jpb2187

Yes, it is a bit on the larger size.

Car Bombs... now we're talkin!

That's the joke... for Jack n Coke. (not cola)

Ever wonder why Jack Daniels bottles are square?

Ha! Just realized I posted the date backwards.

Funny story from wade fishing today. I had just retied a tube that had broken off. I dropped the tube in the water, put away the bag of tubes in my pocket, jerked the tube twice before reeling in the slack to make a cast. Snagged? Really? No not Really. Angry Smallie with 6 feet of 6lb line out had me doing lots of twists in the middle of the river.

I'm with you man, i'm ready for some cold mornings.

Did you install the transducer through a scupper hole or make some kind of mount?

I think the early/late thing is more for us humans than the bass, especially on a place like Taney with the cooler water, but that's just my opinion.

Head up to WI for my wife's family reunion. Brought the kayak and was able to do a little fishing. We we staying in Egg Harbor, about halfway up the Peninsula. I was able to get out a few times and and fish in a couple area. My best success came in Egg Harbor itself, as I was able to locate a few areas with some steeper drops that were withing reasonable paddling distances from launch. Day 1 - headed out into Egg Harbor and went exploring. Very clear water, could see easily 10-20 feet down. A lot of muck and stuff grows on the rocks so some techniques were better than others. Had to ditch the jerkbait b/c of all the snot on it. Had the best luck with a smoke grub and a smash tube. Nothing big, but I caught a few, so I was happy with that I got the skunk out of the trip already. Day 2 - Headed to a place called Kangaroo Lake. Largest Lake in the peninsula, but very shallow. Water was very clear here as well. Sightfished a bit, and hooked one big smallie, but it shook me off. I was also feeling a little iffy that morning (too much Jim Beam/Vodka the previous night?) so I didn't stay out there long and went back to take a nap. That afternoon I went back out into Egg Harbor and caught the biggest fish of the trip - an 18" on a Rage Menace Grub. Caught it near the intersection of a point and a channel that had been carved out for a private dock. Day 3 - I headed to Rowley's Bay, which in hindsight was a decision I regretted. I was paddling around looking for a drop off, but hours later I still found myself paddling around. I got frustrated and said F it and went into the mink river. Ended up catching one, nothing big, but definitely the hardest fighting fish of the trip. After paddling around the bay, and up the mink and back out to the launch I think I paddled a total of 6 miles that day, in some 20mph winds. On the last Day i just stayed in Egg Harbor again and fished some familiar areas, didn't catch anything big, but kept the rod bent for most of the time. Best baits were grubs and drop shot worms. All in all a pretty fun trip. Wish i would've paddled out to Strawberry Islands instead of Rowley's Bay, but that was my only regret for the trip. Hooked into some fish, that kept me busy, although not much size. Thought I did ok for no guide and first time fishing the big water. If there's a next time I may have a better idea.

Nice Marcus!

That's Harold. He's pretty good, learned pretty quick when he was a pup and swiped a few burgers while I was getting the grill ready...

Just woofed a sandwich down...

So I decided last night after I rubbed the pork butt I actually wanted to brine it. Filled a container with water, salt, and some molasses and put the rubbed butt in there. Brined for about 12 hours. On the smoker today at 6 am. Internal temps at 133 right now smoking at 225, once it gets to about 140-150 I'm gonna wrap with foil and heat the smoker To about 275 until it reaches 195-200.

Got this guy rubbed down for the smoker tomorrow.

I could eat mexican til the day I die. As for Rick Bayless, I'd highly recommend this recipe. http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/enchiladas-especiales-tacuba-style/

I never had the Banjo Minnow, but got these as a kid. I actually thought they worked pretty well. Now they're selling those Berkley Backsiders and Jackall Cover craw... same concept.

If I had to pick I would probably agree with you Mitch, but I have caught bigger fish both ways. I personally feel like bigger Bass like it either really slow, or really fast. The middle ground is where I feel you catch a bunch of rats. Big Bass are caught draggin C-rigs and FB jigs deep, and also caught with a quick pitch to a bush before they have time to think about it. I either catch my big bass on crankbaits reeling as slow as I can while bumping rocks on the bottom, or by burning it past wood and bouncing it off logs and branches.

Yeah, only been to Unger once or twice, but did catch about a 3-4lber there. I would agree that place is tough, due to the fluctuacting water level.

