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Haven't been out in a few days....cold, snow, grandkids.... so about 3PM, the mercury nudged up over 30 and winds were under 10, I figured I had to get out. Only few bites before the iced up guides and level wind got the best of me. Shame, because they were all good ones. Best 2 were 4.8 and 3.5.

I think of December, January, and February as the heart of winter, so January 15th is Happy Halfway-Through-the-Heart-of-Winter Day for icebound Yankees. Hooray for us. It's downhill from here. Be sure to wish someone you love, like, or barely tolerate up north a Happy Halfway-Through-the-Heart-of-Winter Day!

Bream were biting good - got 25 in 45 minutes before dark.

I don't chase bass when those winter winds blow, but these big girls are another story. We're a couple weeks into the deep freeze here in OH. Saw lots of ice fisherman out yesterday. The extended forecast looks like this pattern is gonna hold for a while. We're getting a real winter here this year. I'm hoping to be on the water by mid March.🤞

Kya showing off some mad ball skills ~ A-Jay

The new daiwa black label sc c69mh. Paired with a 17 Shimano exsence dc. Going to be my power jerkbait, topwater, and small swimbait set up

They were similar, but they were ‘segmented’ for lack of a better term and had a small flash blade attached to their rear end. Whopper Stopper made the Hellbender (see pic), but Bomber had their own version called the Waterdog.

I observe that since Clayton posted his cat, none of us have bothered to post anything. I don't know about the rest of you, but I waved a white flag in the general direction of Kansas and threw all my gear into a dumpster.

Always a great feeling seeing the tube leaned up next to the front door. Took it inside and popped it open to get to my 6’8” MXF and a 7’2” HM St. Croix Legend Tournament rods. The 6’8” MXF is weightless in hand and balances perfectly. I love how short the handle is and being 5’9” the length should be perfect. It’s gonna be my go to jerkbait rod now instead of my Tatula 7’0” MLR which will be moved to strictly small cranks and jerks. As for the 7’2” HM, I’ve expressed on this site a lot how much I dislike glass rods, and how I throw chatterbaits on mod-fast graphite rods instead of a true moderate. Well, the second I picked up the LTB composite rods in store, my opinion changed. The LTB rods are lightweight and feel great in hand. I’m gonna throw chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits on it. Im up to 5 LTB rods now as they have become my favorite rod line. Cant wait to get these bad boys out on the water!

I’ll be ice fishing this weekend. Man, I’m dying to be out on the boat with my doggie and dad though.

That wind and that temp are a big no-go for everyone other than @T-Billy and @Bluebasser86.

@Choporoz, catching bass in those conditions means you get to add a pound to each, so you caught a cold-adjusted 5.8 and 4.5.

If I have to walk a bank, wade a creek, push pole a perouge, run a Jon boat back in a marsh, or a 20' BassCat on Toledo Bend. If I have to drag a lure behind the boat, throw a Crappie jig at bass on a screen, stroke a Jig-n-Craw in 30', punch through matted vegetation. I'm gonna catch bass by whatever means necessary.

Rule #1 it’s acceptable at work only, Rule #2 Always follow rule #1! 😆😜

Am I the only one who noticed the pairing of a Shimano reel on a Daiwa rod 🤔 You may as well bring a bunch of bananas when you use that combo 🤣😆

It was a pearl 600 Series Bomber

Cold is relative. I lived in Wisconsin for 30 years and we could have a week of double digit below zero nighttime lows. Then one day it would reach 20 degrees and feel balmy. However, if it hit 20 degrees in early November, it felt frigid. Florida's so hot that 62 degrees could feel chilly. We've been chilly long enough in Maine that I've adapted. Whereas a month ago, I would don a coat to take the pup outside, now I no longer bother and come early March, it might still be cold, but I and many other Mainers will be coatless on our errands. You'll even see some shorts in Maine on 30 degree days. Thanks, @GRiver! @Pat Brown: I continue to be surprised by your ice and cold air. @T-Billy: In your photo, you look like you're half man, half mountain. Nah, you got the fishin' fever just as bad as the rest of us. Here are the reasons that @Bluebasser86 and @T-Billy fish the winter: BB86 wrasslers bad guys for a living. Father Winter is just another bad guy. T-Billy had one of those genealogy tests done and discovered that his great-grandmother on his mother's side was a griz. He wears his hat to honor his griz blood.

