Walcrabass

You're a smart man............................ but you have to stop stealing my secrets...................... right now until even up in the winter the Spinnerbait bite can be awesome. Between that and a jig even in cold weather you really can't go wrong. Good Job. Wallcrabass

Skeet, I think I speak for several who read this site when I say that we have some concern for you. After all you stated that you had not been fishing in awhile. We also read where you use the Ned Rig a lot. We are hoping that since you used those big, heavy Whopper Ploppers and the Spook JR. instead of the Ned Rig that you have not strained some arm or lower back muscles and might cause yourself to be out of commission for some time. Remember better fishing is close so don't get out of "Casting Shape". Maybe you could stand on a picnic table in the back yard and get in some flipping and casting practice !!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding..................... really glad you got to go.................... keep up the reports. Wally

Bassin Fool, It would have been more like 2006. Absolutely a sheet of water coming down. I absolutely could not see. A young man in the boat ( I know, even worse as I had a kid in the boat with another adult ) who was able to see somewhat told me where to guide the boat. We were only going maybe 4 or 5 mph. He got us back in the cove where we had launched. It was greaser creek. Made it to the bank towards the boat ramp end and just put it up on the dirt. After awhile it let up a little. The bilge pump ran for a long time. When it had pumped out we shoved off ( bilge still running) and made it to the ramp. I truly thought we were done for. When the weather starts changing now I head in to the ramp. I was lucky once. May not make it the next time. Walcrabass

Bassin Fool, Just to give you a little comfort and let you know you are not alone....................... A couple of the greatest Bass Fishing trips I have ever taken were brought to an abrupt stop by: 1. The worst Thunderstorm ever on the planet earth........... very nearly sunk my boat with the bilge running full blast. We were catching them like crazy on a river bed edge and good ones too, just did not leave in time. Jig and Craw with Craw Oil naturally............ 2. We were hitting fish on brush piles and catching the crud out of them. Just going from pile to pile ( somehow I magically knew where they were................. oh yeah......... I put them there...........) Jigs and Craws with Craw Oil. It was pretty unbelievable !!!! Then the motor quit. Seems I had hit something in the past and it was out of time. Finally figured out how to hot wire it and got it started but by then the night was over. Had to head to the ramp. Had to head to the boat mechanic too. He has fixed my old boat so many times he can do it blind folded. Hope this gives you and others peace of mind. Always remember......... if things are going really great with the fish then................... you will get the world's greatest Backlash or the Boat, trolling motor, and fish finders will all quit. It is pretty much a rule of the Universe !! Walcrabass

Dan, Nice video. Glad you caught some. RPS, Saw your comment on the 20+" Walleye being a Monster. Wanted to say that many years ago I too fished for Walleye on Stockton. 20" was a pretty standard keeper fish. At that time 28 to 30" were a Monster. Have caught several that length myself. Of course that was before the 15" length limit came along. Used to be 18". Just saying ya know. This is why I preach Length Limit, Length Limit, Length Limit where Fish are concerned. I personally believe the "Quality" ( general size) of the Walleye was much better then. While I am on it I also believe we could have more spawning of the Walleye in Stockton ( and other lakes ) if we had Zones or seasons that did not allow them to be kept during certain times of the year. Kind of surprised the Department of Conservation hasn't jumped on that opportunity as it would save them money if they did not have to stock a many. Just 2 cents from Wally

5fsh, I don't think unbiased observers are even necessary. After all the "Paper" portion of the tournament doesn't count. Only the Big bass weighed in. So I guess if the guys in the boat as a team decide to tell a big whopper ( imagine that from fishermen) about how many they caught on paper the only thing it will hurt is their future credibility. I believe we need to MAKE this type of tournament become popular just like we MADE catch and release popular. In yesteryear even the tournament anglers did not release their catch. Before it comes up I want to say that yes sometimes I eat fish. I am not very particular what type such as Catfish , WHite Bass, Black Bass, Perch, etc. These fish certainly don't get released. But what I am stressing is that if the fish are to be released to LIVE then we need to give the greatest percentage of fish possible the best chance possible. Wally

5fshlmt, I understand that as you say there were no fish :"floating". The problem is that as long as 2 weeks later they can still die from the stresses created. It has been a long time since I have read anything on this as it was in the 70/80's when it seemed to be a big problem. In my mind the "one fish" would be weighed in for the team in the boat that caught it. Not just the angler that caught it. Just like a 5 fish limit. Therefore no problem with time in the front of the boat. I don't think that anyone would disagree that the quicker the release ( like immediately) the greater the survival rate. I agree with the money involved thing. Seems to be the root of a lot of problems huh?? Walcrabass

