Question:

simply rattle.. especially at night or in stained/muddy water.best fish line for crappe I’ve often been perplexed by the obsession with some lure companies’ claims of rattles in their lures. On the one hand, they claim that their lures are life-like, some simulate a fish in distress, etc… Well, maybe I haven’t seen it all (no maybe about it) but I’ve never seen a fish or a worm that rattles, distressed or not. I would think that that it would scare more fish than it would attract. If I could think like a fish I’d be a fishing pro instead of a just a weekend angler but it seems to me that this rattle feature of some lures is more gimmick than strategy.best fish line for crappe  I do have a Rat-L-Trap in my arsenal of lures. I’ve cast it at a number of outings and have yet to get the slightest nibble with it. I’ve also got some soft lures by Storm that have rattles inside them. Again – I’ve yet to land anything with it. So, what do you guys think? Is the rattle just a gimmick that hooks more fisherman than fish? Or is there true merit in it? If you’ve had success with a rattling lure, I’d be interested in hearing what kind of fish you’ve caught as well. Thanksbest fish line for crappe

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I’ve often been perplexed by the obsession with some lure companies’ claims of rattles in their lures. On the one hand, they claim that their lures are life-like, some simulate a fish in distress, etc…

Rick Clunn likes to have a non-rattling crank bait tied on for when everyone is throwing rattle traps and the bass get used to them.  Bass are very curious and will come to a rattle.  A rattle trap would get a bass’s attention.  If it were being burned through the water, you would get a reaction strike.  If the fish were too pressured it may just spook the bass. best fish line for crappe I like rattles as they add an element of sound when targeting the sparse large lily pads.  A floating “Minus One” is quite weedless when cast past a large pad cluster, draw the chubby lure to the pads and bump it into/through them. Then with the pad holding the  minus one rattle, rattle, rattle and wait, rattle again and very often a strike will happen. Little ones will attempt to eat it but don’t set the hook! This can be a good thing. Wait it out! Even if the lure is making rings on the surface while rattling just free of the pads. More often this will encourage the larger bass to come out of hiding and grab the irresistible wounded offering while the smaller bait fish scat. Same way with a “T” rig worm, land it on the large pad, with the tail hanging off of the back of the pad giving a visible moving  target, use the weight with a bead to “clack” and vibrate the pad stem down to the bottom. Then let the worm rig fall slowly off of the pad and go to botttom. On some denser weed pads run it over several of them to give the effect of a creature hop scotching the pads. I have had bullfrogs come after and  swallow a four inch power craw doing this. They use their front legs to stuff it in their mouths…..amazing! On some of the rock bottom sections of my lake I will tether a three foot section of heavy chain to a rope and drag it, this is not a rattle but the sound does attract smallies. (granddad used a window ballast)  If I can I sit over a rock and just vertically raise and lower the chain to clank the links, sometimes this brings in the muskies instead. —                                                     Stony — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

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Rat-L-Trap is heavy…very heavy. Do they make one that suspends or floats?

Yes that is what i talk about when you stop the retrieve the Rat-L-Trap will sink and hit a snag. But recently (several years) Rat-L-Trap is offered in floater and suspending type. Try to look for them in local Walmart, Kmart (If they still around in your neck of the wood) Or Meijier or any of the sport store. A quick check at basspro or cabela Doesn’t yield anything for me. But i distinctly remember they have it. i even have two here in my tackle call Rat-l- Trap  red zone . on which the box say it is a suspending type Any body else could help. Before i goto work i’ll stop by walmart and see if they still have them or not. Oh there is also another rat-l-trap product call the slapstick. It is a rattler minnow crankbait. with a twist . In water it is a floater but the weight is on its tail so the lure sit on water vertically. when retrieve it act like regular injured minnow type crank bait with different action because too much weight on tail but when you stop retrieving the lure tail swing or sink  from horizontal to vertical again. Nice concept but i haven’t tried it so have do idea what it will do .   Sofjan Mustopoh

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Rat-L-Trap makes a floating and suspending trap..      <’((((((<

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“Blaine Jones” wrote..  Three years ago when we bought the place, the seller told us that it was originally going to be a trout pond. A search through public records shows that it was built as a sediment retention pond. I’m trying to fix it up into a true fishing pond. My neighbor and I have fished bass, crappie and catfish out of other small ponds and transplanted them into mine. None have died that I can tell so far.

Nice looking pond, Blaine. Don’t let the trees and nearby bushes get out of hand. Keep them trimmed back to reduce/control the amount of leaves entering the pond. Too much decay in a small, unaerated pond can have a negative impact on water quality (oxygen content), which could reduce/eliminate food sources for your fish. I’ve been on vacation this past week so I went out in the cold weather and decided to try top-water (lots of stumps underwater and I just lost a jointed rappala lure to an underwater obstruction – the very first time I used it. Grrr…).

Keep that baby on top when the water is cold. Throw it out to the stumps and let it sit until you can’t hardly stand it any longer, then give it an easy twitch or two. Don’t fret about hanging up and losing a lure, you’re supposed to do that Okay, so the point of all of this is that my pond water is fairly murky. I’ve been fertilizing this past year and will continue again in the spring and hopefully get it looking good.

From what I see in the pictures you may never get ‘clear’ water in there. Start from the bottom, literally, by removing as much sediment as possible. We’re undergoing a pond restoration project up here and have “strained” the silt from over 10 million gallons so far…maybe more…lemme check my math….6,000 gallons per minute x 36 hours =  12,960,000 gallons. Email me privately if you’d like details, or I can create a post on the project if anyone’s interested. For now, though, if I wanted to try a rattling lure, I’d like to get something that doesn’t dive to far and doesn’t sink because of all the stumps at the bottom of my pond.

Try a shallow diving balsa plug with a squared off lip. Pause the retrieve when you hit the stump, allowing the plug to float up and away from the stump. Have a spark plug in your back pocket in case you get snagged. Go for dark and dull colors…try chartreuse, firetiger, gold or shades of crawdad. What else would you guys recommend for this kind of situation?

