Mainebass1984

4 lbs of shad in a day ? 2 lbs in a month ? I just don't think that it is biologically possible. Any science behind these claims ?

With the 2 plus feet of ice..... Spring is far far away for me up here.....

I think the next world record will come from Japan, South Africa or in a place where they have yet to introduce Largemouth Bass. If I had to bet on just one it would be Japan.

I love fishing in the rain. I think it is a great time to catch big bass. All the power boaters and jet skiers are staying dry. Not as many guys are out fishing. the fishing is just better in my opinion. Usually up here in New England rain usually coincides with front passing through. Always a great time to fish.

I have spoken about this with the fish health biologist for the state of Vermont and the bass biologist for the state of Maine. It is very, very rare in Maine. In Vermont though it is common in Lake Champlain and in the Conn river below the nuclear power plant. Basically it is skin cancer in bass that causes all the chromataphores to produce extra melanin which causes the black pigmentation. They know that there is something disrupting how the chromataphores receive information to determine how much melanin to produce which gives fish there color. They have not been able to identify what is causing the disruption.

In less then a month you think all those fish will gain a pound ? That is crazy. It would take very long time up here where I am for a fish to gain a pound. Like a year or more maybe 2 especially with an older fish going from 5 to 6 lbs. Must be some crazy growth rate for that lake your fishing. Even during the spawn a female will only gain 10 % of her body weight in eggs.

There are several different calculations you can find to calculate a fishes weight. I have found the most accurate formula to be ((length x length) x girth) /1200. On the water I weigh the fish with my digital scale and takes it length and girth. When I get back home from the days fishing I use the formula to see how accurate it is compared to my digital scale. The formula I mentioned above is very accurate compared to what the fish would weigh on the digital scale. It usually within 2 ounces. Next time out on the water check it out and see what your scale says compared to what the formula comes out to. Using the above mentioned formula: ((30 x 30) x 17) / 1200 = 12.75 lbs

Rage craw chunks are friggin awesome but don't under estimate the good old fashion uncle josh pork frog

Sounds like aggregate day on the water. It sure beats ice fishing.

That is awesome both of your high schools have bass fishing teams. I wish they had them when I was growing up. That would have been sweet.

Doesn't bother me at all

I tie directly to the lure with 50 lb power pro. The water is insanely clear up here, I am can see bottom in 30 feet. Doesn't seem to matter even if I am fishing clear water. I think it is about personal preference. If your going to tie directly to the lure tie a palomar knot or a double palomar knot.

Anything I have caught a 7lber on

I hate it when they discontinue a lure that is one of my favorites. Fleck probuzz3 buzzbaits. Best buzzbaits ever made in my opinion. Yo-zuri suspending pins minnow Now the problem is I still have several of these. Should I use them or retire them ?

I like throwing whatever they want to bite, jig, spinnerbait, plastics, buzzbait, crankbait. I have thought about getting a hudd or 3. Still deciding what to do.

I have different rods and reels from medium action spinning rods up to a heavy action 7'6" baitcasting rod I use for flippin and pitchin. What would you suggest ? I wouldn't mind spending some money on a couple good quality lures as long as they will produce big bass. Prob would like to keep it under 30 bucks a lure.

swim bait suggestions ?

Yo-zuri suspending pins minnow If you can find any buy them !

I was wondering how everyone is liking the huddleston weedless grass minnow. I was thinking about getting a few.

I would be willing to travel 2.5 - 3 hours one way. Still going to be a long time for me up here. Everything is still frozen and ice is building every single day. No open water for atleast 6-8 weeks if we get a big time warm up.

A 4-6 inch shiner is the best way to catch big bass through the ice. Flashers work great for panfish.

Lake Champlain

In April just after ice out a suspending jerkbait is a good choice. Jigs work as well. Got to fish both these baits slow. Towards the end of April I will try to slow roll a spinnerbait or try a squarebill crankbait.. I usually am fishing areas with good cover in 5-15 feet. When in doubt or the fishing seems a bit slow just throw a jig. Another thing about fishing in April, fish the warmest water you can on the warmest day, that is when I have the best luck. Coves in the northwest end of the lake or pond you will be fishing will warm up the quickest as well, so that is always worth checking. Fishing rivers is also a good choice. More often then not they will be several degrees warmer then the rest of the lake. April is an excellent time to catch some big pre spawn bass ! Is it April yet ??

That list of lakes you have there... Some of the best bass fisheries in the world. You truly are lucky to live near them. Why the heck do I live in New England ? Over 3 feet of snow 2 feet of ice on the lakes as of right now. Yup, moving to Texas.

I fished a club tourney with someone I had never fished with before. When we would get to a new spot before he would make a cast he would look up to the sky and yell "caw cacaw caw" rather loudly and with a slight lisp. He said he was calling in the bass. It didn't work. He did this at every spot. Other fisherman looked over in wonder.