Tournament Guys, Let me make a suggestion for Small Bass Tournaments where the big "TV" weigh in isn't being used. How about a "Paper Trail" tournament where ALL the fish you catch are weighed, recorded, and released except for your biggest one. This would be the only fish brought to the weigh in. Of course you would still be able to cull your big fish that was in the live well. This big fish would be the ONLY weight turned in by each boat and the slots would pay out accordingly. In addition with the technology today each boat could keep track of what big fish had been caught by other boats so they would know whether to keep theirs in the live well or go ahead and let it go since they weren't going to be able to place in the standings. All the other fish that were weighed and released would just be to show the fishing prowess of each boat. Much like showing off the "biggest 5" at the weigh in as in most tournaments. The survival rate for the fish being caught would go through the roof especially in the hot months. After all if it is catch and release then they need to live for it to make sense. Just some food for thought. Walcrabass

Mopanfisher is right. Label, Label, Label, and Label. Especially the lake where they are caught !! Many of us fish in different states and even private farm ponds. This can drastically change the amount of fish you can legally have in your freezer. Be careful of the farm ponds. If they were stocked by the MDC then the same regulations apply as for the lakes with the exception of length limits. Also while we are on the subject..................... If you give fish to someone please put all your information on the packages to keep them AND yourself from being in trouble. Not a bad idea to list what is in the bags. It may keep them from all being thawed out by an agent to see what is inside someday. I have known people whose homes were "inspected" by the MDC. Fortunately they were legal on all accounts. Believe me the "inspection" can go pretty deep. Wallenheimer

As Mopanfisher says don't have them on the shoreline either. Back to the Freezer at home is the answer. Also don't be possessing Filets on the bank. Not that this would happen but I think that technically a guy could get himself in trouble for having them in the ice chest while still on a multiple day fishing trip. Wally

Hope the channel cat tastes good. Glad to hear of your success at night fishing. Don't understand why more people don't do it. Wally

Basschomper, I guess it all boils down to what is "Significant death rate". Once again I must stress MONEY !!! Our MDC and others in other states need it too and so I personally believe it always has some sway in things. Like I said before, Paper Trail Tournaments would be awesome as far as the death rate is concerned. One other point is that a lot of "Bass Pros" completely stop competitive fishing in the summer months. This is probably mostly because the daytime fishing falls off so much. In other words a night tournament for the "big bucks" would be so hard to keep 100% honest. I agree with the belt thing Walcrabass

Jerry, From the game wardens I have been friends with in my life I can tell you DEFINITELY DON'T GET CAUGHT WITH 12 BASS IN YOUR BOAT AT ONE TIME BY YOURSELF !!!! Words of wisdom from...... Walcrabass.

Tournament Guys, If we travel back in time to the 1970's when I was a younger person I can give you some insight about this "Livewell thing". At that time it was said to be that 40% of the Bass that were weighed in at tournaments were dying. This of course would be heightened by the heat of the summer months. A good friend of mine who was a BIG tournament fisherman actually quit fishing them in the summer because of the death rate. Aerators, chemicals, and ice all help to keep the fish alive but it is the " after release thing" that can still get them. I have personally seen "Floaters" after weigh ins and those fish have very little chance of survival. The ice really helps but unless the fish are readjusted to the lake temp before being released then shock sets in and mortality is pretty sure to happen. Catch and Release doesn't do us much good if it becomes Catch and Dead !!! If it were not for the "honesty" ( or lack of it) in humans we could just go to "paper trail" for weigh ins and the survival rate would sky rocket. But alas we have money and humans involved so you know where this takes us. When it gets right down to it the tournament fisher-people need to count their lucky stars that they get to cull in the first place. After all the "everyday fishermen" are not allowed this luxury. Walcrabass

Jim, Here is my two cents worth................ Black with Blue ( Maybe Purple) on dark Nights. Black with Red on Moonlit nights. Sparkle or Glitter in the Blue and Red doesn't hurt either. Green Pumpkin and Browns are also good but the first two are my favorite. This includes Spinnerbaits with big Thumper Blades in the same colors. Worms and Brush Hogs too. Wally

