Bill buddy, are you telling me you didn’t get a little swim jig schooling last month with me on Pool 10? That just hurts!

Got a scenario that happened to me in a club tournament and not sure if I was in the wrong, tell me what you guys think. I’ve got a slop ‘spot’ on the river that’s actually in a very big area, but water was real low and the fish were concentrated in a farm pond size area in this big area. Prefishing, I go back there which is actually like a quarter mile through a foot of water and matted slop before it opens up just a little into some 2-4foot water, anyway, they’re there, stick 2 solid 16 inchers, stick the hooks in my rat and get like 30 more blowups in the next half hour. I spend the next hour and a half going back and forth through the slop to get into it with my trolling motor so I can get in quicker next day. Everyone in my club knows where I’m going so they respect it, except a new guy (he doesn’t know me at all) who I see coming down to the entrance area. He asks if you can get back there, I’m like ‘you can now’ I’m sweating my balls off because its like 95 degrees at 8 in the morning and I just had to reset my breakers for the 3rd time, so I tell him I’d appreciate it if he didn’t go back there. He and his partner kind of grumble and head off. I apologized later and kind of explained the situation but I don’t know if they just acted like it was cool or not. So was I out of line?

Reelguy, a little over 14lbs (5 fish) took the BWS on Saturday, we came in 6th I think with 12.44. Sorry to hear that Browns didn’t pan out its usually pretty good but from what we saw Saturday the fish weren’t in the slop very good which is strange for this time of year. If you look, you’ll find some eel grass and there’s usually some fish in it when you do. We fished some main river and bigger side channel grass and did OK with jigs and creatures, just couldn’t find a big bite. Glad you enjoyed yourself down here, I always do when I get up your way.

If you’re fun fishing go to Browns, its a lot easier to get into than Spring although still be careful in the cut going up to it, there are a couple of shallower spots. I go there if I’ve already found fish early enough and just want to stick a few and have some fun. Haven’t been in there this year but I usually just throw a rat.

We had a club tournament on the 25th and did find some good slop fish. I had 4 for 8.7 and my partner had 5 for 11.5. I lost my 5th fish several times including one that was probably 4. We only found 1 good slop area, it was pretty big but a real pain to get to especially since I think they dropped the water Sat night. Fish were very shallow, 6-12 inches in pads mixed with eel grass. We also caught a ton of shorts but when we got a keeper there were more in that area.

I got mine from Brad Tharp (Everything Bass) at bassrods.com he builds my rods but he also sells a few boat accessories. I think he actually makes these too. If you get one, it will come with a big cable tie, don’t use it. Get another SS hose clamp like you use for your transducer and you clamp it on using that one and the clamp from your transducer. He also makes one hell of a frog rod, little pricey but if you throw rats a lot its worth the $$.

Curt, instead of a push pole, try a putting a Jen-su weed blade on your TM. Its not a prop, its a flat metal blade you hoseclamp onto your lower unit. I have one on my Maxxum 74 and it goes through pad stems like they are not even there. It also keeps fishing line from getting behind your prop. I got mine online somewhere, it only costs about $20.

I usually get them from a little tackle shop by my house, they order them for me from their supplier. Last time I ordered rats direct from snag proof though I asked if they had any for sale (because they put owners on their pro series), they only have them in bulk for manufacturing but she sold me some for $.50 each which is a lot cheaper than I usually pay, but you’d probably have to order some baits too. I haven’t looked but I’m sure you could find them online somewhere too. Gamagatsu also makes a frog hook.

I’ve done a couple of things over the years that have increased my hook up ratio a lot. Honestly, I probably hook up probably 80% of the time. 1st, rod and line, 7’3″ custom made from a heavy salt water popping blank, it has the butt of a flippin stick but a softer tip that lets me cast further and doesn’t rip the bait away too fast (kind of like when you use a glass rod for cranks)the rod is also real light (4.5oz) so fishing it all day isn’t as tiring , line is 65lb power pro. 2nd is the rat, I use a Boss Rat all the time, the size and shape seems to go down a lot easier, most of the time I hook up with both hooks right in the top of the mouth, just like you want, I also change all the hooks to 4/0 Owner frog hooks and add a couple of beads for noise and weight. Finally the rat gets slathered in garlic kicknbass throughout the day, I had a fish that hit last year on a backlash that swallowed the rat all the way down. You guys have some great slop fishing up there, its good on 13 down here too but I can’t wait for every trip up your way. take care, hope it helps