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Only the second trip with the boat this year, but everything running good. Needs a good cleaning when things warm up enough, though. Surface temps just 43 deg and change, but managed 7 bass in a little over 3 hours, so everything is good

Another first this week, meeting and touching his first fish. Of course his hand went straight into his mouth right after he touched it Just like his big brother, seemed to be naturally interested in the fish, wanted to touch it without any coaxing to do so.

Big girls are starting to hit the banks in the smaller bodies of water with this warm front. Saw several big ones sunning themselves yesterday and got one to eat.

60+ years & still trying ?

They're all on Casey Ashley time . . . A-Jay

My early hero wasn't famous. My dad was my inspiration. He's been gone a long time and I've lived my life trying to make sure he was always proud of me.

I inshore salt water fished almost exclusively until about 3 years ago(I'm 33). Then I got into bass fishing, it has a different appeal to it and it is definitely more challenging. I read a lot of articles, watch a lot of videos and participate on this forum. Most of my friends are into salt water fishing, so my "talking to other anglers" about bass fishing only really happens here.

I've been seriously chasing them for 20+ years now and I still feel like I'm just scratching the surface most days. I think if you don't take something new away from most every day you spend on the water, you're not doing it right.

I think experienced bass anglers understand the theory and rules of thumb for bass behavior. That's a far cry from being able to predict with a high degree of accuracy what they are doing in real time under the water. I, for one, will never stop learning something new about how to apply that theory of behavior because the darn critters always make a fool out of me a handful of times every year. Maybe two handfuls?

Finally got to launch the boat again for just the second time this year. Lakes are finally starting to clear from all the rain, but cold weather still has water temps around 43 deg.

Perhaps an attitude adjustment is in order. Everyone has fish-less days - everyone. And I will readily admit to having a similar attitude during & after a few particular unproductive outings. What has always helped me is to take a second and simply appreciate the opportunity to first be out at the lake & second to be doing something I really like & want to do. After that, it's simply a matter for getting back out there, putting my head down and going fishing. Especially this time of year, warmer days & some sun can really help. So if & when the weather breaks, and it will, try to fish places that have the sun shining on them, are somewhat sheltered from the wind, & are perhaps close to deep(er) water. Then, throw baits that you are confident in and Fish SHALLOW. The bass will come to you. They are coming shallow to warm up & Eat. Fish holding out deeper may not be looking to eat. If there's bait around - even better. Be patient. A jerkbait fished with a slow stroke & a decent pause can be deadly in this situation. So there you go. A-Jay

Took the old lady on a hike

Here's mine 1965: Spend the entire summer working on my uncle's charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico and learned how to locate deep water structure. 1972: Started bass fishing seriously on Toledo Bend at my father-in-law's camp on White's Point in the mouth of Lowe's Creek. 1974: Joined two bass clubs whose members included John Torian, John Hall, John Dean, Villis P "Bo" Dowden SR, Harold Allen, Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin, & Zell Roland all guides at Toledo Bend's Pendleton Harbor Marina. Ray Scott would latter come up with the "The Hemphill Gang" moniker arguably the most successful group of professional bass anglers to ever emerge from one small region of the nation. 1976: Attended a seminar in Houston Texas that totally changed my outlook on bass fishing. The man putting on that seminar was Elwood L. " Buck" Perry, not only did I buy his books but I became a devout student of his teachings. I took what Buck taught about deep structure fishing and applied it to Toledo Bend. Not only did the quantity of bass I caught go up but so did quality.

as a mechanic/machinist for over 40 years,Catt said it best. you can't skimp on quality. but at the same time budget is as important. try and get the best quality for the money. no matter what is is.

That's the truth, Bass fishing has to be the only sport in world where you can go from feeling like a pro, to feeling like you have no clue what you're doing about 52 times a year.

When I started fishing (late 70's & early 80's), I learned from my dad and his fishing buddy first. I did everything they did to be successful. Then I read magazines all the time. I subscribed to F&S & SC Fish & Game. I watched Bill Dance & Virgil Ward, LOL. I thought they spoke the Gospel about fishing. Only later did I realize they sold equipment, tackle & boats. I still read Interwebs articles and watch YouTube all the time. There's always something to learn. I really love to get an MLF show on the tube on Sunday afternoon. I usually kayak fish smaller waters, but that doesn't mean I can't learn something by watching pros. There's no substitute for time on the water if you want to improve. My wife commented a few years ago how much better I've gotten at fishing than I was when we met. The skunk was my regular fishing buddy back then. I did two things that greatly improved my "luck". I started fishing from the back seat of a knowledgeable fisherman's boat. This is a guy who probably fishes 4X a week on average. And I started fishing smaller bodies of water when I'm in the kayak. At least I know I'll drag a lure by a fish when I can paddle the whole place in 3 hours. Even so, every year, just when i think I have a grasp on the fish and what they're doing, they show me there's more to learn. Stay humble and keep digging for knowledge.

