More trip reports, please.

[TnRiver46]

Hey @Pat Brown, I bet all your leaves and mud washed into the ocean after Helene 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

2 hours ago, Pat Brown said:

I did catch one big fish on a Jerkbait a week ago but it's been slooooooooow.

 

Few bites on the frog and lipless but no real commitment or consistency.

 

Water temps got down to 40° on the surface (frozen in creeks and pockets wind blew into) during a very hard snap and then it went up to 65 day/40 night and the fish are acting confused.

 

I think we are still losing daylight and the weather being funky and waaaaaay warm suddenly at the same time has had a very strange effect on the bass around me.

 

Another thing that's odd/observably very different from last winter - I can see 6 feet down everywhere.  Like water is so so clear around here.  Rains and winds and dead leaves and mud have not seemed to do the usual tannic orange brown tea thing.  I was pretty certain last year my wild lipless success was at least due in part to the uniquely poor visibility we got.  Now I'm feeling very certain.

Fishing Florida LMB in gin clear winter water ain't my thing it turns out - but hopefully weather getting back on its seasonal track after today has the fish acting a little more frantic and hungry and wintery.

 

At any rate here's that ~5 I caught on the jerkbait last weekend at sunset during the last of the cold stuff before it got silly warm.

 

You're describing my fishing the last couple weeks.......I've actually skunked twice over the last week.    I haven't skunked before that in a year or two.   

 

I thought the last few days were going to be epic with the warm up after the water finally cooled down into the low 50s.    The more I Bass fish, the more I realize that every year is totally different, if you rely on past success things aren't going to go well most of the times.   

 

If they aren't going bananas by XMAS, I'm going to be one sad boy 

[Pat Brown]

2 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

You're describing my fishing the last couple weeks.......I've actually skunked twice over the last week.    I haven't skunked before that in a year or two.   

 

I thought the last few days were going to be epic with the warm up after the water finally cooled down into the low 50s.    The more I Bass fish, the more I realize that every year is totally different, if you rely on past success things aren't going to go well most of the times.   

 

If they aren't going bananas by XMAS, I'm going to be one sad boy 

 

I've gone from fishing my confidence and strengths - to fishing the moment - to frantically throwing the kitchen sink at them over the past 2 weeks and I'm pretty convinced that they're just about not catchable right now.  If you're not catching em - ain't nobody catching em.

 

I truly believe that consistent weather AND weather that aligns with the seasonal norms are pretty important to the FLMB and it's personal sense of security.

 

I don't like cold fronts in the spring I don't like warm fronts in the winter.

 

Funny how that works, ain't it?

 

We just gotta keep piling on the wisdom and knowledge and then maybe by the time we learn something - they be biting again!  😂😂😂👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Amen Pat, got to say I feel better about the last few weeks knowing you're seeing similar things......if you ain't catching em, what chance do I have 😎

 

1000% agree with you on the weather, to me consistent weather that aligns with the historic norms of the time of year make for the very best times to LMB fish.    

 

I will say that whenever I've reached a level of frustration and feeling of being totally lost like I'm currently at, inevitably the dam breaks and setups for spectacular fishing.    

 

I really need to find a new hobby from about mid October to mid December  😁 

[TnRiver46]

15 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

 

I've gone from fishing my confidence and strengths - to fishing the moment - to frantically throwing the kitchen sink at them over the past 2 weeks and I'm pretty convinced that they're just about not catchable right now.  If you're not catching em - ain't nobody catching em.

 

I truly believe that consistent weather AND weather that aligns with the seasonal norms are pretty important to the FLMB and it's personal sense of security.

 

I don't like cold fronts in the spring I don't like warm fronts in the winter.

 

Funny how that works, ain't it?

 

We just gotta keep piling on the wisdom and knowledge and then maybe by the time we learn something - they be biting again!  😂😂😂👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Are all your bass FL strain? They stock them ? I read a recent study from SC saying their fish were like 99% NLMB, I believe it was lake Murray 

[Pat Brown]

13 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Are all your bass FL strain? They stock them ? I read a recent study from SC saying their fish were like 99% NLMB, I believe it was lake Murray 

 

 

On the lakes I fish in NC, yes I believe so at this current time - ponds there seems like there's some of both maybe?  Ponds I fish were stocked out of coolers 😂👍🏼

[Swamp Girl]

53 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

I've gone from fishing my confidence and strengths - to fishing the moment - to frantically throwing the kitchen sink at them over the past 2 weeks and I'm pretty convinced that they're just about not catchable right now.  If you're not catching em - ain't nobody catching em.

