Crestliner2008

Here in MA, we have a year round, open season. However, the ice has just left most of the ponds and the water temps are still in the lower 40's! When they start to move into the upper 40's, the fishing will start to get hot. These are the conditions in the "western" end of this state - not the eastern end. The folks out on cape and coastline lakes are starting to "kick some bass" already. Their water temps are in the low 50's. I suspect that in other, larger states, conditions vary considerably as well, from section to section.

Great tip Chris! Question: is the model you got stainless? Obviously I'm asking because of the environment they'll be kept in.

I have 5 Abu Ambassadeur rounds. Started using them around the mid-60's. Still have the first one I started with too. I've cast many types of lures, along side a lot of folks using much more expensive equipment than I do. I am able to do just about everything they can do, so I guess I'm doing O.K.! Best part is, I'll be able to pass these reels down to my grandkids; who will probably pass them down as well.

Excellent article here on Wisconsin style swim jigs, which goes into great detail on the hows, wheres & whys of using this technique. This is what got me interested in swim jig fishing for this season. I've order some from *** and am pretty stoked about using them very soon. Hope this has information you are looking for: http://www.***.com/articles/jig-catalog-swimming.shtml

What's been said here is excellent thus far. The problem you may encounter, by not using finesse in your arsenal, is that you are placing limits on yourself. Don't forget, fishing from shore, you're already limited (spot wise), unless, of course, you have the freedom to move about your shorelines unrestricted by trees, brush and boat houses, etc.. In other words, let's say you have two narrow access areas to fish from and that's about it. To pound those with power fishing techniques will only go so far. You really need to work them in greater detail and with slower speeds, so that you can get the maximum strike potential out of the area. If you don't, you may experience more than your share of fish-less outings! Don't even begin to think that you can force fish into taking your offering under any circumstances. You have to figure out what they want and give them just that - if you expect to be successful.

For the 4" Senko, I'd recommend the size #1 or #1/0 at most. And I crimp down the barb.

Exactly. These folks have preached "selective harvest" for many years. When compliant with local regulations, keeping the smaller of the species and releasing the larger, can be beneficial to the water shed. You might consider contacting your local fisheries management agency and talk to them about it. Myself....I don't particularly like the flavor of freshwater fish. I prefer the saltwater variety. I have eaten both species of bass, walleye, crappie and northern pike (the best by far). My boat is strictly CPR, but as stated, selective harvest is really the best option for many waters. IMO only.....if you keep & eat everything you catch, you are a meat hunter....not a true sportsman. It may be perfectly legal to do so. It also is morally wrong. My apologies, if that offends anyone.

X2 - These are generally fail safe lures during this cold water period. Once you start getting bit, then you can expand your presentations accordingly. Try fishing mid-day and later during the afternoon, when the sun is high. Fish the NW banks where the water will warm fastest. Just a matter of time.

Easy one for me. Ice out to ice up. I love it all.

If you're not sure just what you are going to catch there, or where they might be, you could try this. Suspend a 3" or 4" Senko, wacky rigged, under a slip bobber rig. Try this in various locations and don't leave any location until you've probed the various depths with it. If there are any quality fish in there, they will take this set-up. With the water this cold, you have to fish slow and fish with a lot of patience. Remember one thing, the fish may be lethargic, but they will eat if an easy meal is presented in their faces and kept there for several minutes.

Not sure of the company name that manufactures it, there is a relatively new wire out, called, "Tie-able wire". I haven't used it myself, but I've heard other folks that it's pretty good. I don't think it's the same stuff as that titanium wire in the previous post, but I could be wrong.

From the original question, it appears that you are having an "issue" with the suspending jerkbaits rising rather than remaining suspended. If this is correct - and I think it is - remember one thing. It all depends on the water temperature. No suspending type jerkbait can suspend exactly the same way in all water temps. Just an impossible engineering task. The colder the water, the better a bait's chances of suspending - or sinking! As the water warms, these baits tend to rise. This, of course, is based on their initial design. Every brand is different. This is why I carry a small spool of fine lead solder with me. I wrap a small amount around the belly hook if the lure rises too much. Can't do anything about sinking, unless you remove one of the hooks!

I have to agree with the Sluggos mentioned previously. They came into glory for a very short period of time, which was very unfortunate. I really believe they deserve a place in every serious bass fisherman's box. One more which doesn't get much publicity - the Fat Ika!

Yer lookin' pretty good out there Francho! Question: you don't get cramped up in that one position for hours on end? I'd never be able to get out of one of those things when it was quitting time! ;D

I think some of you may be missing the point on this new introduction. First and foremost, the intent of this creation is to hook bass in the top of the mouth vs. the side or bottom jaw. This feature, along with the swivel hooks, is an attempt to decrease lost fish during the battle. Outside of that, it looks about as good as any other crank bait out there to me. Can't imagine why anyone would think they are cheaply made? But I guess that's why each have an opinion. The did get a pretty decent work-out on the TV program and the inventor went into great detail as to how they developed this lure. To me, it just looks like another good example of American ingenuity. I especially like the idea of having the hooks on swivels as well. I may pick up a couple afterall.

None. I'm very careful with my hard earned equipment. I carefully lay out the rigs I'm using on my boat. Some people I've fished with however, keep far too many on deck and I've seen a few close calls!

I'll go with KVD, who says he always changes out the front hook to red on his cranks. Claims it gives the bass a more forward target to focus on. Whose to know for sure? Now we're talking quality hooks here only of course. And it's kinda like scent. No one can really say that it made "the" difference, but if it gives you the confidence edge, then by all means, use it.

Along comes the "Backstabber"! Yep....it's a new kind of crankbait which was reviewed this week on "Fishing University". Picture a normal crankbait....with the belly hook on the back instead of the belly. And both this top hook and the back hook are on swivels to boot. Check this out and tell me if it's something you'd buy: http://backstabberlures.com/

Great product indeed!

I always use spinner bladed topwaters when there's a chop on the water. Especially on wind blown points. You cannot fish it wrong, however I usually run it fast for a couple of yards and then pause for several seconds & repeat. Depends on the mood of the fish. If the water is dead calm, I'll use a dog walker. A little ripple calls for the popper. Then when the wind starts to kick, it's time for Devil's Horse!

I think you may want to try the "pitching" technique for your application. You can find tons of information here on pitching, as well as online, doing a Google search. You can pitch using a baitcasting rig or open-faced spinning rig. As far as you spincaster goes, do you have an "on-off" anti-reverse switch? If you do, turn it off (allowing the reel handle to turn in either direction) and crank down the drag rather tight. This way you can "back-reel" to control your fish vs. trying to rely on the reel to do it. Better yet, get yourself a good 6'6" - 7' Med-Hvy Spinning rod and a series 4000 reel to match. Load this with 20# PowerPro and use about a 2', 17# test fluorocarbon leader. This kind of rig will get bass out of anywhere!

I have a couple of the older TT rods that I got from Cabelas back in the early '90's. They performed fine for me.

Have you tried a coat hanger? Maybe you can attache the line and pull it through with that?

TOO Funny! ;D

Got to give you credit there rlrsurveying! Those are truly incredible smallmouth bass. The best of the best for sure. Our current state record is 8 lbs., 2 oz., taken way back in 1991! I doubt there are more than 1/2 dozen such critters this size, roaming the waters here abouts anymore. But I know there are plenty of 6's and maybe a 7 or two. My dream is get into a solid 6 pounder this year. We'll see.