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(stone cold steve austin voice) "if you love spring bassin', gimme a big heck yeah!" there ain't nothin' like it. that magical time around the full moon in february and march when the bass start chewin'. spring got off to a good start around here for me with the red rattletrap doing damage last week on points and just inside the mouths of coves. lost one good one playing around with her beside the boat and just enjoying the fight (didn't matter, no one with me to take pics and she wasn't huge) monday, pulling up to see another guy sitting on the spot i had been catchin' 'em on was a blessing in disguise. I told my buddy, "well it looks like we gotta go find some more." and we did, in the very back of the lake in about 2-3 ft of water keying on last years pad stems underwater. We caught about 30 fat and sassy bass that day with a few in the 3-4 lb class. hard to believe they are that shallow already because it hasn't been exactly warm around here. i think it's because the water is stained from recent rains. CJ and i intended to finish what I started with my other buddy the day before, but rain and battery issues cut the trip short after a few decent fish. didn't get to go back until today. arrived at another lake to find more stained water. checked the deep ditches and brushpiles just to make sure, but as i suspected, no dice. time to go flippin' and pitchin'. Got out the jig and homemade slither rig and caught a 4 in short order. then a one pounder. tried the spinnerbait and rattletrap for a while. Nothing but dinks. they wanted the slow stuff and who am i to argue? back to the slither rig. pitched 'er around some shallow brush on a bluff bank and there's that sweet heaviness when i lift the rod the first time. hammer time! when i stuck this fish, the war was on. I knew instantly this was the biggest bite i had ever got on a short line and i instantly felt like the rod was under powered for the task at hand as she put her nose down and dove for deeper water and a nasty cluster of brush. it was turn her or die trying. fortunately the duckett was up to the task with me winching like a madman on the reel. when i got her up and got a look, it was the old "Lord, please let me land this fish" prayer and thankfully He answered favorably. 9 lbs. and 1 oz. on the digi. Found some crappie fisherman nearby who were kind enough to take a few pics before i released her. a few more small ones and then there's another good bite, this time on a swim jig in super skinny water. This fish was probably in the 5-7 pound class and for some reason, she just pulled off shortly after i stuck her. But i know her address now and Lord willin' i'm going back tomorrow. CJ i'm tellin' ya you gotta get down here if you can. i think it's gonna bust wide open tomorrow.

Who's guilty? Are you the guy who needs 20 different brands of worms in 20 different colors? The guy with 50 shades of crankbaits for 50 shades of daylight? The guy who pitches jigs all day but changes jigs after every 3rd cast because the last one wasn't working? The guy who buys creature baits with 6 appendages and then proceeds to surgically remove 2 of those appendages, because that's what the fish wants? The guy who buys bullet weights in 1/2 oz and 8/16 oz because the fall rate is different? The guy who switches from a 7'0" rod to a 7'2" rod because having a rod that is 2" longer makes you feel less inadequate? The guy that colors his faded braided line with magic marker because black is less noticeable than "off" green in stained water? The guy who runs out and buys the bait that won the Classic? The guy who has a 5.8/1 gear ratio reel for spinner baits and a 5.9/1 for his cranks? AND are you the guy who beats the same banks and same docks weekend after weekend wondering why you don't catch fish? Or don't catch quality fish? The guy who is dumbfounded why some guys in your club consistently weighs in bigger bags than others? The guy who travels cross country to fish Guntersville or Okeechobee because the guys on TV catch really. really, really, big fish, and then wonders why he gets skunked? I'm willing to bet all of us were "that guy" to some degree or another. Many of us still are "that guy" to some degree or another. So, I ask the question: What changed you from being "that guy" to the bass fisherman that you are today? Age? Experience? Maturity? A specific event or incident that made you open your eyes? Knowledge of the species? A little bit of everything? I was some degree of "that guy" I've just simplified things. Simplified baits. Colors. Tactics. My thought process. I may believe that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. I may believe a well placed bait trumps color or action. I may believe a bass has no self control over its instincts and that all animals are creatures of habit, including humans. Time to break those old habits and try something new.

