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Got some border patrol smallies this evening

Met with a guide buddy in upstate NY while on vacation to search for some chunky bronzebacks. First half day session was Monday. Snowing , windy and 28 degrees was what we dealt with most of the morning. Caught a nice one within 5 minutes on a jig which sometimes could mean a slow day for me. Continued jigging through out the morning with partially numb fingers and toes but caught a decent amount in the 3-5lb class. Biggest 5 was a little over 25. Second session was on Tuesday at a different lake. Weather was warmer but wind gusts were 40 + with 4ft breakers in some areas. Was told I would probably be soaked all day prior to launching. Luckily I stayed pretty dry considering the conditions. Took a few minutes to get my sea legs but then got used to it. They were on a weird bite , lost many that slammed the bait then was gone soon as you swing on them. Ended up with a good amount of fish having to deal with the wind and not finding any big groups of them. Always a blast fishing up here and plan to get back next year sometime. Part 2 from the second day

New PB ?

I would move next to @A-Jayand become a very good neighbor with him.

Been really windy here the last 2 days. Noticed I could't see my deer blind and was afraid it might have blown away. I was right, but it didn't go far. That water was COLD!

It was a good weekend for big "other" fish. Monday I had 3 trout over 4 pounds, including a 6.31 and 6.76 pound rainbow off the same spot on the same bait. I'm still not convinced it wasn't the same fish, just not sure how to account for the half a pound it would have had to gain the 5 minutes between catches. Tuesday I was after wipers and they showed up big time. I caught several, had a giant straighten a 4X strong #4 treble on my jigging spoon, and broke my lake PB twice, first with an 8.22, then a crazy fat 9.04. A "little" 6.5 The 8.22 that was almost digesting my jigging rap shad. and the 9.04 that was about as tall as it was long and super thick.

I would have a hard time moving...but I have no problem with the winters in NW WI. I have, well within 2 hours (most are within a half hour): Smallies on lakes and rivers. Largemouth (nothing like southern monsters). World class musky fishing in lakes and rivers. Big northern pike...and lots of small ones. World class trout fishing (rivals and exceeds what is found out west). Walleyes all over the place, if I ever get really, really boared. Panfish, see above about boredom. Steelhead on "The River of Presidents" Lake Superior gets into the act within that two hours as well if you like lake trout, steelhead, coho, king salmon and lake run browns. My second passion has always been upland bird hunting, I have, in some cases literally out my back door: Ruffed grouse. Woodcock. Pheasant (not like out west, but 20 bird days happen every year). Bobwhite (not big numbers, but they are here). I am not a waterfowl hunter, but you can't wade a trout stream around here without flushing all kinds of ducks and you can't swing a long stick most places without hitting a goose or twenty. I am also not a big game hunter, but I could shoot deer without leaving the house, have had black bear in my yard (and a couple heavier than 700 lbs have been killed relatively close by), I have heard that some of Wisconsin's biggest bucks are one county south. XC skiing is great in the winters, as is snowmobiling (trail is on the eastern boundary of our property). There's more ATV trails around than you could ride in a lifetime (trail is 200 ft. from the western edge of our property), hiking, canoeing opportunities literally all over...cool stuff like waterfalls and easy drive. ...I understand why some people couldn't enjoy the winters ,-27° can really get your attention, but it's unlikely we'll leave.

It has been a very long time. I don't even remember when the last time I posted here. Anyway, I've been throwing nothing but swimbait for awhile and finally the hard work paid off. The first hudd fish of this season not very big tho just about 4 lbs.

my 9 year old grandson , I do believe I have him addicted. 37 degree here in Indiana this morning, he goes out and catches a 2 lb bass

I'm seeing a trend where some folks think there is this "magic" lure which is the only lure that will catch fish on a particular day, and not having it would be a catastrophe. The more likely scenario is that once you find fish, there will be several lures that will work. When I go out fishing and don't do well, my thinking is I didn't find them, I didn't figure out what to do, or I zigged, when I should have zagged. I can count in one hand the times I have in all honesty thought that I would have caught them if I had a particular lure. Of course I've been doing this for almost 1/2 a century, so there is that, now I feel old...

Swapped out the hook 3. It's looking way less awkward now. I had a new mechanic mount the in dash unit and he did an awesome job.