Have to disagree with you on this one. Some of my best fishing days, on any lake, have been at Jefferson Lake in Forest Park. Yes these lakes/ponds are hard, but you have to put in some time to figure the fish out. They are different, but they are still bass, they're still gonna eat. Caught decent fish at FoPo, Creve Couer, Suson, Queeny, Spots on the Meramec in STL , Unger, Carondelet, to name a few. Just look at the forums for other lakes and rivers on here. Plenty of people are getting skunked or catching shorts on these "less pressured" waters. These ponds are no different. I've been to FoPo and caught decent sized bass every other cast. I've also been there and gotten skunked. But after fishing there regularly, I found spots that were more productive, under water structures, and techniques that work better than others. If you put in the time I GURANTEE you can figure out ways to catch decent bass there consistently. Just be patient, try to learn as much as you can while you are there. Slow down, fish bigger or smaller, try to find depth changes with carolina rigs and such and you can locate some good spots that hold fish. I'd recommend going to just one of the lakes you listed every time out instead of hopping around. Take some time to learn that lake and its intricacies, don't try to solve all the lakes at once. Each one will fish differently. And there's no point in hoping for some big lake or giant stcking program for the STL city/county. One, property values are way to high for someone to decide to take up 10 acres or so with a new public lake. Two, city's have a hard time squeezing in things like education, police, and roads into budgets... fish stocking programs don't have a chance on that front.

Just saw this pop up on a deal alert... http://m.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11279269

Heres my $.02. Here's what I was looking for in a kayak. 1. Lightweight - Have a 2 canoes that I love, but loading and hauling them by myself was doable but annoying due to weight. 2. Fast - I would like to cover water, or at least paddle for a while to get a good distance under my belt, then take my time fishing back. Didn't want something that was going to be a barge to paddle. (Had to sacrifice some standing stability for this) 3. Lots of storage/ or accessory space if wanted. Don't plan on using too many accessories or add ons at the moment, but wanted the option to in the future. I ended up buying an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13. At 56lbs its a cinch to throw on top of the van. Its a long kayak, at 13' 4", and only 28' wide.So it's got pretty good speed. I have stood up while fishing on it, it is doable, but for me right now only in calm water. Comes with a seat, ropes along the sides, bungees, etc. I can fit a cooler and a Plano Ammo box behind me very easiy, 2 rod holders if you like the angled ones. (I think i'm going to mount 3 pvcs to the ammo box for vertical storage.) Also has lots of U-bolts and areas you can add your own caribeeners, clips, accs, etc. onto. I bought a factory 2nd for around $600 from austin kayak, but it looks like Academy has them new online for $699. Comapred to a lot of the other "fishing" kayaks out there I thought it had the most bang for your buck. Paddle-drive would be nice, but I thought the added price and weight wasn't worth it. Wider more stable kayaks might be nice for standing, but I'd rather get an easier paddler.The Ocean Kayak Prowler was the right length, weight, and price for me. I made a pvc cart with wheels from Harbor Freight that I just pop into the scupper holes when transporting, makes it a breeze if you have to walk a ways to portage. http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_1411540_-1?cm_mmc=pla-_-Boating+Marine+Paddle+Sports+Kayaks+Sit-on-top+Kayaks-_-Google-_-Ocean+Kayak+Prowler+13+13+4+Angler+Kayak&sku=103980021&gclid=CPv6vfLBuc0CFQ6GaQodJK0OzQ&kwid=productads-adid^69707526798-device^c-plaid^18283950120-sku^103980021-adType^PLA BTW, I'm tall, but skinny - 6'2" - 165, very comfortable to me.

Without knowing price range/ brand preference, not sure what to recommend, but I can't say enough good things about the Daiwa Tatula reels for the price. Can get them for around $100, and I don't think you can find a better casting, smoother feeling reel at that price new. Come in 5.4-7.3. https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Tatula-Baitcasting-Reel-TATULA100P/dp/B00GGA01DO

Yep, I kept an eye on the tide charts. When the tides were moving up/down it really ripped through that channel into and out of the bay. I found the best bites were coming and the start of the incoming tide, and at the tail end of the outgoing tides. The Dolphins were all over the tide movements. As soon as the tide started pulling all of the water out of the backwater areas, they were set up right in the bay at the mouth of the channel waiting for an easy meal. I had one dolphin come within probably 10 feet of where I was standing chasing fish.

