Seined. Yup makes lots of sense. You have to remove the bass as you catch them and eat them. Thinning the herd allows the ones left less competition for food, and thus they will eat more and grow larger. It's a nice problem to have if you like to eat bass

With a mind like yours, you'll probably want the land-crab
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psexxseflz.jpg

I'm all about that bass, no treble.... hooks though.

That's what they said, dude.
Even said if you're not going to eat em' just throw em' in the woods.

I beg you and everyone else to please be kind to others in here, I want this to be everyones thread... I enjoyed Inmems pics, looked like a perfect eating size cat his uncle caught.

BTW, what is that small fish with the blue vertical stripes in your pic?

A LOT of people around here like carp, and they ALL claim that properly scoring it is the secret to a perfect fillet... what I've found is that NO ONE is that good at scoring and I always get multiple sharp stabs to the mouth when trying it.

But I've also had it where everything is ground up, bones and all, and made into a sorta crabcake... and those are killer diller.

I love to catch them, they're always a great test of my skills on lighter gear, better and much more powerful fighters than some think... but once landed and inspected, they go straight back whence they came.

Very true. I made the mistake of putting crappie in my pond about 10 years ago. About three years in, all we caught were shit tons of 6 inch crappie. I started harvesting the crap out of them, and even throwing some into the woods and creek behind the house. I also started harvesting smaller bass. Low and behold, the big bass got bigger, started chowing down on small crappie, and now the problem is solved. It's important to harvest mid range sized fish. The big ones are the best genetics in the pond, and they also lay the most eggs. I've got a pond management book from the MO dept of conservation that details the approximate amount of fish in lbs to remove from a given body of water per year, based on the size of the body of water. THen, I just try to make sure I'm getting close to that but only with mid sized fish. That way, you catch lots of big fish for fun, the small ones get eaten by the big fish, and the medium ones get eaten by my family. Works pretty well.

OK. I'll play nice. I was just messing with him. It's Inmem, after all.

It's a peacock bass. Fight to the death. Feels like a fish 3 times that size.

Hard to imagine that being the case. Especially with the explosion of silver carp, need to get all of those we can out of the water.

Too many big fish with not enough food or room = stunted growth.

Like I said, I just heard it from someone. Probably BS.

Does anyone here subscribe to the lunar phases for the best times to fish? I have utilized it in the past with mixed results.

No but now that you mention it I've been skunked during pretty much every lunar phase. I tend to think they follow weather patterns more than the moon.

I haven't found the lunar charts to be of much help. I can tell you the full moon will trigger spawning and other behaviors such as molting. I've also never done well with stripers on a full moon.

You sure you're paying them enough?

I don't think weather patterns is up for debate. I can tell you, without question, that they do follow them.

My GF thought I was crazy because we were about to go to the super market and I walked out the door first, but almost knocked her over on my way back in to get my pole because I felt that cool moist air and it was lightly sprinkling.

These bastards go crazy just before and about an hr into a light rain during the winter down here.

Wish me luck, gonna head out soon to a small lake (maybe 30 acres) I scouted out a few weeks ago for some catfishing, going medieval with the bait... fresh chicken liver, with a lip hooked minnow or two.

Hopefully...

blood trail + struggling live bait = tomorrows dinner.

Good luck. Taking my kids catfishing this evening myself. Small pond. Had some good luck there before

I've got a Missouri River level and solunar table saved on my computer, as well as a ACU-RITE temperature/barometric pressure/built in solunar table for both fish and wildlife.

I've never had a great day fishing when the solunar table calls for it with a new moon. :cuss::cuss:

Damn, don't have to say where if you don't want but I'd be down for doing that sometime. No idea where to fish around here but I do miss it some.

Thanks for the well wishes, but I haven't had such a crap day of fishing (particularly when going very serious with all the right bait and times yadayada) in 3-4 years...

Only had two real hits, genuine hits where the rod is threatening to pop out of the holder... go to set the hook and found I was snagged on something both times, the hits were real enough but somehow was snagged up at the same time, both times.

That was enough for me, came back through town and grabbed a Papa Murphys meat lovers, hell with it.

Sometimes you get the bear...

Ha. Been there many a time

Anytime. I know a bunch of spots on my side of town. Now, this is Phoenix so the fishing is rather, um, urban. But it's still line in the water and try to catch fish.

