rps

Moved here from Oklahoma in 2002. Had to learn new things. First: shallow is a relative term. Here at my end of the lake (Holiday Island) shallow means what it means. Down by the dam shallow means anything less than 100 feet. Second, shallow fish exist all year, but the numbers and size will relate to things other than the bank - breaks, transitions from one type to another, submerged trees, river current, and thermocline are examples. Third, rethink your equipment and approach. With rare exceptions, 10 pound line and finesse techniques will spank power fishing. In pro fishermen terms, Jimmy Houston loses to the Hibdons. Wait to rebuild your tackle box, but when you do you will discover these are key: jigs with craw trailers, jig heads with grubs, shaky worm rigs, C-rig parts, wiggle warts, white blade baits, and topwaters (walk, wake, and pop). Good luck. I hope you learn faster than I have.

Some lift owners here have a locking device that serves two purposes. It prevents the lift from descending even if someone operates the levers discussed above. They have welded rings to the angle iron from which the supports are built and they chain the lift up with a padlock closure. I haven't done this, but I live on the bluff that looks down at the marina. Then again we have one boat owner (high level Lund) who visits twice a year and his boat is in the water, no lift, all year.

I use the swim noodles for walleye harnesses and slow death rigs I snell. Does anyone use them for swimming? I have had Sunline mono on a baitcaster for nearly a month. Really good stuff, very limp with little memory, but 10 pound test is exactly that - in other words it will feel and behave like 8 pound. I don't use spin rigs anymore unless I'm using 4 pound for trout so I don't know how it would perform on a spin reel.

I gave up pain as proof of manhood some years ago. It hurt too much. Frankly, discomfort sucks too.

I don't think the braid twists any less. I just think the consequences are not nearly so apparent and deadly. I believe Fireline is made from the same material, dyneema, as Power Pro. They are woven differently with Power Pro being rounder and more like a very miniature braid. Fireline is flatter. This difference does cause anglers to prefer one or the other, depending on how they use their line. I use Power Pro for the braid applications I use. When I use a leader I tie an Alberto knot (modified Albright) or use a swivel depending on what I intend to do.

I generally try not to explain things to wives. I fear I am not very good at it. However, I found this: "Metaphysical - Longer definition: Metaphysics is a type of philosophy or study that uses broad concepts to help define reality and our understanding of it. Metaphysical studies generally seek to explain inherent or universal elements of reality which are not easily discovered or experienced in our everyday life. As such, it is concerned with explaining the features of reality that exist beyond the physical world and our immediate senses. Metaphysics, therefore, uses logic based on the meaning of human terms, rather than on a logic tied to human sense perception of the objective world. Metaphysics might include the study of the nature of the human mind, the definition and meaning of existence, or the nature of space, time, and/or causality." It means you were merely explaining that real world color is not nearly so important as individual mindset and practice. Absolutely correct. And clearly metaphysical. Hope this clarifies things for her and others. IMPORTANT NOTE: In case my humor does not translate well in text, SKMO and Champ know their stuff and have my complete respect. I am just funning.

Thank you.

In early June I reported my disgust at the fact my Curado E7 had stripped its gears for the second time. Based on a review on Tackle Tour I bought an Okuma Serrano. I have fished the reel for a month on my topwater rod. (Those who bother to read my posts know I do a lot of topwater fishing) I have thrown with the reel thousands of times now and have caught over a hundred fish on it up to six pounds. I am very pleased to report the reel has met or exceeded what I hoped for when I bought it. It is very small and easy to palm, the drag is smooth and predictable, and the gearing and bearing functions show no sign of chewing themselves to pieces. The reel retrieve stayed smooth even after the new wore off and seems as solid now as the first week. As mentioned in the review I read, the bugger loves to backlash until you reset the centrifugal weights from the factory default. I suggest you immediately set the weights at the highest level then work your way to what works for you. Fortunately resetting the weights is easy. Properly adjusted the reel casts as far as any Shimano I've owned. If you are looking for a moderately priced reel with high end features and performance, the Serrano should be one you consider. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Serrano_Casting_Reel/descpage-OSCR.html

SKMO: I agree with your answer too, even if it is a bit metaphysical. Go with your confidence factor is exactly why I rarely throw topwater baits I haven't messed with.

