All Blog Posts (1,103)

September 20, 2014

Took the Mad River Adventure 14 'yakkanoe' out again. As I mentioned before, it takes 21 days to make a habit stick. That said, more trips are definitely needed!

EQUIPMENT NOTES

My Secret Fishing Trousers - Try cotton sleep pants for fair…

I finally got to go back to Sparkleberry Swamp.  My plan was to paddle deeper in and find some of the creek channels. Yesterday I loaded up my Yak with my ultralite rod, crickets, and some snacks.  Figured I would take my dog Sam; I wanted to see what kind of fishin partner he would be. I was on the water by 11am and figured the overcast would help bring on the bite.

I found out the sat image and the maps are almost useless.  On the sat images you can see what looks to be the creeks…

Conditions were horrible from mid-day on. LOFR-BR nailed it.

In hot, hot weather - this place is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery but the fish are there because it is jurassic!!!!

Adventure 

I took a stump in the rump on the way out (while it was described to me- I wasn't really hearing that we would be banging off stumps in the front, middle and motor). I nearly jumped out of my skin right after the stump hit when a 25 lb. -  fish jumped up about…

My Master Angler quest for a 10 inch plus northern strain gill in Michigan continues in 2014... 

So a couple of you may remember when I posted a photo a couple months ago of a 11.5" northern-strain bull, and happened to mention that I went fishing that day because I had seen a much larger fish that I thought might have been a bluegill (didn't get a great look, just the side of its body as it rolled to get away from the boat) a few days prior to that...

I was refilling feeders yesterday on the main property I guide on, which is where my best pond is, the one that produced…

I am new to this so I was not sure if this should be in blog or forum.  I woud like to know opinions on cricket use.  Besides the fact that the black crickets I get in my yard are free, is there a difference between the black crickets in my yard and the crickets that pet shops sell.  Does one work better than the other or are they both the same in fishing results?  Second question is what is the best way to hook a cricket?

The reason for the face scarf and long sleeve shirt is ive had Skin Cancer on my Ears and Face so ive got to protect it. This LMB was caught around 10:00am dragging a 7in Robo Worm

For some time now, I've pondered the possibility of starting a blog dedicated to those special instances when our favorite fish gets to spend a few moments in the limelight. My excuse for having not accomplished this task sooner is disturbingly familiar....not enough time. Well that situation has been remedied, at least temporarily, by my family and I enjoying a long overdue vacation.

So as I sit here surrounded by palm trees, nearly overwhelmed by the smell of sunscreen, with waves…

Bluegill in our lower pond starting to get some size. The pond is around 1/10 acre and is aerated. We also feed Aquamx 500. The gills have to compete with the bass and channels for the food. Will be taking out most of the channels this fall. Will keep the bass and try to keep them small (overcrowded) to keep the bluegill spawn down. Have caught some gill up to 9 inches. Pond is 3 years old.…

I was fishing a western Illinois public strip pit and caught a big-for-me girl bluegill from the Fish Cat tube. l. I used a BPS 71/2 UL 4piece rod. (I think it is now discontinued). A 1/80 oz chart. / dk blue kiptail jig on a simple #8 jig hook I tied was tipped with a wax worm or salted shrimp. The reel is spooled with Cabela's Pro Line #4 mono.  I have grown fond of this reasonable priced quality line . I had forgotten the camera so had to wait till I returned to the van for a picture. I…

I had a surprise this week at 4 Mile Run in northern Virginia! My most common bait is a curly tail grub under a bobber. Pretty good with bluegill and crappie, plus occasional yellow perch and bass.

But two nights ago I was working it just off the bank, and it seemed to snag up. Next thing I know, I'm hauling in a two-foot channel cat. The weight of the fish straightened the hook as I was trying to get him out of the water, and he got away.

It's such a cheap, simple rig, and I…

    Man, this winter sure is starting rough. I told myself while I was out hunting the third weekend of November in 2013. It was one of those days where walking was the only way to stay warm.  -5 degrees isn't great hunting weather but when your time is limited you take what you can get.  At…

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the site, I'm enjoying it so far!  I just had to share with you my favorite new fishing tool! It's called the SKINZIT fish skinner! It's the first hand held electric fish skinner, and it's awesome! My friend is helping market it and I got my hands on one to try out. I LOVE it! It works so well and is super easy to use. You guys have got to check this thing out! There are videos on the website at…

 After all these years being out in all kinds of weather I finally got buzzed by lightning. The main bolt hit a tree and an arc jumped out and got me on the left hand. Left me with full drawers and a new breakdancing record in 'Fat Hillbilly category'.

Be careful out there friends!

Get four and a half pound bluegill mounted . help if you can please here in calif. Dont know who to go to help me if you can .Members of Bigbluegill, thanks if you can post it on this sight.