Just got back from Marco Island, Florida for a vacation with the family. Left Saint Louis at 9pm on Thursday night and arrived in Marco Island around 7pm Friday evening. You can probably make the drive in about 17-18 hours if you are with adults, but it was me, the wife, and 3 kids (8, 2, & 4 months - lots of stops.) The in-laws condo is on the north side of the island, backing up to a canal, with a nice little pool for the kids to swim in. Marco Island is about 30 minutes south of Naples, and just about the last stop before the Everglades in Florida. The island itself is tons and tons of little fingerlings interconnected by canals, with the Capri Pass to the north and Caxambas Pass to the south. I brought the Kayak down and was planning on doing some fishing each morning. I was wanting to catch some Redfish, Snook, Speckled trout, and maybe a Shark. For the first day I started just fishing the canals in the afternoon with artificials. Not much action had one big fish follow a paddle tail swimbait, and i could see a big flash of white when he turned to hit it, but no hook up. I headed to the bait shop the next day and picked up some shrimp. Hit the canals again, this time seeing much more action. Lots of bites, a few fish landed, and lots of shrimp donated to the fish as well. Ended up bringing a Mangrove Snapper and a Sheepshead home for dinner (Fish Tacos). The next day, I decided to get up earlier, ditch the canals, and head to some bigger water. Got to my spot right at sun up - where the smaller bay empties into the pass, and IT WAS ON! Or at least I thought so... Learned pretty quickly that I was outgunned when it came to tackle strength. I had three rods rigged and ready - spinning rod 15lb braid 20lb leader, baitcaster w/ 17lb mono, baitcaster w/ 40lb braid and 20lb mono leader. On one of my first casts, my baitcaster doubles over as if I'm snagged on a log, drag screams, and POP! About 5 seconds later a big snook jumps out of the water flailing trying to shake the hooks out of his mouth. Dang. Well hopefully theres more where that came from. Pick up the braided rod. Again rod doubles over, fish is just taking line without slowing down... snap. darn. Didn't see what that was. Lets re-rig. cast out another mullet and pick up the spinning rod with a spoon while i wait on that rod. Spinning rod bends over, drags racing... pop again. $%#^&#*$%*!!! $($$()*!)!!!! #@$%!!!!! &$^!!!!!! Oh wait it looks line that baitcaster's line is moving. Reel into the fish, feels the hook set, but this guy wants nothing to do with being shallow, heads to deep water, and I can't stop him. Looks like I need to regroup. Headed back to the condo, put on some 20lb braid on the spinning reel. Head to the tackle shop and get some more 50lb braid for the baitcasters and 50lb mono leaders for all. Restock on circle hooks and mullet and I'm ready for the next day. Head out the next morning about 5 am, before the sun came up. I'm paddling along the bay, admiring the peace and quiet - no boats, no jetskis- looking at the stars sitting back in my kayak. Take one more paddle and then it happens. KAPOOSH1 KAPOOSH1 KAPOOSH! KAPOOSH! About 5 feet away from me it looks as if a freight train just tried to drive through the bay. My heart is beating in my chest at this point and my kayak is rocking in the waves. Not exactly sure what happened here, but I think I scared a pack of Manatees, whatever is was, it moved fast for being that big. Turn around, grabbed my life jacket, headed back to my spot from yesterday. Set one of my newly rigged rods up in the rod holder cast out my mullet and wait. Nothing yet, so I picked up the spinning rod with a silver 1 1/2 oz. war eagle silver spoon. About wore out my arms reeling in ladyfish. Even caught a few Jack Crevalle. My baited rod finally doubles over. Grab it set the hook, and the fish takes off. Please baby please baby hold on. I get the fish turned, and it looks like I might land the fish. Here she comes, oh no don't jump. Still hooked, thank goodness. Get it to the beach. It's a nice 28 inch snook. Snook are spawning on the beaches right now, so the season is closed. That snook gets to live another day. The next day was beach day, and I didn't get to do much fishing. The following day, the family rented a pontoon and went to explore on our own. found a nice little island with a beach and spent most our time there on our own private little island. Pretty neat. Saw some dolphins and a giant school of stingrays on our boat ride there. Its was pretty incredible. There were at least 100 stingrays all swimming together. Never seen anything like it before. Didn't do much fishing but on the way back I saw a bunch of pilings under some shade near some current. Tossed a finger mullet free lined and bam! This fish was a fighter. Had the rod bent over for a while, me and him trading blows, he'd take some line and run, i'd turn him, but then he'd take some more. Finally got him to the boat. A nice jack crevalle, about as big as my boy ha! Went out to my spot the remaining days, but nothing to write home about. Caught more ladyfish and catfish than I could count. On the last day I did finally catch a spotted trout on a shadow rap deep jerkbait off of the beachfront. Was hoping I'd maybe found a school, but could only get that one bite. All in all a great trip, wish I could have caught some better table fare, a redfish, and a Shark to get revenge on, but I still had fun and kept the rods bent a lot. even caught some weird fish like this Oyster Toad Fish in my bait trap. Can't wait to get back there and build on the knowledge I gained from this trip.