Author: “Ocklawahaman” Paul Nosca with the assistance of Erika Ritter and Keith Alwine……

It has now been more than six months after I first reported to RiverBassin.com readers about “Florida’s Top 25 Biggest or Largest Largemouth Bass”. Since my November 2010 article, my ongoing investigative work has produced some more interesting information regarding this subject which I would now like to share with you–along with some of that previous report’s text.

So far it appears that “Ocklawahaman” alone maintains the unbiased list of the “All-Time Top-25 Biggest/Heaviest Florida Largemouth Bass Ever Caught (Or Reportedly Caught) In Florida”. I strive to list all 17-pound and heavier Florida-caught largemouth bass (past or present) from any available reports (hardcopy or online) as exactly as possible as they have been reported by others. It’s a “dirty” job but somebody has to do it without bias! Maybe at some point the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, BASS, or some trustworthy bass fishing organization will take-over this record keeping job from me–but for now it is my version of “responsible journalism” and probably ensures that RiverBassin.com readers will get to view the “list” updated periodically. Continue Reading

Author: Bill Prince ….

My ten year old grandson Hunter and I were rewrapping our drag chains, used to slow our canoes for fishing purposes, with duct tape and I had mine nice & shiny with the high grade 3M brand tape when I remembered an event that I thought would be of interest to Hunter, so I thought I would share it with you as I shared it with him.

While carefully wrapping my chain, I begin by setting the stage, I was on the Upper Ocmulgee, far down the Upper Ocmulgee, if that makes sense, let’s say above Macon but below Jackson, somewhere in there. I was catching mostly largemouth throwing a magnum broke back Rebel, doing pretty good I thought, then my drag chain hung up. Continue Reading

Author: Steve ….

Condition: New ….

Number of trips used: 50 or more ….

How it performed:  Great kayak, very comfortable. good on lakes, ponds, and SLOW moving rivers. I had on some class 2, big mistake,yak got full of water, almost lost kayak,i was swimming and yak was going down the river on its own like a sub. Still a very good kayak, just use it for calm waters. I would recommend a Jackson Kayak Coosa for waters like that, that’s what the Coosa is made for, the river..

Rating: 9

GoPro HD Hero

Number of trips used: 10-20 trips

Literally some of the best money I have recently spent has been buying the GoPro HD Hero action sports camera.  The camera shoots in full 1080P which is no less than incredible above water, but underwater, the wide angle lens distorts the picture. Continue Reading

Spro BBZ-1 Shad Swimbait 4″ – Slow Sink

Condition:  New

Number of trips used:  1-2 trips

How it performed:  I just bought this bait a few days ago after looking into different models of swim baits.  I was initially skeptical about getting a $20 bait that I wasn’t even sure I was going to like, but all skepticism was removed once it hit the water. Continue Reading

Having five grandsons and loving to river fish are two my life’s greatest pleasures. When I can take one or more of my grandson’s river fishing then that exponentially increases the pleasure of the trip. I think that’s called synergy. Therefore, over the years, I have tried to take my grandsons to the river at every chance that availed itself and created quite a few chances that otherwise might not have surfaced.

Most frequently fishing from kayaks or canoes, we have traveled through rocky, swift, river rapids and pristine still water that barely moved. We have caught lots of fish, large and small, and sometimes we have smelled the skunk. Whatever the results, even a bad day on the river beats most any other option. Continue Reading

My wife, Jo, & I were driving to church last Wednesday evening when we disagreed on something so she began to straighten me out, which I need for her to do on a regular basis, at least she thinks so. When this happens my usual tactic is to try to change the subject by pointing out something in view that might be remotely interesting or asking her something about our grandchildren. Any issue involving one of our grandchildren generally will redirect her thoughts and soften her so that her lecture is shortened. This time however we were passing in front of Barton’s pasture just around the corner from our house and I responded to her lecture by saying with excitement, “Hey, look!!!, there’s three donkeys in Barton’s pasture, that could be a lucky sign.” She responded sharply, “Don’t try changing the subject!!!”, but she quickly finished her correction of my errant ways and inquisitively asked, “Just what did you mean? Three donkeys could be a lucky sign?” Continue Reading

Author:  Aaron……

If you have ever floated the leaf, Chickisawhay, or any other small stream that make up the Pascagoula River, you know what spotted bass are all about.These streams are haunted with them, especially the Chickisawhay. Many lures will catch them but spinnerbaits on the smaller scale is wicked, even in the midday hours. when floating a river with moderate current, a bait that covers a lot of water is a good choice in most situations. these streams have plenty of logjams, bluffs, slack water pockets, and ledges so there’s NO lack of structure. There are many sandbars to camp on or just take a dip and cool off from the Mississippi sun. You may not catch a “wallhanger” but my average trip includes around 35 to 40 bass in an all day adventure. Most between the 10 to 16 inch range. However, my biggest spot from this watershed was on the highly overlooked leaf river, and was 4 lbs 2 oz. Oh, and pack an endless supply of skeeter’ spray.

Author - “Ocklawahaman” Paul Nosca with the assistance of Captain Erika Ritter….

IS IT REMOTELY POSSIBLE that somewhere in the south-central part of the Sooner State there could be an Oklahoma version of a Shangri-La for stream anglers? A clear-water, free-flowing, spring-fed paradise for river fishers who enjoy wading and bank-walking where there are so many waterfalls over limestone ledges that about the only boat traffic you’ll ever see are college kids floating on air mattresses in the crystalline pools during the hot Texoma summer? Cool, tumbling waters containing 3 black bass and at least 3 bream species, plus 2 kinds of catfish along with a wintertime bonus of rainbow trout? Could this “Okie oasis” possibly have free campsites and plenty of swimming holes to boot?

Continue Reading

By FBMouche and Ole Hooker

A while back I was thinking of buying another boat and selling my Ultimate. Ole Hooker was also thinking about not transporting a ship every time he went north or south. Thus, I sold my Ultimate and we bought a Guide 119 from Dick’s. Ole Hooker will now have a boat in Ohio and one in South Carolina.

Once late fall rolled around Ole Hooker got started on the boat and finished the job once the snow and ice blanketed Ohio in the comforts of his “Man Cave”. As you will see in some of the pics, that is a pretty nice place to be. I have to say this is his best boat yet. It looks awesome and is very functional. Continue Reading