Pre-spawn practice

[CrashVector]

So winter here is basically two months from a fishing point of view: December and January.  Typically, the bass start moving up in early February to spawn.

 

I decided to go get some practice in with my modified Ned rigs and new rod, and just to get a feel of fishing the shallows again.

 

I ended up catching 13 fish, all 1-2lbs, and ONE 6.25lb chunk. They were hanging out of the outside weed edges from the bank.  

 

It was super windy, so I was practicing my ability to detect very small bites in heavy wind.

 

Any of you do this to stay in "fighting shape" come spawn?

[Trox]

Definately. If there is a technique that I haven't thrown in a while and that I know is going to come into play at the turn of another season, I will start to throw it here and there in preparation. The absolute magic about doing this though is that sometimes you will catch the first wave into the next seasonal move (prespawn/spawn/etc) and will be the only one on that bite for a week or so while everyone is still out fishing what the fish "should" be doing... 

[CrashVector]

5 minutes ago, TroxBox said:

Definately. If there is a technique that I haven't thrown in a while and that I know is going to come into play at the turn of another season, I will start to throw it here and there in preparation. The absolute magic about doing this though is that sometimes you will catch the first wave into the next seasonal move (prespawn/spawn/etc) and will be the only one on that bite for a week or so while everyone is still out fishing what the fish "should" be doing... 

 

Yep ..I've noticed that the fish don't much care about what they "should" be biting on lol

[Bluebasser86]

There is no offseason for me. One of my best days in recent years we launched the boat into a brisk -2* morning that barely made it above 20. Only weighed 3 of our 25-30 fish we caught because we didn't want to keep them out of water long, but those 3 were just short of 20lbs. Winter is when I catch more big fish than any other. 

[GRiver]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

launched the boat into a brisk -2* morning that barely made it above 20

Here in Fl we can fish all year long, so I never thought about staying in practice. But Really? ….I mean REALLY??  -2 …. My wife shakes her head when I go fishing in the rain, but -2 in a moving boat. I do like to fish….but -2.

My hats off to ya

-2???

 

[Catt]

7 hours ago, CrashVector said:

to stay in "fighting shape" come spawn?

 

Staying in "fighting shape" is done 24/7/365.

 

Down south in between trips is a never ending cycle of cleaning reels, checking rods, checking line, inspecting tackle...ect.

 

Keeping myself mentally sharp is done by staying on the water as much as possible.

 

It's not a habit,  It's not a hobby, It's a life style! 

[CrashVector]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Staying in "fighting shape" is done 24/7/365.

 

Down south in between trips is a never ending cycle of cleaning reels, checking rods, checking line, inspecting tackle...ect.

 

Keeping myself mentally sharp is done by staying on the water as much as possible.

 

It's not a habit,  It's not a hobby, It's a life style! 

At least I know I'm not ocd about cleaning my reels, etc lol.every time they're used, they get a quick cleaning, etc.

[OldManLure]

9 hours ago, CrashVector said:

So winter here is basically two months from a fishing point of view: December and January.  Typically, the bass start moving up in early February to spawn.

 

I decided to go get some practice in with my modified Ned rigs and new rod, and just to get a feel of fishing the shallows again.

 

I ended up catching 13 fish, all 1-2lbs, and ONE 6.25lb chunk. They were hanging out of the outside weed edges from the bank.  

 

It was super windy, so I was practicing my ability to detect very small bites in heavy wind.

 

Any of you do this to stay in "fighting shape" come spawn?

13 fish?  How many do you catch when you’re not practicing?

[Bluebasser86]

5 hours ago, GRiver said:

Here in Fl we can fish all year long, so I never thought about staying in practice. But Really? ….I mean REALLY??  -2 …. My wife shakes her head when I go fishing in the rain, but -2 in a moving boat. I do like to fish….but -2.

My hats off to ya

-2???

 

Motor wouldn't start, Gopro wouldn't turn on, just trolling motor down and fish. It's a yearly tradition for my fishing buddies birthday that we go the first week of January. About to head out with him for this years trip but it's a balmy 9* this time around.

[Bird]

6 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Motor wouldn't start, Gopro wouldn't turn on, just trolling motor down and fish. It's a yearly tradition for my fishing buddies birthday that we go the first week of January. About to head out with him for this years trip but it's a balmy 9* this time around.

Wow. I'm also an avid deer hunter and wouldn't hunt in those temps. 

I've fished twice this winter and 40* was the lowest afternoon temp.

Please don't fall overboard in those temps. 

[Last_Cast]

33 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Motor wouldn't start, Gopro wouldn't turn on, just trolling motor down and fish. It's a yearly tradition for my fishing buddies birthday that we go the first week of January. About to head out with him for this years trip but it's a balmy 9* this time around.

You're a good friend lol

Glad I'm not the only one

 

[Bluebasser86]

7 hours ago, Bird said:

Wow. I'm also an avid deer hunter and wouldn't hunt in those temps. 

I've fished twice this winter and 40* was the lowest afternoon temp.

Please don't fall overboard in those temps. 

I always wear my life vest on the boat. Only time I've ever gone in was in the winter and it made a big difference in my safety no doubt.

 

7 hours ago, Last_Cast said:

You're a good friend lol

Glad I'm not the only one

 

Caught them pretty good today. Tomorrow supposedly is going to be a bit warmer.

[CrashVector]

9 hours ago, OldManLure said:

13 fish?  How many do you catch when you’re not practicing?

I catch and release.

 

Today I caught 9.

[GRiver]

 

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

About to head out with him for this years trip but it's a balmy 9* this time around.

Oh well 9* that’s so much warmer….Balmy 9 degrees? I’m not sure your allowed to use the word balmy to describe 9 degrees. Pretty sure it’s illegal or it should be. Haha

all kidding aside, glad ya caught some fish today and glad your were wearing a vest when you went overboard in the winter. How cold was it?

[BayouSlide]

13 hours ago, Catt said:

Keeping myself mentally sharp is done by staying on the water as much as possible.

 

I'm with Catt...when it's always game day there's no need for practice, just living the life ?