Final Advice

[BigOnFishin]

Alright, spring is literally right around the corner here in Virginia. We are getting a cold front the next few days, then a sudden warm front coming in bringing 65 degree weather by the beginning of next week. Does anyone have any final advice before i head out to (hopefully) rip some lips this year? So basically what im asking for is that little "pep talk" that you give yourself at the beginning of the season and/or your mental process when shoping for new lures/lines/hooks/..etc.

Thanks

[slonezp]

Come take the foot of snow we got today in Chicago back to VA

[lmoore]

The most important part of the first time out is to allow yourself to enjoy it. Things will probably go wrong and you might have to grind out the fish, but you're finally back at it, and that's what counts.

[BigOnFishin]

Come take the foot of snow we got today in Chicago back to VA

Haha, No thank you. We are expecting a little bit of snow tonight but im about at that point where i'd take a hair dryer to the lake to provoke some fish out from the deep water.

[aharris]

Dont set your standards too high...the water is still kinda chilly. Slow down and go fishing!

[lmbfisherman]

Haha, No thank you. We are expecting a little bit of snow tonight but im about at that point where i'd take a hair dryer to the lake to provoke some fish out from the deep water.

Does that work? 

[The Rooster]

Yeah but you need about 50 miles of extension cord in most cases. This year I'm opting for a propane torch. My electric bill is too high now. Haha.

You know, in all seriousness, whether this would work for bass or not, someone could roll a generator right down to the water's edge and hook up a hot water heater element on a long heavy cord and just toss it in. That would heat the water around by a few degrees, literally. After several days, I'd bet there would be fish nearby. As a disclaimer, I am in no way suggesting this. Sounds like a Darwin Award in the making.

[Curved]

Come take the foot of snow we got today in Chicago back to VA

 

Looking at your foot of snow out the window right now ... you can keep it to yourself next time.

 

 

OP, don't worry about catching fish. Have a good time, experiment, and relax. The fish are bonuses.

[dumfish]

I've heard it will warm up next week. I have a pond in my backyard and I'm always testing the water during the warm fronts we get here in virginia. I've found that two or three days of consistent warm weather put the bass in a prespawn mode, and have caught my biggest fish during these times. So if you fish on the first warm day, things will probably be slow depending on the body of water.

[Jigfishn10]

If you're expecting 65* weather, go fishing in the afternoon and fish the upper end of the lake, around rock etc. You can even fish the upper part of the water column where the surface temps may be a few degrees warmer which would draw some bait fish. Just a few degrees warmer doesn't sound like much, but it could be a difference.

 

Good luck either way!

[TiNuts]

If you're expecting 65* weather, go fishing in the afternoon and fish the upper end of the lake, around rock etc. You can even fish the upper part of the water column where the surface temps may be a few degrees warmer which would draw some bait fish. Just a few degrees warmer doesn't sound like much, but it could be a difference.

 

Good luck either way!

When you say the upper end of the lake, do you mean northern end? Or is there a specific feature that defines the upper end? I'm still pretty new at this and trying to figure out the lake lingo. Thanks.

[VABassin'14]

Im pretty sure what he means by upper end of the lake is the headwaters of the lake, or the river basin that feeds the reservoir. 

 

As for my early season pep talk, patience is a HUGE key to success this time of year. My first couple of trips out I don't expect to go out on the lake a tear em' up. Slow your presentations down and really force yourself to fish slower than you want to. I am still relatively new at this bass fishing thing and I really do try to learn something new each time I go out. With each trip I find that I gain more confidence in myself and the techniques Im using, and that's really what I am looking to do this time of year. Experience really is the best teacher, so get out there and learn something new. Good luck!!!

[TiNuts]

Im pretty sure what he means by upper end of the lake is the headwaters of the lake, or the river basin that feeds the reservoir. 

Oh. That makes sense. Thanks!

[bassguytom]

Fish a jerkbait and pause longer than you normally would. This is hard to do but will pay off when the water is so cold. Like the guys said slow down and have fun. Also it looks like you are taking a bong hit off of that fish in your picture. Just saying.

[BigOnFishin]

So other than a jerkbait, what are some lures you would throw that you can easily work slow without getting a snag?

[Curved]

Light dropshot with a floating plastic on the hook.

[BigOnFishin]

It ended up being spinnerbaits that caught me the fish. I missed a PIG when she spit hook about 3 feet from the bank. However, i ended up catching about 5 decent fish.

[CPBassFishing]

If you're anywhere near me, we can probably fish the same pattern. The males are staging on new weed patches in the middle of creek channels on the pond I fish. I caught 4, lost 2, and had 10 followers on saturday- all by burning a squarebill. In a few weeks the males will be up shallow preparing the beds while the females move up. I'm gonna try a swim jig this week and see if they bite it better. I also tried a spinnerbait with no luck.

[BigOnFishin]

If you're anywhere near me, we can probably fish the same pattern. The males are staging on new weed patches in the middle of creek channels on the pond I fish. I caught 4, lost 2, and had 10 followers on saturday- all by burning a squarebill. In a few weeks the males will be up shallow preparing the beds while the females move up. I'm gonna try a swim jig this week and see if they bite it better. I also tried a spinnerbait with no luck.

Yeah. my buddy was throwing a squarebill and had a couple. I was throwing a Strike King KVD Finesse spinnerbait with double willow blades and i was able to fishing it slow enough to where it was easier for them to chase while keeping it up in the warmer water. Since it was a little breezy i figure the spinner would be my best bet. And yes, i caught most of my fish along a weed patch right around the mouth of a spring that feeds into the pond. Hopefully, with the weather staying in the upper 50s this week, this weekend should work.

[5fishlimit]

Here in Ohio we got to the mid 60's, and I took advantage of the day to just get a feel for the new baitcaster I picked. Got a nasty birds nest on the first cast, but d**n it if I didn't have a smile on my face while fixing it.

I didn't catch anything, but I got a lot of things figured out. I also realized the new way I organized my tackle bag will not work well.

Use these first early days as a chance to shake off the rust, and enjoy being out there!

Tight lines!

[CPBassFishing]

Yeah. my buddy was throwing a squarebill and had a couple. I was throwing a Strike King KVD Finesse spinnerbait with double willow blades and i was able to fishing it slow enough to where it was easier for them to chase while keeping it up in the warmer water. Since it was a little breezy i figure the spinner would be my best bet. And yes, i caught most of my fish along a weed patch right around the mouth of a spring that feeds into the pond. Hopefully, with the weather staying in the upper 50s this week, this weekend should work.

sounds good. You could also try a wacky worm to slow down a bit and maybe get some bigger fish. I'm gonna be throwing a PTL sick stick next time I'm out.

[BigOnFishin]

sounds good. You could also try a wacky worm to slow down a bit and maybe get some bigger fish. I'm gonna be throwing a PTL sick stick next time I'm out.

Yeah i tried throwing a 4" Senko in the bubblegum, blue and black, and watermellon color but didnt have any luck on those.. going to give them a try today at carvins cove