It’s not exactly quiet and calm like Maine, it’s a zoo for humans most of the year. There were a bunch of people cold plunging in the snow haha. Check out this wild video from the quarry this summer when a cliff collapsed and a resulting tsunami washed people and pets up into the woods

Little slivers of warmth moving things in the right direction this weekend- ice on the lakes and ponds should melt in rain Saturday - but night time lows still really low and then Mon-Wed next week, we have a high of 35 with lows in the teens and wind chills of 'the lakes are gonna freeze over again probably' If I was a ground hog - I wouldn't even be looking for my shadow yet. Since I'm a bass hog - I'll probably be trying to catch bass that aren't there until they are!

Thank you! He's a natural in front of the camera, so it was an easy shoot for me. He kept going even through the rain! I had to put my rain jacket over my camera, so I was, shall we say, a bit damp after the shoot. LOL

Those guys like fishing more than I do I fished a few times out of my kayak when it was in the 20s. Rudder lines froze up and it was tough to make it back to shore. After a couple of those trips I gave up fishing when the air temp is well below freezing.

Nice haul! @PBBrandon I also have the 6’8” MXF LTB for jerkbaits and love it. All my casting rods are St Croix’s and I’m quite happy with them so far.

I got that 6’8 MXF LTB jerkbait rod last year and it’s fantastic. I have the 7’2 HM in the victory line and it’s great! I’d imagine the LTB version is fantastic enjoy

I grew up saltwater fishing offshore on boats, it's practically all my family did. These days, I love bank fishing because there's no prep, no boat to lug around, no ramps to deal with, no washing the boat when I'm done, no additional fuel costs, etc. I can just hop in the car and fish for a couple of hours after work. 99% of my fishing now is bank fishing.

Nice fish @Choporoz! Last winter I had a few morning where I had to battle freezing guides, but Reel Magic and just dipping the rods allowed me to keep fishing. This winter however I've had a few morning where my reels wouldn't work. I didn't even know that was possible, but as you mentioned the level wind seems to be the weak link. I will say many of my most epic winter days all started off with freezing guides and gave way to very sunny days in the high 40s/low 50s. Something about that combo seems to make the bigger fish chew.

I still do alot of bank fishing, especially at night. I live 10 minutes away from a really good lake in Florida which is also one of the deepest, believe it has the FL. Record of 19lbs still....I prefer fishing from the bank near the outflow especially after it rains, much easier to just grab a couple rods, bag of baits and go. If fishing isn't good, can hop in the car and drive to other spots....Some of the best bass fishing I have had in Florida are from random ponds and public lakes/parks from shore. Sometimes it's better to not be able to move and instead have to figure out a pattern....I also love to fish boat ramps since many of the fish released from tournaments linger for a bit at least I think that is why the fishing is really good at times.

I have a love relationship with bank fishing. It's really satisfying when you catch a giant fish at a small pressured spot with your feet on the ground just sneaking around and figuring out the where's and when's. I love forging new paths and finding casting angles and areas boats can only look at on Google Earth and say 'not worth it'. I catch lots of great fish in spots like this. I like knowing that my craft is honed and not limited to being launched in a boat at a marina with every rod at my disposal and lots of expensive electronics to be successful. Very satisfying for me! Also also - when fishing is REALLY tough (read: late winter and late summer) - smaller bank only bodies of water = less places to hide. My top 3 from the bank are 9.3, 9.1 and 8.9 with piles of 7s and 8s. Bank fishing is big fishing.

In another thread, @Craig P wrote, "Find a technique or two you like and roll with it, the fish will come." I agree with Craig, but I use more than one or two lures. I catch 80% of my bass with these lures: Popper Plopper Spinnerbait Underspin T-rigged soft plastic So, I thrive or die with five lures. How about you? How many mainstays do you have?