Spinnerbaits. Gold blades. You can fish all levels of the water column; weave that baby left and right around the stumps, burn it past the cat tails and slow roll it along bottom. (Pssst…Blaine, cover the monitor so nobody else can see…go get yourself three Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits in 1/4 oz: Golden Shiner, Green Goddess and, since you’ve stocked crappie, a Silver Shad). If they don’t catch fish then the ones you’ve stocked are dead. Send the blades to me and I’ll reimburse you full price. — Early to Bed, Early to Rise, Fish all Day, Make up Lies. Shawn

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When I used to scuba dive, you could get fish to come over by taking the dive knife and tapping the handle on a convenient rock. Bill

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – o, what do you guys think? Is the rattle just a gimmick that hooks more fisherman than fish? Or is there true merit in it? Cranks with rattles have been a top bait on every tourney trail for years and years.  They have won many championships and a ton of $ for the guys that throw them.  Jigs fall into the same category.  Brass w/glass  beads or brass tickers along with plastics do well also.  History shows the rattle is no gimmick. I throw jigs with rattles about 90% of time and I catch a ton of fish on jigs and have won several tourneys on them throughout the years in all seasons and water conditions. I throw Traps and Spots in the spring and fall and they tear up the fish. Just this year I won our club’s classic on a Spot and then went back the next week to the same lake and tore them up again with the same bait.  My largest bass ever came on a Trap in the spring. I fish at night a lot and will use a rattling sinker with a texas rigged plastic or a bead with a brass sinker.  This has caught 100’s of fish over the years for me. I use noisy baits a lot, but I will throw quiet baits as well.  In clear water or when the fish seem easily spooked, a quiet bait does better sometimes. I have blanked on noisy cranks only to start tossing a Bagley B or a Shad Rap….quiet cranks….and start catching fish. I believe the following on rattles: A rattle helps the fish find the bait in dirty water on in heavy cover. That it is one of the early tipoffs to the fish that something is coming their way due to the fact of how well sound travels.  That fish are curious and will want to see what is making that noise and if happens to look a like a shad or other edible morsel, well, he’s gonna eat it most likely, especially since it is moving by so fast.  That fish will hit a noisy bait better out of reaction or anger. IMO, rattles are a benefit 90% of the time and in no way hinder your success, BUT I will always try a quiet bait if the bite is slow and noisy baits are drawing less and less strikes.. Brad “You took the fall and thought of me, above all.” – Michael W. Smith

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Wow…just goes to show you – you learn something new every day. I’ll continue to give rattling lures a try. On my land is a small pond (1/3 acre maybe). Three years ago when we bought the place, the seller told us that it was originally going to be a trout pond. A search through public records shows that it was built as a sediment retention pond. I’m trying to fix it up into a true fishing pond. My neighbor and I have fished bass, crappie and catfish out of other small ponds and transplanted them into mine. None have died that I can tell so far. I go out and cast a line every now and then just to see. The last fish I actually landed from there was a small bass on a jig on September 11 (unfortunately, that happens to be my birthday so that’s why I remember that that’s the last time I caught a fish). I’ve been on vacation this past week so I went out in the cold weather and decided to try top-water (lots of stumps underwater and I just lost a jointed rappala lure to an underwater obstruction – the very first time I used it. Grrr…). Anyways, I threw out a Strike King Grass Frog and after a few casts, got a bite. I reeled it in for a 4-5 seconds when he let go. Guess I didn’t do such a good job of setting the hook. Okay, so the point of all of this is that my pond water is fairly murky. I’ve been fertilizing this past year and will continue again in the spring and hopefully get it looking good. For now, though, if I wanted to try a rattling lure, I’d like to get something that doesn’t dive to far and doesn’t sink because of all the stumps at the bottom of my pond. My Rat-L-Trap is heavy…very heavy. Do they make one that suspends or floats? What else would you guys recommend for this kind of situation? If you want to take a look at my pond, I just snapped a couple of pictures about 15 minutes ago and put them here: http://www.alltel.net/~seismo/mypond.html One a dial-up it may take 1-2 minutes to load. The pics would’ve lost too much detail if I reduced their size much more (as I already reduced them 66%). Anyways, I’d be interested in what kind of lures you guys would recommend for this type of water. And yes, those are 3 pekin ducks hiding in the cat tails. Thanks! Blaien

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I realized there are already tons of glowing report on rattle crankbait. Let me add one more. My very first Bass in America was caught on Rattl Trap .  It was one of the cheapest lure in Kmart (that was 1989)and produced the most Bass for me. I believe some people call it Idiot lure. any body can use it . just throw them out. crank it in.  repeat again and again. vary the retrieve speed everynow and then. If you stop the retrieve, The lure will start to sink. sometimes Bass will strike at that moment. most of the time Bass strike while you retrieve and bass hook themselves.  Remember not to let the rattler lure sink too much. if it sink too much the treble hook will snag at anything and everything. . While they are continuosly moving the lure will point downward. and the head of the lure will bounce off the obstacle. therefore less chance of snag. Now everybody and his brother are producing Rattler crank bait.  and they look prettier every day. Last month i caught myself buying several rattler from rapalla and yozuri just because they look pretty. I still fish with the original Bill Lewis  Rattler n Trap though . Hope this help. SOFJAN MUSTOPOH .

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Blaine — Rattles work — but where and when can be a huge sorce of confusion to us all. (DO a search on Deja or Google of this group and read the discussion about sounds made by Spinner baits — interesting stuff) I too, have rare results with a Rat-L-Trap — but I dont throw it much…They work great along the tops of grass beds — but often I’m in thick matted weed (the hooks turn the thing into a “salad shooter”) or too open water with no cover near by.  (But white bass love the things) A rattle will attract a fishes senses — the frequency of the rattle and the sound it makes under water will have a lot to do with how the bass reacts.  Of the rattle attracts its sense of hearing and feeling along the lateral line — and the bait is moving quickly past — it can attract a reaction strike from the fish. In the case of a worm or jig rattle — the “clicking” is supposed to be similar to a crawfish and may intice a bass to explore what is going on. If you want to have more success with a Rat-L-trap — ask around and find a fishing buddy who likes and uses them and spend a day with them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve often been perplexed by the obsession with some lure companies’ claims of rattles in their lures. On the one hand, they claim that their lures are life-like, some simulate a fish in distress, etc… Well, maybe I haven’t seen it all (no maybe about it) but I’ve never seen a fish or a worm that rattles, distressed or not. I would think that that it would scare more fish than it would attract. If I could think like a fish I’d be a fishing pro instead of a just a weekend angler but it seems to me that this rattle feature of some lures is more gimmick than strategy.  I do have a Rat-L-Trap in my arsenal of lures. I’ve cast it at a number of outings and have yet to get the slightest nibble with it. I’ve also got some soft lures by Storm that have rattles inside them. Again – I’ve yet to land anything with it. So, what do you guys think? Is the rattle just a gimmick that hooks more fisherman than fish? Or is there true merit in it? If you’ve had success with a rattling lure, I’d be interested in hearing what kind of fish you’ve caught as well. Thanks! Blaine (Please remove the numbers from my address if replying by e-mail)

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I realized there are already tons of glowing report on rattle crankbait. Let me add one more. My very first Bass in America was caught on Rattl Trap .  It was one of the cheapest lure in Kmart (that was 1989)and produced the most Bass for me. I believe some people call it Idiot lure. any body can use it . just throw them out. crank it in.  repeat again and again. vary the retrieve speed everynow and then. If you stop the retrieve, The lure will start to sink. sometimes Bass will strike at that moment. most of the time Bass strike while you retrieve and bass hook themselves.  Remember not to let the rattler lure sink too much. if it sink too much the treble hook will snag at anything and everything. . While they are continuosly moving the lure will point downward. and the head of the lure will bounce off the obstacle. therefore less chance of snag. Now everybody and his brother are producing Rattler crank bait.  and they look prettier every day. Last month i caught myself buying several rattler from rapalla and yozuri just because they look pretty. I still fish with the original Bill Lewis  Rattler n Trap though . Hope this help. SOFJAN MUSTOPOH .

