Taliesin

Trophy Bass and Trophy Bass 2 for the PC weren't too bad (and had somewhat realistic topography for actual lakes). Pro Fishing Challenge for the XBox All of these are better than the Rapala game.

A tale told in a Bassmaster magazine many years ago was a snake story. Seem this guy was fishing in the fall with a 15" plastic worm and caught a 13" bass. He took it home to clean it, and pulled an 18" snake out of it's stomach. Largemouth bass LOVE eating snakes... and just about anything else that moves. I actually saw one jump out of the water and swallow a bird that was flying full speed about 8" above the water.

2 years isn't usually enough time for a sustainable fish population to naturally move in, unless a nearby creek or river floods in, but 4 years is. Then again, that pond may have been made before the rest of the subdivision. One of the more effective natural methods is turtles moving from pond to pond. Fertilized eggs may be found in the water trapped in the turtles shell. A surprising method of natural stocking is considered by many to be a myth. At times evaporating water may carry eggs with it. When that water forms into clouds and rains out, these eggs fall and may survive to hatch. I am one of those that has seen "raining frogs and fish". Not big fish, but it can stock a pond. And for those ponds where low oxygen or a low water level has killed off the fish: Catfish (and carp) are more durable in low oxygen (especially bullheads). Bullheads will even burrow into the mud and be able to survive there if the mud doesn't dry out and the pond isn't dry for too long.

I don't hate you at all for it. With the fish bleeding that badly, there wasn't much you could do even if you had the tooks with you. And a 6.2 is probably a mount-worthy fish from those waters.

I did some more looking on the site and answered some of my own questions. They are 11" lng, so they will be pretty heavy compared to some other lures Looks like a T-Rig or something similar. From what I saw on the site they are weedless. One fellow caught 40+ fish on one lure, so they have to be fairly tough (I was almost expecting <5 on each lure). I am very seriously thinking about these things.

I was looking at boats not long ago, and I have to agree with those suggesting a look at used ones. While I was looking I found a 1997 Nitro 911 with a 225 hp Merc for 16K. I thought about it, but decided against it (barely). Look around at some used boats, you might be surprised what you find. However, most lenders will finance a new boat for 15 years, but a used one for only 6. It's something to keep in mind.

It's been many years, but my dad made molds using Plaster of Paris. Someting that might make a difference (I don't know)... When my dad was doing this there were no additives to plastic baits. All of the salts and other flavorings may have some effect on how they melt, pour, etc.

Spincast reels used to be decent, but quality has gone down over the years. I used a Zebo 33 for many years, but any of them made after 1980 aren't really worth it.

I drive 55 miles one-way to use my boat to it's fullest. There are a couple of lakes closer that I use it at, but can't go beyond idle speed (I just use my trolling motor). However, a boat that isn't too big for the closer lakes, is too small on the big lake (at least I don't feel very comfortable on it). The closer lakes are 75 and 750 acres, the big one is 55,600 acres. I got roped into fishing intramural tournaments at the base here and we fish the big lake. I went the first few times in a smaller boat and gave up on that. Traded in my '05 Crossfire for a '07 Ram 1500 and picked up a new '06 Nitro 898. Now I feel pretty safe on the lake. and I am learning a lot more about it. While I don't like the gas prices, I can afford them. I head to the big lake at least 4 times a month.

For those of you with pets, pay close attention to them. If they become really active for no discernable reason, the fish are most likely doing the same thing. It's the same thing as the old proverb... If the cows are standing, the fish are biting. If they are laying down, don't bother fishing. (It only applies if the cows are not fed, but are free to eat as they please). My room mate has two dogs and two cats. When they start running around the house, I go fishing.

I got this one licked... I keep my phone on my belt, with the "hands-free" device in my ear. I do this all the time while fishing. But yes... Fish are telepathetic. You sit on the bank catfishing, your baits been sitting still for 2 hours with nothing, you turn around to get a drink (or whatever), and BAM...

Depending on the size of the pond, it's very possible that they are getting overfished. I have a pond next door to me that I could overfish if I went twice a week. But it's only about 1/10th an acre (with at least one 2+ lb bass and 3 1+ lb bluegill).

