everythingthatswims

I'm already seeing buck bass cruising the shallows in ponds around here, been killing them on a wacky rig because it's just so darn fun after a long winter! Already a few crappies on beds, and the bluegill are very active. It won't be long now!

I started using Zoom trick worms on a 1/16oz weedless wacky head instead of using senkos. It's way cheaper, catches piles of fish, and shows them a little something they aren't used to seeing. Because bass never see a wacky rigged 5" senko, right?

Yeah I couldn't do that

I'm (trying to) keep track of every fish I catch this year. I did it once in 2013 and had over 3500 fish, I did a lot of multi species stuff then so it will be interesting to see how it compares with me mainly targeting brown ones and green ones this year. Who else has done this and what were your numbers like? 2013 Fish Count 2016 Fish Count

Largemouth. He looks that way because the water is cold and muddy (or at least stained from the looks of the photo). Time to find what he was running from!

No one more cruel than mother nature herself

These pretty little guys have distracted me from bass for a little bit. When I caught two nice ones on a wacky rig I knew it was time to get the UL and some jigs. In an hour and a half today I caught 22 crappie, 22 (dink) largemouth, and 7 bluegill.....This thing called spring...I LIKE IT!

The whole state of VA should be red haha

no.7 Shad Rap

That fish is a tank! Good job!

For the most part, people I see wrecked in the snow did something stupid. A couple weeks ago someone managed to end up in the woods on the other side of the road because I guess they let a tire slip off one side and thought the world was going to end (and overcorrected REALLY badly). It was 45 degrees out and the snow absolutely could not stick to the road, but someone found a way to wreck. I work at a Gander Mountain and my last shift was spent packing those little gift boxes haha.

That's crazy haha. I always use #6 or #4 gold aberdeen hooks depending on the size of the minnow I'm fishing with. Most people use #1 or 1/0 aberdeens but I don't like them that big. I've used small circle hooks before and you don't hardly lose any fish with those, they may be worth a shot if your yo-yo doesn't take up line too quickly. Owner Mosquito Circle Hook.

45 isn't even cold compared to what you catch them in!

Strike King Redeye Shad 1/2oz in "Sexy Sunfish"......I'm not a fan of the color, but in a snaggy river you throw the colors you like the least FIRST!

Life... You're doing it right!

Got into some fish this afternoon, they were eating a shad rap pretty well! I landed 10 total, 8 on a #5 shad rap, one on a 1/2oz redeye shad, and one on a ned rig. When I slowed down in areas I got lots of bites in, it wasn't working. They only wanted a crankbait. Water temperature was jumping back and forth between 44 and 45 degrees, I'm happy with the results I had. Biggest was 17", most were 14-16". Spring is on its way and the bass know it!

I have gone through at least 8-10 packs of keitech swing impacts this winter...Worth it? You bet!

This guy can fish ^^^^^^

I remember a few years ago we got 6" of snow in the first week of April. I guarantee it was because someone had a tournament to fish. Didn't prevent me from getting a big gobbler though!

Plans for class tomorrow..... "new tab, 2016 Bassmaster Classic Live"

Hack attacks are pretty big jigs with a huge fat hook, I like smaller profile jigs without such a stout hook for smallies. My favorite is an all terrain tackle rattling jig in 1/4 and 3/8oz, I trim the skirt to give it a smaller profile and trim the weedguard so it's not so long. Either a 3" pit boss or half of a regular size pit boss threaded onto the hook is my favorite trailer. Works good for flipping laydowns or hopping/shaking in rocks. I typically don't fish for smallies in muddy water because they are so hard to find when there's a lot of water in the river. Even in floods/high water I have more success with smallies on green pumpkin than a black and blue jig.

Shad Rap

The Peoria Carp Hunters know how to have a good time when the bass aren't biting

The river is finally fishable again. Went for an hour in the snow after school, caught two small ones. Happy with that!