Last year I couldn't get past the 6lb mark with a 6.3 being my biggest bass. 2016 started with a bang and getting a new PB on Jan 2. She weighed 7lbs 10oz. Not only did I finally break 7lbs I also caught 4 more fish bigger than my old PB in Jan alone. 3/4 oz black/blue sieberts dredge football jig with rage black/blue lobster this past Friday, feb 26, I ended up catching another PB of 8lbs 12oz. Caught on 1/2 sieberts dredge Arkie jig. Bama bug with yum craw chunk in green pumpkin purple flake. 2016 has been good to me so far, I hope I can keep the momentum going for big fish.

Interesting topic slonezp ~ I too believe that with age comes experience. Being able to interpret what is experienced and than apply it effectively at a future time, date, different season & on a different body of water seems to come in pretty handy as well. Something that I believe that everyone has is "Instinct". Each angler has at least some - but certain fisherman seem to be able to "listen" to it. Catching some fish can certainly help build some confidence which in turn may help an angler trust in him/herself (instincts). Perhaps this is an example of what "That Guy" does a little better than some. "Seeing is believing" is a saying we often hear. Something that has served me well over the years is a spin off of this. (and not just for fishing) I really need to "Believe It - To See It." Having a positive picture in my minds eye of what I'm trying to accomplish and truly believing that the outcome is reasonable & attainable, keeps me focused and in the right frame of mind. Can self-doubt creep in when things don't exactly follow the plan ? Sure does, that's where self discipline comes in - only you can control your mind. So do it. There are so many, many things that happen in a day that determine whether bass are caught, especially Big Bass. Some of these happen before the day of the trip and others are so far out of our control that there is no sense even addressing them. I like to try to be Balanced. It's very hard to be very good at everything - at least for me. So instead, I try to look at the big picture. I'm willing to spend time & energy ensuring I'm able to complete each fishing trip without struggling with Anything. Consider how many evolutions there are on a standard bass fishing trip; trailering the boat, the launch & recovery, the boat handling itself, safe navigation, gear selection, ten different types of casts, casting accuracy, boat position, anchoring, hook sets, fish landing, net use, knot tying, bait rigging, don't spill the JJ's, using the electronics effectively, the list goes on. All of this could fall under the Ability category. However being super good at a few of these & not so good on others may end up being problematic. So, I like to work to be Balanced - I'm definitely not That Guy, more like A Guy. A-Jay

Here is the newest weapon. Loomis NRX 803C JWR - '13 Metniuam 101 w/ Microcast Shallow Spool, Studio Composite Hande, & Avail Bling

I'd watch it. I enjoy the channels of guys that are just fishing. I can't stand the ones of guys fishing and talking nonstop like they just like to hear themselves talk.

Maybe I should start a channel. It would be a lot like Bill Dance's blooper reels, mixed with brief moments of high drama, a lot of swearing, and then hours of silence. Should be a hit.

How do you see who is #1? I am guessing with my 90 subscribers so far, I have to be near the top (that's a joke).

This is a Crankbait I made with a 3D printer. I'm thinking about giving it a firetiger paint scheme and filing down the bill to make it a squarebill.

Perfect

The bait is the right profile and it was put in the right place with the right presentation at the right time. Color is one of the least important aspects of the bait you're fishing day in and day out IMO. Sometimes it will make all the difference in the world, but a lot of times me and whoever I'm fishing with are catching fish about the same on two different colors. Black and blue is a dark color that gives off a good profile, and a lot of things a bass eats are dark colored.

Matt Allen was rated #1 on the "Kramer's Top 40 California Bass Fishermen's List' of 2015. That's ahead of Brent Ehrler, Skeet Reese, Ish Monroe, and Cody Meyer. Tim little was rated #11, and broke the world record for spotted bass at 10 lb.6 oz. These guys know what they're doing.

What? You don't want to watch a half hour video of someone opening their latest Mystery or Lucky Tackle Box?

I think John B is making the most quality vlogs and tutorials soon to climb to #1 fishing the Midwest