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o, what do you guys think? Is the rattle just a gimmick that hooks more fisherman than fish? Or is there true merit in it?

Cranks with rattles have been a top bait on every tourney trail for years and years.  They have won many championships and a ton of $ for the guys that throw them.  Jigs fall into the same category.  Brass w/glass  beads or brass tickers along with plastics do well also.  History shows the rattle is no gimmick. I throw jigs with rattles about 90% of time and I catch a ton of fish on jigs and have won several tourneys on them throughout the years in all seasons and water conditions.   I throw Traps and Spots in the spring and fall and they tear up the fish.  Just this year I won our club’s classic on a Spot and then went back the next week to the same lake and tore them up again with the same bait.  My largest bass ever came on a Trap in the spring. I fish at night a lot and will use a rattling sinker with a texas rigged plastic or a bead with a brass sinker.  This has caught 100’s of fish over the years for me. I use noisy baits a lot, but I will throw quiet baits as well.  In clear water or when the fish seem easily spooked, a quiet bait does better sometimes.  I have blanked on noisy cranks only to start tossing a Bagley B or a Shad Rap….quiet cranks….and start catching fish. I believe the following on rattles: A rattle helps the fish find the bait in dirty water on in heavy cover.  That it is one of the early tipoffs to the fish that something is coming their way due to the fact of how well sound travels.  That fish are curious and will want to see what is making that noise and if happens to look a like a shad or other edible morsel, well, he’s gonna eat it most likely, especially since it is moving by so fast.  That fish will hit a noisy bait better out of reaction or anger. IMO, rattles are a benefit 90% of the time and in no way hinder your success, BUT I will always try a quiet bait if the bite is slow and noisy baits are drawing less and less strikes.. Brad “You took the fall and thought of me, above all.” – Michael W. Smith

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Wow Brad, man did you just save me a bunch of writing.  I add glass rattles to my soft plastics about 70% of the time.  Rattle-Traps?  Unbelieveable days on them, some of the best days I’ve ever had fishing.  Blaine, if the water is stained to muddy you give yourself a distinct advantage by adding sound to your lure.  When you first start fiahing in early spring throw the trap alot, you’ll love the feel of a bass chomping down on that sucker! Warren — http://www.fishingworld.com/MesaTackleSupply/ http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com http://warrenwolk.com/ http://tri-statebassmasters.com/

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – o, what do you guys think? Is the rattle just a gimmick that hooks more fisherman than fish? Or is there true merit in it? Cranks with rattles have been a top bait on every tourney trail for years and years.  They have won many championships and a ton of $ for the guys that throw them.  Jigs fall into the same category.  Brass w/glass  beads or brass tickers along with plastics do well also.  History shows the rattle is no gimmick. I throw jigs with rattles about 90% of time and I catch a ton of fish on jigs and have won several tourneys on them throughout the years in all seasons and water conditions. I throw Traps and Spots in the spring and fall and they tear up the fish. Just this year I won our club’s classic on a Spot and then went back the next week to the same lake and tore them up again with the same bait.  My largest bass ever came on a Trap in the spring. I fish at night a lot and will use a rattling sinker with a texas rigged plastic or a bead with a brass sinker.  This has caught 100’s of fish over the years for me. I use noisy baits a lot, but I will throw quiet baits as well.  In clear water or when the fish seem easily spooked, a quiet bait does better sometimes. I have blanked on noisy cranks only to start tossing a Bagley B or a Shad Rap….quiet cranks….and start catching fish. I believe the following on rattles: A rattle helps the fish find the bait in dirty water on in heavy cover. That it is one of the early tipoffs to the fish that something is coming their way due to the fact of how well sound travels.  That fish are curious and will want to see what is making that noise and if happens to look a like a shad or other edible morsel, well, he’s gonna eat it most likely, especially since it is moving by so fast.  That fish will hit a noisy bait better out of reaction or anger. IMO, rattles are a benefit 90% of the time and in no way hinder your success, BUT I will always try a quiet bait if the bite is slow and noisy baits are drawing less and less strikes.. Brad “You took the fall and thought of me, above all.” – Michael W. Smith

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The rattle is great for night fishing. I’ve seen chaps make sacrifices in lures to get a louder rattle. They would use the berkley frenzy versus the rattlin rap (rapala). I hope i got the names right. For my planned night fishing next season i’m using a rattlin lure with a glow in dark finish. JMHO

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I’ve often been perplexed by the obsession with some lure companies’ claims of rattles in their lures. <SNIP If you’ve had success with a rattling lure, I’d be interested in hearing what kind of fish you’ve caught as well. Thanks! Blaine

Blaine,     I’ve had lots of success with rattling lures in the past fishing for Largemouth Bass.  Mainly used in stained to muddy water, rapala rattlin raps have caught numerous fish for me in a variety of environments.  My personal favorite is around rip-rap, but have also caught them from flats and occasionally around more wood like cover.  Occasionally, fish around weedbeds find them attractive, although that has been more of an exception then a rule for me personally.  Keep throwing them, especially when the water gets a little off color.  You’ll find them catching fish before long… Good luck… — Andrew Kidd http://www.rofb.org – Official ROFB Newsgroup Site http://www.amiasoft.com – Home of SiteAid HTML Editor

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I’ve often been perplexed by the obsession with some lure companies’ claims of rattles in their lures. On the one hand, they claim that their lures are life-like, some simulate a fish in distress, etc… Well, maybe I haven’t seen it all (no maybe about it) but I’ve never seen a fish or a worm that rattles, distressed or not. I would think that that it would scare more fish than it would attract. If I could think like a fish I’d be a fishing pro instead of a just a weekend angler but it seems to me that this rattle feature of some lures is more gimmick than strategy.  I do have a Rat-L-Trap in my arsenal of lures. I’ve cast it at a number of outings and have yet to get the slightest nibble with it. I’ve also got some soft lures by Storm that have rattles inside them. Again – I’ve yet to land anything with it. So, what do you guys think? Is the rattle just a gimmick that hooks more fisherman than fish? Or is there true merit in it? If you’ve had success with a rattling lure, I’d be interested in hearing what kind of fish you’ve caught as well. Thanks! Blaine (Please remove the numbers from my address if replying by e-mail)