I was younger...(much) and I would go fishing in the mornings before everyone would gather around. Back then (45 plus years ago) I lived in Oregon and you used to be able to catch steelhead in the streams in November until genetics were changed. Now it's much later. Thanksgiving now is a blessed day with kids and grandkids and friends.....my oh my. Wonder if I'll get to teach them bad habits.....

after arriving in Alabama I received a phone call, saying come back home my mother was very ill. the docs told me they did not think she was going to survive this. thankfully she fooled them again and is home and now agreed to live with us. I am very thankful this thanksgiving that I still have her ,and get the privilege to take care of her. wishing you guys a thankful thanksgiving this year.so thankful of many of your friendships. fun, tips, and topics this past year. have a great spring in 2018!! many thanks to you all .

I often feel like I'm right at 38º F...

Some of you guys are a little dense. Must pre-game turkey? I'd say if you were going to pick specialized technique/bait to spend a little coin on, it would be either jig/worm rod or drop shot. It would depend on where/what you fish, but for those two styles of fishing, a light, sensitive stick is a must.

Just came across a site called Tactical Wholesale, has Tatula MH 7’2” Regular for $93. That regular action in Japanese rods translates to a moderate fast which, if you believe Tim Allen, is the magic action for swimbaits and other reaction baits... https://www.tacticalwholesalers.com/Rods-Casting_c_2305.html

A jig and worm rod. They are the ones I spend the most money because they need to be the most sensitive.

Move to east Tennessee. Tennessee and Cumberland rivers (reservoirs) have all three bass species. Weather is great, lotsa non urban living. Cost of living is exceptionally low. Gas is $2.12/gal. currently, national brand. Snows about once every three years. Chickamauga has new state largemouth record, 16 +, Dale Hollow, world smallmouth record. Nuf said.

Sometimes I fish the right place, at the right time, with the right bait / presentation. I know because I catch some bass. Now if & when one or more of those "rights", end up being wrongs, then I usually don't catch as much. So it seems to me that being in the right place, at the right time is at least as important as having the right bait. While I could (and may be coming close) carry half of TW's inventory, but if my location & timing is off, it may not help. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. A-Jay

The more I fish (and learn), the less I need. Have no interest in stocking up with the latest tackle trends or hot baits.

Do we all carry too much tackle for too many techniques Uhhh Nope! ?

For both smallmouth & largemouth you're probably looking at the Tennessee, Kentucky, & Virginia areas.

Wanted to fish Friday as it was setting up nicely high was 80 light breeze and cloudy, but couldn't because of work. So I got 30 mins Saturday afternoon there was a 30 temp change and winds were blowing 20 out of the northeast. I went to a rock pile I knew and pulled this out on my second cast. I'm guessing around 4lbs @Bluebasser86 are those Wild or stocked bows you have up there? That thing is a tank!

Had this guy come in checking a doe and drilled him at 30 yards.

Just wanted to say thanks to Bassresource and the members for just being here. Going through a lot with the man that introduced me to fishing, my dad. He's fighting a losing battle with lung cancer and it consumes me emotionally at times, especially having to take care of him lately. Even if it's just a few times a day that I have a chance to check in and see what's going on around here, it's still a getaway from what's going on in "real life". I usually don't vent about personal issues with anyone at all but you guys have been helping me through this tough time without even knowing it. I don't post much but I can tell this is truly a great group of people around here. I wish you all well and Happy Thanksgiving.

In case anyone wanted to revisit his posts: https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/profile/4631-al-wolbach/content/

I say no but my pack mule begs to differ.

Do we all carry too much tackle for too many techniques? I'm absolutely a plastics freak ? Texas Rig, Wacky Rig, Shaky Head Weightless T-rig, Carolina Rig, Jig-N-Craw, Mojo Rig, Rage Rig, or Drop Shot. I'm gonna be casting, flipping, pitching, punching, dragging, shaking, dead sticking, or skipping. I don't care if its grass, brush, timber, rocks, docks, pads, lay downs, shore line or off shore. I don't care if its pre-spawn, spawn, post spawn, summer, dog days, fall, winter, morning, noon, or night. When I find a worm, craw, lizard, creature, stick bait that the bass love I buy em by the hundreds.

Now that's an upgrade!

You can't joke around with the wife over the amount of shoes she has, for fear she will start counting your rod/reel combos.............. Continue.

Thanksgiving is usually a good day to be on the water because so few other people are

Dumb monochrome challenge from FB.

I bring too much, but I've culled out a lot of tackle this past season. I carry 1 box of cranks, that's it. I've gotten rid of a ton of the baits that are similar colors (no more green pumpkin/red/blue/magic/candy/purple/orange), just sticking to standard colors and 1 or 2 companies. It's cut down a bunch of weight in the boat and opened up a lot of storage space. I've also tried to keep fewer rods on the deck. In the past, I've averaged 8-12 rods on the deck per trip. My target is 4 rods now, but it's usually 5-7. I notice a lot of similar baits being out and tried to cut down on it. I feel like I do better when I simplify things.

