Now that I am older, I am just under 6'. At the rate I am going, by the time I am 80 I expect to be around 5" 10". I am mostly mutt.....Scottish, English, Native American, and maybe a bit of French.

I am currently 75 years old and will be 76 in May. I have told my wife (68 years old) my stepson (44 years old) and my sister (51 years old) that if the notice any appreciable decline in my driving skills they are to tell me IMMEDIATELY. My father drove for several years longer than he should have and would not listen to anyone about it. I WILL NOT be that person. I also have regular checkups and have told my doctor to be honest with me if he thinks I should stop driving. I also take a senior "safe driving" course every year. For what is worth, I still ride a motorcycle (Trike actually) which I think helps make me a better driver. You have to be much more aware of what is going on and pay much more attention when on a motorcycle....and that awareness carries over to driving a car. Having to tell someone you love that they shouldn't/drive anymore is a horrible situation to be put in. Please don't do that to your children or other loved ones. Take the responsibility yourself and LISTEN if one of tells you your driving skills have deteriorated. Sorry for hijacking the thread. I will get off my soapbox now.

NAH.....you would have to text it.

My first memory of a fishing show on Saturday mornings was Gadabout Gaddis, the flying fisherman. My favorites were Jimmy Huston and Bill Dance. As I got older, I liked In-Fisherman TV.

My rods and reels are stored in an unheated, non-climate controlled shed all winter. I live in the northeast (southern tier of New York state to be exact). I have never had a problem with my reels rusting internally. I did once leave a rod and reel in the bed of my truck (which has a soft bed cover) all winter one year.....that reel did rust.

His current net worth is estimated to be about $8 million. He is certainly not hurting for money, but some how I would have expected him to be worth more.