Decided to go strictly for tarpon with live shiners while my brother was down.
Mistake. Totally struck out. He did catch one two pound Bass, though.
Sucks too, because there were a cpl rolling the surface and they were Massive.
To say they were 50lbs would be conservative.
My life is not complete till I do this
WATCH THIS!!:
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pbw2yty_o04" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They bite and then swim into something. It happens. Sucks.

I've gotta make a video like this:

This is how we livin'
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XwST7Q-xts4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yea anything is cool. Getting a line in the water and being outside anywhere is fine by me!

How was it?

Ended up postponing until probably tonight. Feel like a drive?

I. Would. Shit. My. Pants!

TANEY COUNTY ANGLER CATCHES RECORD STRIPED BASS

http://mdccdn.modeptofconserva.netdn...15_dillman.jpg

You'd get your new boat dirty

We got a new car a while back that doesn't have a roof rack. My old car was a hatchback so I could put my kayak in and it only stuck out a couple feet. I finally bought an inflatable HandiRack that can be used on any car. This is a great alternative to having to purchase a certain vehicle. I am excited to get my fishing kayak back out there.

http://www.awsm.com/img/2010/handirack.jpg

Went to Sooner lake, Oklahoma today. First channel cat I've caught in 15 years, 2 lbs. Also landed three Saugeye, all a bit over one lb. First time catching one. Step mom caught a four lb largemouth.

Have some images but can't get them smaller.

Mornin' bitches.
Just pulled in my personal best Bass.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psdpehdne8.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...pshc9lqucb.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psyakbxwv5.jpg

Caught it on a crappie jig in a mud hole on the side of the road.

NICE ONE. You force him to eat dirt so he'd weigh more?

Caught me a 20lb flathead on my ultralight crappie pole last night. That was a lot of fun. Took forever to get him in with the 8lb test.

I've caught in the past week ones that were 10lbs 12lbs and about 20lbs. Been seeing a lot of huge flatheads pulled out of the Clinton lake spillway, but so far they have eluded me.

Hoping to get out this morning before everyone and their mom shows up. It's only a matter of time before it's overfished.

They must be in their prespawn feed. Enjoy it now, as soon as the water warms and they drop their eggs you'll have to hit them on the head with your bait to get them to bite.

That's what I'm thinking. Trying to finish up at work so I can get back out. Hopefully the rain will keep the bucket people away. My buddy caught one about 30lbs and we saw another guy pull out a 50lber

Probably the largest shark ever caught on camera, even a killer whale couldnt take this girl down... worth a look.

http://www.grindtv.com/wildlife/larg...hBuEOO18sXY.97

This father finally found a summer morning bait, and is wearing them out so far.
10" Big Wuuurms FTW. Got a fancy rigging trick I created that is saving my worms and me a lot of time, too.
I'll post it all later.
Father do catch go things.

Does anyone here fish out of a kayak? I'm interested now that we finally bought a vehicle large enough to carry one.

I think I'd like a "sit on top" style that will also allow me to stand up and cast. The local adventure store has some pretty awesome Hobie kayaks that jave this really slick pedal drive system so you can move while you fish. Any suggestions?

Buy the Hobie.

It's a shit ton more expensive, it's substantially heavier and you'll end up having to purchase a trailer versus putting it on a rack on top of the car.

However, when you are on the lake, with pole in hand, you will realize that you would have paid double for what is does versus a standard kayak.

In fact, I will absolutely guarantee that if are using it to primarily fish, and you purchase a standard kayak, you will sell it within two years and buy the Hobie eventually.

It makes that much of a difference when fishing.

I'm not going to go so far as to guarantee that you'll sell a kayak that isn't a Hobie, but if you can afford it, the pedal drive system on the Hobie is awesome for fishing.

I'm about to purchase a hobie. I had a standard kayak, it's ok, but just want to uprgade.

Theyve been slaying the goggle eye on spring river in northern arkansas this year, I've only got to go 1 time (nee baby, etc) but I hope to get down there again soon.

Go out on a windy day in your regular kayak and fish next to a person in a drive system kayak. That usually guarantees it right then and there.

Native also makes a drive system kayak, which, unlike the Hobie, allows you to backup.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y8cnkpNBWxc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.nativewatercraft.com/boat.cfm?id=49

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rIB4Eq3RkZ0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.hobiecat.com/mirage/mirage-pro-angler-14/

My brother just sold his Jackson big rig and bought the Hobie PA 14.5. The Jackson is an awesome unit. It really depends on how much you can spend and how much you are capable of getting your ass kicked out on the water by the elements.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...64751d8dfc.jpg

If I had that my woman would never see me again.

