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After a January slump I knew I had to bounce back. Went to a highly pressured urban pond after work. Timed the churn of the prespawn just right this week with daytime temps at a constant low 80s. Bass were finally where I predicted they’d be from the past couple years and grubs (once again)all sparked a memorial night. Kalins 3” single tail grub in Ron’s Craw on a slider head caught four in the smaller range. Missed a nice cat last week on that same setup Also the Zoom Fat Albert (also in 3” but thicker body) in Junebug on a boring ol darterhead got anniliahted by the 2#-3# gals. One even chased it up to my feet No true signs of Threadfin yet moving to the shallows otherwise white grubs subsurface would’ve been the ticket however, there was plenty proof indicating that they were honing in on Watermelon red crawdads off staging points (see pic below). Those junebug and crawdad colored grubs were slow rolled off the bottom with slight rod twitches. I believe the downward position of the grub’s tail stirred up some debris and caused other disturbances to possibly mimic a scurrying crayfish. All caught on 6# co-polymer line on my beloved President reel and a Fenwick HMG medium-light spinning rod with semi-loose drag so the fights were insanely fun

Guys I found the jackpot, a tackle store here in the Boise Idaho area had a clearance section, each bait no more then $2 each! A bunch of discontinued Xcalibur xs4/xj4 jerk baits and spooks, Gary Yamamoto jerkbaits/crankbaits/top water, Yo-Zuri Sashimi jerkbaits/lipless crank (look amazing), Bomber Model-B, Rat-L-Traps, Hair jigs! I cleared them out! What do you think?! Got a smallie on the Snake River with a black hair jig

Yesterday there was actually two boats on the lake....gosh...haven't seen this in quite a while during the week. I am learning to post pic's so here's a couple more...was a beautiful day and we saw more bald eagles than we did crows....amazing and beautiful. Day started off cold but actually had the warm stuff off by three when the temps jumped into the high 40's. Have gone to the black nitrite gloves in 5 mil. My friend is now a believer off these now too. Was an awesome day and here's a couple pics.

@A-Jay Reminds me of mine. Especially those ears.

To me a spinning reel is all about the highest quality drag system and smooth gear rotor drive. Shimano and Daiwa are both excellent choices with a good reputation in recent years. Abu/Garcia in recent years has lost it's quality and makes reels in China from questionable materials. If the question was between Daiwa and Shimano it's a coin toss, Abu doesn't compare. Tom

Okay I have been working on upgrading my trailer recently. I decided, since the original trailer from Lowe fit like garbage I would replace it, ( it was hard to even put the boat on unless you got out and winched it the rest of the way). The factory "custom" trailer was used on multiple boats and I bet none fit it well. I now fish tidal waters so it was best to just start over. After much research and a few conversations with the boat monkey ( yes there is one of those too) I settled in on a brand new Load Rite trailer. It is one of their galvanized "Elite" series models. It's weight rating is higher than the original, and comes from Load Rite with a torsion axle, led lights and radial tires on galvanized wheels. From there I got real busy with add ons. I do not care to have a "fancy looking" trailer, but rather one that makes getting on and off easy. To begin with, I added boat buckles and a custom set of brackets were built to mount them with. I wanted to mount every accessory with either an existing bolt and bolt hole or U bolts. That guarantees we did not hurt the original factory galvanized coating, so we did not promote rust. Next we added a pair of 5 foot long sideboards, two 40 inch lighted guide posts, a heavier duty Fulton F2 winch, and a very heavy duty Knott trailer jack with a 8 or 10 inch dolly wheel. They cut the tongue an added a Fulton swing away kit. Lastly, we added a locking mount and spare tire with a black tire cover. Before any of this was added they loaded the boat onto the trailer, determined the proper location and checked the tongue weight. This is really important. Both the Lowe boat trailer and the new LR trailer measured the same distance from the coupler to the single axle. It is the Load Rite dealers responsibility to adjust the entire trailer to properly fit the customer's boat. It turned out the tongue weight ws about 400 pounds as it was sitting. They had to move the single axle forward almost 8 inches to get the correct 7% of total weight. The correct number is about 130 pounds. So that is how badly the original factory trailer was set up! Very sad. Once the proper location was set, then all the other details fell in line. I now have a trailer that fits like a glove. This is really important for both safety and ease of operation. I load and unload at ramps that have pretty serious current and wind at times. The conditions are all dependant on wind direction and tidal movements. By the way, having the rear guide poles helps several ways. First, they help line up the boat initially. Next,there are two sets of very bright LED light inside the top caps. The rear set are red and the forward set are yellow. You can easily see the lights from quite a distance. Night time or low light lane changes on the highway will be easier since you can clearly see where the end of your trailer is. Also, backing down a steep ramp will be easier in the dark since the lights are a few inches higher than the top cowling on the motor. If you were thinking of doing some spring trailer mods, I hope this gives you some ideas on how to improve your trailering experience. If you were not planning on any upgrades, take a few minutes and give your entire trailer a good look over. For safety sake, inspect your safety chains, boat tie downs, your winch and winch strap or cable. Are all the lights working? Tighten or check the torque on all the bolts on the entire trailer, including the axle bolts and spring bolts. When did you last inspect, clean and repack your bearings? A day spent now, before fishing season, may save your fishing day or even someone's life. Many times I have seen a trailer frame rust and crack and the owner never new it till it broke completely. Let's all start the new year off safely. Next it is on to a new trolling motor. That darn monkey agan! Here are some pics. Enjoy the boat porn.

