The Bassman

Just saw this, Mike. Brought back great memories. I actually had this down pretty good and would tell it to kids when I had a Sunday school class years ago.

Several years ago a member tipped me on using a green laser pointer to deter geese. I find it essential this time of year. Doesn't work as well in bright sun but if you point it at the ground and guide it to just in front of them it works like a charm. Avoid the super cheap ones but something a notch up (mine was around 20 bucks on Amazon) works fine.

Makes me feel better that I'm not the only one that does that. Doesn't make sense to wash something that's going to get dirty in five minutes. Goes with the turf (pun intended) when one is a bank walker.

You just have a good sense of humor. Witty humor is a rare commodity these days.

We were right in the middle of it here. I fish HOA ponds and there were people everywhere. Sort of reminded me of four years ago when a lot of people tried fishing early in the pandemic. Clear and calm didn't help either.

It was bright and calm with people all around. Yesterday was windy, cloudy, and cool. Made for my best outing so far this spring. I stuck close to home today to avoid the predicted traffic apocalypse that never materialized.

I'll have to weigh my results against the next one when I'm 160 years old or whatever.

We had a perfect view here. I was conducting a thorough scientific experiment during most of the event. I concluded that fishing stinks during solar eclipses.

My location (Indianapolis) is in the direct path of the total eclipse next Mon. Hotel rooms are sold out here and we're being advised of major traffic issues. Any one else getting excited about it? Doesn't really move my needle. Might see if it has any impact on fishing. Totality here is just over four min.

No bigs this afternoon but had an unexpected treat with a good top water bite. Caught eight fun size in under forty minutes. I usually don't get out the little Pop-R until mid month but conditions seemed right. We're supposed to get storms and heavy rain tomorrow. Usually translates to a hot storm drain bite. Problem is that I have to work later this week and we're going to barely get out of the 30's after this system passes. That's spring in Indiana.

Pre spawn bite in full swing. This is prime time for numbers and size. They kept me busy yesterday as well. These two were my best. Small blade bait fished quick and shallow did the trick. Also gave me my pb foul hooked gizzard shad, lol.

Just realized I clicked on the wrong thread. Thanks for the comment Darnold.

Pre spawn bite was in full swing today. Lots of action. Quit counting after twenty or so. Fish were stacked up on shallow windswept flats. Wind was gusting over thirty mph. One lure that caught the most for me is a hack that I came up with a few years ago. Dark Sleepers were great producers but eventually would get their tails bit off so six bucks (eight now) out the window. After throwing a few away the thought occurred to me to add a tail spinner in place of the paddle tail. Worked like a charm and became a staple in my arsenal. I got away from it after a while but have recently reminded myself how effective it can be. The 1/4 oz. size with a spinner has a lot of loft to it so is perfect in shallow areas. This one was unblemished just a few days ago. I'd say it's been chewed on a bit.

First things first: kudos to @Creek Pirate. How does one follow an act like that? Congrats! Now on to less exciting things. Got on a great bite this afternoon. Caught about a dozen on Flashy Swimmer/Swimmin Trout Trick and Mini Max bladed jig. Definitely a transitional feel to the seasons. Neds are bread and butter but moving baits are more fun.

Is that anything like voodoo economics?

Did a little snow bassin' this afternoon. Winter had the audacity to show itself the past two days. Except for one hard cold spell a month ago we've been very fortunate this year. Just caught three with two being counters. Kinda tricky walking the banks so was a bit limiting. Just felt good to get bit.

I'm a better painter than a shrink but I don't see this as such an issue. Sometimes we need a happy place to retreat to. I do it a lot so maybe I've got the same problem.

When I was a kid in the 60's we would hang out at tech inspections for the Nationals (I'm from the west side of Indy). It was held publicly in a local shopping center lot. We would raid the hospitality tents looking for free food and stickers. STP was the gold standard but Honest Charley's were a lot easier to swipe. Got chased out a few times but got to meet some big names of that era.

A bit too windy for finesse today so I stuck with baits that I could maintain contact with. Caught five over a couple of hours in two ponds. Work has kept me off the water lately but have managed twenty or so keepers since the first of the month. Two more March-like days before a return to winter (though not as cold as last month).

I've got a 6'8" Extreme Angler MH that I'm thinking about selling. It was on a clearance rack at a local tackle shop for 120.00. I think it retails around 180.00. Ended up never using it. I also have the 6'3" model that I do use occasionally. Both rods are remarkably light. Was told that they compare to rods costing half again as much.

Finally got some open water today after being locked in for two and a half weeks. Got out for a little while after work and caught four, all counters. The beat up ned just keeps on catching. It's overdue for a remount.

As long as I've got some open water and my guides aren't icing up I'm fishing. Wind can make things pretty uncomfortable when it's less than 40*. I try to focus on ponds where I can keep the wind behind me but still reach the windward side with a long cast. Summer or winter the windward side seems to always be more productive for me. Disposable handwarmers are essential. Can't fish with gloves covering my fingers. I do wear fingerless polyester arthritis gloves, though.

Lone wolf. Just me and the fish. I laugh and talk to them but they never talk back. Just get a blank stare.

Right on that. At least it gives me an opportunity to focus on work. Long range forecast seems to indicate a 180 on this weather. It's still very much El Nino.

Aren't shiners a winter thing in Fla?