Conference wahoo::fishing

    Congrats John!! Nice fish - quality and quantity!  We're planning on
    only driving as far as we have to into Fla in order to get into some
    good action - hopefully similar to yours! 
    
    ok - I assume you got the HAWG on a live 12" wild shiner??
    
    What was Falnder's best?  Any others close to 10?
    
    Make sure you bring the pictures to the next "MVB" meeting, looking
    forward to seeing those - and hearing more details...
    
    donmac 

    John it's good to hear you had good luck. Even if I am jealous! That's
    a nice fish for this time of year down there. Glad to hear that you
    released the good old girl. Maybe I'll be able to catch some of her
    grand children before I get the chance to go down there. Did you get it
    on shiners or your infamous "Bomber". Where you fishing the shallows
    or the dropoffs?

    Caught on a 8-9 in. golden shiner fishing the floating islands in
    about 6 ft. of water. These islands reside in the lily pad areas
    and will move around on a daily basis. Flanders largest was about
    4 lbs., boy was he pissed. I asked him that night "Jim Bob, can
    I catch another HAWG tomorrow", his reply "Sure, if you can walk
    on water"......
    
    He was just kidding. Yeah, I guess I could be talked into bringing
    the pictures to the show. Also, I have show tickets for $3.00 each
    but only a limited number. First come, first served, no mail they
    must be physically picked up from me. I have offices in NR5 and
    NIO.
    
    John.

	Is a Golden shiner the typical type of shiner that we see for
	sale everywhere around here (Mass/New England) ?  If they're 
	called Golden shiners then why aren't they gold colored ?

	/confused about shiners

    I don't know if they are the same species or not, but the ones down
    there are captured wild and they are real gold and LARGE - many are
    larger than many of the bass around here...  the domestic shiners that
    you buy down there for few dollars less than the wild are more of a
    sliver color and smaller... john - what were the wilds going for?? 
    donmac

>    I don't know if they are the same species or not, but the ones down
>    there are captured wild and they are real gold and LARGE - many are
>    larger than many of the bass around here...  the domestic shiners that
>    you buy down there for few dollars less than the wild are more of a
>    sliver color and smaller... john - what were the wilds going for?? 

	Well the reason I ask is I've heard the term "golden shiners" 
	many times, but I don't know if I've ever seen one, and I use
	shiners a lot.  They always a silver color.

	Someone mentioned (Gitzit?) that the primary forage fish at the
	A1 site, where the recent ice fishing derby was held, is golden
	shiners.   So it seems like it would be a real good idea to use
	golden shiners as bait, naturally...
	
	Has anyone ever seen golden shiners for sale around New England ?

	/Ken (digressing, I know....)

    Yes You can get golden shiners around here.
    But most of the time what you buy in the bait shops are Arkansas
    shiner (domestic)  when you get goldens they are usually darker
    and heve red colored (golden) fins on the bottom, forget what those
    fins are called.  Next time you buy just ask the bait shop.
    
    Les

    The golden shiner is caught wild and you have to be careful about
    who you buy them from. Jim's friend and guide on that lake gave
    us a great tutorial on golden shiners. Some folks will go out and
    catch these shiners with a throw net and will come in and sell these
    bait fish to a marina. The marina will in turn resell these shiners
    for around $8 a dozen for mediums and $12-$14 a dozen for large
    (mediums @ 4-7 inches and large @ 8-12 inches). These shiners have
    not been "cured" yet and are referred to as "green" shiners by the
    people in the trade. These shiners will not stand up to very many
    cast's, maybe 2 or 3, and provide the most profit to the dealer.
    
    A "cured" shiner is one that has been caught and brought back to
    sheltered tanks that have a chemical mixture (I don't know what
    the chemicals were) and are highly oxygenated. The shiners in these
    tanks are hyperactive and you can almost hear them saying "Send
    me in coach, I'am ready to play.....". Even when we would open the
    live well to get one for the hook they would actually jump out.
    This sometimes made it easer than trying to net one, unless of course
    they fell between the seats. These shiners would last for 10, 15,
    and sometimes 20 casts and we paid $12 a dozen at the shiner ranch
    a few miles up the road from our camp.
    
    These shiners are mostly found in the southern regions, but have
    been found and are in the New England states, Winni has them as
    well as other lakes.
    
    
    That will be all the lessions for today,
    
    John.

>                     -< Red fin shiners = Golden shiners >-
>
>    But most of the time what you buy in the bait shops are Arkansas
>    shiner (domestic)  when you get goldens they are usually darker
>    and heve red colored (golden) fins on the bottom, forget what those
>    fins are called.  Next time you buy just ask the bait shop.
    
