Ham

With the recent rains and warmer weather, I was hoping I could find a Wart bite. I did not. Water is now >660 up over 8 feet in 10 days. Lots of debris in the water. Not the best time to be running WOT. I’d suggest running low 40’s in MPH to give yourself time to dodge stuff. Water temp was basically unchanged from pre rains. Mid 40’s to 48 degrees max. Water color was stained to pretty dingy. MASSIVE amounts of threadfin in the creeks and lots of gulls feeding on dying Shad. I feel like the bass are too. I get that Shad struggle with cold water. I dont get why they are struggling with mid 40’s. I still have a lot to learn about fishing Shad kills. My preference is to run away to areas without dying Shad. I could not get away from the dying Shad yesterday. I threw a lot of different stuff, but minimal to no response. I swung a couple times with odd stuff on Ned, but no sure thing looks. I swung a couple times when the Football Jig got heavy, but it was loaded with algae. I felt A rig plowing through Shad, but no bites. It’s a lot more fun throwing jerk bait when it gets a bite every now and again. Wart and or RK bumped and ground through good stuff and every once in a while stuff felt “alive”. It was odd, but I eventually tail hooked a monster carp which explains the live feel. It was full grown and tested my gear pretty good for a long time. It Pulled the BassCat around which was interesting. That was the only fish of the day. I am working up a serious animosity towards Fish in general and BSL bass in particular. I will get a lot of payback. I won’t slow up and I won’t quit until it gets dark or I catch 100 that day. I’m still going to catch and release most of them, but I’m going to try to sore mouth ALL of them. I’m ready for Spring and 50 something degree water. View full article

I understand. I hope we can work it out.

John, you and I need to do a Mississippi River trip. Cast net up Shad god Bait. Carolina rig cut Shad below a sand bar. 3 inch gulp minnows below wing dams Small jigs to try to catch a “gamefish “ shad chunks of worm on smallish hooks for whatever white bass, yellow bass, drum, sturgeon, stripers, bass, panfish, catfish, gar, etc

Ouch, that does sting. You could have gotten lucky and got the yellow line close enough to go all indigenous ppl on him and hand line him in or maybe tie the yellow line onto your line with a quick uni to uni, but no doubt odds were stacked against you. Ahh Springtime heros or heartbroken

No worries. Id rather ppl kept things a little closer to the vest sometimes. I’m just trying to pick my best option for Tuesday.

I think guys guard crappie Spots a little more, but I hear you. As a point of clarification, I was asking IF it was happening and NOT where it was happening.

I’m told the version that was broadcasted I actually had more than one line, but that may just be a rumor.

Any hints of the Spring runs starting up?

Meh, I can be a complete heretic and state that I truly don’t believe the Ned is anywhere near as effective as it once was. Still a good option, but not a sure thing for >40 bass anymore

PB and J is not a good color for me very often. I have had some success in clear water on cloudy days. other colors are much more consistently productive for me. I like them better because they catch fish better for me,

Thanks for the link. I had not seen the final cut. We talked for a few minutes, but I knew it would be severely edited. I don’t sound or look completely incompetent, so that’s nice.

I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that. It’s a long, uphill grind I’m afraid. Take care of yourself and start researching treatment options. You will eventually feel better.

You guys are right that I should look at drainages and not worry about outward appearence so much.

Mostly, John is right. He’s always right.

Look at the long unbroken rows of darker scales.

John, look at that panfish. Northern Rock Bass ?

My first boat was a 14 foot aluminum bateau. I used it a while with just a bow mount TM, but eventually got a 15 HP Yamaha pull start (it was rated for a 10 HP). i caught 1000’s of fish in it BEFORE I bought my Stratos 279VF with a evinrude intruder 150 HP. I caught a pile of fish in it including my PB LMB. Then my Skeeter Aluminum which failed and was replaced under warranty with a G3 HP 180. now I’m in the BassCat or the Supreme or the Old Town or the Coosa or the Tarpon. It gets confusing.

Wow! Your show is airing in Maryland now?

I’m actually more jealous about the sucker

That’s not Walter .

I'm hoping we get the temps and the rain that are forecasted. I'll get some little trees in the ground. I will get you some of the seeds from the tree at my daughter's place. Use them as you see fit.

I "right" knot is like the right strike indicator. There are things I dislike about every one I've ever used, but I'll be glad to share the knots I know. I use 5 or 6 knots a lot.

I kinda said FU to the FG

Uni to uni is ok, but it's a short fat knot that hits every guide on the way out. So, it's functional, but I can't stand it.