Paul Roberts

Every post has focused on two key ideas, if not the exact words: accelerations, and pauses. There must be something to them...

The photo above is a largemouth. A 4lb bass, that "looks exactly like a LM", in S Ohio, is almost certainly a LM. If it is a hybrid at any level, it would take DNA testing to find that sliver. It's not a Red-Eye Bass (M. coosae). They are stream, often upper reach, fishes of the Southern US, and even dubbed "the brook trout of bass". @soflabasser is right that some M. coosae, and related species, have been found as far north as Kentucky, but very few. A LM fisher, fishing LM habitat -stillwaters- will not likely find them. LMB can have red-eyes too. And, apparently, "Red-Eye Bass" may or may not have red eyes too, at times. Again, I'm going to guess that a Red-Eye that just spent the last hour tucked in deep shade of an undercut boulder, is the one most apt to have dark eyes.

Thanks for the correction, and excellent info on Pueblo.

LM's here pretty commonly have red eyes. It appears that they can alter their eye color, like the rest of the body. Chromatophores -the cells that change color- are found in the eyes as well as in the skin. LM's eyes here (and back in NY) vary from deep brown to bright red. I believe I see the red most frequently in the spring with male LMs around spawning time. I've associated it with aggression, but it could also simply be related to those fish being in shallow water, and/or in direct sunlight. It seems that the fish with really dark eyes came out of darker water, deeper water, cover, ... shade. Interestingly, I see red in the eyes most frequently in my underwater shots, in both females and males. I haven't really tallied anything but it's quite common and, UW at least, may have something do with social interactions and/or lighting. Again, these are mostly shallow fish, maybe in direct sunlight? Not sure my camera's would pick up red in the depths though, without additional video lighting. Anyway, it's been really common among the LM's I've seen.

Possibly. I guess I'm picturing dense shoreline trees and brush. If it's veges only, then I see two good jig options: -A heavy jig to root around the bottom of those weeds. If it's really dense, you'll need to look for holes, and be patient. Shake and wait. The bass may need some time to check out the disturbance. Movement will attract them, but too much may put them off when they get close. -Swim Jig, as you asked about. These do not have to be heavy as they are often fished higher in the water column. My favorite for heavy cover, both veges and wood, is the Mango Jig by Nichols. I use the 1/8oz (even though it's a full sized jig) in shallow cover a lot. It is so snagless it doubles as a slop bait.

I do, but not specifically to do so -only while I'm fishing. I pretty much find at least one lure every time I'm out. They tend to mirror what's popular: Senko's, frogs, and squarebills tend to lead the list here.

I'd first walk that shoreline, looking for openings. They may not have to be large openings; Just large enough to pull a fish through. If there's brush (woody), or really coarse vegetation, and you are at risk of losing lures, you may have to cast short. Otherwise, the only risk is losing fish buried in the weeds. What you'll need though are fish in that shallow cover. There will likely be some searching involved, esp since it's pre-spawn there and your fish may not be well distributed through shallows yet. I'd walk first, before you even cast, looking for bass and prey fishes. This could save you a bunch of time. Lures? T-rigged creatures and worms would be a good choice. They are inexpensive, about as weedless as you can get, and they catch bass in cover. Eventually, a heavier rig can be added to your arsenal. I tend to use heavy spinning gear, rather than casting gear, for fishing from shore along shorelines with heavy cover, esp when there is tall on-the-shore cover such as brush and trees. Good luck with it. Let us know what you find. Quite a few of us are iced up, and would love to hear what you find out.

I remember when the Great Lakes salmonid fisheries exploded onto the scene. Suddenly everyone had to have a boat. And, there's something about wide open spaces, and speed, that... can make morons out of just about any of us. I remember the stories; Some tragic, some funny. One day I walked out onto a small pier to do some fishing, and their was a 21ft Sea Ray perched on top of the pier. I chuckled about it, until I found out someone's wife and brother-in-law had died there.

Oo-boy. Bad time of year to open up a potential issue. Just look at A-Jay's ice-out countdown thread. Luckily we know there's a happy ending, light at the end of that dark tunnel. Boaters? Gee, I'm assuming they'd really like me! More seriously, my yak is small, and the majority of my waters are too small for motors. So, again, I think they'd like me. But, for larger waters I have maintained some of my yak's lime green color, and have a flag I can raise, and wave, and... frantically wave... And flares -which can be directed straight up, or... straight at the incoming dunderhead... I mean... potential friend.

