Super User Team9nine Posted January 3, 2023 Super User Posted January 3, 2023 7 hours ago, DitchPanda said: And this mystery bait is? SJ “Action Jig” Quote
The Bassman Posted January 4, 2023 Posted January 4, 2023 Enjoyed 60* temps yesterday with decent action. No bigs yet but lots of bites. Weather's supposed to cool down quite a bit but should be able to keep fishing for a while. 13 Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted January 4, 2023 Super User Posted January 4, 2023 3 hours ago, The Bassman said: Enjoyed 60* temps yesterday with decent action. No bigs yet but lots of bites. Weather's supposed to cool down quite a bit but should be able to keep fishing for a while. Interesting. I expected a great bite with high, warm and stained water yesterday over here. Instead, I had to fish 3 ponds and work way too hard to avoid the skunk, finally getting one at the last stop after nearly 40 minutes of fruitless casting. I think I need some new water… 1 1 Quote
The Bassman Posted January 4, 2023 Posted January 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Team9nine said: Interesting. I expected a great bite with high, warm and stained water yesterday over here. Instead, I had to fish 3 ponds and work way too hard to avoid the skunk, finally getting one at the last stop after nearly 40 minutes of fruitless casting. I think I need some new water… Most of my fish came on storm drains. The few that were caught on jerks were from a larger pond that tends to stay clear. What also makes a difference is that I was out for over three hours vs 40 min. Sat. I fished as long for two bites. Temps above mid 40's make such slow fishing tolerable. 3 Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted January 4, 2023 Super User Posted January 4, 2023 4 minutes ago, The Bassman said: Most of my fish came on storm drains. The few that were caught on jerks were from a larger pond that tends to stay clear. What also makes a difference is that I was out for over three hours vs 40 min. Sat. I fished as long for two bites. Temps above mid 40's make such slow fishing tolerable. Drain bite doesn’t work on any of my ponds. They almost never have good rushing water. I think some are old and silted up. Makes a big difference in the bite. My old neighborhood, you could catch 2 dozen from a good drain, then move to the next one and repeat. I miss those days - lol. 2 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted January 4, 2023 Super User Posted January 4, 2023 4 hours ago, Team9nine said: Drain bite doesn’t work on any of my ponds. They almost never have good rushing water. I think some are old and silted up. Makes a big difference in the bite. My old neighborhood, you could catch 2 dozen from a good drain, then move to the next one and repeat. I miss those days - lol. Gosh, that sounds fun! I've experienced the same flurry below waterfalls. 2 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 6, 2023 Super User Posted January 6, 2023 Caught about 10 fish on the Jerkbait the day before an epic 24hr rain/thunder storm (1/2).......went out on the water now for three straight days and the lake still looks like chocolate milk. I'm amazed I caught a fish today. Viz is measured in inches....3-4" maybe. After and before pics tell the story, I can't even imagine what the fish are trying to do right now. Never seen it like this, let alone take now 3+ days to recover. This sucks, peak PB season Thread must be bumped though ? 15 Quote
Woody B Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 The water color looks better in the 2nd pic. Is part of the lake clearer or is that just how the picture looks? I figure I'll be going up the creeks a ways tomorrow to find decent looking water. We've had a BUNCH of rain. 1 Quote
Super User Jar11591 Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 17 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Caught about 10 fish on the Jerkbait the day before an epic 24hr rain/thunder storm (1/2).......went out on the water now for three straight days and the lake still looks like chocolate milk. I'm amazed I caught a fish today. Viz is measured in inches....3-4" maybe. After and before pics tell the story, I can't even imagine what the fish are trying to do right now. Never seen it like this, let alone take now 3+ days to recover. This sucks, peak PB season That is tough. Without a doubt my least favorite conditions to fish are chocolate milk clarity. Cold and muddy is even worse. Did you get the one through the mud on a jerkbait as well? 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 If you're fishing chocolate milk, a chatterbait or noisy surface lure might work even better since they couldn't study the lure before hitting it. Full disclosure: I'm just guessing!!! 1 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 44 minutes ago, Jar11591 said: That is tough. Without a doubt my least favorite conditions to fish are chocolate milk clarity. Cold and muddy is even worse. Did you get the one through the mud on a jerkbait as well? Naw, it came of the flashback mini, imagine the only way the fish found the bait was the vibration. That's the worst part, it killed the Jerkbait bite I had been on for a few weeks....#firstworldproblems ? 4 minutes ago, ol'crickety said: If you're fishing chocolate milk, a chatterbait or noisy surface lure might work even better since they couldn't study the lure before hitting it. Full disclosure: I'm just guessing!!! You got it Katie, flashback mini. Maybe tomorrow I break out the Whopper Plopper ? 1 Quote