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well. Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure. Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted. Definitions Tools lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?

Yeah, it's more like a journey than a destination. Like someone said on here the other day... Two top 5 finishers often give completely oppposite answers for their success. It's like chess, it's easy to get better, but hard to master.

Quite watching YouTube Quite reading color charts Quite looking at lunar calendars K.I.S.S. Select 1 ea. Topwater, 1ea. Mid-depth, & 1 ea. Bottom contact 2-3 colors in each is fine Try fishing each lure from every spot & cover the water by fan casting 180•.

a purple martin about flew into my face to other afternoon. that is awesome. tying on a buzzbait in the morning.

I've been an avid bass angler since the late 70's and last year was one of my most educational on bass behavior .

Some people like to get out and fish even when the odds on catching are against them. When the water is so cold that the ice isn't even gone, you must understand that fishing is going to be tough. Very tough. Myself, if I know I'm going to be uncomfortable and I'm going to be lucky to catch anything, I stay home and wait until conditions improve. If you like the challenge, and understand that you probably won't be catching anything, go out and give it a try.

I learn Just as much by not catching fish, as I do actually catching them. Maybe a jig isn't what they want, maybe a tiny swimbait on a ball head creeped along the bottom will show better results.

Might try a marabou jig used for crappie fishing . Just try to catch some panfish and you might find what you seek .

It is somewhat hard to find - and when you do it's a good thing. That fluid is Gold ! Don't dump it - save it, cherish it - it's the best thing going . . . . Don't drink it though - it's not that good. Seriously, I have some bottles that are - let's just say old. If not exposed to extreme temps, it will last and last. Did I mention it will last ? A-Jay

I am thinking about using that as my profile photo.

Is a lure created by Dion Hibdon and used by Guido to win a Bassmaster tournament at Lake of the Ozarks . It was formed from a real crawdad using Plaster of Paris and pouring in plastic . I still use the ones that were mass produced but have a limited supply , I dont believe they are being produced anymore . What I lked the best about them is they were completely smooth . If I was in question if I just had a bite all I had to do was look at the bait . If a bass bit , it always left teeth marks that were very easy to see on the "Bug".

Happens every year about this time. The frogs in the wetland across the street ALL started croaking last night. After a couple of warm days, it's like somebody throws a switch. It won't be long now.

Al, you can cook your eggs in that oil. Let us know how you make out.

Haven't used one yet, but the monkey won't shut up about it. Just sold my last Shimano spinning reel last week off my shakyhead rod, which leaves a need for a new reel. He already got me for some jerkbaits yesterday, not sure if or for how long I can fight him off about a new reel.

Nice hybrid gill that got a little too aggressive following my jerkbait.

Tough question. I buy the materials and hardware in bulk, and each bait can use more or less of them. For example, I buy my epoxy in gallon jugs, which is enough to make a whole lot of baits. Wood, hooks, split rings, lead shot, eye screws and wire are the same way. I've never really averaged out material cost per bait, but it's quite minimal. Time spent building and painting them is another matter. Each one takes days to complete. Much of that is drying time for multiple coats of epoxy. Actual hands on time varies quite a bit from bait to bait. Cutting, carving and sanding a wood blank can take an hour or 5 hours. It all depends on size and how detailed you want to make them. I can shape and smooth a wood blank in little time. Carving gill plates or scales can get quite time consuming. Here are some of the baits I've recently painted and/or made.

Id be happy wih whatever you can provide. I wouldnt get overly hung up on the dollar figure, especially since you canadian guys have to pay more in shipping

In my opinion Guido was one of the all time best! I fished the baby Guido bug a lot years ago, and caught some decent fish on this bait. I have a very few left. Wish they would make them again

I don't know man those 2 negative reviews out of thousands...guy is probably pretty shady.