Anybody ever fish Lake Texoma? That place has been demolished by flooding. The marina we use, broke off, and floated away.

Link of the red river, which flows into Texoma.
http://www.wfaa.com/story/weather/20...ding/28984199/

Starting my mini vacation I am I am

Going to the lake for four days I am I am

Going catch the big bad bass I am I am

Going catch the even bigger catfish I am I am

Me so happy!

That is an extremely cool and serious looking piece of equipment, gonna put something like that on my wish list.

Seems I've been reading that Texas has been having a drought just about as bad as California... as bad as the flooding has been down there do you think this will ultimately be a good thing for the states aquifers?

Awesome bro, glad to hear it!... gonna be camping out there the whole time?

I had a great day of fishing this past friday at a very small local lake that I rarely go to because there are usually just too many people and I go out to get AWAY from people.

Better yet it put to bed the old yarn about fish wont bite on a cold snap, it had dropped maybe 15 degrees overnight and was overcast and drizzly... truth is, no one really knows when the fishies might bite.

Oh, and it was midday too, like noon to maybe 2:30, not a traditionally good time to fish.

But I chose a handful of spots that no one uses because they require a good bit of walking through brush etc and caught 6 in two hours... one large (4-5 poun) bass, one baby bass about a foot long, 3 awesome little fighting bluegill, they really put up an athletic, leaping struggle and they aren't really known for much leaping.

And my favorite was a small catfish about a foot long caught on black 2 inch grub with a little spinner I attached... probably only the 4th or 5th time I've caught a catfish on a fast moving sportfish lure.

:thumb:


Hey what's up Scott Free? Man I've been so exhausted from work I just got to get away. I'm taking a couple extra days off during my two day rotation break during the week just so I can get Lake Wilson all too myself. I'm a real selfish bastard lol.

This has been hell week at work and I put in 47 hours of overtime some of that was from forced mandates that suck.


So I'm ready to get to the lake but they I find em not bite when it's 95+ out. Late evening and early mornings for bass but night time for catfish. They start biting at dusk.

The Fishing Thread
 

I will also add that kayak fishing is awesome. I have an Ascend sit in fishing kayak from Bass Pro. I went sit in because I wasn't certain I would ever feel comfortable enough or the need to stand and I like being closer to the water.

What you get with regards to size and pedals will really depend on the type of waters you primarily fish.

Mine only weighs 50 pounds so I can carry it into any creek, pond, or difficult to access area and water hop with ease. The only thing I still need is a fish finder.

For anyone that wants one but doesn't have a roof rack, the inflatable system works well. It holds up to 180 pounds and will come in handy should I ever need to but another ladder or other long item.

Dude I've been doing a lot of reading about fish supposedly not biting when its hot out... the conventional wisdom is all wrong, look it up.

The hotter it is, the higher a fish' metabolism runs, which mean... that's right, they're hungry... the only drawback is finding them.

If you're like me without a boat, it will NOT stop you from killer catches... mst guys with fancy boats wanna go off and explore little shelfs and pockets in a given lake and that's all fine.

But in sooo many lakes, ponds etc... shore cover in the form of riprap, moss, cattails, overhanging trees, docks, will yield MORE fish than the guys with their bs boats and sonar out there in the deep water.

Let them HAVE the deep water, because bass are a mostly shallow water speices... that's where they feed and if they can find a covered spot to chill out that's where many are. I've caught bass where people said I shouldn't be able to using the advice I just gave... a boat isn't able to fish these spots effectively.


My only problem with that outfit, or any big boat outfit?

I honestly don't want to be told "here they are"... damn man, that's some bullshit if you ask me, I don't want that cheat even when I get (and I will have a boat soon) a boat. A fish finder? whaaaaaa, isn't that part of the game?

I don't want some ****ing computer telling me where they all are, Sacc's outfit without the bs electronics.... that's more my style.

My little buddy got his first bass on the fly rod last night.

Funniest was that I bought a ton of big articulated "meat" flies and my 8 weight to really target some large bass over the weekend. Biggest fish we hooked, he hooked on a freaking tiny bream killer suspended below a popping bug. That bass probably went close to 5 lbs, but it got off just as I was reaching down to lip him. Unbelievable. LMAO

Right on I hear ya too. I'm actually going get an air raft F the big boats I know some moshy places I can try out but I like casting by rock ledges & close to the shore that's where I've been catching them any ways. But this is my first real get away & I've spent too much time trying get ready and lost a lot of time lol. I was just too tired after work to do anything.

