When do you guys start Bass fishing again?

[BassFishingMachine]

Hey, im from NJ so Its been pretty cold around here, and I took a break from fishing once late November hit. Now I will usually fish all the way until the ice forms with small rapalas, but this year I have alot going on, and I know the fishing isn't going to be anything spectacular so I decided to wait the cold out. Anyways, I just wanted to know when you guys start going out again, im thinking March, and If the bass don't hit in March, then I know the pickerel will. Also what baits you usually start off with when you get to fishing again?

[Tin]

As soon as there is open water. Traps and 1/4 oz. jigs are the go to.

[jake]

Same here, as soon as there is open water. If we dont have ice I am usually on the water the beginning of March. I am always fishing jigs.

[BassFishingMachine]

So you guys are fishing now then? I thought the ponds/lakes still didn't freeze over yet.

[RobbyZ5001]

I went for bass the other day at beltzville. Problems right now consist of the bass are deep and my boat is in storage. Now the spots I know at beltzville that I can fish from shore are shelves. Now I can throw a jig but I get stuck 1/4th of the time bringing it up the shelf. You can go right now on many areas but the fishing is tough. At this time I much rather put a minnow on a tip up and sit on my butt and wait until march/april!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

So you guys are fishing now then? I thought the ponds/lakes still didn't freeze over yet.

Frozen in RI (for the most part)

We will be there appx 2 weeks before ice out, constantly checking to see if we can make our way in yet.

When we get in, we will head directly to the shallows and swim jig the cruising bass that take advantage of the 2-4 degree temp difference in that back shallow water.  They move through in packs during the peak warming hours.

[maxke01]

I have a spot open year round just never catch anything, not sure if its because im just a big newb or maybe its the fish, but i never seem to be able to catch anything there in the winter

[Bassnajr]

Hey..

As soon as possible!! I fished right up until the first snow in RI. Most water is iced over here. The weather hasn't been super cold, (temps. up and down) but I don't ice fish. There's just enought ice so the "regular" fishermen can't get at 'em but not enough thick ice so those "crazy" ice fisherman) can get out on the ponds near me. If I had the money, I would take a Southern road trip!!!!!

I am going stir crazy!!!

bassnajr

[maxke01]

what would you guys suggest for a little pond  that is fed from a 5-6 acre lake that during late spring early fall has a lot of vegetation. Water is pretty clear most of the time. Cant seem to throw anything in the winter that catches anything

[Bassnajr]

The only advice I can give you is fish SLOW. T

[Bassnajr]

All I  can tell you is fish SLOW. That's what I learned from the guys here in the Fall-Winter.

Although I did catch quite a few on Rattl-Traps!!

Good luck!!

bassnajr

[BassFishingMachine]

Well last year when I went out in the winter I would catch 1 here and there using small rapalas (1 - 1 1/2 - 2inches tops) Fish them very slow, thats what worked for me.

[flyhatch]

My partner and I are going to give a go tommorow, high of 38 is forcasted.

My expectations arent real high but i will be casting for warmth. I am thinking hair jigs for the smallies.

i will let you know how it goes

[michbass]

I am hoping to get the boat back in the water in early April. Never know in Michigan though.

[Jake.]

It really depends on the weather. Usually I start back up in late february or early march.

[flyhatch]

we launched at 9am about 28 degrees and more ice than water at moraine. dressed in defcon 10 level cold weather gear loaded with handwarmers, we fished till 3 pm after throwing hair and tube jigs and using silver buddy's and ciccidas. my buddies threw some cranks and jerks but to no avail we got skunked. I probaly wont go agian till next year

[Bass Hole]

Yesterday.

[plnoldrick]

early march for me in sw pa. then slimers in april and back to bass in may.

[clooney]

Pond or small river fishing if i have a day off thats at least in the 40's.  Boat is packed up probably until March or April when it hits in the 50's or 60's again.  Dam/ i hate this time of the year!

[Munkin]

Yesterday

The wind was horrible! I had a couple of bites on a small tube but did not catch anything.

Allen

[smallieking]

about 2 weeks before memorials day weekend  hell with trying to find those prespawn  cold weather fish

[Perfect Hook Set]

I start when ever the water opens even in the middle of the winter lol

Though like I was told around spring time is best

I lost pretty much all of my fishing pictures so I cannot show pics of these fish but, here are a couple of short stories

Late Feb about 5 years back fishing a small public pond off of a road.

I was using a 3/4 black/red strike king rattling spinner

casting form shore toward deeper water (this pond is 7-8ft deep at MAX)

Reeling fairly slow, after about 2-3 casts in the same area, about half way to the shore I see a quick flash and my drag went wild.

I reeled in an awesome 6lb LMB

About the same time the next year in a different area fishing a small open area probably about 20yard long and maybe 15yards wide...

Using a baitcaster and briaded line I cast out a senko style lure and let it flutter to the bottom

5 minutes pass and while fishing a spinner toward the right I see my baitcaster fall of the stump and the line straighten

I my usually fashion I drop my other rod and set the hook with the baitcaster

I pulled in a 5lb LMB

Lures/baits to use

*Strike King 1/2-3/4 black/red rattle spinner single blade (works well all year round) I have had great luck using red spinner baits with bold gold and silver blade

*Rattle traps most sizes and colors work well

*Senko style stick bait   black/red  moss orange/green  shad

*Rapala xrap suspending stlyle

Slow retrieval

I am not very patient so I usually just cast out a senko in a specific area and use a bait that must be reeled/twitched in once it hits the water

[Bassnajr]

I don't think I am going to bother with trout this year. (Season opens 2nd Sat. In April). I think I'll go right for bass!!

ajr

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Yesterday

The wind was horrible! I had a couple of bites on a small tube but did not catch anything.

Allen

Allen, I didnt know you were in Hagerstown?  I just read that under your name.

If you end up hitting some MD water this year and need a tag along, let me know!!

[llPa1nll]

Hrmm, It was a high of 11°F yesterday and it was 1°F when I went to bed last night. They have been ice fishing for awhile now. Im hoping to get my boat out the last week of March but depends on the weather lately its been mid April that the water clears.