The Bassman

Weather was pretty pleasant this afternoon with sun and temp in the low 40's. Managed nine, none real big but satisfying considering the forecast. This will doubtless be my last outing for a good while with the promised return of the polar vortex. Single digit temps and wind are going to be a shock after such an easy start to winter. Years ago it seemed we were always iced over until March. Hope that doesn't happen now. Gotta keep the 12 months of bass going.

Tried to fish a couple of my usual spots close to home but they were skimmed over. Ended up at this lake that I usually pass on because of its larger size and depth. Actually didn't do too bad with four bites in an hour including these two decent ones. Both were females full of eggs. Spring's just around the corner. Forecast keeps hinting at winter finally getting started over the next week. Should have a couple more opportunities yet.

Started my 12 months of bass for '24 today. Nothing exceptional but grinded out six in three hours. Just being outside rather than parked in my easy chair makes it worthwhile in spite of the slow bite. For me this form of fishing takes a measure of focus and with the cold my edge starts to wear off after a while. I'm thinking more about a hot shower and tonight, a big bowl of chili.

Closed out '23 with eight counters. Tomorrow's gonna be too much for my liking, low 30's, wind, and precip. Should have a decent shot at starting my Jan. tally next week before a taste of real Indiana winter (depending on which forecast one believes). Wished I had kept track of #'s on that beat up TRD. Might've given the record holder a run for his money lol.

Bundled up and worked 1.5 hrs. for five bites on a cold late Dec. afternoon. Loved every minute of it. Something about the off season that appeals to me. I truly enjoy the solitude of these raw, gray days.

It's a mindset thing. For years I assumed that winter fishing would be a waste of time. Figured that dunking worms in creeks for suckers was the best I could hope for if there wasn't enough ice to support me on ponds. In recent years our winters have trended warmer. You're in pretty much the same latitude as me. Dec. is actually one of my favorite months if weather permits. El Nino has put us in the sweet spot this month. Numbers and size have been good. Two tips: small waters and light tackle. You're not far from the birthplace of midwest finesse. Master it and get catching.

They're still dealing with me, just on another side of town. I'm still catching in Dec. Looking at 50* temps over Christmas. I don't keep a log but probably somewhere in that 150+ outings range.

First time posting in this forum. I'm not a trapper but thought this thread would be relevant. I fish a number of HOA lakes that have a large muskrat population. I was told that the HOA in one large neighborhood took action by introducing mink (didn't know that was legal). I haven't actually seen one, though the 'rats are conspicuously absent lately. What I do notice is a proliferation of "lodges" built from rolled up aquatic vegetation, primarily over old muskrat runs and in front of storm drains. I don't miss the muskrats (they destroy the banks) but was wondering about the possible impact on bass populations in ponds of 2-4 acres.

The green ned keeps on catching. Bait refuses to die. Had to work to catch a dozen, eight that I would call counters. El Nino is keeping us in a quiet weather pattern by keeping all the rough stuff south and east. We're actually dry right now which isn't typical for this time of year. We usually catch up from late summer dryness by late fall.

I've caught a good number of bass including some big ones with an 08 HJ in ponds. Have since moved on to Duo Realis Rozante 77's primarily for their castability.

Small waters (ponds, strip pits), light spinning, midwest finesse (ned)=boatload of fish. This benign Dec. weather has been a gift. Go get 'em.

Was able to get out briefly after work. I'll be glad when sunset starts getting later before long. Yesterday was a wash with low 30's and wind. Upper 30's and sun today. The green and chartreuse ned keeps soldiering on. Nine bites, seven decent ones in a little over an hour.

Gave work a break today because of a favorable forecast. Wasn't disappointed. No braggers but steady action on the ned. The bait in the pic has caught several dozen bass along with a few crappie and 'gills the past couple of weeks. I keep sharpening and reshaping the hook and remounting and gluing the bait. Still got some life in it. The lake shot illustrates what the perfect conditions are to me, a decent breeze, not too cold (45-55) and no one around. Doesn't get any better than that.

I've been using smaller Johnson Thinfishers for several seasons now. Got the idea from @Team9nine on one of his older blog posts. The tiny 3/16 is deadly in ponds. The lures come with tiny trebles that I swap out for slightly larger ones, or lately inline singles. As @MickD pointed out they are more manageable and hook up just fine.

I've had good success with bladed jigs during the winter. Have been using other presentations (blade baits, ned, suspending jerks) more lately. My experience seems to confirm that the most effective technique is the one that I am focusing on currently. I do best when I know what I want to use from the start. Changing baits all day just because I'm not getting bit quick enough fosters frustration and pretty much guarantees a less than stellar outing.

6.82 caught back in march on a ned.

This^^^^^ I'm kind of a different character socially. Love the interaction but excel as a loner. I'm much more engaged when I fish alone and lose my edge around others. I'm not presuming on @WRB being like me but what he said reinforces how I value this site.

Getting off to a decent start to Dec. making for another bass in all twelve months year. Years ago we would likely be in hard winter by now. I've been sticking with the ned lately. I prefer small blade baits and jerks but a lack of wind makes for less than ideal conditions. The bite wasn't real fast but I managed to get a couple chunks in the mix.

Really sorry about that Tim. Now they're saying that the rain should clear out by noon tomorrow, albeit windy. We're going to have lots of opportunities in the short term.

Wind and rain should not be a problem today but tomorrow's another story. Hope it works out for you. I'm focusing on ned rig since wind will be light. Show us a big one and enjoy time with your dad. I might have never been a fisherman if it hadn't been for my dad taking me.

Have had to deal with skim ice the past few days. Rain last night cleared it off and let me enjoy a few bites. Just got out about an hour with misty, dark conditions. Caught a few fun size bass and one decent hybrid 'gill. El Nino is supposed to keep us above normal this month. Dec. has been good for big bass in the past.

Nirvana when compared to Cataract and Racoon, no?

Could be that the extra buoyancy lets it fish slower? Thanks for the idea. I'll experiment with it.

I'm all barbless with trebles and barbed with singles. I've had to unhook myself from trebles more than a few times. Smaller bass are the worst. As far as singles vs trebles I've gone back and forth on this for a long time. Trebles are rougher on bass so being barbless makes removal from gill rakers less traumatic. One thing I have settled on is using singles on my lipless cranks. Noticeably fewer lost fish and pretty much every one hooked in the lower lip. I'm still sticking with trebles for now on topwater and jerks.

Would love to check out some strip pits. Haven't been southwest for many years. My fishing is all on foot and exclusively neighborhood lakes. Used to wade for smallmouth but a bad ankle has put an end to that.