A-Jay

It may have less to do with the temps of water or air and more with the length of day. A-Jay

Agreed ~ While these men are "fishing in a tournament" - I don't see it any different than if they were just there fishing like everyone else. Same things happen, it's just not televised. A-Jay

You'll find them or perhaps if you're out there enough, they'll find you. That's happened to me at least a time or two. But 'the hunt' is at least half the fun, for me anyway. Once you find the right ones, they're a little suicidal . . . A-Jay

Been watching this derby from the start - Plenty of big brown bass being brought to the scales. A percentage died. Exactly how many has not been broadcast but it was enough that there was some discussion about it. This topic seems to me to be similar to the C & R deal. Strong feeling on it both ways. While no 'laws or regulations' are being violated, dead bass may be bad optics for B.A.S.S. overall. They want fans to know & believe that they are doing everything they can from catch to weigh-in to release to ensure the bass survive. However, despite excellent live wells (that include max oxygen & even bags of ice) fin-clips and even fizzing, when it comes to deep and or hot weather caught bass (both brown & green) mortality goes up. Not saying that's right or wrong but any basshead who catches, kills a few every season; whether they know it or not. They may swim off but don't all survive. Part of the deal. Difference is the few I kill aren't broadcast live on the interwebz. (and they surely are not included in a video). Since I do not fish competitively, the deep bass I catch are immediately released. Best I can do there. Here's a video BASS put up on Fizzing bass. I do not do this as I do not 'need' to. A-Jay https://video.bassmaster.com/detail/videos/top-videos/video/5713863086001/what-you-need-to-know-about-fizzing-smallmouth?autoStart=true

You know it's tough to call that for your water from here my man. However, what I've found is Largest flat means area wise - depth perhaps 5-12 feet may depend on water clarity. Clearer may mean deeper - colored up could see fish shallower. Little tip ** - often the same places (or at least close to) where they spawn is a great place to start. If it's good in the spring (and there's a reason why) it's often good in the fall. The water temps, the presents of life (bait & food for the bait) it's orientation (shelter from cold wind but gets warmed by the sun) and proximity to deep(er) water, all often add up to solid producers for me early & later season, year after year. Much of the time these places are fairly obvious so don't write them if or because they are. And just to complicate the deal, I do fish a few places that only seem to produce early and not late season and vice versa - but they are not common but worth checking. The only way to know and find these areas is to fish it during a peak period. This may be the best time of year to "find" good areas on new water especially - because the fish are looking to eat. So horizontal / moving presentations will often be the deal so I can cover water - huge bonus. When I'm fishing during what I think is the 'right time', if I'm not getting bit, I'm moving until I do. Still, new or big water re-con missions can include quite a bit of fish-less casts, but if & when the above conditions exist - I'll have the net ready. Good Luck. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Fish the largest flats on the lake. Areas with shallow water ( perhaps some weeds). But you'll want to know there's bait there. (perch, some type of minnows and or crayfish). Early & late in the day bites will slowly start to include one or two other mid-day bite periods. And as the days shorten it can turn to an all day deal. Then when the water gets cooler / cold it will be a mid-day into the afternoon point, quicker drop-off location deal almost exclusively. Sad as that means the bite is coming to an end but at least I get to sleep in a little. A-Jay

Supposed to be in the mid-80's up here next week as well. However, I'll be fishing anyway. Been working OK so far. A-Jay

I can relate . . . Good Luck with the Pike. A-Jay

Anyone have practical experience with this rig ? I am particularly interested in the unique clip system designed to make changing hooks quick and effortless. First off, is it secure and secondly is it as easy as advertised ? IME it's usually one or the other, but not both. What say you ? A-Jay

The Bubble Blade has two holes added to the blade that gives the bait a different shake to it. A-Jay

So are you nodding off while you reel in these half-dead DD bass ? A-Jay

I like the Rage Blade quite a bit myself - solid bait. However, if you haven't tried one already and you can get over the $$ - Get yourself at least one Z-Man/Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer and a bag of the Yamamoto 4" Zako Swimbait trailers of your choice. You'll be glad you did. A-Jay

@Fishingintheweeds Not to high-jack the OP's thread . . . While slightly heavier mono may postpone a fish from cutting through a line, in my fishing world it is not suitable. 'Suitable' to me means, without sacrificing bait action, I don't ever lose baits or any pike / musky (and even big walleye) due to being chewed off. The AFW 7x7 wire I posted above, does that for me. The confidence & satisfaction of knowing that certainly comes at a cost and does indeed include the extra step of including it into my rigging. But to me - it's worth it. YMMV A-Jay

The ultimate teacher ~ A-Jay

Keep ice on it constantly (or as long as you can stand it - the longer the better) to keep the swelling down. You'll be glad if you do & sad if you don't. A-Jay

Hello Michael and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I like my SX as well. Nicely Done. A-Jay

Guess who was on Bass Live today ? A-Jay

Thanks ~ I say The Same Thing every time I turn the ignition key "off". A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I know that feeling all too well. A-Jay

Interestingly, I watched Mr Boatnick drop his Fish & Ski on the ramp two days ago right after I launched (thank you very much). He (and his whole family) seemed surprised & pretty upset. The sheer number of confused faces was fairly epic. A-Jay

And that boys & girls, is why we don't unstrap our boat until we're backed down the ramp and at the water's edge. Bad day right there. A-Jay

Just get smaller shoes ~ Nice Bass. A-Jay