03 December 2016 ~ Blade Bait Smallies

[A-Jay]

Woke up this morning to weather, that for the first week of December here, was just too good to pass up.  It’s been way warm and the lakes are not frozen yet, so with air temps running in the mid 30’s and winds less than 10 kts, the little snow expected would hopefully only add to what I was hoping would be a decent afternoon.  I got a bit of a late start, as I was dragging my feet a little deciding on whether to go or not.  But my wife finally said “just Go Already” – and that was it.  I had to pull the Old Town out of hibernation and loading up even the minimal gear I brought seemed to take way too long.  A little after noon time I was making my first casts into the very clear 38 degree water.

  In my haste to get on the water I left my camera mount in the Lund so the only way I could capture any video of the day was going to have to be after the catch and the old selfie deal – never really like that but that’s what I had so I just rolled with it.

 Took a while to find the smallies but I was willing to put the work in.  Eventually found some in two different spots.   Both had deep wood.  One was in 25 ft and the other in 30-ish.  Both locations were on the edge of a drop that went down to the main lake basin in 45 ft.    The 5/8 oz Silver Buddy Blade bait in Gold was the deal.  I had to either hit the wood or be very close to it to get bit.  I hung a few times as expected.  Most I got back, a couple got donated but the reward for a precision (or lucky) cast was worth it.  Several very Fat Smallies came to the net with a couple solidly in the Toad Category.   Sunset & the grey light after had the bigger fish biting.

 I was bundled up pretty good to stay warm and ended up being fairly comfortable, though after looking back at the video I’ll admit I’m looking sort of Goofy, but whatever.  Having those brown fatties hanging off my thumb is all I really cared about anyway.

A-Jay

 

[jr231]

Nice A-Jay. And as always. Good talkin to ya.. ha-ha ! 

[shimmy]

Looks fun! That is awesome to see some smallies in December. Congrats my friend for your new December PB!

 

[Burtonxj]

Love your videos. Nice job.

[jbw252]

Sweet day for fishing in December.  Congrats on some nice looking smallies.

[Smokinal]

Good to see more cold weather fishermen out there!

[TnRiver46]

Nice fish, thanks for the report and videos. I'm anxiously waiting for those conditions down this way. We are still in the transition phase and the fish are scattered everywhere. Winter time is the best time in my neck of the woods but it's only winter from mid feb to mid march haha

[00 mod]

Nice video there sir!  But I do have to correct you on one thing!  I know you have caught December bass before!

Jeff

[BassObsessed]

Nice smallies as usual. Not sure about your area but here tomorrow is looking like the warmest day in almost the whole month of December. Go get some more of those chunks! I'll be out hunting the largies tomorrow.

[fishinfiend]

right on!

[A-Jay]

37 minutes ago, 00 mod said:

Nice video there sir!  But I do have to correct you on one thing!  I know you have caught December bass before!

Jeff

You Are Correct Sir ~ And I am Very Glad you are  . . . .

 So I guess I'll have to modify my statement by calling these my first Gringo December Bass

A-Jay

35 minutes ago, BassObsessed said:

Nice smallies as usual. Not sure about your area but here tomorrow is looking like the warmest day in almost the whole month of December. Go get some more of those chunks! I'll be out hunting the largies tomorrow.

 Thanks, You may be getting the weather we just had -

The next few days here - the Snow Belt will be living up to it's name.

A-Jay

 

 

[Goose52]

WOW - I'm late to this party.

WAY TO GO Andy !!!!!

Those brown beauties certainly made that trip worthwhile and I could sense your "understated" excitement in the video...

ALSO - glad to see the PFD on .... but did you also have a poopy suit on under that camo - perhaps left over from the old days ???   70-75 combined air/water temp...

[A-Jay]

Thank you Sir . . .

  My Base layer under the Rivers West camo rain gear (which I really like btw) is a neoprene dry suit ~ 

Initially purchased it to keep me safe, warm & dry while I fished the midnight winter surf & hopped slippery rocks chasing striped bass up & down the East coast.  My fishing obsession while in the USCG . . .  Thought I posted a pic of it before but can't seem to locate it now.  

It really is the way to go. 

A-Jay

 

[Goose52]

Good man - setting the good example. EVERYONE reading this thread should take note of the RIGHT way to prepare for the cold air temps, cold water temps, and threat of possible immersion...  

[A-Jay]

Thanks for the support -

You know where I stand on this.  Quality dry suits are all a little pricey - but it's an investment in ME. 

SO I'm all about it.

A-Jay

[stk44]

Cool video! I can't believe how clear that water is. 

[A-Jay]

Thanks !

And tell me about it - When I first moved up here (almost 10 years ago now), this was one of the first lakes I fished.  I got Totally Skunk first 5 trips in a row ~ in JUNE !   Once I figured the whole clear water, fish deep - long casts, light line thing.  It was Game On.  So now this is the lake I go to just to catch some & try out new smallies baits & techniques.

Interesting looking back.  Thanks for that.

A-Jay

[BassObsessed]

Looks like you're all set to keep chasing those bronzebacks. I don't dig the cold but would be out hunting them down if they were worthy close to my area.

[Paul Roberts]

Fun video, A-Jay! Awesome day. Thanks for sharing it.

[A-Jay]

Thanks Paul - I appreciate it.

I like recording the trips - it adds another layer of fun to something that we've loved our WHOLE LIVES.

So Good.

A-Jay

[Attila]

Great video buddy, nice to see and hear about you adapting to the waters where you fish!