jbo, you are in Cumberland so you have to travel to hit some good spots unless you have your double secret pond or are fishing Bear or Briary Creeks and Sandy River. The secret to a good answer is "what is the water temperature?" Do you have a swimming pool thermometer to use to check water temps? If not, it is a good investment. Bass behavior is impacted by water temperature and you need to know how they are "supposed to act" at different temperatures and how long it takes for a bass to digest a minnow at various water temperatures. Now, I say "supposed to act" since bass do not read magazines or watch TV. So what is supposed to happen when the water temps are in the 50s or 60s may not happen. This is a piece of the puzzle you have to figure out. Now, what to throw? Depending on the water temperature, which could be in the 50's by now, I would suggest spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, Chatterbaits, Carolina Rig, square bill crankbaits and jigs for starters. Always have a Texas, wacky or shaky head ready to go for your plastics. And know the forage in the body of water you are fishing. Maybe an orange or red treble hook bait for crawfish; a lizard for the bottom; a black/blue jig with a big blue plastic jig for bluegills, or a swim bait for shad and herring. You have to experiment. The bass will still be deep and in about 6 to 10 feet of water out from the bank. Schools will huddle farther out and both schooling and individual bass will hit the bank for some warmer temperatures and a good meal. The bass are supposed to hit the northwest corner of your lake or pond since that area receives the most sun and therefore the water warms up the fastest attracting the bass. However, bass do what they want to do (the "supposed to act" factor) and you have to be prepared for anything. Hit structure, piers, docks, ramps, boat houses, cover and anything where the bass will be holding, waiting for a nice meal to swim by. Fish off from any dead grass. Look for the spawning flats. And don't forget your needle nose pliers! Let us know how you do. Good luck and watch those state troopers on Route 60!

Go to ebay and look for the Sebile Flatt Shad 54SK, it is a small lipless bait that weighs 3/8oz but you'll see it listed at 10g, but it is a small bait at 2" but it gets big bites!!

I just can't keep away from these guys this winter, not a bad problem to have though.

I went out testing my new reel that just came in and caught this girl. Caught it with a craw red eye shad. 22inches long!

Okay being a fish geek, I really want to know HOW he keeps those peacocks alive during the winter considering they really don't do cold well (anything less then 60). I've seen people try and throw tropicals in the park lakes around S. Cal and they don't make it through our winter, just wondering how they make it through the winters there?

LakeForkGuy is pretty cool, always has some good videos.

I use 50lb on my frog/swim jig/chatter bait rod, and my flipping/pitching/punching rod. 30lb on my "general purpose" 7' MH casting rods 20lb on my cranking rod 10lb on spinning gear.

Time is better spent working out or fishing than smoking or vaping.

Do you have cotton wood trees around the waters you fish? I do, and they are putting there "fuzz" on the water during the prime spring frogging season and will bind up micro guides tighter than a drum.............it's bad enough picking that crap off of the line, the reel level wind, and "regular" sized line guides. The rest of the year is no problem, but just because of that 3 week or so period in late spring/early summer around here with the cotton wood, I will NEVER EVER use a micro guide rod for frogging again.

I'm always surprised Tacticallbassin' doesn't have more subscribers.

yeah i just printed out a couple copies. first bass of the year. 3/8oz jig with a pit boss in a subdivision pond. nothing huge, 14" maybe, but it was certainly nice to feel that tap on the line! 60 degrees tomorrow guys -- time to bust out the buzzbaits! just kidding ... (right?). i might mess around with a soft plastic swimbait on a freedom live action hybrid jig head though. i've been wanting to see how that looks in water.

OK, here we go again on the Forum. Glad to offer my two-cents with the other guys input. I will type, cut and paste my input. Here it is: 1. Read rod’s specifications stamped on the rod to make sure you have the correct line test and bait weight for our rod. 2. Decide which baitcaster gear ratio you are using. 5:0 up to 7:0 or higher. The higher ratio the faster you will reel in your bait. 3. Put the baitcaster on a spooling station or on the rod, making sure it is fitted snug so not to move. 4. Tighten the drag and spool. 5. If on a spooling machine you spool the line onto the reel. If on the rod then run the line through the line guides to the reel, through the line guide and tie it onto the spool. 6. Make sure you spool the line to about 1/8 inch from the top of the reel’s spool. Look for a channel in the upper right side of your spool and that can mark the maximum line you can put on the reel for the test you are throwing. Remember, you found the line test parameters stamped on the rod so stay within them. 7. When spooling the line make sure it goes tight onto the spool. 8. You can consider running the line through a “wet spot” soaked wash cloth with a line conditioning agent as you spool the line onto the reel. 9. When selecting your line you have a number of selections from mono to Copoly to flouro to braid. May I suggest a fluorocarbon line in a suitable test for your rod’s and bait’s best action? 10. After spooling the line through the line guides onto the reel or on the spooling machine, have or put the reel on your rod and add your crankbait, spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Texas rig, etc. just like you are getting ready to make that first cast. 11. Open the side of the reel and set the magnets into an X position by pulling out the plastic protectors. If the reel has the settings on its side go with a middle number. 12. Now point the rod tip to the 11 o’clock position and drop the bait to the floor. Make it a hardwood or in the yard. Do not do this on carpet. 13. Your goal is to have the spool stop when the bait hits the ground by adjusting the spool tension and if you want, the magnets. But I suggest you not fool with the magnets other than to set them in an X position or going with a middle number on the reel. 14. By trial and error, keep adjusting the spooling tension and drag until your spool stops when the bait hits the ground. 15. Go outside and in a field or in the street cast the bait as far as you can. 16. Then remove two arm lengths of line off the spool. 17. Then take electrical tape (Scotch tape can work, too) and cover the remaining line on the spool from left to right. Use one or two strips of tape. This stops any backlashes from going deeper into your line. 18. Now reel in the line and smile. You are ready to rock and roll. 19. What to do if you do get a backlash? Don’t pull on the line. Take your time and with the spool released dig out the backlash as softly as you can by pulling the line out of the back of the reel and towards you. 20. Always be careful not to cut or kink the line while getting a backlash out. 21. For your first few times fishing try to bring a second baitcaster just in case you do get a bad backlash and you have to switch out reels. Good luck and have fun.

