Jar11591

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.

I have to amend my guess. March has been extremely warm and the forecast has more of the same. Things may thaw within a week and I’ll be casting as soon as they do. Been a while since I caught a March bass.

@WRB Most if not all but one county allow bass fishing all year provided they were caught with artificial lure and C&R only if caught between December and June 14th.

Yeah I think 8 is a reasonable conservative estimate.

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2025/03/angler-hacks-bigger-hole-in-ice-to-land-giant-cayuga-lake-smallmouth-bass.html?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa8fo8dIh6ORqHnz_dvpMPlhS6zOyNlzncbVhuab_kA4yRhgs2MgnImceA_aem_fZw2SYR29gplG81XOgntuw According to the article, the fish went 8lb and 24”. This is the same lake that is absolutely popping off right now. A 12lb+ largemouth from the same lake broke the NYS record last year. NY has always been an exceptional bass state, but it’s really having its big bass moment. Both LM and SM records are falling. Good time to be a NY basser. In the link it says smallmouth but the picture is clearly a largemouth.

This is gonna be a fun thread. Can’t wait until I can enter a NY bass.

The loons calling to each other. The subtle “plop plop” of the trolling motor. Braid through guides when a fish is hooked. When fishing in the fall, a hunter’s gunshot in the distance.

Give somebody an inch, and them and all their friends will take a mile.

I have a dozen Fenwicks sticks from Eagles to Aetos to Methods and haven’t broken a single one. I guess I’m lucky I haven’t experience any of the breaking issues. I’ll continue to buy Fenwicks with confidence until I have some anecdotal instances.

Larry Csonka’s North To Alaska

@Pat Brown dude awesome

@IYAOYAS that really is a beautifully colored spot.

I brought all my gear from the basement to the garage today, where it’ll stay for the next 8 months. It’s almost 70°. Lakes are still frozen solid, though the 2-week forecast is 100% above freezing during the day with only a couple nights dipping below. I can taste it. Snowblower is staying gassed up though. I took mine out of my truck today, thought about it for 2 seconds, and put it back in.

I’ve seen someone do this before and it would definitely limit casting distance in the way OP is describing.

I don’t have specific search & follow up pairs. Like @Swamp Girl I will follow up a missed strike with a weightless senko or fluke.

Heavier line = more surface area. More surface area = more friction. More friction = less casting distance. I’d find out what diameter line you’re using and maybe try to step it down, and hit it with some line conditioner.