Mbirdsley

This would be the one time I’d say throw a red colored crank, shad rap, or what ever you have. To me red is a total crappy day situational color( wouldn’t know that by how many red lures they make and sell ). 2nd would be a black spinner bait or chatter bait. Something the fish will have no problem homing in on. 3rd black crank bait

Today was the walleye opener for the lower peninsula. So I went bass fishing hoping to catch a bonus walleye. Well didn’t catch any walleye but, did catch some bass. 2 3 lbers and 2 smaller bass on a black war eagle spinner bait with rattles and a single gold blad. Been a while since I’ve been on a good spinner bait bite launched from lee st in Saginaw. I actually caught these in the preserve on the Shiawassee river. brother was fishing for walleye on the titabawassee with his buddies so I buzzed up there. What a cluster. So many boats on the water what should have been a 30 minut run turned into a hour and fifteen minute boat ride. They caught walleye I struck out and lost some cranks in the process. brothers buddy did take a pic of me fishing out of my boat.

I pre rig to the best of my ability. However, I’ve been Known After the first cast to say “ that ain’t it” and tie something else on. Just my gut feeling. Generally 15-20 minutes. If I can’t at least get a bite after that time period in an area I know that holds fish I’m changing.

Spring time:chatter bait summer: crank bait fall: jerk bait

I havnt actually used them in a long time. However, one worm to rule them all. A Berkley gulp crawler in the natural or pumkim color. First plastic I ever used consistently. T-rigging it I caught a bunch of river fish as well as big bass

This summer I’m trying to make it point to trap craw fish while fishing. Basic premise of the idea. I’ll throw a modified minnow trap out under a float at the beginning of the day and than either Check it periodically or at the end of the day when I get ready to load up. I actually don’t know what color our cray fish are in Michigan. I’ve seen green ones inland and some with a light blueish hue around the great lakes . However, just like the same species of fish. color can change from lake to lake.

This is actually a good idea.

Like all my cranks as soon as I get them I swapped the orginal hooks out for Mustad KVD 1X strong 1x short triple grips. both my tiny 4’s and the slim 6’s. The orginal hook thickness is fine and your right they are using a bigger hook. I believe the slim 6 is using a size 2 ewg. If I recall the tiny 4 is using a size 4 hook.

The deep cranking rod is done!!!! Probably the best full build. Almost zero fuzzies. Added some bling to the for grip that I think looks nice. Tried an over wrap on the hook keeper and 1st double footed guide. Overall I am happy. thank you Chris Catignani for the reel seat and the magazine. my Swedish made 5500cs abu rocket looks good on it. Just need some 15lbs flouro and be ready to rock

So I believe that this will wrap up my big tackle purchases for the year. I’ve now have everything that I wanted From here on out its just replacing what the fish tear up or I loose. 2 packs of diesal minnows in hot snakes and black blue laminate. 3 OG slim 6’s in root beer craw, chartreuse root beer craw, and black and silver. With the success of the my last jack hammer stealth. I bought another one in black and blue. wife will be happier

I pour in my garage. I run propane heaters in the winter. It’s a nice big garage but, not insulated ( when we bought the house nothing was insulated). So it’s not air tight . I don’t run any type of ventilation other than a ceiling fan. If I have to melt down Wheel weights or other lead to make ingets I would do that out side. I have about 600 lbs of lead that was given to me about 5-6 years ago. So I havnt had to start scrounging yet. Originally that would have lasted a life time but, than I went legit. Eventually I will have to start scrounging for lead again.

Ice fishing specifically for bass Is starting to become a thing. I’ve caught them accidentally on tip ups fishing for walleye or pike. Usually they are good size too

For me it would Depends on the price. If the older model is at a considerable discount than go that route. If they are still asking msrp or close to it than I would buy the newer model. However, I would go for the long casting model if you want it for worms . Shallow spoils were designed for pitching and flipping.

I don’t personally like braid on moving baits. However , if your using a slow enough action rod it shouldn’t rip the trebles out of a fishes mouth. The rod will be your shock absorber. People use braid all the time for walleye trolling.

I’ve been buying these shimano reel covers for $6.99 shipped off of eBay from shimano. They also sell them for spinning reels but, I believe those are about 10.99 +-. They had them here in 2 days. I obviously use them on my slx’s but, on my other reels too

I live in Michigan and do a lot of bass fishing around Frankfort and the west branch area which, is in northern Mi. Realistically when the underwater foliage is in full bloom I use 3/4 oz and 1 1/2 jigs for the most part. You could get by 80% of the time with 3/4 oz. I make my own jigs so that’s what I use. Been kicking around trying a punch rig though I’ve got a heavy fast 7’4 st. Croix bass-x paired with a 7:3 tatula sv tws ( shallow spool) with 65lbs power pro. It is a dedicated rod set up just for doing that. If you didn’t want a dedicated rod you could get by with probably 40-45 power pro. Our underwater foliage growing season isn’t as long as it is down south. Trailers don’t really matter just use your favorite craw imitation. Punching with jigs is one of my favorite ways to fish. Shame it’s really only a technique for 2-3 months out if the year.

Cooler temps I like things more finessey ( I made that word up ) and compact. Once it starts getting warmer I let the whole package get bigger. Untill finally it’s summer time and they don’t care how big it is.

Jerk baits and do nothing baits. like fishing the Ned rig and bucktails, and hair rigs how they are supposed to be fished. Meaning slow do nothing retrieve rather than hopping along the bottom. took me a while to get the right rhythm with a jerk bait.

3-4 inch twister tail matching the skirt has worked for me in 45-60 degree water. Finally getting the smaller paddle tails to work.

Fished duck lake in Montcalm county mi. Between my buddy and I we caught 10-12 bass. I caught more he caught the biggest. We were both using chatter baits. He was switching up between differnt ones I kept the zman stealth jack hammer rigged on with a Berkley ayu paddle tail swim bait as a trailer. Caught one bass on a jerk bait. However, we were on a chatter bait bite. We took 4-5 bass out of one spot. Duck lake is a large shallow and weedy lake. Average depth is only 4ft but, the water temp where we caught the fish was 51.8 degrees. this was probably one of the warmest lakes we were going to find for the year. Every where else the temp was 48-49 degrees in the lake and didn’t do squat. Beautiful spring day in Michigan and on the board for 2022

Another round of eBay winnings all from the same place. 2 pack of LC KJ flat 1.5’s 2 pack of fat mini DR I’m happy gill. 3pack of Norman middle N in root beer.

I buy them from a bunch of different places. Usually, just where I’m at that day IE Walmart, cabelas, bass pro, or TW. The tw rod covers seem to fit the best

The gander mountain guide series spinning reels were re-branded pfluegar’s. After trashing three pfluegars in the last year good riddance. I did enjoy the supreme until the frame ears broke

Yes it is the tower of power. I fired it up yesterday while on muffs at home. I’ve got a video and the video does not do the sound justice. The motor is extremely loud when out of water and on muffs. my 17 footer will do 32 mph. It is a 90 hp 1985 merc . Motor runs great for being 37 yrs old

Well, kicked off the 2022 bass season. Took the L but, felt good to get out. Water was only 38 degrees. Should have picked a smaller lake. Buddy and I Went on crystal lake in Montcalm county. Only action I had was 2 big large mouth at the same time follow my lucky craft 78 sp. couldn’t get them to commit though. Than proceeded to get the same lucky craft jerk bait caught in the trolling motor which, it suspends and couldn’t get it back. Luckily I bought it in a 2 pack