Top 51 for Saturday Top 12 for Sunday

Finally my mind is able to rest after getting to organize my jigs today! ?

Tires came in today. Almost looks roadworthy now.

Nice. But the bait monkey will see that empty spot

Hard to argue with facts

I just saw that, 4 of his 5 picks are in the 90's. I don't think any of us could do that if we tried!! What I think is most amazing is that Kyle does a great job analyzing the tourney & anglers. I doubt that anyone here does more research than him, and logically, he makes good choices. Heck, after I read his earlier post, I started doubting MY choices. Turns out my only real bad one was the one we both chose, Jacob Wheeler. I'd bet my BR membership that he is in the 90's percentile by years end.

Got this pic a couple of years ago.

Snapping picks of the other guy's set up at the launch?

Every now and then I catch one of these. Always by fishing on bottom with leftover shrimp from the previous saltwater trip. They are very sensitive and die very quickly. You have to get them unhooked and back into the water fast. All of them I have caught have been about the same size. Supposed to also hit lures, but not mine.

The first Elite event of the year started yesterday at Lake Martin. Only four anglers averaged over three lbs per fish on day one and the difference between 10th place and those in the 60s is approximately 3.5 - 4 lbs. It looks like it could be anyone's tournament to win if the top four don't maintain their pace today.

I called today and they are still saying the beginning to mid-March for me

Sweet! There goes the screen name ?

Most of the guess work has been taken out of it for us. Although Minimum Buoyancy levels should suffice, where & when one may desire a higher float factor, those options are available as well. http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php A-Jay

Use swivels only if the presentation calls for it not just to avoid learning to tie a good Albright

I use 12#. It is thread-fine (equal to about 4# fluoro.) It isn't perfect, by any means, but it is special. Pros: Very fine; zero memory; casts a mile - for me, probably twice as far as fluoro or mono; no stretch - VERY sensitive Cons: -Some people have reported fraying, though I haven't had that problem -I've used moss green, and depending on conditions, it is totally invisible, so line watching can be a challenge. I'm trying chartreuse this year for first time -It is so thin and wispy, that wind and light lures can be an issue -- a lot of slack on a cast and you can get a wrap on your rod tip, which if not caught quickly can be a nightmare -Your leader knot tags have to be trimmed extremely carefully -- a sloppy tag of even a 16th of an inch will allow slack line to get caught on itself in wind

That's how it is done! Grandma knows best

One of the guys I have competed against since 2004 qualified for the elites this year. My son texted me yesterday morning, he was in 3rd place. Finished the day in 12th and, I just checked, is currently in 83rd with zero in the boat today. Apparently what was working, stopped working. If you don't mind, send a few fishing prayers his way. https://www.bassmaster.com/news/opens-profile-groh-s-bass-obsession

I don't know which was worse, looking at bass master last night after work or logging in to you guys roasting me for my utterly dismal failure of a day one this morning looking back through my performance over the last two years....I think yesterday is my worst day of fantasy ever. Hey, I guess it can only get better from here (?).

Warming up each day - 70's there tomorrow. Bet they hammer them Saturday. Size may still be an issue but 3lber's will be like 'gold'. So different (super muddy I mean) from anything I'll see early season. Fun to watch though. A-Jay

When I was guiding, I explained it to my clients like this.....Every single day I drop my boat in the water it's like dumping a 500 piece puzzle on the table. The more of those pieces I can put together the better day we will have. I use all the tools at my disposal plus my skill as a guide.

Spinnerbaits are one of my favorites baits to fish. In over 35 years of bass fishing, I've used countless brands, and I can't remember ever having a wire break. I've had them get pretty mangled and bent so badly that there was no fixing them, but I've never actually broken one. You might give Stanley spinnerbaits a try. They use a tapered wire that provides both vibration and durability.

I think that's a common feeling. I know that I resisted leaders for a long time. But, IMO, now's the time to give it a try. You just may find that it isn't as onerous as you think. Pick a knot (I like https://www.***.com/fishing_knots/alberto-knot , but there are other good ones that are popular with members here, blood, FG, surgeon, Uni/Uni, etc) and spend an hour or two this winter tying and retying. It will become much easier than you imagine, and the improvement to your fishability, or at least flexibility will be very welcome. You get over the objections (knot thru guides, extra point of failure, PITA, hard to do on water, etc.) pretty quick. And what it give you in abrasion resistance, saving on braid, ability to break off a bad snag, etc.) are all very welcome. Making that first cast with light braid after using other line on spinning gear will be awesome.