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What’s Hot and What’s Not (updated 1 September 1994)smallmouth bass fishing technics – The Fishing Report from Fish First ! Fishery Water Conditions Fishing Conditions, Techniques, and Hatches Flies Comments Fall River Clear, high water, lots of weeds. Fishing is fair. Lots of 4-10″ trout showing; larger fish are hard to find. Trico and BWO hatching from 7:30-10 am, with fish on surface. PMD hatch is spotty and goes from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm; most productive method is indicator nymphing in the 6-10′ deep runs. PMD nymph – HB PT, Burk’s HB infrequen, poxyback PMD, beadhead PT (#16-18). PMD emerger/dry- short wing emerger, foam emerger,smallmouth bass fishing technics Lawson’s halfback emerger, floating nymph, Harrop captive dun, Harrop hairwing, Lawson’s no hackle, Lawson’s cripple dun, Liable CDC stillborn, CDC nymph/emerger, CDC comparadun, Shimazaki CDC dun, sparkle dun, CDC transitional dun, (#14-18). CDC rusty spinner (#18-20). Tricos (see Hat Creek). BWO (see Hot Creek). Waders needed to access Cal Trout dock due to high water levels. Hat Creek – Lower (PH-2 to Pit River) Very clear. Lots of weeds. Fishing is fair. Good trico and rusty spinner fall at 9 am; lots of small fish showing (look for larger fish along the banks and overhanging trees). Afternoons are slow; try hoppers or take a break. Rusty spinners, BWO (#22), and caddis hatching in the evening from 7-8 pm. Indicator nymphing in the PH #2 riffle is steady. Sulfur hi-viz parachute, sulfur sparkle dun, sulfur shortwing emerger (#20-22). Trico adult – AK’s parachute, Stalcup female CDC, Harrop CDC captive dun, Bett’s spinner, CDC biot spinner, DB sparkle spinner,smallmouth bass fishing technics female poly spinner (#18-22). PMD (see Fall River). Caddis (see Lower Sac). BWO (see Hot Creek). Hoppers (see San Joaquin River). The creek is receiving very little fishing pressure. Heenan Lake Clear, moderate level, lots of weeds. 60-70

Question:

Re: what weight rod?best method for winding fishing  I say both.  I use a 6 wt. for bugging in the spring, and for bass schooling on shad (my FAVORITE fishing!).  I occasionally get challenged by a really big fish, and I often lose, but that just makes it more interesting to me. On the other hand, I use an 8 wt. for larger streamers, deep sinking flies, and for certain schooling conditions (like windy, or fish surfacing at considerable distance). I say carry both, and be ready for anything. By the way, anyone else hooked on schooling (chasing shad on the surface) bass?best method for winding fishing I’d like to compare shad patterns. Happy throb jobs

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By the way, anyone else hooked on schooling (chasing shad on the surface) bass? I’d like to compare shad patterns.best method for winding fishing Happy throb jobs

JoWeLo: I’d like to hear more about chasing schooling bass feeding on shad. I haven’t tried that, but it sounds like fun. Anything like fishing the white bass jumps?

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best method for winding fishing what weight rod?  I say both.  I use a 6 wt. for bugging in the spring, and for bass schooling on shad (my FAVORITE fishing!).  I occasionally get challenged by a really big fish, and I often lose, but that just makes it more interesting to me. On the other hand, I use an 8 wt. for larger streamers, deep sinking flies, and for certain schooling conditions (like windy, or fish surfacing at considerable distance). I say carry both, and be ready for anything. By the way,best method for winding fishing anyone else hooked on schooling (chasing shad on the surface) bass? I’d like to compare shad patterns. Happy throb jobs

On the Connecticut River,best method for winding fishing we pursue Smallmouth Bass that feed voraciosly on young shad. I use a simple streamer tied on long shank hook #4 or so with a mylar body, flashabou and white maribou wing, and sometimes a couple of peacock herl.  I’d very much like to hear what patterns you have had success with. russ

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best method for winding fishing        I have a question concering smallmouth bass fly-fishing.  I found a very clear stream that is a feeder stream to a larger dirtier river.  The larger river is known to have some very good smallmouth bass in it.  I found the stream in mid-summer, when the water level was low.  I caught some smaller bass, and I did see one very large smallie up high in watershed.  My questions are; Are bigger fish going to be found spawning up the stream in the early spring, if so how early (I live in Indiana)?  And what would a fisherman use to catch them successfully while they are spawning?? Thank you, Chris Thomas Nothing perfect lasts forever.best method for winding fishing  Except in our memories. (A River Runs Through It.)

Maybe you should consider whether you ought to be catching larger bass while they are spawning.  In many states (such as mine…NY) it is illegal to fish for bass in most waters until mid-June.  If you’ve found a nice spot for smallies, don’t tell anyone and don’t disturb them while they spawn;you’ll ensure good fishing for a long time to come.best method for winding fishing   Just one (jealous) guy’s opinion… Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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Question:

Hi Everyone,the best monofilament fishing I am think of buying a portable fish finder         and would like any advise any of you would have. I am looking         at the Bottom Line Fishin’ Buddy II, Eagle Magna III portable and         the Humminbird portable Wide Eye. If anybody has any comments or         advise on any of these or any others I would greatly appreciate it.                                 Thanks                              the best monofilament fishing Bottom Bud II works well on the water, but beware if you use it for salt water fishing.  The tube holding the transduces collects moisture and internal parts rust quickly.  The screen also tends to cloud up.  I had one last about 6 months before it started to die.  Drying the inside of the tube thoroughly after every trip helps.  Before that I had a Humminbird, which wasn’t as nice but lasted over 5 years.

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I have a Bottom Line II.  Seems to, work well, the only thing I don’t like is replacing the small batterys.the best monofilament fishing  So I installed  a small head phone jack and hook it up to an external 4.5 volt battery pack thats rechargeable. I use this one on my small boat and canoe my Bass Tracker has a king on it (Great Grafics).