	Thanks for the explanation.  I must have used golden shiners 
	before because I do remember seeing reddish/gold bottom fins
	on shiners before, mostly the big, "pike" shiners.

	/Ken

    
    
    	The "red" or golden shiner is illegal is RI and some other states.
    	I forget the exact regulation, but it has something to do with 
    	using a "native" fish as bait.  Likewise, it is also illegal to use
    	yello' perch as bait in RI. (BTW, small ones are great for PIKE).
    
    	The Harbormaster
    

    	Sounds kind of like, "BUT OSSIFER, I REALLY DIDN"T KNOW I had a
    widdle fish on the end of my line.  Wonser where HE came from???? 
    Maybe I should use lighter tackle next time."  As for minnows of any
    kind in Colorado, BETTER do the RTFM before you take them to the lake. 
    Just having them in your possession is good for $500.00 to the state on
    some waters.

    I was surprised to find out that live shiners are illegal in
    Washington State.  I have friends who say that using artificials
    is not sporting (I've held long debates over this).  But here, you
    don't get a choice.
    
    I guess they don't want a new species of fish introduced?????
    
    /brett

	Isn't it ileagal in MA to use perch as bait?  Could someone tell me
the reason behind this.

Mike

    FLORIDA BOUND FOR SOME BASS FISHING,COULD SOMEONE PLEASE 
    GIVE ME SOME INFO ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE.I WILL BE THERE FOR A WEEK
    AT WALT DISNEY AND WOULD LIKE TO FISH FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, AT THE
    BIG O. 
    
    
    
                                     IN SEARCH OF THE  LUNKER.
                                                       
                                              MANNY RIVERA

    If I were you and at Disney World I would probably fish Lake Kissimmee,
    Harris Chain of Lakes or the St John's River. The Big O is in tough
    shape from a few years of drought.
    
    Regards
    
    Don
    

    East Lake Toho is also having a down spell.  They lowered the lake last
    spring (while we were there!) to kill of weeds.  They said it'll be a
    couple years before it comes back in full force.  
    
    donmac - who will be thinking about starting to plan his spring trip in
             couple months...

          Lake Okeechobee looks like it out,to far from where I will
    be staying.But lake kissemee is only 5 miles away.Could someone
    give me some info on this lake ,like guides,costs and best bet.
    Hey donmac i am new to these note files,but i always see your name.
    Do you have any info on lake kissemme? phone numbers etc...
                                   thanks manny r.
    

    Manny, I don't have any numbers here with me, but I can get your some.
    If anyone has a copy of BASSmaster magazine in their office, there is
    lots of numbers in the back section... I haven't hired a guide for a
    couple years now, but they are probably getting between $150 and $200
    for a day, some will be more expensive than others.
    
    There is no shortage of guides down there.  They're in the yellowpages
    as well.
    
    donmac

    
    
    While reading some of the local fishing magazines on our last
    trip, the name Shiner King guide service show-up frequently
    with photos of customer catches.  Either this guy has a good
    PR agent or he has some success in that area.  I remember
    there was a phone number for him for both Orlando and Kissemee.
    
    I have intentially blocked out most of my memory regarding
    that "unbelievable" trip.
    
    The harbor_crash_master
    

    Yea, Shiner King is definitely a visible one.  Crashmaster, I'm looking
    forward to this next trip up to Moore Dam, just to prove to myself that 
    I can still take a sucessful fishing trip!  As a matter offact, Tim is 
    going and the last I heard, the Legend was trying to get Martial to go 
    too.  If it works out that 3 of the 4 from the Fla trip go and come back 
    in one piece, we'll know who *not* to invite on the spring trip!  
    
    donmac - just kidding of course 8^)
    

Don,

Keith mentioned to me today in the lobby he's considering it too...


Tim

    Yea, I know, as well as Mike Hayward, Don B., Phill Wells... I was
    just pointing out the folks from the spring trip... donmac

    OK Guys, FYI, the big lake is on the come back from my sources that have
    a home on the canal.  I too look forward to my annual trip to
    Okeechobee.  But, while you guys are working hard to catch a single
    bass I am pulling in the bluegills!! We are talking up to 1.5 lbs. ea.
    We never go into the big lake the best fishing is in the canals.
    However the Kissimee River is great fishing also so you can catch a
    bass or catch lots of bluegills.
    
    Good luck in the spring (Full moon in April is the best fishing)
    
    Debbie 
      

    This is the number for Indian Lake Estates on Kissimmee river 
    1-800-654-8575 They have guides that they can set you up with. 
    DonMac is right on with the cost $200 full day $125 1/2 day and $100 for 
    1/2 day instructional.