Look here https://www.bassresource.com/fishing-apparel/ you can create your own Jersey and also support BR at the same time.

The only fishing shirts I have now are several Huk shirts and a couple Abu Garcia shirts. The Huk shirts I'm quite fond of, all are very comfortable and look pretty cool (not that I'm going for fashion points).

10 lb Braid, with FC leader

Before I went to work yesterday I checked basstrack and had 3 anglers if the top 50 and one was in first with a fast limit. I get back and only one in the top 50 and that first place angler still had the same weight and out of the top fifty .

I buy when things I need are low but honestly I could go about 5 years without buying anything but a license if I wanted. Allen

Don't play with it to much or you could go blind I have the GLX 842 and is awesome, works excellent for smaller jerkbaits and spybaits.

The dream of one day owning a dx or one more champion

A lot of good movies already mentioned. one that hasn’t been talked about or was hyped much back in 2003 starring Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner called- Open Range- is worth checking out.

Looks great -- based on experience, I expect it will stay nicely organized until.....oh, the first 10 minutes on the water....

Well I'm pretty pleased with Day 1 on Lake Martin. 2 of my guys are in the top 20 and all of my guys are in the top 53. Not a bad start for my first time doing this. I just might keep the same lineup for the whole thing. Good luck everyone in Day 2 tomorrow! ? My team is Mark Daniels Jr., Justin Lucas, Brett Hite, Randy Howell and Wesley Strader.

DX 743SH HP, Senko fish on that model.

i posted this in the can you swim thread How many people have bought something only to find out you got something defective? This was my experience after buying a Mustang inflatable life jacket for tourney fishing. I was to co angler and the boater ran into a barely submerged rock pile. We both got tossed at about 60 MPH. My boaters Mustang inflatable opened properly mine did not open at all. Luckily, I was able to make it to the boat before he was because he was dazed and panicked. He hit the steering wheel hard on ejection where I was just thrown out cleanly. Mustang issued a recall on the model I purchased. I now always wear a foam life vest when running(using the outboard) Since the deaths that happened recently, I will now wear it at all times

Stanley ?

DX 743C S/H ?

I pick one technique in the winter that I want to apply more frequently for the next season and try to glean as much info as I can on it. For me it will be punching and flipping a jig so I invested in a high-end rod and reel and some jigs, terminal tackle this winter, and watched lots of videos and read a lot about it. But yeah, I'm really anxious to get out and fish.

Honestly, I buy more tackle in the summer than in winter. Having an over-abundance of tackle means nothing is absolutely needed. Keep in mind that I've been collecting tackle since I was 18. Even with last year's sell off of 12 tackle trays full of lure, I still have more than I need or will every use. But that will never stop me from getting the latest, greatest lures. Its a sickness I tell ya.

I have never "soaked" the fish in milk. My grandmother was always a firm believer in soaking them in saltwater then before frying in a cast iron skillet she would dip them in buttermilk and then use a cornmeal/flour mix with black pepper to bread them and then fry. Crappie and Bass where mainly what we were cooking.

Rat-L-Traps & pre-spawn go together ? I'll usually start throwing traps about the second week of February or next week! Main lake grass flats: I drift the flats with the wind, which well be blowing this time of year. Lot of folks fish the outside grassline. I like 8-10' of water with grass at any depth under the surface. Here's a little secret; keep your rod tip right at surface & even under the surface. Yeah that's right kneel-n-reel ? Next area is creek channel coves: start at the mouth at what ever depth the puts me about a long cast from the bank. Y'all be surprised how shallow they be in mid February! When I get towards the back I'll move out to the creek channel & throw the trap straight down the middle. Oops almost forgot, in creeks I target wood; stumps, laydowns, brush. Ricochet that puppy off stumps!

I've always soaked the filets in salt water. It's suppose to help draw the blood out. It's how my dad did it, and how my his grandfather taught him. Seems to work.

Had a friend over from work to catch whatever we could. Dug up 100 worms and we caught a nice string of shellcrackers ( red ears ) , bluegill , and catfish. About 20 minutes after we started , I caught a nice bait- sized copperhead bluegill and threw him out on my live bait rod. I had been watching the cork and had taken my attention off it for less than a minute. The cork had silently gone under and had been taken 200 feet or so out in the lake in that short time .When I tightened up and set the hook , the fish came all the way out of the water. The fish ended up weighing 6 lb 11 oz , and was 24 inch. That was the only run we got all afternoon on the bait rod.

It’s a below freezing Saturday in NJ and my new set-up just got delivered. I can’t even test cast it at my local pond because it’s likely frozen over. Steez SV TW on a GLX MBR842c (Thanks @Cyacnba for the beautiful reel!) I can’t stop playing with it, and I’m stuck in the house watching Netflix...