Me too. Reminds me of the bullhead run on Honeoye Lake, back in NY, back in the day. I assume it's still going on, or should be. If you got up high, you could see nearly the entire lake rimmed in lantern lights. Really cool scene. Bullhead fry in every restaurant, all... 3 of 'em!

OK, those are right up my son's alley. Thanks!

There's some real biological research behind the idea, having mostly to do with bass performance capabilities relative to their prey, and with winter digestion rates. Wow! One sentence! I did it!

I agree with your mind-set. If we are aware of what our bodies are doing, we are less apt to alarm other creatures. But, the reasons animals behave the way they do when we're "in that mind-set" has less to do with any ability of theirs to read our minds, (your comment could be taken this way), than it has in their abilities at reading -or at least being hyper-aware of- what our bodies are doing. It's worthwhile, our being hyper-aware too. Just for the exercise, it can be interesting to video ourself, when we think we're "hidden". Resulting video's can be pretty surprising, and can explain a ton. "How did that deer see me? He couldn't possibly! I'm going to have to get some UV blocker spray!!" Crow Horse is right that mind-set is pretty important -as long as it's still in connection with your body. We have certain potential advantages in the other direction though. I've spent a bunch of time with deer, both whitetails (back in your neck of the woods, Crow Horse), and mule deer too. It's possible to "walk among them" (It's easier with muley's). What's interesting is, if you know their body lingo, they can actually accept you almost as "one of them". I say almost, bc, the "ruse" isn't really complete. Instead, it's that they cannot help but... act like deer, and if I can succeed in ceasing to be seen as a threat, they will exercise their own social rules with me. They can't help themselves in being what I call, cervo-centric; Just like we can't help but be anthropocentric. I mean what else can they do, beyond getting nervous and move, or run, away? Allowing them the alternative to alarm takes a ton of patience, some luck (those conditions & circumstances), and then, when you're close, knowing their "lingo". Rule number one in proper deer etiquette: Never make eye contact for more than a second. Except during the heat of the rut, but just make sure you have some control of the wind. That is, you can give them a good whiff if they don't call your bluff. I've only had one deer ever actually give me a chill. He just wouldn't back down, until I managed to give him a good whiff. As to fish, I've now shot a couple thousand hours of underwater video, not counting above water observations and fishing. I can say that they too are hyper-aware of their surroundings. They have the same challenges all creatures face: Can I get my needs met? That is, can I eat, and socialize, and not be maimed, or eaten? Start by staying within those bounds, and it can be surprising what you can get away with.

Fun post, Harold. So much fun... it's got me reminiscing some. Hope you're nearly as old a codger as I, or, not as impatient as my son. I'm a bit obsessed with my fishing. I can argue that I come by it honestly -we all do; I just have more energy than most. As my mom used to say in regards to my fishing passion, "Well... there's nothing like a good fanatic when you want to get something done." I kinda like that. I kept a hand-written, and illustrated (come from a family of artists), prose journal from 1977~2012. My process was to carry a pocket notebook for "data" and reminders, later adding a voice recorder affixed to a retractor. After the outing, I'd sit down in a comfortable chair, and write the trip up. I found it important to get to it as soon after the trip as possible; Memory is a funny thing. Then I started toward digital journaling, via word processor. The only electronic databases I kept (along with written records) were for my intensive spawn behavior observation studies from 2007-2010. I've kept a photographic record, as well, since the start. As a rural kid, I bought my first SLR from the money I earned running a fur trap-line, and wore that, and a few since, into submission. Photography is just plain gratifying, and those memories pop back a little better -and more accurately sometimes- with images. The most valuable thing I've used my written journals for, besides reminiscing, has been checking previous seasonal conditions for waters I'm planning to hit, and for fact-checking my memory. Memory is a funny thing. I tallied fish here and there, making most note of fish sizes -essentially keeping track of hatch years and recruitment trends. Was, and am, most interested in enviro/eco observations/"data", the story, and what I learned. I did have a friend, a heck of a fly-fisherman, who used a clicker-counter to keep tally during his outings. He didn't have to take it out of his pocket to click it, and it was totally waterproof. He was darned efficient with his fly-tackle and could tally some serious numbers, although I did notice that he tallied the little ones too. My "going digital" meant using the same prose format, but via word processor. These were also easier to share, and I posted some here on BR, and also on Troutnut. Although with the demise of Photobucket also went the posted images -photography and graphics. I don't keep the written records now -at least as consistently- in part bc I know more of what I'm looking at in the moment, after all those years of record keeping. My photography is being maintained, with the addition of video, which I found to be an easy switch (thought process-wise). Years ago, I came to use a still camera like video -as a series of still images that captured sequences of events. This is essentially what how video's are put together. Video is a lot more involved, logistically, but such a wonderful way to capture events. My long-time lament of not being able to give both the fishing and the photography justice, at the same time, has nearly been alleviated. I can now put together "Video Fishing Journals" which I post on my "nature focused" YT channel. And I'm producing full-blown documentaries too, on largemouth bass, focused on behavior. I've even considered mixing those media, making some video's using my written journals, by choosing interesting events, and sharing how and why they have -and remain- informative in my fishing. Some are just plain good stories, to boot. There's "Catheter's In!", "Get Paul Another Sandwich", "Fancy Ballet", "Stoopid", "Lady, You're IN My Lines!!", "Death Float on the Tapickabooger River", "Clear Sailin' Ahead!", "Hey, I Got An Inflatable Boat!", and plenty of other funny, stoopid, and/or downright scary, die-hard fishing stories. Ya know, I don't mind being an ol' codger. Esp with all that journaling behind me. Thanks for the fun thread.