    
     I've fish Kissimee for 3 years now. I use Charlies Bass Guide Service.
    His number is in the back of Bassmaster. He's got us into a lot of
    fish. He uses primarily shiners.
    
     COST:
    
     1/2 day dawn - noon  $125 for 2 people
     Full Day             $150
     licences             $11.50 each
     shiners 3doz minimum $1.00 each ($36)
    
     So, for a 1/2 day for to people that's $184. If he doesn't have a 
    afternoon client and fishing is slow he's kept us out till 2 and 3
    o'clock at no extra charge. Last year was so good we were done at noon. 
    But in the past I usually gave him an extra $20 for keeping us out.
    
     - Dave
    

    It's getting to be about that time...  Been thinking about this year's
    trip down south.  Notice that I'm using a different topic than I 
    used last year.  Hopefully this will help us avoid creating the script
    for "The Vacation From Hell, Part II". (I believe note 682 contains the 
    gorey details for Part I).
    
    We'll do the same as we have in the past.  Take 10 days, drive down, 
    towing our boats, staying at a cheap motel on the way down and back.  
    And camping at fish camps while down there - keeping the overall cost 
    dirt cheap (this helps the wives accept the idea more readily 8^).
    
    It works out that you drive 1.5 days, fish for 7 days and then drive
    back 1.5 days.  Cost winds up around $300.    
    
    Assuming Florida is the destination, we'll leave New England early on a 
    Thursday morning, arrive at the NC/SC border around 8-9pm.  Catch some
    sleep in a motel.  We'll be on the road real early Friday morning and
    be fishing in Florida Friday afternoon.
    
    The last 2 trips I've done have been Florida trips in late March. This
    year we're considering going possibly a little earlier, or maybe making
    our destination someplace a little to the north.
    
    If anyone would like to join us your more than welcome to.  Post a
    reply here or send me some mail.
    
    We're all ears for reccomendations for places/times to go.
      
    In the past we've done Okeechobee, Toho, East Toho and the St. Johns 
    chain.  Haven't hit Kissimee yet...
    
    donmac
    
     
    
    

    
     Well,
     
     Thinking of spring so soon....
    
     I am going down in 6 weeks (flying)
    
     Hiring my favorite guide for 2 days this year!!
     
     I will be fishing my usual holes at East Lake TOHO. I'll let you know
     how it was!!!!!
    
     - Dave (Who Hopes to have the BIG ONE before you do!!)
    

    Dave, I'll be looking forward to hearing how East Toho is doing. I've
    fished it a few times myself.  When we were there last March the 
    water was so low it was almost unnavigable.  They were draining it to
    kill off weeds and anticipated that it would be 2-3 years before
    the fishing would return to normal. 
    
    donmac  

Shhhhhh.....

I wanna here the story 'bout how Dave got stuck in the mud and needed a 
two-bladed Sikorsky to lift back onto his trailer.

heh...heh...

    Don,
    
    If y'all can wait another month, month and a half - Tennessee
    smallmouth fishing should be hot late April.  It's hot right now in fact 
    with air temps in the mid 70's and water surface temp at 69 yesterday 
    afternoon.  Had a nice 3 pounder out of Melton Hill reservoir on the way 
    home from a customer visit in Oak Ridge.  Had a strong urge to fish the
    Ocoee river on the way home from Chattanooga this morning but wasn't
    alone :-(
    
    RE:Florida You might consider Lakes Lochloosa and Orange south of
    Gainesville.  I've seen some pictures of big ones and one fish camp has
    a map with locations where the 10+ pounders have been caught.  There
    are plenty of guides available (see Bassmaster, Bassin' etc.) cheap
    places to sleep, several launches, resident gators, etc.  My personal 
    record there isn't worth discussing but they're out there.
    
    -SSS- 

    Thanks Steve,
    
    Although I'd love to try the TVA smallie waters sometime, late April or 
    early May wouldn't scratch the winter itch soon enough.  The fishing is 
    good here by that point.  Late April the ice is gone and the salmonoids 
    are on top.  And by mid-May the smallies are starting to think about 
    heading for the beds at Winni!
    
    I really like the late March time frame because spring is just around
    the corner here.  When we left last year the ice was out in Rhode
    Island, but still in up in NH when we got back.  
    
    And late March is usually late enough so we can de-winterize our boats 
    without bringing them back to a deep freeze. 
    
    I think I'd consider moving the trip in a little sooner before moving
    it out a little later.  
    