 

Yeah, if Alex can't catch them, it's the Apocalypse. If you can't catch them too, Pat, it's the Turbo-Mega-Apocalypse! 

 

43 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

1000% agree with you on the weather, to me consistent weather that aligns with the historic norms of the time of year make for the very best times to LMB fish. 

 

Since I also agree, is that now 2000% agreement?

 

43 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I will say that whenever I've reached a level of frustration and feeling of being totally lost like I'm currently at, inevitably the dam breaks and setups for spectacular fishing. 

 

Remember last year when I forecast an incredible fishing tally for you and then you went and did it?!? Your heydays are coming again, my friend. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Thanks Katie!   

 

Worst case scenario, I just wait until the Spring, buy a ticket to Maine, and hire you as a guide 😎

[FishTax]

I caught one at the pond on Saturday on a blade bait that I posted on the other thread. I've been skunked before and after that and echo the other guys. Super weird weather pattern. Clear water, just ending a warm front that has water back up to 51 today but it was in upper 40s last week.

Yesterday I went out and somehow threw my brand new swimjig rod and reel into the lake and lost it. First time out with it on the lake. I'm pretty sad. Between losing my brand new setup I got on black friday as a gift to myself and getting skunked several times, it's been a depressing week. I bought that combo as a present to myself for a good year at work, most expensive one I've ever owned.  

Pat and I agree we're ready for real winter. Who'd have thought us southern boys would ever say that? I'll be whining when it happens, but hopefully catching decent fish again at least. 

[Swamp Girl]

Gee, @FishTax, that's tough. Sorry, bud.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, Swamp Girl said:

Gee, @FishTax, that's tough. Sorry, bud.

Him and Pat will be smashing on them in a few weeks, and we'll be back to feeling sorry for the Bass, not the anglers 😁

 

In all seriousness, I try to remember those rare special days when they're biting so good you actually feel a little bad for them, or at least I do.   

[TnRiver46]

Interesting the regional differences, for the most part I need clear water (for here that’s green) for good success. Once it turns brown the party is over so I’m always wishing for clear water/less rain 

 

unfortunately its a rain forest so it’s generally flooding 

[Swamp Girl]

38 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Once it turns brown the party is over so I’m always wishing for clear water/less rain

 

Yeah, that's the utter opposite of me. I'm always craving rain to make the water murky. 

[TnRiver46]

Rain destroys things in Appalachia. Fishing, bridges, roads, vehicles, lives, etc. 

 

the French broad river is still broken from a hurricane in late sept, it may take years to come back. I heard a fisheries biologist talking about the chucky madtom in the nolichucky river watershed, he said the entire species may have finished its time on this planet with just that one storm. Hopefully that’s not the case but it’s not impossible, conservation fisheries should have a few they can re stock if the river ever comes back 

[Pat Brown]

I'm just glad it's getting cold again.  It dropped 20 degrees today.  I'll be fishing for sure!

[TnRiver46]

30 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

I'm just glad it's getting cold again.  It dropped 20 degrees today.  I'll be fishing for sure!

Jealous, party of one! 

[LrgmouthShad]

To put it lightly, I am expecting to struggle big time in NC overall this year. It is not looking good. I agree that I don’t like warm fronts in the winter, but looks like the big lakes are in low 40s and only going to get colder. Anyways, I’ll have fun fishing with some folks. The slow days I plan on graphing a good bit. Any time spent with family and friends is great time.

[FishTax]

18 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

To put it lightly, I am expecting to struggle big time in NC overall this year. It is not looking good. I agree that I don’t like warm fronts in the winter, but looks like the big lakes are in low 40s and only going to get colder. Anyways, I’ll have fun fishing with some folks. The slow days I plan on graphing a good bit. Any time spent with family and friends is great time.