Welcome back! I can feel your excitement from here! Take your time on acquiring "all the stuff". Let your waters tell you what you need. Enjoy!

It seems the long bills on deep jerks -and possibly the line in the water column- keeps the bait from darting to either side. So, the trigger is a straight acceleration. I don't have any deep Husky's, but I do have some deep Shadow Raps -somewhat flat sided they are- and they will roll/flash a bit with a pop of the rod.

That is the rationale alright. But, oddly, it just wasn't as comfortable reeling with the R, even though I use spinning with the L. I've found that my dominant hand (R) is not more sensitive, or if it is, it isn't by much. I've done both long enough now, I guess. It's possible to learn to do well with both.

That's not coincidental; We were almost neighbors, adjusting for a small amount of space and time. I bought mine, a Shimano Bantam Mag, at B-E too. It had an anti-reverse switch too. Don't see many of those anymore. I don't believe I've ever used mine. What were they for? As a back-reeler I guess I could, but, with drag, why bother? I still have that little Bantam and use it every year. Some people have commented on it, seeing it in my videos, saying, either: "Hey, you need some new reels!" -or- "Retro! Cool!" I reply to the first, "No, I don't", and to the second, "That's not retro; That's just my stuff!"

Great topic. Love this comment: Been there. Not sure which emoji to use here! First advice: Egads! Run, man, RUN!! Every time I want to try something "new" (usually in the dead of winter), I have to decide where to fit them in. Organization is important, or I'd go crazy. Maybe... I already am? Read on and decide for yourself. (This "organization" method is my version of K.I.S.S. ). Here's how I've come to organize it all: Warehouse: Main storage in boxes in stackable crates, on shelving. Mobile Warehouse: Large boxes in large tackle bags, that I could (and have) sling over my shoulder and lurch my way to the truck for an extended road trip. (Probably should get a rolling cart. Hmmmmm...?) Working Crate: Contains boxes designated mostly by technique, some by season, and some by venue (float tube, esp, requires small boxes). These "working boxes" I can just grab and get out the door. Specific contents are adjusted for each trip too, the night before if I can. Carry Bags: I use satchels/bags with handles to cart gear to and from the truck for an outing. Very handy. Since I fish from shore, float tube, kayak, and boats, I have acquired a lot of, and a diversity of, plastic boxes over the years. I keep some redundancy across "kits" too. It's when I get on the water and find I left something important in another kit. For example, my bank-fishing backpack, my float tube, and my kayak "kits", each have some basics already -and always- in those kits: tools, sharpener, thermometer, terminal stuff, ... . This convenience of redundancy is not a recommendation, as it's added expense, and something that I acquired over time. Tip!: I am a regular, and creative, thrift store shopper. As to "air flow", I do it the old fashioned way: I leave working boxes open to air dry overnight after the outing. So far, I've had no reason for waterproof boxes for fishing gear. Camera's and electronics are another story. Hope this helps. And doesn't scare you. Oh, the tangled webs we weave. Have I introduced you to my friend, the Bait Money's old man -the Tackle Gorilla? Final advice: Run, man, RUN!!

