mattm

Wow..nice fish. If the fishing gods told me I could catch 20 fish in an outing and take my chance as to how big they were or only catch one but it would be 10lbs, i'd take the 10lber. Your amazing.

Way to go on the jig man.

For some crazy reason this is my attitude as well. If a fish is up there jumping his not diving into grass or wrapping himself around a log. Which is almost a guaranteed way to lose a fish.

Glad to see a couple other first time and expecting dads. My wife and I are expecting our first Oct. 31st. We've already found out were having a boy. Guess our kids will have fishing buddies all over the country. Congratulations Westpalm and NE.

Seems like everyone does almost the same thing. I to weigh everything that I think has a chance of going 4 just so I don't miss one thats 5lbs. I agree with avid that 4lbs is a nice fish, but 5lbs is when it starts to matter. I've actually had one that went 5 on the dot that I would of missed if I didn't weigh everything that I thought had a chance at 4. Only exception to this rule is if I know i'm going to be posting the fish I do get a weight.

Welcome.

I go to a website called Texas Fishing Forum from time to time for local information. I almost bet that it came from there. That is like the running joke on that site and it is sarcasm. Kind of makes it tough though to figure out unless they lay it on heavy like that guy.

Welcome. You've came to the right place to learn. Keep checking in, everyone will be by to welcome you before long. The site is having a little trouble so people are probably having a tough time logging in.

I agree with speedbead. Not long ago fourbizzle posted a pic of a fish he almost didn't set the hook on. It turned out to be a double digit and broke his rod on the hookset. If I cast to the same place 2-3 times in a row with a senko and keep getting bit but missing the fish I will then move on and right it off as a bluegill. If you set the hook everytime you know your not missing bass and you might just get a nice bluegill

Fish tend to hold tighter to cover in my experience with muddy water. I have a lake in my hometown that I fish at least once a week. I catch fish there on senkos but I only throw them when i'm throwing to a bank loaded with cover or shallow flooded grass. Now that I think about it I also only throw it in places where I caught fish before. Senkos are not going to displace a lot of water making it tough for the fish to find. If I threw it at all in the lake you were describing it would probably be somewhere I had already caught fish and I would be casting it into those stumps(trying to hit them). Everyones suggestions about cranks, rattles and spinnerbaits are very good suggestions try that. If you are like me and hell bent on sticking to plastics go to a creature bait(beavers or brush hogs). The additional appendages will displace more water making them easier to find. Throw dark colors and start on the outside of the structure not to spook fish as one poster already said. However once you make it to the cover really work it over.

Welcome to the forums. I would almost bet that your line is the problem. Try using braided line with or without a fluro leader. IMO, since your fishing a small pond I wouldn't worry about the leader. Also I would say that since the fish are hitting the bait on the fall or just after that any texas rigging(weighted or unweighted) would work just as well as the dropshot.

Very cool. 8-)

Thanks for the encouragment Chris. What would the dink that nipped the bait weigh 7, 8 lbs. ;D

Good job....way to look after the fish.

Welcome

A feedstore that sells fertilizer will have a scale too.

Greatness ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :'(

He does look kind of thin, but if you didn't notice it when you caught him maybe it is just a wierd camera angle. Like in the post fourbizzle just posted of a fish he think is on its last days, but doesn't look that bad in the picture.

That is pretty wierd right there.

Nice fish man. Great pic KU.

flechero, I don't take it as an attack at all. That is a very well thought out courtesly presented post. I can respect every opinion you presented. I don't look down on anyone who deer hunts legally regardless of whether it is done with a rifle or not. Deer hunting is legal and a personal choice. All of my friends are deer hunters and I even take trips to their leases with them. I just choose to abstain from the hunting. I don't neccesarly dove hunt for the challenge. I don't have a problem doing it because I feel the animal has a fair chance. I love being oudoors and think hunting is fun. I also think that a dove breast wrapped in bacon with a pepper taste great. I would not dove hunt if I did not plan on eating the dove or giving them to someone who would. Finally, maybe I am wrong for killing venomous snakes. I've wondered that often and don't enjoy killing them. However, I also don't feel good about any of my family members or a small child getting bit by a venomous snake. I am not a killing freak that gets some thrill out of this. If you and I were walking around a field and you said" please don't kill that rattlesnake. It goes against my morals and I would rather you not." I would certainly let the snake be out of respect for you. I could easily see my position changing on the issue of killing venomous snakes one day, but as of now I can't honestly say that it has. I do however respect your position of not killing them, and understand the logic behind your thought. At this time I just don't agree with you. Thank you for taking the time to address the issues you had with my post in a respectful corteous manner. Matt

IMO strike king makes the absolute best spinnerbait. Hands down. However, there never going to be a dollar. I've heard people say all they use is the 1.00 wal-mart baits so they must like them. If thats what you can afford or thats what you like keep chunking them. They'll catch fish. When you can afford more expensive ones you can see which ones you like.

Hmmm......never seen a Wal-Mart that didn't carry them. However, those are pretty heavily produced spinnerbait. I'm sure you wouldn't have to check many tackleshops before you found them.

Hank Parkers you can get them at any Wal-Mart.

If you do find out they were carp just give up on catching them with bass baits. You'll be there along time before you get one.