I have been lurking on these forums for a few months, learning a LOT and my fishing's been improving. One piece of advice that I kept hearing repeated was to go out with a guide. I have to admit I sort of 'choked on the bone' but finally spent some $$ and went out with Bottom_Bouncer of Bottom Bouncer Guide Service. While I can't say enough good things about Bottom_Bouncer (my son and I had a ball, caught a bunches of fish, and learned a ton!), what I really want to pass along is that I wish I had done so sooner. It would have taken me a long time to learn on my own what he taught me in 3 hours. Since then, I've gone out on my own and been hugely more successful than before. So if you (like me) are wanting to learn about fishing, GO OUT WITH A GUIDE! I can't imagine anyone regretting it.

Dan

Good post Tristar and I can't disagree with you at all. I learned so much from Cliff Spindle and always caught a bunch of fish. Went out with SlabmeSilly today and he might as well be a guide with his knowledge and had the best day I have ever had crappie fishing. It's important to go with wily veterans of the sport, they will teach you a TON!

Tristar93...
Welcome to the world of addiction....
I must forewarn you....Re-hab for Crappies addiction has been proven to be non-effective!!!
See you on the lake sometimes Dan...

Stucky...you hold up fine today!!!

Crappie Re-hab is for quitters!! LOL!

Great post-Tristar!!!!!!!!! I wish I would have hooked up a guided trip years ago. You can pick up alot!!! Unfortunitely....I learned the hard way!!! Trial and error(lots of error)!!! Last year I fished with Guy Skinner and I had a blast, even IF we wouldn't have caught a load of fish, but we did !!! And we had less than optimum conditions, high water and wind!! Guy had lots of tips!!!! Just couldn't find the time to get linked up again this year!!

Glad you had a great time, and learned a lot. Wes is my tourney partner, and we have been fishing together for over 4 years now. Very knowledgeable guide, great teacher, great guy.

Stucky, agreed with all said. Slab, Cliff, Guy, Scott, and many more from TFF have taught me a ton the past 3 years and TriStar is dead on.

You can't go wrong with any of these crappie guides and the jig-makers on here as well. I think own some jigs from every maker on here that I could open my own jig store outta my garage. I've caught fish on all of them, but presentation is key.

One last recommendation for a measuring device that won't do you wrong on those "slot" crappie near 10"...get you a FISH TACO from CrappieMaster(another guide on here). It's saved my arse with the wardens a few times on those "borderline" fish.

Welcome to crappie addiction my friend!

I wanted to add this earlier, but had to figure out how to add pics. When we went out with Weston from Bottom Bouncer Guide Service, this was our 1.6 pound highlight of the afternoon. Thanks Weston!

That's awesome! Nothing like a great day on the water with your son!

A fish like that will certainly get you hooked !!

Welcome to the TFF .You will learn alot here.

Always gotta love a big smiles on a child's face, especially your own! Great going TriStar...a first of many memories you and your son will share through the years.

Tristar93,

I enjoyed the trip the other day...Andrew is lucky to have a pop like you that will spend time with him in the great outdoors. I enjoyed seeing the smile on his face when he reeled them in.

I'm glad to see you have been having success with info you picked up on the trip.

I put up a post about the trip. http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...lle#Post2689118

Thanks for the kind words.

Thanks for posting the pics, Wes. My schedule got crumped last weekend and I couldn't go out and try Sycamore Bend like I asked about. I'm going to try again to get out there this weekend. I'll let you know!
Dan