When I bought my very first casting reel, this ^^ is what I did. I'm R handed, but I tried both R and L reels, thinking I'd be going L bc of the apparently obvious advantage of no switching hands. Plus, I was already comfortable with L-side spinning reels. Oddly, I found it was more comfortable, and natural feeling, reeling R-handed. So, I've used R casting reels ever since. I own one L, a Daiwa Fuego -the original red one- and it's been used... maybe twice. Nice reel; I still plan to get back to it someday. I'm sure one can quite easily learn to take advantage of a L reel as a R-handed fisher. A few years ago I ended up with "bass elbow" (tennis elbow -caused by wrestling bass) and had to switch to L-handed fishing. It was tough for the first month. (It took a full year to heal). But I hung in there, figured it out, and am now pretty close to ambidextrous. Guess it may be time to take that old -spanking new- Fuego out for a spin.

Oh yes... Our winters are MUCH milder than MN. We average about 2months of ice cover, sometimes less. Regs allow for year round bass fishing. And ice-out tends to happen by late February.

CO is not MN -the "land of 10k lakes". Instead, CO is more like the "land of 10k ponds" -mostly small meltwater retention/irrigation reservoirs. There are a few large-ish reservoirs with warmwater fishing: Chatfield (1200ac; mostly SM), Cherry Creek (900ac; LM), and Aurora (850ac; SM, and some big ones), Pueblo (4000ac; Mostly LM) are the closest large ones. Might want to touch base with the Denver Bassmasters as they do run some bass boat friendly tournaments, but I believe such venues are somewhat limited. If you are willing to include small boat, kayak, and float tube waters, there are many. And the bass fishing is pretty good. However, MN it is not. In terms of coldwater fisheries (trout), the situation is flipped: MN is not CO! Oh yes, real estate can be tough to negotiate, esp if you wish to purchase. Not sure exactly where things stand but, last I heard, even if you could afford to buy in, there were some incredible waiting lists to see properties.

Main factors: -Sun angle and day length: With February comes a rapid increase in both. -Water depth: The shallower the water, the more latent heat from the ground beneath the water will weigh in. Shallow waters often thaw as much from below, as above. -Rain does a good job of melting ice. -Wind/Current: Wind is often what causes final break up. Water motion in general, both keeps ice from forming, or breaks it up. -Waterfowl! As the photoperiod increases, birds respond. Geese begin to pair up and just can't wait for the ice to disappear under their feet. They help it out quite a bit by breaking through and once in, by keeping the water moving. A good flock of ducks and geese can keep a pond open through some pretty serious cold. My prognostication (from a 1000mi away)? Data: -That's a pretty shallow lake -a lot like most of mine. Good news. -E PA; Not TOO far north. Good news. -6 inches, or more? Hasn't it been mighty cold there? Hmmmmm... -65acres; big enough to take some wind. Had any? -With a deeper end, is it dammed? Might there be current moving through it? Many inlets? Prediction: If you are OK with partial ice cover, a few open areas to fish in, you may be wetting a line. Otherwise, you'll need a few more days of that balmy weather. You can take solace in the fact that ice-out is close, regardless of what happens next week. ("Solace" comes from "Sol", referring to the sun. See #1 above).

I've been kicking this around too. In my waters I do need some weedlessness (that's quite a word!). So, I've been replacing some, and on other cranks too, with doubles and singles. No idea yet as to how they'll actually pan out. Crestliner's experiences are encouraging.

Yes, I've read that somewhere too. Well, it took a while to figure out empirically, but an awful lot of us find ourselves -at times- resorting to thumbs and fingers (Ned and Senko). Very well put. It's cool that you are recognizing the fun in such a big challenge. The complexity is daunting, if you look it square in the eye. However, lotsa courageous (and curious) people have been chipping away at figuring things out. And quite a bit of headway has been made -with plenty more to come. "The Great Mystery" is enormous. But, at least in terms of fishing, understanding the challenge better makes those tough days quite a bit less frustrating, and the successes -the contact with those fish- all the more appreciated. Great thread.