Mitch f

For what it's worth Al, I caught one at the confluence of the river and the springs last year

Nice, glad you had fun!

My first reaction is that an Asian carp would be very difficult to gig, the are super skittish.

Thought I would post a little trick I once learned from Zipstick about increasing the bite of a hook. Just use a pair of needle nose pliers and squeeze in the middle of the bend....ever so slightly. Works well. The pics are in sequence. I think it can really help up your hook up percentage, especially if you've got too thick of plastic. Be sure not to do it too much!!

Trying to be all things to all people has just enclosed us into an ever shrinking jail cell that we built ourselves. Just all part of the big moral failure.

Nice fish at 3:40 and the last one!! great video!!! Need to get a bigger net!

Exactly, too tempting They have total control over a very delicate eco system

I did the Gasconade not long ago and the fishing for smallies was better between Gasconade Hills and Hazelgreen. The only thing I can say is there must be a bunch of floaters and catch and keep anglers down to Gasconade Hills

Went to Busch Wildlife to burn a couple of hours. Look what I found

Yes, You're right! I tried to test out your equation at Busch Wildlife today but the fish were having no part of it!

H-(b+f)-(m+v)=p gotta add the movement velocity, line stretch, rod stiffness

AHHHH Justin, the sword cuts both ways. There's a certain demographic of people who have done much worse under the current administration regardless of the recession/depression, But they continue to vote for the incumbent....I must say it's a brilliant strategy too

Great fun!! Also looks like a beautiful fish

LOL, maybe I should've worded it differently.

This test I was referring to in my original post was using a wooden 2x4 and the guy claimed heavier wire hooks penetrate with less force. I'm sure, in most cases, the kind of point matters greatly. I like most of the points on high quality hooks today as long as they are needle points, the improved process they use for needle points (especially Mustad ultra points) make the sharpness last a little longer than the old styles. I've never been a fan of cutting point hooks, cuz I once heard Denny Brauer claim that cutting, instead of punching, will tear a hole in the membrane of fishes mouth that can increase with time as the fish is fighting, increasing the opportunity to throw the hook. All points being equal (pardon the pun) I would love to perform my own test seeing which diameter hook would penetrate more. I'm trying to make a new jig design with a modified football head and a 60 degree jig hook but when you go for a 60 degree hook, your choices go way down. The hook up ratio with a slightly longer shank hook like the typical O'Shaunessy style is better than the standard length but limits the choices even more. I don't know if there is a perfect hook out there but I certainly haven't found it yet.....but the hooks today are overall pretty darn good and will get the job done. Man we've come a long way since gold Aberdeen!!!

I knew about the Trent Lott situation about a year ago.....sickening. And they get their relatives involved too!

Yes, I would like to read it too!

I think he knows that

Joe, I like you more every day! And by the way smallmouth fishing is definitely worse than 10 years ago FWIW

Agreed, but repairing relationships is so hard!

I started out thinking Shafer's light or Busch in a can, but now I guess I need to change it to Corona

If you don't live near the problem you don't know what we're talking about.

Yes, report all illegal activity please. take photos...document, document

I would guess you use stiffer and longer rods, I also think a slow steady pull will tend to bend them more than a hook set.

Only a poacher would still be driving a minivan, geez!