I certainly hope not. However time on the water with an open mind can allow an angler to put two & two together enough times to have a heck of good time. I've heard stories about a select few who do 'know it all' - I don't fish with any though . . . . A-Jay

I've been at it a while. Still learning. That's part of the appeal. Let's us know when you figure it all out. A-Jay

@Mobasser I wondered the same thing last year when I discovered old pork rind (I have a real, old fashioned butcher), and found that Tom posted the answer back in 2014. The end of Uncle Josh pork trailers was discussed extensively on the forums for several years and you can find lots of discussion on it by searching for it.

Very solid advice A-Jay. One will also learn that no matter how perfect the weather,or how much you prepare,there will be days youll come smellin like an ole skunk

EG, as the days, weeks and years go by you will learn the pond. For starters, look up the "Carolina Rig" and set one up using a one-ounce weight (or at least a half-ounce weight) with no hooks or baits. Use a braid line to have the best conductor of communication via the weight and line back to your fingers. Just tie the weight onto the braid and you are ready to hit the pond. Then walk around the pond and throw the rig, reeling it back to yourself slowly. You can use a "fan" pattern every where you stop to throw the rig. The weight will move over what is on the bottom giving you an idea of any structure (wood, tires, bushes, grass, etc.) that is on the bottom that the bass will be attracted. If the weight gets hung up and you have to cut your line, congratulations! You have just found some structure that will attract the bass. You can do the same with a "MOJO" rig. The weight is a cylinder type which can move over structure easier and may not get hung up as often. By doing this you will be able to locate any underwater structure that will hold bass. But that's not all!!!!!! Draw a map. Yes, draw a map of what you feel on the bottom. Then fish the areas to find the most productive locations. And keep a fishing log for every day you fish the pond. Check out the Free Fishing Log in the "Tools" section of this page on the upper right hand side. Good luck and have fun with your recon mission and map drawing.

A couple years back they actually upgraded the hooks on the 130 size. I have an old version I bent out the hooks on when I got it so I swapped them. I ordered a second one a couple months later that had the new hooks, and IMO they went a little overkill. They are d**n sharp and d**n strong hooks. But I actually swap mine out to slightly lighter hooks with a thinner wire (I believe I have St-36's on mine now). If you can get away with doing that the bait will sit higher in the water and fair better in waves.

I went out for a bit earlier today. I had some bites on a spinnerbait and had one hooked but it came off. Water looked about like chocolate milk. Things should be heating up here soon hopefully.

By it's definition a pond is a small body of water the bass can't go far! Most pond bass spend thier life cruising the shoreline perimeter and stake out the best areas by pecking order. It shouldn't take anyone more then a few days to know the pond and where the are. Tom

If the the bottles are sealed and the pork is covered with liquid it's OK. The liquid shouldn't be oily, if it is the pork fat is breaking down, that is OK but not normal. To make new liquid you need to boil fine sea salt (Hains) in water to make a heavy salt solution; 1 cup salt to 1 to 2 cups water until most of the salt is dissolved, you end up with about 1 cup heavy salt water. Drain and rinse the oily water and replace with heavy salt water. I add a few drops of pure anise oil to each bottle for scent. Note: you can re dye the pork rind after rinsing if desired using 50-50 ratio of liquid Rit dye to warm water and let sit over night, then rinse and add the fresh heavy salt solution. Tom

Revisiting a month old thread. I owned my last truck for 12 years 180,000 miles. The truck before that was 16 years old 220,000 miles. Bought my current truck 2 years ago. bought my current boat 1 year ago. the accents on the boat match the truck, but it was unintentional. I just liked the colors of each. I will probably own both for a long time.

Welcome! Nice to see some lurkers come and post. What kind of kayak are you looking at? We really should do a Bass Resource MN meetup at a lake one of these days. I'd be happy to organize it. Maybe some of the guys without a boat could pair up with some of us who have boats. Could even do a little tournament or something for fun.

We saw this welcome sight yesterday ~ Hate to see them go but love it when they come back . . . Won't be long now. A-Jay

She likes to fish, but not to the point that I can't go alone or go with "the guys". And that seems to be an ideal balance

Although The Guido Bug is world renowned Mr Hibdon is better know down here for introducing us to the Tube Bait!

Truth! And that magic bullet trend has been around forever. Often times, it's reinforced by anglers trying something new that takes them to a new place - deep cranks, drop shot, or c-rig that takes them off the bank. A frog or weedless spoon that takes them to the slop. A skipping bait that takes them deep under docks or over hanging trees. Success with the new bait means it must have been that special bait, but really it was location.