Dwight Hottle

I think the bulb is dimming.

That's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching"....

You had a great season. Congrats. Your located in the sweet spot for some really nice fish.

Congrats on the fish. Be very carefull on 2-4" ice.

The reason it looks scared is because J is ruffling its tail feathers.

You have my support.

Lots of good info below. The advice given above is good too. Think of water temps effect on bass metabolism to determine how slow or how fast you work a bait. When bass are active they will chase. When they are in the chasing mood the faster & more irregular you can work the bait will get more attention/bites. This is especially true of smallmouth. When colder temps slow the bass down you need to slow your bait down. You also need to learn for yourself through practice watching how a bait reacts to you input. Short strokes, long strokes, pauses, slow pulls. fast pulls, steady retrieves and stop & go are just some of the ways to work a jerkbait.. The whole idea behind jerkbaits & ripbaits is make the bait look alive but irregular in motion to get a bigger fish's attention. The more you can make a bait look like it is struggling to swim the more productive you will be with jerkbaits. The change in action is what triggers most bites. It is just like retrieving a crank bait thru cover or bumping bottom. The deflection off of wood or rock or other cover is when most bites occur. That is why baits that hunt are so productive. The sudden motion to the left or right or kickout of a bait attracts attention. Big fish like easy meals. When a bait looks sick or injured it triggers a response from most predators. So remember when working your bait you need to make it do something different. Something different can be speed of retrieve. change of speed, change of direction, change of depth, change of movement or anything else you can do make your bait look different. Practice, practice and practice some more. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108594-jerkbait-help-advice/

That reel has always been a classic for me.

Most snow I have ever seen for this time in November and I'm 66.

Do yourself a favor & put a float on it.

Fish pictures or you didn't go. We are all waiting.

We just got one in Erie & its head & shoulders above dicks or gander mtn.

St Croix Avid AVS66MLF

A very productive hour.

Better Buffalo than Erie. They were forecasting we would get slammed but all we got was extreme cold & heavy winds.

When in doubt call Gary at the tackle trap. He has fished with all the models & can give you really good advice on what you are looking for.

I am not feeling a whole lotta of shimano love with that lineup.

Even the box color matches, congrats.

Pictures tomorrow. Get the camera ready.

3/4 oz for me fishing deeper water 25-40 fow.

Congrats. You might have to change your handle.

Owner stinger treble hook ST-36. TW has them. That is what I use.

Washington been closed for more than a day.

I do not think so. There has not been a verified smallmouth caught over 10lb since Billy Westmoreland's 10lber in 1972. A new world record smallie would have to be 12lb-1oz. I would love to see the record broken but I think David Hayes will sit on his record for a long time coming.

Glad you could make it.