Conference wahoo::fishing

    Wow, he won't hit live bait, this could be tough.
    Try a Fat Gitzit, jigging it off the bottom with a 1/16 oz
    lead head, also fill the Gitzit with fish formula.  This
    combo has produced many smallies for me this year.  Work it
    slow, and you may want to use some low visibility light line.
    Some spring lures may work, 3" grubs, short arm spinners, etc.
    Good luck!
    
       

    Ugly Stick:
    
     How about a little more information? What size line are you using?
    Are you being careful about the size of your hook, hook placement
    etc.? What is the natural forage for this fish? (if you know or
    can guess). Tell me something about the body of water you are fishing
    (kind of bottom, water temp, size).
    
     Without knowing all of these things, I can only guess but, here
    goes. First point: creep up on the fish like a burglar. Don't even
    try to see him(her); assume the fish is there. Often times, your
    shadow can turn a fish off. Use live bait with an appropriately
    sized hook that is rigged to show as little of the hook as possible.
    Don't use any weight; sometimes a quicker rate of descent is seen
    as unnatural by the fish. Watch your line for the strike. It may
    be seen as a quick twitch or sudden stoppage of movement.
    
     I might try a hellgrammite on a size 6 or 8 hook, using 6 lb test. 
    You may have a hard time finding these at a bait shop. You may have
    to go to a local stream and get your own. Use a piece of screen;
    turn over some boulders and you should catch some in the screen.
    If he takes it and breaks off; give him a few more days and try
    again with 8 lb. At least you'll know what he likes. He may be eating
    leeches. You can get your own by putting a cracked open raw egg
    on a piece of screen in the shallows of the pond/lake where you're
    fishing overnight. In the morning there'll be a bunch of leeches
    on the screen. I guess the egg is an attractant because of its iron
    or something.
    
     It sounds like you've been trying hard to catch this bugger. Just
    make sure that you sneak up on him. I've caught some big bass by
    sneaking up on them when before they would ignore all of my offerings.
    
     The Doctah

    
    
    	Yo doctah,
    			Some more info eh, I'm fishing in a cove off
    	Wachusett.  Looks to be about 3' deep tops.  The bottom is
    	weedy big time, I'm using 6lb. stren flourescent with a #4,
    	#2 hook.  I've seen him chase some smaller perch around while
    	trying to hook em.  Water temp seems quite warm, guess 79 degrees
    	in the shallows where he's hangin.  Frustrated as hell with
    	this monster 2 feet from my face.  Thanks for the info though,
    	I've heard of helgramites back home in Jersey where I used to
    	fish the Delaware Water Gap, but haven't heard of any bait
    	shops around here.  Anyone out there have?

     Try a clear line/leader. Fish later in the evening when the water
    cools and visibility is a little less (makes it harder for the fish
    to notice things like hooks). And stay down!
    
     The Doctah

    Put a nightcrawler out in front of it suspended about 6" off the
    bottom.  Wait the fish out for hours if it appears the fish is just
    staring at it.  Chances are, when you're not ready, the fish will
    strike.  Whatever bait or lure you use, wait the fish out.  It may
    hit to just get rid of the intrusion to its water.  If all else
    fails, try salamanders or small frogs, just don't give in!!!!!!!
    Carlo

    I just read an article the other day in Fishing Facts magazine that
    says that crawfish are just about the ultimate smallmouth bait you
    can use. If you got your crawfish from the same area as this bass
    is hanging out, then it should be a winner... Could be that either
    the fish saw you (if you can see him - he can see you), or you moved
    the crawfish around in an unnatural manner. I'd say try what Carlo
    suggests, (wait it out) but with the biggest crawfish you can find,
    or the salamander or frog in preference to a nightcrawler, since
    as we all know, kibbies love them crawlers! The article on crawfish
    did say that slow and patient is the key...
    
    I hope you realize that you are now *obligated* to catch this fish...!

    Ed
    

    	Try a perch colored crankbait. Try and sneek up on the fish
    as mentioned before. Cast in the vicinity of the fish and let the
    lure sit about 15 seconds or so then twitch it and let it sit again
    (i.e. standard top water method).
    
    	If this doesn't work, try trolling a shallow perch colored diver
    by him with LOTS of line out.
    
	If this doesn't work, the following method never fails........
    
    
        	Get a bow and fishing arrow and shoot him. Don't forget
    to practice good conservation as in "Shoot and Release ;-)"
    
    	RAYJ

    Try getting a larger rapala that resembles a female smallmouth -
    inheat. Then smother it with Willie Catchits' world reowned BASS
    INHEAT fishing formula. Sneak up on the brute when the light levels
    are low, cast alittle infront of the smallie's hang out and retrieve
    your lure in a erotic fashion. He'll probably nail it the first
    chance he gets!
    
    Good Luck!
    
    BD

    re:.8  Bass-in-Heat
       Don't forget to put the nightie and garters on the lure. Works
    every time.
                                                 Denny

    
    You better check with the MDC, They frown on using lures in a
    solicitous manner. ie: luring to solicite, lures of the night,
    lures as hookers etc.
    Be carefull of entrapment.  always protect your lures with a protective
    coating to avoid damaging contact.  You may find the drive by method
    as being successful, don't forget to honk.  and always look in the
    rear view mirror.
    
    John
    

       You mean the cops are using 'decoys'?
                                                         Denny