Check the resolutions. If I remember correctly, the smallest unit has a great pixel X pixel count. The only draw back is when you are more than two feet from the screen, the larger units are easier to see.

You are absolutely right. That is why my spooks are clear, white, or silver on the bottom. However, the lures I'll have painted are the Top Dollars I am modifying. They dipsy doodle as they walk, flash sides, and threaten to dive under and all sorts of odd motions. That is part of why I put up with the fact they throw ugly. They also catch fish like crazy. They come with a typical Norman paint job and cheap hooks. I have never spent $20 on a lure like all the pros and wannabes. It tickles me to realize that even with the paint job, hardware change, and Daiichi hooks, they will cost about the same as Lucky Craft or Yellow Magic.

I have understood the need for the masks among the go very fast in Winter and early Spring group. 50 or 60 mph in 45 degrees equals ugly wind chill. I just thought that it would be preposterous for me to have one. My little rig, if it has a tail wind, might hit 35 mph. I also don't fish if it's ugly cold. But today, even at 30 mph, the rain drops stung. Do I have to wear a death head, flames, or a dragon face? Can I get away with a solid color other than NASCAR red? Wait! I know! I'll have Tim Hughes paint it in Table Rock Shad. Actually, they do make sense.

I am using the 898si for my tiller position and a 778c for the bow. Both are excellent units, although the side image function is sometimes difficult to see in certain sunlight angles. A dash mount will reduce those problems. You may remember when units had shade hoods. Sometimes I wish they did again. The sonar images are very sharp and easy to interpret. I am learning how to read the side images and feel more confident every day. I am not yet able to "see" under docks, but ledges and bridge piers are beginning to make sense. Yes, the units are expensive. You know you will wind up with something like them soon, and when you do you will react as did I: "Why did I not do this sooner?" One place you might consider saving is on linkage. I have not linked the units. The bow runs through the troll motor transducer. My use for the bow position is straight down and depth/bottom texture. My use for the rear position is searching and trolling. I decided not to spend the extra as these seemed distinct and different functions. I understand linking is possible at later date and you might think about delaying that cost by using the units as I do. As for your real question - how much longer will the old units work and are they going to be worth the money to add GPS - If I could answer questions like that I would not be teaching school. I would be spending the vasts sums of good money I have thrown after bad over the years.

trying to eliminate double post. admin - didn't you used to be able to delete your own posts?

I fished this morning from dark until rainout. Started by bass fishing an area I troll for walleye. Lots of deep timber on a steep sloped bank. Caught two almost legal fish on top and had several other missed fish. Moved on to a classic flat point that runs out to the channel. Only a little activity showed and I only raised one short spotted bass. I motored on up to the devil's backbone and caught several more short fish off the reef. I switched to walleye hunting and fished the reef with passes at 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet deep. The deepest passes brought me a 17 inch walleye and a 9 inch crappie before I finally caught a solid white bass. I didn't keep it but at least I could have. Five species and one stinking keeper. At that point the rain moved in; some thunder was mixed in and that caused me to head home. I love my new boat, but discovered a drawback today. If you hurry to get out of the rain, the rain drops really sting as they hit you in the face. There is no windscreen to save you on a tiller boat. I had my rain coat hood cinched down tight over my Ozark Anglers hat. Basically the only thing peeking out were my glasses, nose, and mustache. The rain was so intense I had to wipe my glasses. As I loosened the hood to ease my glasses out, the wind ripped it back and my hat flew off. I cut the motor, turned and circled, looking for my hat, bare headed in the downpour. That sucker sank immediately. No chance for a save. I did not know Phil had purchased inferior hats with no flotation. Until now. I tried to cinch down the hood without the ball cap and go on home. Doesn't work nearly so well. The ball cap bill is what keeps the hood from sliding over your eyes. To be able to see, I had to leave the hood more loosely tied. Once you are on plane, the hood funnels the rain to the back of your neck. Now don't get me wrong. I know that living on the lake and having most of the summer free to fish is the dream of many people. Still, this morning was not what I dreamed of before I moved here. Grumble, grumble. Wish I had my hat back.

good report. thanks.