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone, I am think of buying a portable fish finder and would like any advise any of you would have. I am looking at the Bottom Line Fishin’ Buddy II, Eagle Magna III portable and the Humminbird portable Wide Eye. If anybody has any comments or advise on any of these or any others I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks Sonny Hi

I’m also thinking about getting a portable fish finder, here in australia they cost around $600 for the Wide Eye Port. and I was wondering how much they are in whereever you live.  Thanks   Matt

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I purchased the portable wide-eye last year for under $200.  After much use this past summer I have no complaints, it seems to work fine.  One hint, turn the fish id off and learn what a fish looks like on the lcd without the id.  With the fish id on anything suspended in the water will show up as a fish.  With the id off you can distinguish between fish and other stuff in the water.

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Question:

You got that right Moe!!!:-) I’m on my way back down there in Sept. for 8 or 9 months!! (Looking for a place to buy, around Taylor Creek area) I think i’m going to move down there for good.I will know for sure during this trip. I love that area(The people are great there)I can’t take this damn cold weather up here anymore so i will come down there and take it easy the rest of my life.Might see you at Buckhead Ridge someday!!! I fish the River & The Monkey Box areas. See ya then maybe!!! Gone Fishin "Catch & Release" Abe Watson

Response:

exactly where are the stick marshes in Fla? farm 13 etc. — GARY

Just West of the Sebastian/Fellsmere areas, or NW of Vero Beach. — Why is it called "Common Sense", when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

You got that right Moe!!!:-) I’m on my way back down there in Sept. for 8 or 9 months!! (Looking for a place to buy, around Taylor Creek area) I think i’m going to move down there for good.I will know for sure during this trip. I love that area(The people are great there)I can’t take this damn cold weather up here anymore so i will come down there and take it easy the rest of my life.Might see you at Buckhead Ridge someday!!! I fish the River & The Monkey Box areas. See ya then maybe!!! Gone Fishin "Catch & Release" Abe Watson

I’ll be here Abe, let me know when you are heading this way and we will take a few photos for the boys to drool over. Or is that to moon over? — Why is it called "Common Sense", when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

exactly where are the stick marshes in Fla? farm 13 etc. — GARY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Back to the real world – Spent Friday and Saturday on the Stick Marsh with two clients fishing a variety of lures and some live bait. One of the fellows (Mike) uses live bait 90% of the time, while the other (Joe) loves artificals.The water level is up 2 1/2 feet and it makes log hopping a little easier. I hadn’t been to the Marsh in 3 or 4 weeks but the first thing I noticed was the higher water level and flowing water. Water flow can really stack fish in an area. Friday we used less than a gallon of fuel as we found the fish in the first cut into the lake. Mike out fished Joe 3 to 1 but both were able to take fish to 4 pounds. Their goal was anything over 6. Saturday the boys were an hour late meeting me and we again started out in the first cut. 15 bass in the first 20 minutes to 3 1/2 pounds. After about an hour the bite died down and we opted to move to the Farm 13 area and work the pump station – the origin of the flowing water. Several boats were already in this area and we had to stay back in order to avoid intruding on them. I pointed out a single stick beside a small grassbed and told them to work their baits on both sides of the structure. Mike was throwing a spoon and Joe a spinner – Yes Bob, one of yours. No takers after a dozen cast and they both began to work other areas. I picked up a light spinning outfit rigged with a Zoom Trick Worm and made a toss to the stick – a light tap and then nothing but water being sucked down. A lot like flushing your toilet. I set the hook and managed to land a 6.25 beauty. The boys were impressed and I felt a little guilty about taking the fish, but we have fished together several times and they we thrilled to see a 6 pounder. Thunderstorms chased us from the farm and we ended back up at our original spot for a late afternoon feed where Mike took a 5.33 and Joe tangled with a 10+ that he managed to quick release after the fish parted his line. All in all, we took over 70 bass in 2 days and missed half again as many. The Marsh is a catch and release managed area and holds not only great numbers, but some hugh fish (Right Abe). — Why is it called "Common Sense", when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

Back to the real world – Spent Friday and Saturday on the Stick Marsh with two clients fishing a variety of lures and some live bait. One of the fellows (Mike) uses live bait 90% of the time, while the other (Joe) loves artificals.The water level is up 2 1/2 feet and it makes log hopping a little easier. I hadn’t been to the Marsh in 3 or 4 weeks but the first thing I noticed was the higher water level and flowing water. Water flow can really stack fish in an area. Friday we used less than a gallon of fuel as we found the fish in the first cut into the lake. Mike out fished Joe 3 to 1 but both were able to take fish to 4 pounds. Their goal was anything over 6. Saturday the boys were an hour late meeting me and we again started out in the first cut. 15 bass in the first 20 minutes to 3 1/2 pounds. After about an hour the bite died down and we opted to move to the Farm 13 area and work the pump station – the origin of the flowing water. Several boats were already in this area and we had to stay back in order to avoid intruding on them. I pointed out a single stick beside a small grassbed and told them to work their baits on both sides of the structure. Mike was throwing a spoon and Joe a spinner – Yes Bob, one of yours. No takers after a dozen cast and they both began to work other areas. I picked up a light spinning outfit rigged with a Zoom Trick Worm and made a toss to the stick – a light tap and then nothing but water being sucked down. A lot like flushing your toilet. I set the hook and managed to land a 6.25 beauty. The boys were impressed and I felt a little guilty about taking the fish, but we have fished together several times and they we thrilled to see a 6 pounder. Thunderstorms chased us from the farm and we ended back up at our original spot for a late afternoon feed where Mike took a 5.33 and Joe tangled with a 10+ that he managed to quick release after the fish parted his line. All in all, we took over 70 bass in 2 days and missed half again as many. The Marsh is a catch and release managed area and holds not only great numbers, but some hugh fish (Right Abe). — Why is it called "Common Sense", when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

Dang, guess I need to drive South!  But, then again, we are in the middle of hurricane season, so maybe one of those Beauties will land in my boat as I forage the local lakes! —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Back to the real world – Spent Friday and Saturday on the Stick Marsh with two clients fishing a variety of lures and some live bait. One of the fellows (Mike) uses live bait 90% of the time, while the other (Joe) loves artificals.The water level is up 2 1/2 feet and it makes log hopping a little easier. I hadn’t been to the Marsh in 3 or 4 weeks but the first thing I noticed was the higher water level and flowing water. Water flow can really stack fish in an area. Friday we used less than a gallon of fuel as we found the fish in the first cut into the lake. Mike out fished Joe 3 to 1 but both were able to take fish to 4 pounds. Their goal was anything over 6. Saturday the boys were an hour late meeting me and we again started out in the first cut. 15 bass in the first 20 minutes to 3 1/2 pounds. After about an hour the bite died down and we opted to move to the Farm 13 area and work the pump station – the origin of the flowing water. Several boats were already in this area and we had to stay back in order to avoid intruding on them. I pointed out a single stick beside a small grassbed and told them to work their baits on both sides of the structure. Mike was throwing a spoon and Joe a spinner – Yes Bob, one of yours. No takers after a dozen cast and they both began to work other areas. I picked up a light spinning outfit rigged with a Zoom Trick Worm and made a toss to the stick – a light tap and then nothing but water being sucked down. A lot like flushing your toilet. I set the hook and managed to land a 6.25 beauty. The boys were impressed and I felt a little guilty about taking the fish, but we have fished together several times and they we thrilled to see a 6 pounder. Thunderstorms chased us from the farm and we ended back up at our original spot for a late afternoon feed where Mike took a 5.33 and Joe tangled with a 10+ that he managed to quick release after the fish parted his line. All in all, we took over 70 bass in 2 days and missed half again as many. The Marsh is a catch and release managed area and holds not only great numbers, but some hugh fish (Right Abe). — Why is it called "Common Sense", when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