If I'm reading this right, he put to bed the old saw that if you want big fish you need to throw big lures.

Sometimes the bigger guys WILL bite on small lures, all of the best and most experienced tips in the world don't really mean much when you get out there in nature.

You're the coolest damn liberal on the planet, wish there were more people like you... you've got that liberal love for both people AND the outdoors. You're maybe the best contributor to this thread, thanks for your opinions.

Your kids have an awesome Dad... "you mean you might take me out on the ocean in one of these one these days if I show you I am capable?"

You have a chance to give your sons the ultimate outdoor adventure... bullshark, tarpon, sailfish from a canoe... even if its none of those I know that you're a good dude and your kids are lucky to be along for the ride.

The one in that photo has a pretty expensive looking fish finder mounted on it. I understand not wanting one because of the fun of the hunt, but it really depends on where and what you are fishing for on whether or not it's needed. You want to fish for suspended crappie you need to know what, if anything is below. That being said, even when you see something below that is no guarantee at all that they will bite.

If you are on a body of water not necessarily fishing to shores, structure, or other things, you need to know how deep of water you are sitting in and if there is any reason to be fishing in a given area. But if you are fishing for bass and casting to plants or the bank then you don't really need one.

I hear ya Mr. T... there may be a BIT of jealousy there.

But overall, I don't want all of those high the cheats, the game for a guy like me is finding their little hidey holes within 20 feet of the bank/shore.,

I often get a kick out of the bass tournament guys on my lake at starting time... seems like they're more interested in revving the engine on their new boat than actually catching fish.

"Lets roar over here and fish this little cove"

or

"lets sneak up here and fish this little cove".

I posted a few pics on FB and one of my buddies joked: "That's the same fish over n over"
My response:
You callin' me a liar??
I'll take another pick from a different angle.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...pshuymrx4f.jpg

ClEARLY not he same fish.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psv6ktswbt.jpg

See?
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps4ra569jl.jpg

Whooaaa, there he is... the elusive Beach Tribe.

Who do you remind me of?

I got it!... you're like a cross between Perry Farrell and Colin Kaepernick!

Rock on brother, you lucky ass Florida fisherman.

<a href="http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/KCTattoo58/media/centipede_zpsuzfl74pj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii574/KCTattoo58/centipede_zpsuzfl74pj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo centipede_zpsuzfl74pj.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/KCTattoo58/media/damn%20spider_zpshdeeewoc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii574/KCTattoo58/damn%20spider_zpshdeeewoc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo damn spider_zpshdeeewoc.jpg"/></a>


Centipedes Spiders Scorpions OH MY. More on those bastards later...

This was all on my first night at the lake and I got there late Monday night and stayed till Thursday afternoon. Tuesday and Wednesday was nothing but 30-50mph non stop wind.

Actually I was in Catfish heaven I was reeling in some nice Cats with my Bass Pro Shop "Cat Buster" They were biting on minnows like candy. Then Wednesday night they gourmet on shrimp.

I think I got stung by a scorpion or spider about 1am Thursday I felt something on me and I brushed it off then felt pain in my thumb and it still hurts and little swollen but I will be ok, it hasn't got any worse.

Had fun on my short 4 day vacation would do it all again, my worse day fishing is still better than my best day at work. Today my thumb hurt at work and all I want to do is go back to the lake.

That looks like something from Europa Report.

Don't let the escape module fall through the ice!

That third picture looks a little fishy to me.

Three Beauties today. Days like this make it all worth it. I've finally found my summer bait. GO BIG!!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psgbaen36g.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...pssrehehw8.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...psqntadtvn.jpg

You used your kid for bait?

"Now jerk around like you're dying!!"

That top fish is a hoss, very nice.

If I can just shake this hangover I'll be going out to try my luck here in a bit.

Went out to the family ponds today. They are full of water, first time in four years. We spent the morning catching bass, transferring them to the ponds that were previously dried up. 95% of them were less than a pound. We caught one 2lb and one 5 lb.

It was nice seeing the ponds finally full again.

Welp, got up at 5am today and took my new specialized "Shakespeare Catfisher" out to my favorite creek that feeds off the Illinois river.

This baby has a massive reel and the rod is a big, heavy action model, pre-loaded with 20 pound test line... ready to tackle some monsters baby!

