Smokinal

I know the feeling guys! The best I found was a spot where a culvert runs under the road into another part of a pond I fish. The moving water keeps it open for a while unless it's frigid. Cold water but you can cast anyway....

Ya but.... I'll admit to you all right now that I've nibbled on this bait myself a few times

I realize that but I'm sure bass grab craws by the claws all the time, we swing and nothing is there, then my trailer comes back missing a claw...lol

Great vid Harold; should really clear up those threads of "why do I feel a tap but swing and miss?"

If you know they will be on a bait with high probability, it's a good idea to have a couple of similar baits in different colors; at least until you narrow down a certain bite/pattern. Sometimes I'll keep both on all day and just alternate between the two if both keep producing.

The only time I'll keep 2 rods rigged with similar baits is in the spring when I throw jerks; I'll have 2 different colors tied on different rods. And in the fall, the same two baits; and I'll also have 2 different lipless baits on different rods. Nice to be able to go back and forth and narrow down a pattern/color

I wonder what this guy would say... https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/05/31/record-setting-bass-caught-with-mcdonalds-chicken-nugget/22119847/

A t-rigged worm would be my 1st choice. But almost more important than the bait selection, is practicing getting a bait through the brush. You really have to finesse a worm, or any bait, through trees, brush etc... First, visualize the brush/cover you are throwing to. Visualize your worm/line draped over a limb and pull slowly up to the limb. You will feel the weight hit the cover, then just shake the rod tip and pop it over. Picture all this going on underwater. Not only will the bait come through the cover better, this slow/finesse type of retrieve usually yields more bites as it's a more natural look. Now go visualize and attack!!

Dang man! You are killin it! Great to see!

Great day ETS! And a nice report. Keep em coming as I'm fishing vicariously right now....

I don't remember my last bass, specifically. But what I do remember is the day. It was our first time on a lake I had heard had good smallies; and it didn't disappoint! We didn't catch very many, only around 12-15 each (my buddy and I) but none were under 3 lbs. That was in Oct and I dinged my prop badly that day so I had to go out and buy another prop; which I did, and I was so eager to get back out to that lake to try the prop and bust some lips but it turned cold up here really early with early snow/ice so I was never able to get back out. First time I can remember that we didn't fish into December. That place is on my radar for early smallies for sure Good to see you guys catching some fish!

Nice job figuring them out

Congrats on a great day indeed! I'm happy for you and your friends!

All great suggestions above^^^ I promise you, you may not be the best but you won't be the worst. There will be guys of all skillsets fishing around you so just go, be respectful, pay attention and have fun. You will learn a lot depending who you get paired with.

I just sit and pray for open water

The S Waver 168, Savage Gear Shine Glide, and an A Rig

Thanks; yeah, that looks like what I'm looking for but I need it to come from Cabelas/BPS where I can use gift cards. Or trade GC's for a used one if anyone has one they are not using??

Of course, now I have some Cabelas/BPS gift cards burning holes in my wallet as we speak and I need a dedicated glide bait rod. I'll probably throw the A Rig on it as well; maybe a deep crankbait too but mostly glides. Baits will range from 1oz to 3oz and I'm trying to stay in the $80-140 area After some homework, this rod keeps coming up LX 79 BC (bottom of the list; 7'9" 1-6 oz) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lamiglas-x-11-salmon-and-steelhead-casting-rod It's a Lamiglas X11 Steelhead rod but many claim it's a great swimbait rod too. Thoughts? Other recommendations?

When asked what technique I won a local tourney on, I said, "Carolina rigged buzzbait"

With the thought of keeping offensive scents to a minimum, I'd stay clear of toothpaste and vinegar. Personally, I like a paste of baking soda and water with a soft bristle toothbrush; then rinse well.

Great to hear Dwight! What a day and a giant mixed in there!

Yeah, it's hit early this year up here!

Well I want your old ones! haha, if anyone is doing some upgrading, and are selling your old, I may be interested. I'm kind of specifically looking for Garmin units. I'd like a Striker 5 for my bow and a Striker 7 sv plus for the console. And I will have a Humminbird 798si and a 597 to sell if I find units. Drop the hints to the wife, be a good boy, and keep me in mind. Merry Christmas!

Thinking about you bassin brother

I have a 5000 Generac and a 6 circuit switch box. We chose the 6 most important circuits and put them on it. We have fridge, furnace, microwave, and teh rest lights and outlets. Got to try it last summer in a wind storm for 4 days; worked out great. Would I like to have one that would run my whole house without having to decide what not to run? Sure; but I only have around $500 in the whole thing; generator, wiring, outside plug box, switch box...everything