re: OT - Any largemouth bass fisherman here?

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Get yourself acquainted with a rig called a "popping cork"

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The ones that work the best are those from a bottle of Single Malt Scotch.

The largest one I ever caught was just over 10 pounds. Have yet to go over seven since.

I'm a fan of fishing with top water lures too and that's mostly what you'll find in my tackle boxes. Part of the reason is as you describe there's nothing like seeing a fish strike the bait as you're working it across the water.

I also fish rivers more than lakes and so I am working the shoreline with a top water lure as I'm floating along and usually mix in a spinning lure or crawfish crank bait. You also don't have to be real knowledgeable of the structure below when you are top water fishing--just work the bait around what you can see above or just below the surface.

I remember seeing a film where it was noted a top water lure is like having a convertible in the South--there are many days throughout the year when you can use it. I also like working a top water lure as opposed to worm fishing and such which is much slower and sometimes downright boring.

As to bass fishing at night I haven't done a lot of it but when I have it usually involves fishing a worm at night because it has gotten too hot to fish during the day. I've had a little success fishing hula poppers, jitterbugs, and other assorted top water lures that are made for fishing after dark but I never got into it that much. If I'm night fishing it is generally going to be cat fishing.

I consider a three plus pound Largemouth to be a good one and you can certainly justify taking a seven plus pounder to the taxidermist.

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As a general guideline, "top water" lures (lures that float::skit-r-pop, frog, shallow crank bait) are best to use at dawn and dusk.

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Every bass I've caught has been at dawn and dusk with a horny toad. The guy that introduced me to fishing prefers top water and it's for the same reason you enjoy it. The first time we went to the lake a three pounder popped out of the water to get to my toad and that got me hooked. Plus there's a lot of grass and weeds where I fish so crankbaits and buzzbaits get stuck a lot.

What was the best way to hide your fish basket before the era of gps?

I've fished most of my life and the biggest I ever pulled was a tad over 5lbs. I've been with people that have pulled a few 7lbs or better on many occasions and the biggest I have seen personally pulled out was around 11 lbs caught with a cane pole of all things. I did win a fishing contest one time with a near 2lb white perch. :)

Wow that sounds like a trophy lake! I was going to say its all about where you fish...I have a private pond where if you can catch about a 6 lb any day, my personal best is 9 lb, but there's been a few over 10 come out..I say 7 is a hog too, but it's so much harder to catch an 8lb than a 7...i think I caught 8 or so 7 lb bass before I ever broke 8.

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What was the best way to hide your fish basket before the era of gps?

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Tied a ribbon on a tree branch....dang your such a rookie.

Teach me sensei.

Absolutely. When I had a boat, I used to fish West Point a lot and loved it but it was nothing compared to this lake that haunts my dreams between trips. Nothing like being on a pond that size and maybe seeing two other boats on a weekday. Five or six tops on a weekend. I still remember the day, long ago in Athens when I first became friends with my buddy. We worked together at the same restaurant and immediately had a lot in common. He was from Valdosta and one day after work he came by my house and saw all my fishing gear on my porch. He said " so it looks like you like to fish." Next thing I know I am heading southbound on 75 two days later to check out this place he talked up so much. He has been my best friend since those years and his mom and dad are like a second pair of parents to me. I could live 10 lives and not luck into a regular fishing destination like this one.