Jar11591

The water around here is usually pretty stiff from December to April, but I fish right up until that point and start immediately after. This year we have an early ice out. As of Monday, the lake near my house was 30-40% thawed, and I’ll be launching my boat in the 30° air temps tomorrow morning. So this year my start is 3/20. Over 3 weeks before my estimated date.

My favorite is probably a small soft plastic bait on a ball head jig around rocky shoals where smallmouth frequent. Don’t love it but cant deny the effectiveness of a wacky rigged senko.

Looks like someone boated a 13 at the lodge. Certainly seems like the fishing has been hot this year.

I’ve had enough success with the DT line from Rapala that they’re all I’ll throw for cranks. In this case it would be a DT-4. May not be the “best” crankbaits but they’ve been serious fish catchers for me.

@12poundbass At first I thought I was looking at an aerial shot of a bustling harbor, until I looked closer and saw the sad reality.

And they made off with $400 in CBD oil! You know, the stuff that isn’t psychoactive. Criminal masterminds.

For a spinning reel in the conditions you described, I think 15lb is the way to go. I use Sufix 832 and Power Pro and find both to be sufficient. As for color I go black or moss green. Just a preference thing. I stay away from hi-vis lines but they may be right for others.

Rods are tools and I try to have the right tool for the job I’m doing. Can I drive nails by bashing them with a crescent wrench? I suppose. Will you see me doing it? No. Does that mean it won’t work for someone else? Also no. Use whatever gear you want. But if you find you can’t drive your nail all the way with the crescent wrench, you might want to get a hammer.

Oh yeah it’s @T-Billy Muskie season

I got some open water near me. In another day or two the lake will be totally thawed. I’m going fishing this week. Earliest I can remember. Stoked.

This moment is fast approaching for my folks. And I’m dreading it. My parents aren’t ancient by any means - my mother is 68 and my father is 75, but they both have some health issues. My mom has never been a good driver, but the early stages of Parkinson’s have affected that even more. Driving as a passenger with her is…interesting. Mentally she is still very sharp. My father isn’t as sharp, and lately his balance has been bad. He is still a good driver, but not what he once was. Maybe as their son my judgement is a little skewed, since I knew them when they were younger and sharp and healthy. But either way, I’ve been fretting over this thought for some time now. It’s fast approaching. I have a brother, but he isn’t exactly in a state to help with such decisions, so it will be on me and them.

5’10” and from what I’m told I’m about half French Canadian, the other half is Hungarian with some German and a tiny bit of Scottish and English. Just what I’m told, I’ve never done Ancestry or 23&Me.

Stopped by Dick’s to get a fishing license and while browsing I came across these: The claws are made of rabbit fur. They look like they’ll be pretty good on a ned rig so I figured I’d give them a shot.

In the northeast I fish red lures with varying degrees of success. I’ve fished red lures in spring to follow the conventional notion but I’ve never noticed any difference in the time of year. The last several years I’ve found myself throwing reds less and less.

I try to be as delicate as possible, and always wet my hands before handling them. I have my camera set up and ready to go to only need a single button push to take a picture when I want one. I keep the process of unhooking and releasing as streamlined as possible.

There isn’t one brand that solves all my soft plastic needs. I can get away with 4 or 5 brands, but one is too limiting.

Went and scoped out a nearby lake this morning. It’s been extremely mild this month so I was hopeful. Still mostly frozen with some open water around the shorelines. Some puddles atop the ice. Today is near 70° and very windy so that should speed it further. I hope to be fishing next week.

@Eric 26 Everything I’ve had from Goose Island I’ve loved. Don’t think I’ve tried the Hex Nut. Their Next Coast IPA is top ten for me.

Hoping for some open water this coming week. March has been very mild but it may be wishful thinking. Hopefully my fellow upstaters can get after em soon.

Then don’t try the Trader Joe’s brand. Pretty sure they are actually cardboard.

In the cold weather seasons I’ll bring some chili or soup in a thermos. When it’s nice out it maybe a sandwich or slice of cold pizza. Sometimes some granola bars or sunflower seeds. Always hot coffee, and lots of water. I often forget all about my food when I’m actually on the water. Or I tell myself “one more cast and I’m gonna eat for a couple minutes”. Then it’s 50 casts later and I haven’t touched it.

I’ll use a Texas rig as a follow up if I get a blowup on a frog in some timber, where I don’t dare put a wacky rig. I’ll try the frog a time or two more but if she doesn’t go for it again she’s getting the Texas rig.

You’re in the right place here to improve your bass finding and catching skills. A lot of good advice already. @Darren. took the words out of my mouth. The power of the stick worm is real. Rig a 4 or 5” stick worm wacky style on a size 1 finesse hook. Head to the shoreline and find some downed trees. Throw the senko around the edges of them. Not every tree will hold bass, but if you fish enough shoreline trees, you’re gonna run into bass. What you probably need most is confidence in what you’re throwing and where you’re fishing. It’s amazing how that can translate into results. Throwing a wacky senko or dinger around shoreline timber is in my opinion, the easiest way to catch a fish and gain some confidence.

NYS - yearly resident.