Super User Jar11591 Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 7 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Naw, it came of the flashback mini, imagine the only way the fish found the bait was the vibration. That's the worst part, it killed the Jerkbait bite I had been on for a few weeks....#firstworldproblems ? You got it Katie, flashback mini. Maybe tomorrow I break out the Whopper Plopper ? Figured it was something shiny or thumpy. At least with the water that color, maybe the FOMO won’t be as strong ? 2 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 1 hour ago, Woody B said: The water color looks better in the 2nd pic. Is part of the lake clearer or is that just how the picture looks? I figure I'll be going up the creeks a ways tomorrow to find decent looking water. We've had a BUNCH of rain. No it's not which isn't what I suspected. This isn't a huge lake, about 150-200acres.....but is relatively deep for it's size as well. Lots of places with 30+ ft of water. Over 3 days, I can't even see an improvement yet. Hopefully you don't run into this stuff. Second pic is from before on 1/2, first pic is from today 3 days after the rain. 1 minute ago, Jar11591 said: Figured it was something shiny or thumpy. At least with the water that color, maybe the FOMO won’t be as strong ? strong enough for me to still haul gear to a boat.....get on the water for the 30mins, and then drag it all home like a fool for 3 straight days.......Einstein had a quote about this, something, something definition of insanity ? 2 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 7, 2023 Global Moderator Posted January 7, 2023 10 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: No it's not which isn't what I suspected. This isn't a huge lake, about 150-200acres.....but is relatively deep for it's size as well. Lots of places with 30+ ft of water. Over 3 days, I can't even see an improvement yet. Hopefully you don't run into this stuff. Second pic is from before on 1/2, first pic is from today 3 days after the rain. strong enough for me to still haul gear to a boat.....get on the water for the 30mins, and then drag it all home like a fool for 3 straight days.......Einstein had a quote about this, something, something definition of insanity ? That’s the beauty of a boat trailer my friend, find clear water! I’ve got chocolate milk water at several of my normal haunts. Right in front of my dock being one of them! Haha. Also the river in downtown Knox is brown. BUT! There are clear water options, to which I shall be traveling here shortly 2 Quote
Super User BrianMDTX Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 Wanted to be out early as the weatherman said possible T-storms in the afternoon, but work issues kept me busy until 11:00. I wanted to fish from the boat but with limited time I opted to fish from the bank. Since it’s close to home, I brought five rods (3 spinning, 2 baitcasting), especially as I wanted to try my Fuego after the recent clean and lube job I completed a few days ago. I started off with a spinnerbait using the Fuego. No bites but everything worked well (almost lol. The handle started to wobble later in the day. I had to tighten the nut when I got home). Next was a jerkbait, a Whopper Plopper and a squarebill (no bites except one superdink tapped the WP). Tried a weightless Senko TR followed by Mann’s Jelly Worm TR (also a Zoom Trick) and a Ned rig. Nothing at all. I cut the squarebill off the Dobyns Fury/Tatula 100H and tied on a 3/0 Gamakutsu EWG and rigged the only Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Macho I had on me. Color is General’s Melon. I fished it for several minutes and got a strike. Not big but the first bass of 2023! Not long afterwards something hit it and ran fast as soon as it hit the water, but when I set the hook it was gone. Fished it for 15-20 minutes more and was ready to pack it in when I saw a fish strike something 2”-3” off the bank in heavy weeds. I figured what the heck and casted to that spot, hoping to catch the last dink of the day. Bam! It got hit. Hard. I set the hook and the fight was on. I knew it wasn’t a giant but definitely bigger than the first one. After a nice 20-30 second battle to get it out of the weeds, I had it in hand. My scale’s batteries decided to crap out so I couldn’t weigh it, but I’m guessing it was 2.5-3.0 lbs. Hooked it good in the lip. No damage and back in the water quick. I mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again. That Dobyns Fury 705CB may not be a rod one would use for that application per the specs, but I have caught several nice bass with it rigged with those hooks and either Neko Machos or Fat IKA’s. Every bass has been hooked solid. I like that set-up a lot. 19 Quote