I have a love/hate relationship with it. Its how i started and how i fished for over a decade of my life. There were days i wanted nothing more than to be on a boat in the middle of the lake, and other days you couldnt get me to leave the bank, no matter what. Its a challenging way to fish, between the higher pressure banks get, lack of open areas to cast, having to dodge snakes and ducks/geese. Breaking off the line since you cant paddle/troll right on top and pull the lure out, getting stuck in all the broken off line that plagues the shallow edges, only being able to fish in (usually) very shallow water. And only being able to cast so far, and sometimes that very shallow water went out 50-100'. And if theres a high wind, casting distance is basically just dropping the lure down in front of you. Walking a few feet, or sometimes a mile or 2 in thick brush with a 1' wide trail in woods you knew were filled with snakes and ticks just to get to a spot. Seeing guys on boats out in the distance catching one after another, staring down at their 3 screens, deciding which of there 20 rods on deck they would pick up next to cast, as you grab your backpack that feels like its full of 20lb weights and try to grip your 4-6 rods and walk to the next spot. Pulling the slime off the lure each cast wondering if its worth the 10 minute walk to the other side of the lake that has a cleaner bottom. It sure does have alot of downsides, and you are at every disadvantage known to an angler. But theres just something about it that feels right. Learning the lake/pond the old school way, no tech, just pure skill, luck, and hope. I have a boat and several kayaks now, and to say its better/easier/simpler would be an understatement. Its a gift sent down from the fishing gods. Able to fish everywhere and anywhere i want, less lures lost, no ticks, only water snakes in certain areas, it sure is great. But i find myself bank fishing more and more over the last 2 years, it just keeps drawing me back. Plus now that ive been to the other side, i just catch much bigger fish from the bank. If only i knew what i know now then....

Join Greg Hackney as he delves into winter jig fishing, sharing his favorite setups for targeting big bass during winter. Learn why jigs are effective year-round, discover tips for fishing heavy cover, and find out how to adjust your approach based on water temperature and cover type.

For $80.00 I’d buy it and find out. If it’s truly in like new condition you will have zero issues reselling it.

We've all waved that flag! I'm jealous! Not just the fish.....but the big dose of (WANT TO), to get out in it and succeed! My (want to) needs a caffeine boost and your post just gave it!

all-time weakeast US$ to strongest JY was 2011-12: JY78 to US$ We've never seen over JY125 to US$ before the current decade. While we're currently in the "30% off sale", inflation is bad in Japan, and you'll see stiff price increases with new model introduction. Another reason to get new-stock '21 Zillion and '22 HD before they get replaced. Using Isuzu bench reel e.g., which every reel is a limited batch sold by lottery, and about four models/year, previous IAR model Chimera (Megabass Pagani) sold for JY48,950 in 2020. The most recent IAR model, BC440, sold for JY82,800.

Those are good lures, for sure. They were my mainstay for my first few months of lmb fishing. @Dwight Hottle: Other than crankbaits, you and I are tossing pretty much the same lures. I do use some crankbaits and would love to throw more crankbaits, but I'd need fewer weeds to use them all summer. I should use them more this spring before the weeds rise.

@T-Billy, gaze upon this image to help you with your ten-pound goal: Thanks, @Lottabass! HHTTHOWD is a beautiful holiday!

@Swamp Girl I love bream fishing. I have several different kinds in the lake. Yesterday, it was mostly copperhead bluegills and shellcrackers ( Redears). I have a ultralight spinning combo that makes it more fun. I often have friends over with their kids or grandkids to fish, and that makes me feel like I’m giving back for all the blessings Ive received. I also catch some big golden shiners and catfish occasionally along with the bream…

20 years ago the yen was weak and the JDM craze was thriving. I think I paid like $200 for an Alphas Ito.

Just in case anyone does not know David Hayes world record smallmouth weighing 11 lbs-15 ounces was caught trolling a deep diver crank bait. If you don’t want to troll so be it. It’s your choice but I for one need all the advantages I can utilise to catch bigger fish. I have proof that it works, just ask @A-Jay.

Here’s to you @Swamp Girl, you can’t see me but I’m tipping my coffee cup. You made half way through, and here I am grumpin’ because it was 48* this morning. Going to 37* tomorrow, I’m waiting for the “ state of emergency “ broadcast”, bet all the peanut butter and bread are already gone …. Dang it!

I took this advice and did some research on these techniques. Ive never fished a lipless before, and never was a fan of crank baits but turns out, I was fishing them wrong. I went and bought some lipless cranks, and mid depth crank baits and I can't wait to get out and try both of these techniques. They don't sell buzzbaits around here for some reason, never seen one in store so I might have to make a tackle warehouse order for one of those to give it a try but I appreciate your feedback man. Thanks again

If I have the time to go bank fishing I have the time to take my boat out. I walk 6-8 miles a day on a normal day. The last thing I want to do is walk all over trying to fish. I enjoy fishing out of my boat. All my gear. My dog and I just feel so much more free and relaxed. The boat is my happy place not just a tool to fish off of.