Question:

thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Did you hit the site I mentioned? Here it is again. http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/reports/ thanks

– Good fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales!

Response:

What is your real email address? Everytime I have tried to send a message to you, I get a server error, can not deliver. My email address is included in the header. — Good fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales!

Bob if you are talking to me it is in my signature at the bottom. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

NOW you’re talking Rick!  There’s nothing more satisfying in bass fishing than finding a open water stucture, and hooking up on that structure.  MOST big tournaments are won by someone doing just that.   Go Get Em! Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well said Warren…. Rick has crossed the line from a hobby to a legitimate competition. You have I crossed some lines alright. Sheesh is it cold here. to go the extra mile, have the proper equipment, all the replacements for the equipment and maintain it properly. Not to mention being intolerable to Just so you know mini I have the replacement prop stowed in the boat. pain, cold, wind, and many other elements that can be thrown at you. but the Well we got em all here folks. Pain, my hands are all cracked and bleeding from the wind and water. My face just about froze off today but I kept throwing. And tomorrow I am fishing only main lake deep water spots that I believe hold fish. That means during the snow and sleet that is predicted in the morning I will be out in the middle of it unprotected. biggest thing is, dont listen to the dock talk, dont worry about anyone else Yah I think some of the guys start rumors just to see how far they will get. except the next bass. Keep your head up, concentrate, and BELIEVE that you are going to catch a winning string EVERY DAY. DO NOT BE SATISFIED WITH CATCHING A LIMIT OF TWO POUNDERS! You must always strive to be the best, and let the fish dictate the methods/baits of fishing. All the while being humble and accepting a failed day on the water as an education. Sorry can’t figure a day on the water ever being a failure. Maybe I didn’t catch but just being on the water is still a good day. Ya gotta love it win or lose. Just my $.02 Mini your opinions are worth lots more than that. Below are some comments from Warren. Somehow I never saw that post or I would have responded. My appologies but I guess I still don’t have all the bugs worked out of this newsreader of mine. Exactly my thoughts Bill!  And Rick, you gave up having a "good time" when you became a pro basser!  I don’t mean to break your stones, but c’mon.  The guy that wins those big tournaments is the guy that does what he has to to catch fish;  If that means draining 36 volts of batteries battlin heavy winds & big swells, so be it.  Nobody would like Oh sure I understand that. And am willing to do what it takes. Ask MINI about the 8 footers we went through on Saginaw Bay a few years ago. to hear that you’re having success on the FLW tour more than me, but you’re not gonna get there hiding in quiet coves when it’s windy on the lake buddy.  Now get out there & get pounded like all the other successful pros have.  You’re not out there on vacation, you’re trying to make it as a tournament angler.  You’ve gotta go the extra mile- that’s what seperates the champions from the dogs on the pro fishing circuit! Warren PS:  That was a pep-talk, not a criticism of Rick… Pep talk noted and understood. Thanks guys. Gotta get to bed now I got a big day tomorrow. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

What is your real email address? Everytime I have tried to send a message to you, I get a server error, can not deliver. My email address is included in the header. — Good fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales!

Response:

Well said Warren…. Rick has crossed the line from a hobby to a legitimate competition. You

have I crossed some lines alright. Sheesh is it cold here. to go the extra mile, have the proper equipment, all the replacements for the equipment and maintain it properly. Not to mention being intolerable to

Just so you know mini I have the replacement prop stowed in the boat. pain, cold, wind, and many other elements that can be thrown at you. but

the Well we got em all here folks. Pain, my hands are all cracked and bleeding from the wind and water. My face just about froze off today but I kept throwing. And tomorrow I am fishing only main lake deep water spots that I believe hold fish. That means during the snow and sleet that is predicted in the morning I will be out in the middle of it unprotected. biggest thing is, dont listen to the dock talk, dont worry about anyone

else Yah I think some of the guys start rumors just to see how far they will get. except the next bass. Keep your head up, concentrate, and BELIEVE that you are going to catch a winning string EVERY DAY. DO NOT BE SATISFIED WITH CATCHING A LIMIT OF TWO POUNDERS! You must always strive to be the best, and let the fish dictate the methods/baits of fishing. All the while being humble and accepting a failed day on the water as an education.

Sorry can’t figure a day on the water ever being a failure. Maybe I didn’t catch but just being on the water is still a good day. Ya gotta love it win or lose. Just my $.02

Mini your opinions are worth lots more than that. Below are some comments from Warren. Somehow I never saw that post or I would have responded. My appologies but I guess I still don’t have all the bugs worked out of this newsreader of mine. Exactly my thoughts Bill!  And Rick, you gave up having a "good time" when you became a pro basser!  I don’t mean to break your stones, but c’mon.  The guy that wins those big tournaments is the guy that does what he has to to catch fish;  If that means draining 36 volts of batteries battlin heavy winds & big swells, so be it.  Nobody would like

Oh sure I understand that. And am willing to do what it takes. Ask MINI about the 8 footers we went through on Saginaw Bay a few years ago. to hear that you’re having success on the FLW tour more than me, but you’re not gonna get there hiding in quiet coves when it’s windy on the lake buddy.  Now get out there & get pounded like all the other successful pros have.  You’re not out there on vacation, you’re trying to make it as a tournament angler.  You’ve gotta go the extra mile- that’s what seperates the champions from the dogs on the pro fishing circuit! Warren PS:  That was a pep-talk, not a criticism of Rick…

Pep talk noted and understood. Thanks guys. Gotta get to bed now I got a big day tomorrow. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