Woody B Posted January 7, 2023 Posted January 7, 2023 Well..... I didn't get skunked. The water wasn't exactly chocolate milk, it was more like coffee with cream and a bunch of stuff floating in it. Water temp was 49. I was surprised it wasn't warmer. I managed to catch one bass. The people I talked to at the landing weren't catching many either. 19 Quote
Jmontgomery87 Posted January 7, 2023 Posted January 7, 2023 Just went out for about 45 minutes and got my first two fish of the year. Both were 1.25lb. It was my first time fishing a swim bait and first catches on the new SLX. Keitech Swing Impact on a 1/4 oz Berkeley Fusion head 17 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 7, 2023 Super User Posted January 7, 2023 18 minutes ago, Woody B said: Well..... I didn't get skunked. The water wasn't exactly chocolate milk, it was more like coffee with cream and a bunch of stuff floating in it. Water temp was 49. I was surprised it wasn't warmer. I managed to catch one bass. The people I talked to at the landing weren't catching many either. Man that's seriously impressive coming out of that water clarity. I'm pretty sure the fish hate this as much as we do. Just now, Jmontgomery87 said: Just went out for about 45 minutes and got my first two fish of the year. Both were 1.25lb. It was my first time fishing a swim bait and first catches on the new SLX. Keitech Swing Impact on a 1/4 oz Berkeley Fusion head Nice, I never thought I'd be more jelly over someone's water clarity than fish, but here we are ? 29 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said: Wanted to be out early as the weatherman said possible T-storms in the afternoon, but work issues kept me busy until 11:00. I wanted to fish from the boat but with limited time I opted to fish from the bank. Since it’s close to home, I brought five rods (3 spinning, 2 baitcasting), especially as I wanted to try my Fuego after the recent clean and lube job I completed a few days ago. I started off with a spinnerbait using the Fuego. No bites but everything worked well (almost lol. The handle started to wobble later in the day. I had to tighten the nut when I got home). Next was a jerkbait, a Whopper Plopper and a squarebill (no bites except one superdink tapped the WP). Tried a weightless Senko TR followed by Mann’s Jelly Worm TR (also a Zoom Trick) and a Ned rig. Nothing at all. I cut the squarebill off the Dobyns Fury/Tatula 100H and tied on a 3/0 Gamakutsu EWG and rigged the only Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Macho I had on me. Color is General’s Melon. I fished it for several minutes and got a strike. Not big but the first bass of 2023! Not long afterwards something hit it and ran fast as soon as it hit the water, but when I set the hook it was gone. Fished it for 15-20 minutes more and was ready to pack it in when I saw a fish strike something 2”-3” off the bank in heavy weeds. I figured what the heck and casted to that spot, hoping to catch the last dink of the day. Bam! It got hit. Hard. I set the hook and the fight was on. I knew it wasn’t a giant but definitely bigger than the first one. After a nice 20-30 second battle to get it out of the weeds, I had it in hand. My scale’s batteries decided to crap out so I couldn’t weigh it, but I’m guessing it was 2.5-3.0 lbs. Hooked it good in the lip. No damage and back in the water quick. I mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again. That Dobyns Fury 705CB may not be a rod one would use for that application per the specs, but I have caught several nice bass with it rigged with those hooks and either Neko Machos or Fat IKA’s. Every bass has been hooked solid. I like that set-up a lot. Congrats on the nice one, watermelon red flake is arguably the best plastic color invented imho. Top 3 at least. Quote
The Bassman Posted January 7, 2023 Posted January 7, 2023 Temps got tolerable after midday and enjoyed some decent action with Dark Sleeper and Rozante 77. Caught fourteen counters but still no bigs. We've been fortunate since the big chill at Christmas. 17 Quote
Jmontgomery87 Posted January 7, 2023 Posted January 7, 2023 57 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Nice, I never thought I'd be more jelly over someone's water clarity than fish, but here we are Haha, visibility in this strip pit was down to 8-10" three weeks ago, then it completely froze over around Christmas. It just opened back up in the last week and visibility is back up to about 6'. 2 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 8, 2023 Super User Posted January 8, 2023 Looks like a fun day! 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted January 8, 2023 Super User Posted January 8, 2023 Gorgeous, fat, long smallmouth! 1 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted January 8, 2023 Super User Posted January 8, 2023 21 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Fish are beautiful, boat anchor is epic ? 2 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 8, 2023 Global Moderator Posted January 8, 2023 6 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Fish are beautiful, boat anchor is epic ? Thing cost a pretty penny lemme tell ya 2 Quote
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