Got there about 6, whew man its higher than I'd ever seen it and flowing FAST... it surely has brought in a ton of BIG CATS from the river to this little creek right?

Oh yeah.

Had my specialized rubber coated wire leader with pre-attached weight going on, my bigass new hook and a huge chunk of fresh liver... set up my chair and toss it in...

No more than 2-3 minutes later, no more than 3-4 feet off the bank BAM, big hit... I GOTCHA BITCH, THIS NEW RIGS GONNA HAUL YOUR ASS IN!

Uh-oh this big new reel is singing like a canary, and this fish is peeling line off like nothing, the new reel is losing ground PRONTO... everything starts quivering, I can tell the lines gonna pop.

Loosen the drag and gain myself a few seconds, keep cranking the reel futiley, its back makes an appearance 20 yards away... WHOA he's big.

It makes another long run with its new slack and I feel the rod and line start to quiver again F**K! should I take off my t shirt, wrap it around my hand and try to bring it in by hand?

Yes, grab the rod in left hand and immediately begin pulling off t shirt to wrap around hand, switch rod to other hand to finish removing shirt, switch back to other hand and beginning to wrap shirt around hand... POP!

I've brought in several 20+ pound cats on 10 pound line, even light fishing line is strong like bull, especially if you know how to give the fish just enough line to wear itself out like I do... but this mfer popped my 20 pound line.

OMG I'm still mad about it, this thing had to have been a true monster, probably 50 pounds judging from the size of its back and the way it just clowned me out... cant believe it got away on me.

When I pulled off the reel cover, found out this sucker had peeled off every single bit of the line, nothing left on a brand new reel, just killed it.... what a useless reel.

This new rod and reel is going to the shitpile, its worthless... looks big, plays little, the reel was utterly worthless.

This thing was my Great White Whale, EASILY the biggest thing I'd ever hooked.

You found catfish hunter!

This mfer hunted ME, fitted me for clown shoes big time.

MY NEW CATFISH RIG IS READY FOR PRIME TIME BABY!

Uh yeah... NO, what a joke, what a waste of money.

**** you, Shakespeare.

I never ever ever leave the pre spooled line on anything.
Nice way to start the day man. I'm headed out early tomor. morning to float Flat Creek and try and slay some smallies.

Meh, 20 pound line is 20 pound line to me.

For every ten revolutions of that reel the fish took ten foot of line, it was absolutely ridiculous.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

This finally did it for me on spincast reels, they have NO power at all... I have friday July 3rd off next week and am going to Scheels for a $60 plus open face reel with some actual horsepower.

Yea, fishing equipt is like most other stuff. you get what you pay for. Good luck, hopefully that hog will be waiting for you again.

<a href="http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/KCTattoo58/media/Catbuster_zpsogbhkm7m.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii574/KCTattoo58/Catbuster_zpsogbhkm7m.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Catbuster_zpsogbhkm7m.jpg"/></a>


Get yourself a Cat Buster from Bass Pro Shop I think I paid 44 for mine and I love it so far.

There isn't a Bass Pro around here Tat, but I can no doubt get that or something very close at Scheels... oooh I'm still pissed, this "catfish" rig is the biggest piece of crap I've ever had.

Didn't deliver worth a damn, and it was the same price as what you're showing, about $45... they just took Zebco's biggest POS reel and upsized it three times.

A big piece of crap is still just a piece of crap.

I hate Zebco's and I hate Shakespeares they are just cheep good for kids but not good for serious fishing.


I think if you order from Bass Pro Shop $75 you get free delivery so get something with a Cat Buster I don't think you will be disappointed. I haven't got to fish a lot with it but the cats I was pulling in with it were a lot bigger when I saw them than what they felt like.

I caught about a 20-25lb Silver Carp earlier today. I was trying to jig for flatheads, but no avail.

So I decided to start snagging carp.

Flat Creek was up a little bit, water was moving to fast in a lot of places to fish.
Still had a pretty good day. Caught several keepers (12 inch or more) and this fighting 17 inch smallie. Not huge by some standards but for Flat Creek they don't get much bigger. I was finally able to yell out those three special words every man loves to hear.....'Get The Net'.

Just made an offer on a house that was accepted here in the PNW on a river. I cannot wait to steelhead fish in my backyard. Been a dream of mine to be able to do that. I probably still wont catch a thing but It will be really close to the beer fridge.