I think we are at the time and age that Kayak fishing will be like "Canoe fishing on steroids". It is really gaining in popularity. One thing we will all have to watch out for is the safety factor of being in a Kayak on a lake. I personally think it should be mandated that all kayaks on lakes should have a flag on a pole sticking up in the air 4 feet or so. Believe me it will keep someone from getting run over by a Bass boat someday. I am all for the Kayak fishing and the tournaments too. Go for it guys. Wally

Which end of TR are you "Whacking them" with the Top Water Bite?? Wally

Fishing Jigs, Catching a variety of fish, now that is a good day fishing !!!!! Wally

Dprice, no pm, no pics. But.... could you smell the catfish frying???? Mopanfisher, I like your sense of humor. Gave me a good laugh. The Wal (eye) cra (ppie) bass guy

Old Plug, I did not understand your post. Will you send it again please? Hammertime, here is a little secret. Variation in your skirts will get a LOT of attention from the fish. The ones I get can have several different types in them. This variation is in type of rubber, length, how they are tied, etc. I kill the Bass year round with them. People that fish with me get a good laugh when they see how many different sizes, colors, and skirt types I have with me. They usually aren't laughing at the end of the day when we tally up how many each of us caught! Just one other thing... I have found that Catfish can't resist a nice heavy 1 oz. or bigger Jig screaming down through the water column next to bluffs in the summertime with a giant, hairy, crawdad colored skirt and craw. I have made many meals from this type of thing. Wally

Rattles??? Either way. Kind of funny but it seems like when the water is dirty or when they are really biting is when they work best. Wally

OK guys, You have touched some very dear subjects for me. Jigs, Spinnerbaits, and Buzzbaits. Mitch F. You are correct, to a point. I believe in the flappability thing but I graduate from small/ no flap to big/lots of flap according to the water temp, time of year, and recent storms. I use everything from small chunks, craws, curl tail worms, creature baits, clear up to giant brush hogs and lizards for trailers. And yes, especially in the winter my Jigs skirt profile is smaller. I believe very strongly in Stand Up Jigs. Hammertime, nice to see some round rubber in your Jig. You are truly a smart man. It is hard to find on a Store bought Jig. Very lively and good stuff. Once again , mine are custom made. Bassfisher, I do not trim my weed guards. In fact it is my opinion that the longer the weed guard that the more leverage the Bass' mouth has on it and they get hooked easier. Also keeps me from hang ups better when I am fishing brush and wood. If I go to larger Jigs, like 5/8 on up ( oh yeah, I use them up to 1 oz.) I like a stiffer weed guard than usual. I have them custom made. Spinner Baits??? One of the most versatile lures ever invented. Big Blades, Little Blades, Willow Leaf, Colorado, Indiana, small weight head, Large weight head, ( I personally use them clear up to 1 1/4 oz , maybe even bigger, for fishing ledges and winter fishing.) Whoever said you could couldn't have an "A-Rig" type of bait with only one hook? Stick a swim bait on it and watch out big boys !! Buzz Baits: What a true science !! Color, blade type, weight of head, type of skirt, add trailer plastics and trailer hooks, quiet ones, glugging ones, swishing ones, plastic blades, double blades, inner rotating blades..... the list goes on and on. I have a friend that has probably caught more 8+ pounders on these things than you could ever dream of .... Walcrabass

Hammertime, With that last comment I have to say that you are a man that definitely thinks like I do and has HUGE knowledge for BIG BASS !!!! I might add that the bigger, floppier, and nastier looking JIG and CRAW really seems to bring out the bigguns once the water is warm enough. Like right now through the rest of summer !!!! And don't forget those THUMPIN Spinner Baits !!! Walcrabass

Nice, True to what I have seen also. Didn't mean cows would be anything but cows ...... just looking at percentages of each "type" ( Red, white, Kentucky, Largemouth, etc.

Guys, I am not computer literate enough to bring back all the discussions on the Kentuckies. I think if you would pm Straw Hat he will be able to help. He sent some things to me quite awhile ago and it was very good reading. As far as the Cattle thing....... I am sorry but I am in severe disagreement. If you keep one species and throw back the other.... then the "other" will increase in numbers. That is why we have regulations.... if we didn't then species like Bass would suffer. I always remind people about when the length for Bass on Stockton was 11". At that time in my opinion there were a lot fewer of the bigger bass in the lake. If you can't tell them apart..... look it up.... pretty easy....Jaw, Black spots on Belly, Dorsal Fin differences, Color Pattern. For the States that have lowered the length for the Kentuckies to appease the fishermen...... great job !!!!! Smart Fishermen too !!!!! I think it is too bad that such a small fish has such a large impact on our financial thinking.