    Anyway, thanks for the info, I do want to make it out that way
    sometime... so much water... so little time... donmac 

    Yeah, Steve, an chew gotta be kerful are chew will be wiun ob dem
    residue alleygator's launch!!
    
    By now mos eberybody op dere knows dat dey are ALWAYS[lak toujours]
    welcome don at my place in Loosiana. Deres no time limit an deres
    plenty gud times, jes let me know in advance. Dat goes for chew too,
    Steve, my fran. When kin chew make a trip don to N'awlins an drop by??
    
    Coonass

     Well Don you know that I will be up for the challenge next spring! I
    think I should get my head examine because I asked the Legend to
    come along and be my partner. He is still undecided but I think
    I can talk him into it (I need someone to make my sandwhiches).
    
    Thinking back on last years trip I would like to go at least a couple
    of weeks earlier this year if we are going to Florida. Ahhh I can hear
    it now "Who's out there????" 
    
    But this year I'm going to be following you all the way down. Remember 
    payback is a bitch!!!! -)
    
    
    
    BIG BASS-O-MATIC
    

    Hey Don, if you decide to go to Kissimee I still have the map and can
    show you where to fish. I may be interested in doing something again
    and the truth is that Jan/Feb IS the best time for the 10+ fish.
    There's also a fishing camp on the south end of the lake and I can
    suggest the place for the, which is just down the road from the camp,
    for the golden shiners, good size, best price and their not green (i.e.
    un-healthy).
    
    
    John.

    Coonass,
    
    I hope I'll be ready for a visit SOMEWHERE about the same time as
    "vacation from hell II" is planned.  When was I down there last? 
    February?  Felt like it was about 2-4 weeks too early.  Maybe by March
    I could avoid those aggressive spawning gar :-)  
    
    I know your generous offer is always open.  I'm sure I'll take you up
    on it again sometime.  It would be great if we could get a bunch
    together down there all at once.  Of course, the invitation is
    reciprocal and you're welcome in East Tennessee anytime.  Meanwhile I
    don't roam too far from home until young'un #4 is born next month.  But
    you know I'll be ready to desert hearth and home by March just to give
    the ol' ears a break.
                             
    -SSS-

    John, I'm doing my homework for the trip now, howabout making me a copy
    of whatever you have and mailing it my way (lj02/i4).
    
    Steve, #4! Geez, you STILL haven't figured out what causes that yet???
    congrats and good luck!
    
    donmac 

    Don,
    
    I know what causes it but I've kept it a secret from the wife.  Don't
    go telling her or she'll make me stop.  Who knows how that might affect
    me ... I might end up like the legend.
    
    -SSS-
    
    BTW I stung a couple decent largemouth out of Melton Hill reservoir
    friday afternoon.  The bigger one was around 2# and sluggish.  Might be
    time to put the tackleboxes away for a couple months and dream about
    Florida, Louisiana and other warmer climes.

    >> I will be fishing my usual holes at East Lake TOHO. I'll let you know
    >> how it was!!!!!
    >> - Dave (Who Hopes to have the BIG ONE before you do!!)
    
    Dave, you were supposed to fill us un on East Toho, dod you make it
    down there?  If so, is the water level back up to normal?
    
    donmac
    

    
     Sorry for the long delay.
    
     Yes, I did go. The water at TOHO was UP !!. We elected to fish a 
     small pond near Hainsville.
    
     Caught about 10 bass in ranges from 1.5lbs to 6 1/4lbs. Action was 
     fast till about noonish and they shut off the rest of the day.
    
     There's still a Wall mount out there with my name on it somewhere!
    
     _ Dave
    

    We *may* have a spot open for our trip south, if any of you nonboaters
    (or boat owners who do not want to tow their boat) are interested, send 
    me some mail asap.  
    
    We're heading to Santee-Cooper, South Carolina, March 14-23.  If the
    fishing at Santee isn't too great, we'll break camp and head to 
    Kissimee (Fla).  We'll be driving, towing boats and camping, total
    cost should be around $300.
    
    -donmac

    Chew still gonna be a longways frum Loosiana, DonMac, but all of yall
    are always welcome to my place if chew decide to com don south.
    
    An by de way, don chew go an use any dannymite wilst dem diver men is in
    dat lak wit dere snooper gear on doin dat invironmintel survay!!
    
    De coffee biggins on an de beer is cold whenever chew kin com don!
    
    Coonass

    It's tempting, we could stop halfway and visit SSS and possibly sample
    some TVA smallie fishing along the way.
    
    However it appears to be TWICE as long of a drive as Santee-Cooper...
    
    donmac - but I would like to get back to Bistineau sometime...