I am going to have some topwater baits painted. I have been having fun trying to decide what color scheme to order. That got me wondering what others think. If you received a present and were going to have Hughes do the job, what color schemes would you have him use? Why?

I am famous for how easily I exit boats, and this device won't help me enter again if it's up on dry land.

For many years I fished Oklahoma ponds from a tube. I especially liked buzz baits in ponds with fallen wood. In ponds with willows in the water, I would skip unweighted large worm under the leaves into the flooded trunks.

I had not planned to fish today. However, as I enjoyed my second cup of coffee, it started to sprinkle. I checked the weather map and found clouds with some rain were predicted for the day. I got organized and went to the boat. I guess it was 9:00 by the time I was fishing. In the next hour I caught one fish, a small keeper, but had four more blow up on my topwater. Some days are like that. By then the boats were out despite the cloud cover. I ran up above Beaver town in an attempt to elude them. I actually think they followed me. I really hate those boats designed to throw huge wakes for boarding, especially when we are both up in the river part. I decided to troll back to the marina. It was like trying to troll while competing in the rodeo bronc riding event. I was surprised to mark suspended fish at 16 to 18 feet. I changed to a shallower running bait, a purple tiger flicker shad, and wound up with 20 and 22 inch walleyes before I became so frustrated I quit. The parking lot at Holiday Island was completely full, and people had invented spaces. The overflow lot was pretty much full as well. Alan, the marina operator, had a crazed look and was moving at warp speed. One of the local boat mechanics was visible only by his feet sticking from a very old Mark Twain I/O drifting right in the path of those desperate to unload their PWC. I decided to clean my fish and go home before the fighting broke out.

Many of us use a book called Precision Trolling. Its nickname is the Trollers Bible. It tells us how deep lures will run on 10 pound mono and braid. Wiggle warts, fat free fingerlings and shad, and reef runners are in our books so we can control how deep we troll out baits. Makes a difference.

The long time guides rig sculpin using dead ones. I have seen some peel them, while others do not. They will lip hook the bait fish, but then they use a half hitch around the tail that enables them to throw the bait out out with the heavier head first. The knot disappears when the line slides off the tail. As fished on the White, Sculpin are trophy baits, and usually the takers are browns. The bait is definitely not a numbers bait. Of course they are using bait up to the size of your thumb. Oh, and as I wrote last year (see above) please use a circle hook.

I am a strong fan of minnkota. I currently run a terrova with a universal transducer for my humminbird bow sonar. I have the digital control model which allows operation by foot pedal or fob. I did not buy the autopilot option. I am very pleased. BTW I ran my last minnkota, a similar model but without the universal transducer,into a submerged stump at high speed. It broke the unbreakable shaft. Minnkota replaced the shaft for free.

tie him by his feet and troll for a while. when he complains, ask the kids if they think dad is cool now.

Tuesday I fished early and started in Roaring River. No topwater bite, even in the places that have produced for me in the past. However, as I left, I saw shad being chopped near the buoy that marks the long shallow point as you go from the bay to the river. I scooted over and threw my walking bait out. 45 minutes later I had 11 mixed spots and largemouth in the boat with two keepers. I am sorry to report that was the last action of the day even though I fished (jig and troll) until past noon. Today I fished around the first bend upriver from Holiday Island at first light. Despite a cool wind I put 9 in the boat from a 150 yard stretch of water in the first hour. Two almost measured. Then an eruption occurred out in the channel. I powered over and caught 9 whites between 1 and 2 pounds. They were spitting up 1 inch shad minnows as they came in. I went back to my bank after the excitement and found 3 more fish. One was 18 inches and another was 21 and 1/2. The largest I've caught this year. The Cabelas scale said 6 pounds. She was skinny. From 9 to 1:30 I sought walleye with a friend. We caught small bass and a white but only one cigar size walleye. Be careful out there this weekend.