Bankbeater

Those baits seem to be heavy for their size. I like the 2" bait and that one runs 7/16 ounce.

If I go fishing this time of year I expect to get skunked. I'm surprised when I do catch a fish.

I fish a lot of clear water, so when I anchor I make long casts out away from the boat.

Some of the small lakes I fish have those drains in the dam. Fishing from the dam on some lakes is good and on some lakes it is terrible. I think a lot of it depends on what other structure is around in that given lake.

I didn't hook this motor, I just ran across it fishing the coontail. One time at a different lake I did run across a sunken baby carriage, but I didn't touch that.

I’ve been wearing glasses for distance since I was 18. Started wearing bifocals when I was around 50. I have the transition lenses that turn dark in the sun so I don’t need sunglasses. Funny thing was when I went back to the doctor back in September they said that my distance had gotten a little better.

Between Christmas and New Years I got on google earth and found about a dozen or so public fishing spots that were an hour and a half to two hours away from my house. They are small lakes only 10 to 50 acres in size, but they are new places to fish.

I hardly ever let the jerkbaits sit and suspend very long. Around here the water gets pretty clear and I’ve had bass charge the bait just to turn away from it when they get close enough to get a good look at it.

That is so cool.

40 fish in January! You hit the motherload, nice job!

I guess about 1/3 of my jerkbaits are Suspending Rattlin Rogues. My best colors are clown and one that is out of production. It has a black back, off white body, and just a touch of chartreuse on the bottom behind the bill. I fish it on a 6'6" m/f BC rod with 10 lb. mono.

I keep the schematic handy, and I keep a magnifying glass next to the schematic.

I've had many trips when each bass was caught on a different bait.

All I know is the water I fish is a lot more crowded when the bass are biting than when the bass aren't biting.

Thanks!

The only thing I can think of to brag about was that I didn't break any rods or reels. I didn't drop anything or fall on top of anything last year.

Welcome brother! Did the line get under the spool and wrap around the shaft?

I try for bass, catfish, and sunfish around here. The stocked trout lakes are usually packed full of people, and some of the old crappie locations have seen some very heavy pressure.

Congrats and welcome to the forums!

My largest was a 4-1/4 largemouth that hit a 1/4 ounce, double Colorado bladed spinnerbait.

Nice bass. The water in the pic looked calm. If you would've had some gusty wind then your partner would have been busy running the boat.

First fishing goal is to fish different water that is farther from home. This year the high gas prices forced me to fish in some of the local ponds and the conservation site that is near my house. Second fishing goal is to do more UL panfishing. The crappie around my area have been fished out for the most part, but there are some big redear and bluegill in some of these ponds. Personal goal is to exercise more and not let work stress me out.

I take a 6" BPS Stiko and cut it in half, and then rig it weightless with a 1/0, or 2/0 size hook. BPS sells a 3" version, but it is only about as thick as a wooden pencil. The Stiko is harder than a Senko and tends to hold up a little longer when I drag it through the brush.

Northern Largemouth Smallmouth Spotted bass

It was 66 degrees yesterday. This afternoon I drove about 2 miles down the road to check out the small lakes at one of the local parks. It was still partially covered in ice from the deep freeze we had last week.