The "Black Bass" is not technically classified as a Bass at all. It is actually in the sunfish family. The true family of Bass include Striped Bass, White Bass and White Perch (yes, it is actually in the Bass family).

Bottom fish have a very good chance of survival upon release as long as they are vented to relieve the Barotrauma. The swim bladder must be punctured so the fish can descend or a descending device maybe used. Florida just past a law on Feb 22nd of this year requiring that "all vessels" targeting reef fish be equipped a venting tool or a descending device, and that it be rigged and ready while fishing. Effective immediately. I've been venting fish for 30+ years. Never used a descending device.

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https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.938780241000075&lon=-120.55856091199996#.Y-_Z-1HMKM8

forgot link

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.938780241000075&lon=-120.55856091199996#.Y-_Z-1HMKM8

I use NOAA for the most detailed information. Here's a link to somewhere in OR. Bring it up and put in your own city or zip. I always go to the discussion tab at the bottom left of the page. It will explain what the different computer models are predicting and why they are forecasting the way they are - If some models are stating one thing (lots of rain) and another is saying something else (no rain or very little), they will forecast in the middle until models come into better alignment and usually state this plainly. They have a marine page as well. This is where most of the local stations get their info as I understand it. It's my go-to for weather. Hope it helps.

with this hot weather we've had down here the top water bite will probably be over. Stripers will likely be deeper where the water is cooler. Trolling or downlining live bait in the thermocline is the summer pattern.

I had an old 16ft Redfin that was a rolled-edge boat which caught a lot of fish in the Laguna Madre. Little 50 horse Evinrude that would run over shallow sandbars. No frills but she loved the water. My fav was my 21' Rinalli with the 200 Murc on it - dual conical hull with a full step. dry ride at any speed and unsinkable. I used it to fish the Striper tour in the southeast and it was a beast.

Here's a link to the state regs for Oysters. Closed areas are specified, the rest is fair game within season and a license. They can be taken by hand, rake or dredge.


https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/shellfish-regulations/oyster-regulations

Johnny Morris products, specifically the boats as well as the rods and reels. I have had terrible luck with them.

Bass can be anywhere this time of year. I don't usually recommend hitting the banks, but targeting docs with pumpkin or ice finesse worms on Lanier will work depending on the light cover any given day. Any variation will do - no need to by one specific color. Tyr a drop shot or TX rig and vary the speed until the fish tell you what they want. Slow way down once the water gets cold. You can jig for bass on the very tops of timber in the dead of winter - spoons.

I tried LMB and didn't like it. There's other species I prefer to eat. I fish for LMB a lot, but won't keep em just because I don't like them. I have no issue with keeping and eating fish in general - the lakes down here are stocked with the expectation that there will be fish taken. 1mm redfish were just stocked in Brauning and and Calaveras lake here around San Antonio. They do it every year. If people don't take the fish, the lake will overpopulate and there won't be enough bait to support the predators. Catch what you want and eat eat what you like, I say

It all depends on the condition of the line which can observed by checking for nicks in it, color (faded worries me), flexibility or lack of and worst case, if I tie a knot and can break it it's coming off. If it has too much memory, it comes off. My .02

I am with fishyacker - I'll read them if the title interests me and if I have nothing to contribute or if it has already been said, then I move on. If not, I'll give my .02 in hopes that it helps someone get a perspective on the issue.

What happened to the National Striped Bass association (NSBA)? Anyone know if it still exists?

What are you looking to find and curious what your set up is? Are you just looking for anything or are you targeting on specific species?