I may be wrong (very possible) but... I thought there was a minimum weight before it could be turned in for a record. That might be the individual states though. I know Missouri requires any new record to be Citation worthy before if can be submitted.

100% Improved clinch knot. Only difference is I pass it through the hook eye twice when using braid.

Ain't that the truth. Don't be afraid to experiment with lures. I have had a blast using some lures in ways other people wouldn't think of.

Believe it or not, I think you caught someone's bait. Koi have been used as catfish bait for many years. The one you caught isn't uncommon, so I wouldn't put the price above 50-100 dollars (mainly for the size). When they are <6" they run about $.075.

WD-40 does work (for all types of fish) but it's like dumping oil in the lake. Please don't kill the environment that way. Soap also works well, but it is slow. The scent from the soap is slow to disperse in the water. However, for trotlines that isn't an issue and it works great.

I have to agree with you on thins one. I don't have cable or anything else and don't watch the two channels I do get. Work, fishing, sleeping, fishing, reading, fishing, eating, and fishing take up all of my time. I know... I am a fishaholic.

I like them, but don't care for the Baby versions. The green sunfish around here peck at almost anything and the larger versions keep them away somewhat. I managed to catch a 5" green sunfish on a 10" plastic worm.

I have been thinking about them as well. My questions are different though. How heavy are they? This will tell me what kind of equipment I need to put them on. How are they rigged? How tough is the material? how many fish can I catch before I have to replace it? As far as the hooks go, bass that are feeding on snakes almost always go for the head first. I have absolutely no problem using a single 1/0 hook on a 10" plastic worm.

I have done this with great results. You can only fish a spinnerbait so slow, but you can fish a buzzbat much slower. Try a slow-rolling a buzzbait in the colder months. Earlier this year we had some really warm days, but winter returned with full force. The bass were suspending near the surface, but topwaters weren't working and most everything was too fast. A buzzbait slowly retrieved about a foot below the surface was the ticket. I think of it as a specialty technique. Usually something else will work better, but in a few situations it shines.

;D Actually paying attention while I am fishing will help with the Trap getting thrown at me too. I wasn't paying close enough attention to my fishing and didn't get a good hookset. Another difference between the two: With the Rattletrap I was using mono, and with the DT-16 I was using braid. I have a MUCH easier time setting hooks with braid. I have thought about changing the hooks on several of my lures (including the Traps and Torpedoes). May lure companies make great baits, but don't pay enough attention to the hooks they put on them.

5 trips in a row? I'm not entirely sure about going that far with my patience. On the 3rd trip I will be trying for a different species just to break the slump. I have never gone 3 trips in a row without catching anything, and rarely go 2 trips in a row. I HAVE had 5 bass trips in a row without a bite, or 5 catfish trips without a bite, etc.; but I mix up my trips so that I don't get down about it.

I have seen many fish mounts that were made long before replicas became available and they still look pretty good. I can't really say if they shrank though. One exception to this is catfish (and other fish without scales). Mounts of these fish don't last long at all and start to look pretty ugly after less than a year. The quotes I have seen show replicas being similar in price to a mount. If I don't have to kill the fish for my trophy (and I hate eating fish), why kill it? For the most part it is personal preference.

Hmm... Bright, sunny, 96 degrees... Almost sounds like yesterday. Well... I probably won't be sweating much. I don't take off my long-sleeve shirt until it hits at least 90, but I digress. I sit back, rethink what the fish are doing and what they will bite on, and move on. After only 5 hours I still have my confidence. I probably won't loose it until I hit the 15 hour mark. Yesterday I was in a tourney that started at 1:00 and caught my first (and only) fish at about 6:00. I still hadn't gone to my confidence baits and cintinued to throw the crankbait. It banged off a tree limb and got hit by a nice 3.86 LMB. Took 3rd and Big Fish. As I said in another post, patience is my strong point. Life is good. I'm fishing and I'm not at work. I'm not starving and depending on my fishing to feed me. I am out there to enjoy life and the outdoors. Catching fish is a bonus.