Water temp was 51 yesterday on my lake. I think it'll be high 40s when you're here. We'll see. Hopefully the bite will be back by then. They can't keep their lips sealed forever. 

[Swamp Girl]

18 minutes ago, FishTax said:

They can't keep their lips sealed forever. 

 

No truer words....

 

50 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Jealous, party of one! 

 

No funnier words....

[LrgmouthShad]

1 hour ago, FishTax said:

Water temp was 51 yesterday on my lake. I think it'll be high 40s when you're here. We'll see. Hopefully the bite will be back by then. They can't keep their lips sealed forever. 

Oh okay disregard. If we are high 40s that is just fine

[Blue Raider Bob]

17 hours ago, FishTax said:

I bought that combo as a present to myself for a good year at work, most expensive one I've ever owned.  

     I'm hurting with you. I did the same thing. Had my pole leaning over the water with too much line out, and the lure hooked a snag and pulled the whole rig in the water. My absolute favorite combo. I'm still crying over that one and your story brought all those horrid memories back.😕

     You just have to be like an athlete and have a very short memory. Some plays are good and some are bad. Just got to move on.....I say that as I wipe tears.

[Swamp Girl]

1 hour ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

     I'm hurting with you. I did the same thing. Had my pole leaning over the water with too much line out, and the lure hooked a snag and pulled the whole rig in the water. My absolute favorite combo. I'm still crying over that one and your story brought all those horrid memories back.😕

     You just have to be like an athlete and have a very short memory. Some plays are good and some are bad. Just got to move on.....I say that as I wipe tears.

 

I bet I've had half a dozen fishing outfits go over the side. My rods are all over seven feet, so they stick out the front and back and their hooks snag on bushes, since I'm often fishing bogs. However, I've lost none because bogs are shallow and I've been able to retrieve them all. I'm always brushing against bushes in places like this:

 

[FishTax]

That's nice that you can retrieve them. Mine was in 20' of water. I went out yesterday with a magnet and tried to get it as I know generally where it's at, but no luck. The wind was so heavy I was blowing 1 mph every time I quit paddling, according to my electronics, so it's was difficult to maintain position. Even if I had position though, I don't think the magnet thing would work. I tried sticking it to another rod I had with me and it barely found anything magnetic so that was probably a failed strategy. Seemed like a good idea though, I'm surprised the rods don't have more metal on them, I guess only the reel is and the guides are too small. 

I think the lake owes me a big bass for that one. 

[Swamp Girl]

27 minutes ago, FishTax said:

That's nice that you can retrieve them. Mine was in 20' of water.

 

Exactly. Apples and oranges. I can see my outfits lying on the bottom. 

[Fishingmickey]

     I will chunk my two cents in the pot. My winter bass fishing rule of thumb.  Back in the day when I fished a lot. I fished 45 days straight in the winter (Dec, Jan, and Feb. here) and I came up with a pattern that works for me in Texas. The cold front blows through. The first two days after the front don't even bother, It's cold and windy.  They ain't biting.  The third day they start biting again and it bite continues improving until the next front rolls in.  This was fishing the same water each time. I had a little gravel ramp where I'd launch my 12' Sears Ted Williams semi-vee with a trolling motor on the bow and a dead 9.9 Wizard motor on the back to keep it (from wind vane-ing) tracking.

     I would launch the boat and put the troller on two and tossed a spinner bait next to every piece of cover, through every lily pad opening and under and along the docks.  Anything that might look like it would hold a fish, I'd hit it while going down the bank.  Fish one side and then I'd cross over and come back down the opposite bank.

     My weapon of choice was a 6'6" Shimano Bullwhip with a Shimano bantam mag 4:1 reel with either a Chartruese or White Strike king double bladed spinner bait tied on.  Short accurate casts, I'm a lefty and throw righty. I can start that spinner bait's blades turning just as it hits the water.  I swear that some of those bass would see it coming and hit the instant the bait hit the water.

 

I still think my theory would hold true today. Cold front blows through, blue bird skies, high pressure moves in, cold temps, cold winds out of the north and by day three the wind starts to lay or starts coming out of the south again and they are eating again.

FM