Fished in the SNP for some wild trout today. Had a blast!

I keep all my fishing data, including line data for each reel (brand, type, lb test, when installed), on multiple worksheets in an Excel spreadsheet.

I know, I'm throwing some bucktail and feathers on everything but this is really my version of a classic. I built it from the pour up. I really like this mold but I found it's ladle pour only for me. The test run was great. Swims with the hook up! I used a really soft bucktail in a sexy shad pattern, one twisted saddle hackle and a couple really soft yet long neck hackles for the top feathers. Then accented with some blue pearl flash. You can't tell in the photo but it really makes the gray back pop. I kept the profile a little more slim for my style but I bet this will catch em!

New Release from Rapala on Feb 29th.

I find it interesting that the over-whelming majority of craw patterned crankbaits are painted backward on the baits in orientation to how a craw swims. oe

My old jig supplier is no longer around. Ive been using one particular swimjig color for many years. I also use one particular brand of trailer in 2 different sizes. It’s a bass magnet on my home water. I sent Mike a jig and both size trailers so he could match the colot and make sure the hook gap would work with the trailers. He did a great job matching the jig down to the special weed guard request i made. Jig head and skirt came out great as well. Kudos to you Mike

B Buddy caught a giant bass out in the land of the giants. Throwing a texas rig in open water. They eat good out here!

Am I the only one that can't stand a really good bass fishing video ruined by the background music? Maybe I'm turning into that curmudgeon or whatever but I want to watch the video,and I want to hear what the fisherman is saying(usually).I could care less about the screaming guitars and such in the background. I actually like hearing the birds chirping,the geese honking,and especially the sound of a big bass bustin a topwater lure. Its gotten to the point that as soon as I hear the music I'm done. Like I said,maybe it's an age thing cause I used to be a heavy metal head banger but fishin is fishin! Rant over... Ron

Even you seasoned guys can find a trick or two in this video...

Well, um I'm calling bs.

LOL that's great. Some healthy lookin' fish though. and any fish is a good one. and the kayak setup looks sweet!

It will move the boat..............but as far as being optimal, to use plain terms...............it will suck. I have a smaller lighter aluminum boat, it came with a 12v 45lb thrust, 5 speed motor..............8-10 hours of just normal fishing, and I could tell the battery was fading, add wind, or thick grass, and I was lucky to go 6 hours before it started to fade. I was running a group 27 size TM battery with this motor. I got rid of it after 4 years, and went with a 24v 70lb thrust motor. Night and day difference...............but that comes with a higher $$$. But I can fish all day, for 12+ hours a day, in wind, waves, weeds, and never worry about the TM. I have even forget to charge the batteries after a trip or two over they 6 years since I upgraded to the bigger motor, and have been able to fish a full 2nd day with out worry................and that's with 2 group 24 sized TM batteries. When I have to replace this motor, it will be with another 24v, variable speed, 70lb thrust just like I have now.

