Shane J

I was curious as to how he has working it, too, but Roadwarrior's suggestion is SPOT ON!!

That video is awesome! It kept making me want to set the hook!!

Thanks for chiming in there, eloo. That is too bad about that big girl at Turee. I'm already giddy with anticipation for next spring! I do think we got a cool bunch of guys from around our area here, and would like to arrange a big old get together next year. I know we've talked about it before, but we should really make it happen in 2010! I have really enjoyed and benefited from all the advise and stories from you guys also.

Both are great baits with a few rigging options. I'm in love with the Eeliminator, and I think the best way to use it , would probably be on a Carolina Rig, however weightless or Tx Rig are also productive. As far as the Space Monkey, I usually rig it on a Tx rig, or a keel weighted EWG 5/0. You'll catch a ton of fish on both of them, you just have to put them in the equation at the right times, under the right conditions.

Ah, I think I get it now. Thanks, guys.

Those look great. I like the baby bass colored one.

My favorite would be a bitsy jig, 3/8oz in black and blue, and a Rage Tail Baby Craw (matching color). Been doing okay with that in my colder water. In fact, besides that set up, the only other thing catching me any fish right now, is a Chatterbait, same colors and trailer. Just fish real slow!

Nice fish, man!

Yeah, thanks. Very helpful. I'm new to ice fishing, and don't know crap, so when I do go, I'll follow this advice for sure.

Good advice there, Catt. I've learned to look at the weather patterns as a bigger picture, and not just what you're looking at for that day. Helps a lot. Now, as for what I'd recommend for you? Probably start somewhat shallow, like shoreline out to 6 or 8' with a shallow crank or spinner to find 'em, then definitely work those depths that you got any hits on with a jig. Slow will most likely be the key, and absolutely look for them to be hanging on or in cover like wood.

Could someone school me and others possibly, on the ins and outs of d.o.? I have noticed, that in the koi pond in my back yard, after a rain (like last night), all the fish seem to come up shallow, and most will actually hover right at the top. In trying to relate this to bass activity, I was wondering if it had to do with the d.o. level. My pond is very small, about 1/4 of an acre, and only goes 6' deep at the deepest. There are also two waterfalls, so I dought there is an oxygen shortage, however, there is a definite change in their activities after it rains. Connected? Thanks for any info.

Hey, fmoore, this year I'm gonna try a little more ice fishing for bass. Where have you found that's worth me trying out? I've only gone a couple times in my life, but I think I'm going to try it more to get me through the winter. I plan on building a bob house for my local pond, but I don't know how that will be, because the place is only 7-9' deep. Any suggestions, anyone?

When I use a leader with braid, I always use 100% flourocarbon, and use a blood knot.

I found something that works great in cold, muddy late fall waters. Black /Blue Chatterbait with a matching Rage Tail Baby Craw for a trailer. Don't swim it, but use it like a jig, and only move it about an inch at a time, then let it sit there for 20 seconds. Keep it in the prime target area all day that way, and even a lazy, lethargic bass will slurp that up, trust me.

Thanks, man. Yeah, my boat's put away, too, and I'm milking it for all it's worth out of my jon boat. I just hate to be done for 4 months, ya know?

Well, I just did mine a couple weeks ago, and I opted to fill the gas tank, treat the tank with Sta-Bil, ran it for 10 minutes, pulled the fuel line off and fogged the intake until it died. Then i fogged the plug holes, changed my lower end oil, and charged the batteries to full charge. The hardest part, was taking all my gear out, and accepting that winter is here.

Nice fish, man! I've been in the same conditions as you, even a little colder, but Monday i had an outing like that and caught a 7-5. I'll take it! For real, though, that is a gorgeous New England bass right there! Congrats on the new PB!

Thanks, Jay, and wow, sausage that's a lot of pickerels, you must have been re-tying all day!

That's funny, brother, cuz I also hit the water today in my small craft (10' jon), and only caught 2 fish, however, the first one happened to be the second largest of my life, at 7lbs, 5 oz. She lazily took a black and blue Chatterbait with a matching baby craw. Both fish were caught on this same bait, as I was wind blown against the eastern bank of this small pond. Smaller fish was 2-14. Here's a pic of the big girl, who I obviously safely returned to her spot right after the pics and a quick turn on the scale.

Thanks, Paul. I hear ya on what you're saying about the deep ones, but I fish mostly shallower lakes, like average depth of around 20-25 ft max, and usually much less, like 10 or so. Good stuff, though, thank you.

Paul, could a livewell work ?

Nice fish, L4S. 12 bass in 2 hours in the middle of November...unheard of around my parts. I really gotta get down there.

I'm lovin' my Mojo! Also the Vendetta or Compre.

I just got one of the Rapala lip grabber hanging scales and I like it a lot, and not too pricey at $50.

Speaking of a good topwater bite, mine came on a Rage Tail Shad, in green pumpkin/chartreuse, rigged on a 5/0 owner Twistlock hook, 12 lb mono line. I was fishing this little pond near my house early in the morning (this was just 8 weeks ago). Fishing out of my jon boat, and 4th cast of the morning landed my personal best of 7lbs, 10oz. Awesome day! Pretty exciting fighting a huge fish in a little tin boat in the dark!