Crestliner2008

I agree with Scott....switch to a Chatterbait and Fin-S Fish trailer.

The leading edge of a severe cold front - quickly dropping barometer - will get fish really geared up to for feeding. It will even last the day of and sometimes the day after....until the pressure rises enough to affect their swim bladders and drive them down deep or deep into cover.

I agree with what has been said. Big baits will get you into the larger bass in your lake. Focus on two presentations. Fish the bottom slow with a jig & craw or a 7" Senko texas rigged (no weight). Next would be a swimming presentation with large hard bodied swimbaits, such as the BBZ-1 in 8" (preferably, if you have the equipment to toss it with) or the 6" BBZ-1 Jr., which can be cast on just about any heavy BC rig (like a flipping stick). Fishing known structures which hold the main forage base in your lake. I'd start off with the swimming presentation; and follow up with the jig. Good Luck!

Great way to start off your season! Nice largemouths!

Suspending jerks and jigs. You can't go wrong IF you can find the structures with fish on them. I'd also be tossing a 1/2 - 3/4 oz. blade bait.

Just received my first copy in the mail. I'm very impressed. High quality construction. Beautiful photos. Some of the best, in-depth and detailed bass fishing information I've seen in a very long time, from a periodical. For any of you interested in reading something different, both format & content wise, this magazine would be worth your look-see, in my opinion.

Fish it slow. Rig it with a 6" Roboworm (although just about any plastic worm will do). I use mine on a light action 7' spinning rod filled with 6" test Fireline Crystal with a 3' section of 8# test fluorocarbon leader (for abrasion resistance). A 1/0 worm hook will do just fine.

I'm not familiar with "Big Game", but am a fan of XL (on my UL rigs) and XT for my top water or heavier applications.

First off, learn to be "stealthy". Approach the pond very softly and slowly. Keep a low profile. Wear clothing that matches the surroundings (yes, even camo). Remember, if you can see the bass, it can see you as well. And they don't get big by being stupid! A jig & plastic craw is a must to try. Along with a 7" texas rigged Senko. Another good bait is a Sweet Beaver type plastic, rigged on a lightly (1/8 oz.) weighted swimbait hook. Make long casts to specific pieces of shoreline cover (again, you do not want the fish know you are thre!). One of those presentation will peak their interest, I'm sure.

They don't "go bad" per say. As what's been said, if they've avoided the heat and are not sticking to one another, they're fine. As far as what dress them with, go with Megastrike. Put a small amount in the bag, close bag and massage the stuff into it your plastics. You're good to go! Good Luck!

Easy one to answer, now that you've become more specific. BBZ-1 Jr. (6"). Will catch you a ton of bass, northern pike, stripers and most other game fish. Can be tossed on regular bass tackle and won't break the bank. The larger BBZ-1 (8") will required some heavy musky type tackle to toss comfortably all day. You can expand your selection to some large, soft bodied baits, like the Hudds if so desire. Beyond that, they start getting pretty expensive!

Smallies start spawning sooner than largemouths. In some cases, their spawn extends over a longer period of time than largemouths. What is the water temp in the lake you are fishing? Is the lake a dish-pan type or is there a lot of bottom structures, such as humps, points and channels? Do you have a sonar? If so, you do, use it to scout some of these structures....those with bait on them will most likely attract bass - of either species. Don't go looking for bass....just bait. The bass will not be far behind. Location is 90% of the battle.

Reduced/reducing barometric pressure allows fish to move about more freely - less pressure on their bladders. Post frontal, rising pressure forces them tight to cover or deep. At least that's what I've always been told!

I like the looks of the Cicada as well. Will have to pick up a few of these to try. (Just wish they made them in gold!) I'm still not convinced that any one blade one is better than another. And testimonials show bear that out. They all seem to work well at one time or another. And even the home made ones are great. They do vary in price quite a bit, but I don't believe that you can't "buy" success either. Presentation, water temp and time of the year is probably more of an indicator for success with these baits. Thank you for your feedback folks!

Keep the Faith. You'll be in our family's prayers.

A very effective presentation in cold water. Curious about which make you folks use most. I have some old Silver Buddies and Lil' Nitros (T n' T tackle, no longer made) that I'm currently using, but on a recent outing with some friends, they "clocked" me quite well! They are using the Vault. But those are so expensive (almost $7.00 ea.!). With an on/off bottom presentation, you can count on loosing a couple each trip at least. Not very cost effective, even though they do work quite well. Been looking at the Binski's. Impressive information and endorsements on various sites and they are not as expensive as the Vaults. Similar to the Silver Buddy is the BPS offering. Hard to tell the difference actually. Harder to determine which - if any - is any more effective that the other! So, if you have a favorite, let's hear it.

That is one "bass-azzed" looking lure! Just picked up a couple of packs of the 4.5" Yum "Mighty Bugs". That's one heck of piece of plastic as well! Should get their juices flowing in the next few weeks with these. And they only cost me $1.50/pack at WalMarts. I think I'll pass on the Megabass plastics though. Way too expensive for my wallet.

Want some fun? Try Texas rigging a 7" Senko......then hang on!

Champlain is your best bet. Hit the big coves and bays. Big swimbaits and/or the ole' reliable, the SwimWizz. As long as it's 5" or bigger, you'll get nailed by a big girl sooner or later. The ole' musky size Johnson Silver Minnow slow trolled through the bay weeds will get smashed!

Snaps = YES! Snap Swivels = NO. Way too much hardware. Will affect your catch ratio. The only time I use a swivel is with an in-line spinner, then it has to be a ball bearing type. One caveat: If I am using braid with a short fluoro leader, sometimes I will connect the two with a quality crane type swivel, such as the Spro PowerSwivel. They provide strength, low profile and free spinning, when I'm fishing dirty-er water. Clear water I tie direct with an Alberto knot and the leader is much longer.

If I'm fishing wood, I peg. Reason being, you do not want your bait falling on one side of a piece of wood and your sinker on the other. Everything else, un-pegged. And really, I do not like the "look" of a pegged sinker. It never is centered to the line. But I will use it if needed.

Never had a problem with them right out of the package. But if it enhances your confidence, go for it.

Same here. Lots of folks hate it, but I've never had a problem with this line in over 10 years myself.

Great site....Great people....Great information. What more could you ask? CONGRATULATIONS!

I assume you have a quality fish finder (sonar) on your new rig and you are familiar with how to use it. If so, it may not be as difficult as you might think to find some active fish. Fish the northwest coves, which receive the most sunlight this time of the year. Scout the shallow areas that are near deeper water (use your polaroid sunglasses). The bass should be moving up shallow and scouting out their bedding locations right about now. A tad early for the spawn yet, but they will venture shallow from time to time, eating along the way. Check out any areas you find baitfish in (on your sonar) and fish slow. Make long casts and stay low. You'll find some of the bigger females cruising these prospective bedding areas, but they can be very finicky and spooky. Jigs, Senkos and swimbaits slow-rolled along the bottom (especially along the drop offs) can be great producers this time of the year. Good Luck!