Wrong line to start with. You want a soft line. CXX is a very good line. Quite abrasive resistant. Abrasive resistant lines are harder. Harder lines have more memory. Try Trilene XL, Sufix Elite or Sunline Super Natural. Also heavier line will be stiffer than a lighter line. Suggest dropping down to 12# test. Good suggestions from others. Thumb is critical, but so is being smooth on the cast. Know that accuracy will suffer at first. A roll cast will smooth out the cast. I feel two hands gives me better control. EDIT: As you might guess, there are plenty of threads on this subject. Try a search. Also welcome to the forum.

We fished hard for just 5 dinks, but there was also this one...... 8.05 lbs on a Siebert Outdoors jig and rage craw

1rod1reel is from my area hes got some good vids

I took a look today, didn't see any ice. The area around the boat ramp is rather muddy but clears up pretty quick towards main lake.

NDYakAngler will always be my #1 I like plenty but something about his speaks to me. It not just educational, you feel like you're there.

Put me in for that early march fish day i would have a open seat if anyone would like to tag along .also looks like I'll be joining the ranks on the rez tournaments this year

I don't vap. Quit smoking a long time ago. Only took one nasty sinus infection to realize yeah, not gonna do this anymore. It's easy to see who does it when they drive, just look for the car or truck that looks like it has a fog machine running in there with the big cloud of none harmful vap coming out the windows. To each their own, I'll find something more appealing to do with my time and continue to feed my constant habit of fishing to infuence me. That can be bad enough sometimes.

There is no "rear back and set" to jerkbait fishing IMO. It's more like a sweeping motion of just a reel down and sweep. Most of the time with the right rod, line, and good hooks, a fish will hook themselves. Jerkbaits can be a more advanced fishing skill. Try to keep the mindset of feeding the lure to them, especially in cold water. Let them take it, don't take it away from the fish. They may just bump it and then come back and get it. As the water warms, they will get to where they crush it. Another thought is to not horse them to the boat once they're on, especially smallmouth and spots. The best day I ever had was on a jerkbait and I was having to free spool the big smallies and let them do what they wanted before I showed them the boat because when they seen the boat, it was round 2. Also know that sometime smaller fish like gills will bump them as well. So you could mistake them for bass. Usually if a big fish makes the move, they mean business. All these fish came on a jerkbait plus around 20 more 3-4 lb. + smallmouth and LM. Jerkbaits are deadly and a whole lot of fun once you get them down.

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Grid-Iron-Custom-Brush-Jig-801.htm

I understand the idea behind vaping originally was a tool to get off of smoking. But I never understood why anyone would want to just trade one addiction for another even if it was supposedly "not harmful". And I say that very loosely as I too cannot see how the human body can think that is good for it. I'm thinking lets drowned our lungs with vapor as much as we can and see if in 10 years my lungs have rotted. Ya know Doctors actually prescribed Cigarettes years ago because they didn't know what they do now. To me its just a matter of time before the lawsuits start. I have a brother who has quit smoking and he has picked that crap up. I just want to knock that crap out of his hands and say WTH is wrong with you. Even if the stuff is safer it is annoying as hell. You cant move without it being a act of congress. Its like grab this that and wait this too. He still leaves and goes away from the family functions like at Christmas, he goes outside and the rest of the family sits and waits to do any of the Christmas functions. Also it is as bad as cigarettes in a automobile like I want to inhale a extremely heavy tooty fruity or cotton candy vapor 2nd hand. Not to mention if anyone thinks a cigarette looks funny hanging out of someones mouth that has to be the most retarded contraptions I have ever seen. The only people that think its cool is the other goofballs doing it and the companies making $ off of it. Not to mention setting a great example for the teenagers that I hear have decided it was the cool "in" thing to do. I quit smoking 2 1/2 to 3 packs a day cold turkey 8/13/2014. Now I don't ever see smoking again even after 30 years of the garbage. I will never be a slave to some addiction like this again. I live for my daughter and hope to spend many years more with her. It is awesome to not have to have lighters and smokes or all the juice and tanks pipes etc that the vapor nuts have to have just to function. Sorry I normally wouldn't say anything but since its the internet hate me if you want its the way I feel about it. Sad to see people get off one addiction and jump on another like a crack addict. rant over

A sticker on the reel foot.

I stopped into one of the local DSG stores and the guy working in the fishing section was wearing a tackle warehouse long sleeve t-shirt. No wonder that store never has any good lures on clearance, they have a fellow addict on the payroll with first shot at all of the good stuff.