…yea Rick, and it’ll take 3 or 4 days of a good warming trend before they’ll start heading down the trails to the edges of spawning areas, not just one or two milder days.  I guarantee that, wherever they are, they’re gonna be bunched up.  Stay on em & good luck! Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rick, How can a guy from Michigan complain about +40 temperature?  If it’s that cold, look to jigging deep. Because I can’t stand cold weather. Just cause I live there don’t mean I enjoy it. Yah the fish are out in the main lake. I agree. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

Right back atcha Mini!  I must admit, upon seeing that you had replied to my post I kinda expected a flame of sorts as I know Mr Lafay’s your buddy;  Like I said above,  I’m not trying to give him a hard time at all.  If going out & fishing WITH the big boys is enough of a thrill for him that’s fine, but if he wants to compete with & beat the big boys, and hence BECOME a big boy, he’s gotta put it all together…I wish him the very best of luck.  It’s one thing to be in the presence of greatness, another completely to put yourself on par with that greatness… Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well said Warren…. Rick has crossed the line from a hobby to a legitimate competition. You have to go the extra mile, have the proper equipment, all the replacements for the equipment and maintain it properly. Not to mention being intolerable to pain, cold, wind, and many other elements that can be thrown at you. but the biggest thing is, dont listen to the dock talk, dont worry about anyone else except the next bass. Keep your head up, concentrate, and BELIEVE that you are going to catch a winning string EVERY DAY. DO NOT BE SATISFIED WITH CATCHING A LIMIT OF TWO POUNDERS! You must always strive to be the best, and let the fish dictate the methods/baits of fishing. All the while being humble and accepting a failed day on the water as an education. Just my $.02 Mini Exactly my thoughts Bill!  And Rick, you gave up having a "good time" when you became a pro basser!  I don’t mean to break your stones, but c’mon.  The guy that wins those big tournaments is the guy that does what he has to to catch fish;  If that means draining 36 volts of batteries battlin heavy winds & big swells, so be it.  Nobody would like to hear that you’re having success on the FLW tour more than me, but you’re not gonna get there hiding in quiet coves when it’s windy on the lake buddy.  Now get out there & get pounded like all the other successful pros have.  You’re not out there on vacation, you’re trying to make it as a tournament angler.  You’ve gotta go the extra mile- that’s what seperates the champions from the dogs on the pro fishing circuit! Warren PS:  That was a pep-talk, not a criticism of Rick…

Response:

Hey Rick, Keep your head up.  It is you and the bass not you and the competitors.  It is tough everywhere.  Went out twice this weekend on Beaver.  Found some shallow off colored water that was warmer than most places.  Caught some keepers in the brush and trash in the pockets.  Point is don’t be concerned how you are fairing compared to your competitors.  Get tough and keep plugging.  May be a tough tournament that under 20 pounds all week wins so go slow for the big bite or go deep for the smaller bite. P.S.  We would never kick you out of here.  I personally think you are one of the best parts of this group.  It is nice to see that other fisherman struggle on the water at times.  When times are tough we tend to see the universe as revolving around ourselves. —                       <<          <<                                             <                                         << BAZZMAN

Response:

Rick, How can a guy from Michigan complain about +40 temperature?  If it’s that cold, look to jigging deep.

Because I can’t stand cold weather. Just cause I live there don’t mean I enjoy it. Yah the fish are out in the main lake. I agree. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

Rick – hey, don’t worry about being banned from the group!  I’ve been skunked lots of days when there were prime weather conditions!  This 20 degrees and 10-15 mph winds sounds more like a miserable duck hunting day instead of a miserable fishing day.  When I was young and foolish (well, OK, just young, as I’m still somewhat foolish), I’d go out on a day like that. Now, on the back side of AARP age, watching Roland Martin on TV, with a bowl of popcorn and a hot fire is more my present style.  When the temperature reaches 60 or 65, then I’ll venture forth. Warren Funk Instead of putting day 1,2, or whatever I decided to actually state the day. I was becoming confused as to what so I am sure the readers here were probably going nuts too. So Sunday John Fawcett is here and helping me carve up the lake. We discuss

the attack plan the night before and both set out in the morning. Did I mention it is cold here? Yah I know probably a dozen times. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Today the wind is blowing so the cold is especially tough. I try to fish the main lake but it is just too cold and windy. Not my idea of a good time. I fish a dozen or so spots without a bite.  (Remainder snipped)

Response:

Well said Warren…. Rick has crossed the line from a hobby to a legitimate competition. You have to go the extra mile, have the proper equipment, all the replacements for the equipment and maintain it properly. Not to mention being intolerable to pain, cold, wind, and many other elements that can be thrown at you. but the biggest thing is, dont listen to the dock talk, dont worry about anyone else except the next bass. Keep your head up, concentrate, and BELIEVE that you are going to catch a winning string EVERY DAY. DO NOT BE SATISFIED WITH CATCHING A LIMIT OF TWO POUNDERS! You must always strive to be the best, and let the fish dictate the methods/baits of fishing. All the while being humble and accepting a failed day on the water as an education. Just my $.02 Mini – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Exactly my thoughts Bill!  And Rick, you gave up having a "good time" when you became a pro basser!  I don’t mean to break your stones, but c’mon.  The guy that wins those big tournaments is the guy that does what he has to to catch fish;  If that means draining 36 volts of batteries battlin heavy winds & big swells, so be it.  Nobody would like to hear that you’re having success on the FLW tour more than me, but you’re not gonna get there hiding in quiet coves when it’s windy on the lake buddy.  Now get out there & get pounded like all the other successful pros have.  You’re not out there on vacation, you’re trying to make it as a tournament angler.  You’ve gotta go the extra mile- that’s what seperates the champions from the dogs on the pro fishing circuit! Warren PS:  That was a pep-talk, not a criticism of Rick…

Response:

Exactly my thoughts Bill!  And Rick, you gave up having a "good time" when you became a pro basser!  I don’t mean to break your stones, but c’mon.  The guy that wins those big tournaments is the guy that does what he has to to catch fish;  If that means draining 36 volts of batteries battlin heavy winds & big swells, so be it.  Nobody would like to hear that you’re having success on the FLW tour more than me, but you’re not gonna get there hiding in quiet coves when it’s windy on the lake buddy.  Now get out there & get pounded like all the other successful pros have.  You’re not out there on vacation, you’re trying to make it as a tournament angler.  You’ve gotta go the extra mile- that’s what seperates the champions from the dogs on the pro fishing circuit! Warren PS:  That was a pep-talk, not a criticism of Rick…

Response:

Rick, How can a guy from Michigan complain about +40 temperature?  If it’s that cold, look to jigging deep. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds to me like you’d better bundle up & get out there in the wind & ply those channel drop-offs Rick!  You can bet some of those FLW boys’ll figure out the fish.  They should be in classic late-winter patterns right now, far from any coves and shallow water… Warren Instead of putting day 1,2, or whatever I decided to actually state the day. I was becoming confused as to what so I am sure the readers here were probably going nuts too. So Sunday John Fawcett is here and helping me carve up the lake. We discuss the attack plan the night before and both set out in the morning. Did I mention it is cold here? Yah I know probably a dozen times. Today the wind is blowing so the cold is especially tough. I try to fish the main lake but it is just too cold and windy. Not my idea of a good time. I fish a dozen or so spots without a bite. I finally go into a cove that is supposed to hold fish and it looks pretty good. But no bites again. I am throwing dozens of different baits both fast and slow. I even dead stick a worm for a long time trying to coax out a bite. Meanwhile here comes John. It is late in the day and John has finished fishing all the areas we talked of the night before. John tells me he has had one bite all day. I tell him I haven’t had even one nudge. We both shake our heads. Seems these fish sure have lockjaw. It is late and we both decide to pack it in and go to dinner. I get back to the ramp and talk with a few folks there. Seems everyone says the same thing that they are not catching anything. It makes me feel SOMEWHAT better but I can’t win a tourney without a fish! I talked with Jerry Williams and he didn’t get a bite today either. So I am feeling a little better. Oh and those of you who don’t recognize Jerry’s name he is an old time B.A.S.S. fisherman that has done quite well the last couple of years. So in other words he is no slouch. So that is three full days of fishing and not a bite for me. I am starting to get a little nervous. I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys ban me from the newsgroup if I don’t get going soon. See you tomorrow. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

Check out http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/reports/ Let us know if they are lying. I have included a report from about a week ago, but that was before the latest cold front moved in. (I live within 30 miles of the lake, and they have seemed to have lock jaw since late fall.) Lake Murray, South Carolina Submitted by Phillip Taylor (ip 205.138.38.76) fished on 2/15/99 The big fish are staging on lower end of lake.Main lake points,secondary points,humps,and islands lending to spawning areas are producing some gaint fish.I pre-fished for the Red-man and caught fish that ranged from 4.5lbs-9.5lbs.During the Red-man Sunday I only managed 4 fish but I had 15 lbs which put me in 11th place over-all.The winning weight was over 21lbs and there were alot of big fish caught.Good-luck, Phillip Taylor(Bassfisher1)

Response:

Sounds to me like you’d better bundle up & get out there in the wind & ply those channel drop-offs Rick!  You can bet some of those FLW boys’ll figure out the fish.  They should be in classic late-winter patterns right now, far from any coves and shallow water… Warren – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Instead of putting day 1,2, or whatever I decided to actually state the day. I was becoming confused as to what so I am sure the readers here were probably going nuts too. So Sunday John Fawcett is here and helping me carve up the lake. We discuss the attack plan the night before and both set out in the morning. Did I mention it is cold here? Yah I know probably a dozen times. Today the wind is blowing so the cold is especially tough. I try to fish the main lake but it is just too cold and windy. Not my idea of a good time. I fish a dozen or so spots without a bite. I finally go into a cove that is supposed to hold fish and it looks pretty good. But no bites again. I am throwing dozens of different baits both fast and slow. I even dead stick a worm for a long time trying to coax out a bite. Meanwhile here comes John. It is late in the day and John has finished fishing all the areas we talked of the night before. John tells me he has had one bite all day. I tell him I haven’t had even one nudge. We both shake our heads. Seems these fish sure have lockjaw. It is late and we both decide to pack it in and go to dinner. I get back to the ramp and talk with a few folks there. Seems everyone says the same thing that they are not catching anything. It makes me feel SOMEWHAT better but I can’t win a tourney without a fish! I talked with Jerry Williams and he didn’t get a bite today either. So I am feeling a little better. Oh and those of you who don’t recognize Jerry’s name he is an old time B.A.S.S. fisherman that has done quite well the last couple of years. So in other words he is no slouch. So that is three full days of fishing and not a bite for me. I am starting to get a little nervous. I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys ban me from the newsgroup if I don’t get going soon. See you tomorrow. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

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Instead of putting day 1,2, or whatever I decided to actually state the day. I was becoming confused as to what so I am sure the readers here were probably going nuts too. So Sunday John Fawcett is here and helping me carve up the lake. We discuss the attack plan the night before and both set out in the morning. Did I mention it is cold here? Yah I know probably a dozen times. Today the wind is blowing so the cold is especially tough. I try to fish the main lake but it is just too cold and windy. Not my idea of a good time. I fish a dozen or so spots without a bite. I finally go into a cove that is supposed to hold fish and it looks pretty good. But no bites again. I am throwing dozens of different baits both fast and slow. I even dead stick a worm for a long time trying to coax out a bite. Meanwhile here comes John. It is late in the day and John has finished fishing all the areas we talked of the night before. John tells me he has had one bite all day. I tell him I haven’t had even one nudge. We both shake our heads. Seems these fish sure have lockjaw. It is late and we both decide to pack it in and go to dinner. I get back to the ramp and talk with a few folks there. Seems everyone says the same thing that they are not catching anything. It makes me feel SOMEWHAT better but I can’t win a tourney without a fish! I talked with Jerry Williams and he didn’t get a bite today either. So I am feeling a little better. Oh and those of you who don’t recognize Jerry’s name he is an old time B.A.S.S. fisherman that has done quite well the last couple of years. So in other words he is no slouch. So that is three full days of fishing and not a bite for me. I am starting to get a little nervous. I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys ban me from the newsgroup if I don’t get going soon. See you tomorrow. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, and Bill Norman Lures. I use them because I think they’re the best!

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Question:

Looking for a reasonably priced porta potty for my 25′ bass tracker pontoon

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Looking for a reasonably priced porta potty for my 25′ bass tracker pontoon

I’d recommend a SeaLand 6 gallon "pumpable" portapotty model 965MSD. The tank can either be pumped out or carried up the dock and emptied…it has it’s own flush water reservior, so no plumbing is required, and will easily last 4 people a full weekend aboard, including overnight. SeaLand is top of the line…the 965MSD lists at about $150…Defender has it for around $100. Peggie Hall/Peal Products Specializing in marine toilet systems sinc e1987

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Question:

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE JET BOAT?  WHAT ABOUT FUEL CONSUMPTION VS. STANDARD PROP MODELS?  WHAT ABOUT LOW SPEED PERFORMANCE?  TOP END VS SAME HP IN A STANDARD PROP?

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ai checked one out a few years ago.  The salesman said the only thing that he knew was when you pulled back on the throtel to stop cou could not stear the boat.  Than later the took the boat off the market   for reasons I cont know

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