Ugh! Tell me about it, I'm dying over here, It's supposed be a brutal 62 degrees down here in Florida tomorrow

Yup, the developers 86'd it. No reason was given. Sorry about that.

Glenn continues to land the best video "how to" opportunities from the best bass fishermen in the business -a big thank you !

Currently I troll almost every time I move from one location to the next in my kayak. I have been surprised at the places I catch bass while trolling a Rattle Trap. I also troll diving crankbaits, but expect to catch bass while bouncing them off of the bottom, but often get bit on a Rattle Trap in 60 feet of water crossing a lake. I have even trolled for bass from the shore. When My old PB 5.5 pounds lasted for over 40 years and was caught on a spinnerbait while trolling from shore. When I was a kid, I fished a small lake in the middle of a cow pasture with a rocky shoreline, that dropped quickly from the shore. It was 10 feet deep or deeper 4-10 feet from the bank. There was a cow trail along the side of the lake with the steepest bank. I would cast as parallel as possible from the shore and slow role my spinnerbait along the bottom. The bank wasn't straight, so I usually casted from one of the small points making it easier to bring the bait back at that critical 3-5 feet away from the bank. One day I decided it was a waste of time to not be fishing my spinnerbait while walking from casting place to casting place. So when I wanted to move to the next spot, I started throwing my bait out as far as I could let out more line until the bait hit bottom, hold my rod out as far as possible, and start trolling down the bank. When I would get to the next good place to cast from I would reel in the bait and cast from the point. Then troll to the next point and cast again. I found I could feel the bait better and control the speed just as well walking as reeling. I would have to walk around rocks, and slow down in more difficult places making my baits action more erratic. Some times I would naturally walk to fast, but I learned to force myself to walk slowly, and feel every bump on the bottom with my rod. If I wasn't bumping bottom I had to slow my walk. It didn't take long for me to start catching more and bigger bass walking the bank with my rod held out wide as I did casting. My bait was always in the water, and was at the prime distance from shore for a longer time, then when I did a 45 degree cast and retrieve. After awhile I started trolling from point to point and wouldn't bother casting when I got to a point. I would simply reel my line in, cast back out and start trolling again. My friends thought I was crazy and insisted on casting the bank, but I didn't care how silly it looked because I was catching big bass. The water was muddy, and the bass were used to the cows walking the bank, so I didn't seem to be spooking the bass as I walk trolled down the bank. At the time I thought this method was not anything out of the ordinary, simply a logical way to present my spinnerbait to the bass. When I told the owner of the local hardware store I was catching big bass trolling he was surprised because he new I didn't have a boat. When I told him how I was trolling he laughed and said he had never heard of that before, but if it works don't stop. I have never tried the technique anywhere else, but if the situation and opportunity ever come up again, it is forever in my bag of tricks.

Once I started really getting into fishing I wanted a boat. Pulled the trigger in 2019 than 2023 bought a different one more suited for what I want.

I troll using my outboard, my Tohatsu 40 hp has variable idling speed control from 650 to 950 rpm’s. Lures: 10-25' range Bill Norman or 6 th Sense Reel: Abu Gracia Ambassadeur 5500C Rods: 7'6" - 8'

Yes I'm a closet troller. Trolling is not boring when it produces trophy fish of any game fish species. It is more effective than casting when presenting a bait at a prescribed depth. Successful trolling is a learned skill which helps you with all fishing endeavors. Heck you can even troll top water baits successfully. Just ask Katie aka @Swamp Girl I like to drift fish for smallies with jerk baits. I can target specific depths from 8-25 feet with ease. When the wind doesn't work I use the trolling motor to maintain a specific speed between .5 mph up to 1 mph or so. Throw in a few stops for good measure. Lots of times you will get bit when stopped. I always troll or drift with the wind at my back so it pushes the boat forward imparting extra action to the bait from the surge. When you are casting to a specific spot why not troll to the next spot when your ready to move. Having a bait in the water consistently catches more fish. And when your tired from casting or slinging heavy baits like A-rigs or musky sized baits or deep diving crank baits that wear you out just troll. Trolling is an art and a science for me.

How many lures catch 80% of your bass? How many worms come in a pack?

I would use it for lures between 1/4 oz and 3/4 oz and line between 10 lbs and 17 lbs. No need to define the rod. Give it the freedom to be any rod it wants to be. 😁