Stocked, no where in KS for trout to reproduce and only 1 lake they survive year round in any numbers. I caught 2 that were 2 pounds bigger than that one on Monday

The Edge First Strike rods are on closeout on TFO's website. https://tforods.com/product/edge-first-strike-bass-rods/

Vacationed in Eastern Tennessee last year and it is awesome. Definitely gets my vote. Not to mention Tennessee is a state full of freedom loving Americans, unlike the People's Republic of New York where I currently reside.

I live right near the susky in PA and I love fishing that river.I hate the taxes here though and the winter.so I'm looking to be somewhat of snow bird.looking for a small place in probably south Carolina or Georgia.I think if you move south good your gonna miss that great northern fishing.

You might just win his heart if you are willing to clean the dog doo doo I've spent a lot of years traveling south during early spring. My vote goes to any body of water on the Tennessee River system.

West Arkansas. Tons of good fishing. Largemouth and smallmouth and spots. Smallies are more moving water and nw arkansas. Also have stripers and most other worthwile game fish. Also pretty good deer and duck hunting. Summer can be a lil muggy but winter's are not bad.

Michigan

I would add Oregon to your list of states to consider. I believe most of Oregons population are Californians who moved there for lower taxes and cost of living while offering excellent weather and good bass, salmon and steelhead fishing opportunities. Oregon has both big Smallmouth in rivers and decent Smallmouth and Largemouth bass lakes. Tom

I love PA but the taxes suck. Property tax reform is coming but they're just going to replace it with another way to steal your money. The weather is not as cold as Maine but not as warm as it is in the south. North Carolina seems to maintain a pretty low cost of living for retirees. East TN would be my dream piece of land and the state has no income tax but does tax dividends on investments, something that you may want to look into if your retirement fund is invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. They do have county property tax as well.

Congrats, I took second one and big bass with .88. That paid me 450 overall. It was a 12" smallie. So never throw em back till after weigh in ha!

Was out around Meshoppen on the 16th and killed them

Well I fished the Susquehanna the other day with Mike from Mikes Guide Service and we SLAYED them.......fished nothing but tubes in moving water and between the three of us we put over 70 fish in the boat

The events on this clip occurred on the morning of November 12th, 2017 while bass fishing with my good friend Jeff Howell on Lake Baccarac in Mexico. Between about 6am and 12 noon, Big Fish Jeff had the kind of morning that many bass enthusiasts dream about. Fortunately, my GoPro & I had a front row seat. This was the last day of the trip and a heck of a great way to end it. The fishing had been very good all week (even for Lake Baccarac standards) little did we know what this magical lake had in store. While we both caught & released ‘several’ very fat bass on this special day, Jeff was landing the bigger fish. His impressive run started before the sun came up and seemed to never stop. Bass after giant bass were coming to Manual’s net. I don’t think Jeff caught a fish under 7 pounds ALL DAY ! And while much of this hot & heavy action and many of his impressive catches were caught on video, between hooking, fighting & netting so many giant bass, a few were missed. Seemed no one had a free hand to energize the camera. Even still, there’s a good bit of here and I do believe one can get a good sense of how it all went down as well as how Jeff was feeling at the time. Though it felt surreal while it was happening. So here’s The Numbers for Big Fish Jeff’s day ~ 7 over 7lbs, 4 over 8lbs, 3 over 9lbs and all that was capped off by a 10-6 Brute. That works out to an 8lb average ~ still blows my mind. Congrats my friend, I’m so glad I was there to share this most excellent trip. Hope to do it again as soon as possible. A-Jay

Got him yesterday. It's the first deer I've gotten with my son. He's still on cloud 9. The last two years he's gone out with me we haven't gotten anything and he was getting frustrated so I'm glad we got one for him. I'm a little rusty judging deer (I don't hunt nearly as much as I used to) so I thought it was a management buck. Oh well, he was happy, hugged me so tight, said thank you and I love you a million times so lifetime memory made.

Went fishing with the wife for the first time in 5 months. Had a pretty good day with some nice spots and a bunch of garden variety ones as well.

Shasta Lake has been producing quite a few Rainbow Trout for me lately, with four rainbows caught the past two trips and a fifth one that broke off at the boat. My wife also caught an aggressive blue gill using a ned rig which was a first for us.

All relatively small fish, but a very fun A-rig bite today. We caught 13 total, including this triple hookup!