captbob

If fishin' was a poker game, a tie would go to the hand with the naturals--live bait being the wild card. But it ain't so make your "house rules" in advance. The real challange is putting your $20K bass boat with side scan sonar, temp, depth alarms, $500 tackle box, $3-$4K of Loomis, Stella etc. into a lake you've never seen before, or even read about. And beating the local 12 yr old fishin' from the bank with his $15 Zebco combo and 5 lures in his pocket that knows the Where--What--and How of his backyerd lake. CB

What the Pros use, Forschner by Victorinox of Switzerland. If you can find a used old one with a wood handle all the better. You won't find an electric knife in a fish house.

Muddy: Why bring a picture?? Bring the real McCoy then you'll really have the odds, and if it goes bad you're still coming out ahead. Rec: My definition of self defense is "Do unto others as they would do unto you, only do it first". You may get a rash of trouble out of it but you'll be the one to tell the story. Prudence-Awareness-& even wimping out are all preferable to a confrontation, but when there's no escape as in "We don' neeed no steenkin' badges" it's best to-(I forgot who)--bring a gun to a knife fight!!.

When I was 16 I caught Bass on tackle that was pre/vintage, you wouldn't believe and worried about losing a daredevil spoon. But I still remember those times as "The Best". What matters is your know how and presentation, there isn't a fish alive that can tell the grade of your tackle. Good luck and enjoy the learning curve. CB

I believe the Sunny's & perch are not trying to eat. They're just throwing punches to drive an intruder off their turf. You can nab a real tailbiter with a Ha-ha #6-8 treble loose rigged back to the tail with light fluoro and one point buried. CB

Grim: Was dis "getto lookin' lake"?? Where da crack dealers be hangin' by de ramp?? Any lake with security cameras ain't worth fishin', I'se outta dere.

The power pro "snapped" at the leader knot??? Can't tie braid/leader any ole way, braid cuts. Albright knot. Sorry bout your run of lousy luck, just proved it can come in more than 3's. Now you deserve a PB to balance the scale's.

True-True: Terminal tackle is the cheapest part of your day--not the place to save $.05's, get the best and change it out often. A little pocket diamond hone on the hooks for those rock bumps while on 30 sec. inspection doesn't hurt. A sinking $40,000. bass boat won't lose a record as quick as a cheap swivel. CB

I've seen it happen. The harder you try the worse you get. Get philosophical and don't concentrate, it tightens you up. The easiest way to make a Champ/Expert miss is to bet him a $100. he can't do it. Take a few "don't give a ***** (like it's the lawn & doesn't matter) casts" to loosen up and let the force be with you. CB

Hi, "finicky fish" Trap a few live minnows or if not there buy a couple live "food" goldfish at local pet store. Rig on a float/ half depth-(keep them off bottom), clip top 1/2 of tail with scissors. Use 6-8 lb fluorocarbon leader, & be patient. If they refuse this "offer they can't refuse" They're: A. Not there B. Sick C. Too full and lethergic. D. Just showing you destain--they're wise to your hook. E. All of the above.

Try a Curado before you decide. Don't just spin the handle, borrow one and cast with it if you can.

Braid will cut: I always terminate braid in a loop-(with huffnagel) like a double line uni with about 12 turns. Then attach the leader with an albright, so braid does not pull across the leader--definitely Fluoro.

I believe there was a time, long before KFC and Shimano when our ancestors relished a rabbit on Monday and some bass on Tuesday to sustain them and family. Now to cook wild caught fish over a campfire, miles from civilization brings a realization that man does not rule nature but is mearly a participant. This is the only way I'll eat a bass, but prefer trout. Everyone must experience this reflective solitude of nature. Now to catch a Bass, even within the sound of the train whistle, briefly triggers an awakening of this primordial gene, and as I slip him into the waters to await "the next round" I whisper, "Thanks for the memories. CB

Congrats: Tough to judge weight without sleeve measurement--please hold it a little closer, I think it's gaining!!. Just kiddin', now go out for the big #2. CB

Just goes to show ya: All the bass sees is the bait! The diamond wraps and price tags are for catching fishermen!. Why do you think there are no Square pants sponsored tournament boats??. A guy showed me how to tie some marabou feathers to a "tuned" beer can pop tab, for a "killer lure once, --cost $.00005+hook, feathers were 3" black and red from his wifes Boa-(now the secret's out). Confirms my belief-the Bass train us, not the other way around. Nice Bass, Nice kid, Nice Pic.,-Nice??"mud hole". CB

One thing that hasn't been mentioned: If you like to fish deep using a thin braid will add up to 20% to your lure depth due to less water resistance on the line when you retrieve which "lifts" the lure. This is also a benefit where current is present. Braid is a must for dropping a butterfly jig deep on structure, the no stretch feature lets you feel the lightest pick up. For deep work the new Red braid is best. captbob.