senile1

Snoqualmie Falls, Washington - 2011.

@RPreeb Those are some beautiful pics! I haven't been to Mt. Evans but it is on our list. Typically, my hiking adventures include my wife and in just the last year she has now developed the confidence to hike more difficult climbs. This summer we are going to Banff National Park in Alberta, CN. I'm wanting to get back to Glacier National Park and Colorado in the next couple of years.

Obscured by clouds, this is a shot of Mt. Ranier in late July, 2011 when my wife and I hiked in Mt. Ranier National Park.

The OP may not experience a topwater sinking from fluorocarbon but if the front of a slow or pausing lure dips the slightest bit, the action is affected. I've test walking the dog with a number of lures on fluorocarbon and it affects the action in noticeable fashion. To me, any effect on the action at all is something I don't want.

I have been a Siebert's fan for over a decade. Having said that, I don't think it matters too much what jig you start with as long as it is a decent quality jig. I would purchase the following: A few finesse jigs A few more jigs in the 3/8s to 5/8s range (just one size but a few jigs of that size from that range) A subtle trailer for really cold water (30s to 40s) like a chunk trailer or something else with subtle movement A more active trailer for warmer water (Someone mentioned the Rage Menace above. I have found it to be a very effective trailer as well as the Rage Craws for water 50 degrees and above.) You don't have to buy these brands. Just buy something similar that floats your boat, and then spend time fishing it until you get it. Fish a smaller body of water that you know has a good population of bass and catch a few. You will get it if you stick with it.

We definitely overthink this stuff sometimes. Sometimes you just have to get out and fish!

Nothing is more accurate than the toe method.

If you have a source of fishing reports for your lake, that will give you a surface temperature that is fairly accurate. The size of the body of water makes a huge difference. Where I live I can have 5 or 6 days of warmer weather in January and the temperature at one of the lakes, 7190 acres, would still be below 40 if the starting temperature was 33 or 34. Smaller lakes of 50 - 200 acres would warm up quicker. Personally, I wouldn't venture to guess based on any averages of day and night temps unless the lake were quite small. Then, maybe you could work something out.

There was another couple that arrived just before we did. We took a picture of them and they took a picture of us. I have a couple of shots where it focuses in on me and my wife but this one gives the best view of the surrounding environment. Pic for the day: Momma and baby moose at Rocky Mountain National Park.

In general, my preferred first application is always affected by the time of the year and conditions. For example, under winter conditions I will start with a jerkbait or a jig depending on how stable the weather has been. In the spring right before the spawn, I will start with a moving bait like a crankbait. If it is really windy during that time, I probably would start with a spinnerbait or lipless crankbait. If I am targeting fish on the beds, it is back to a jig or soft plastic. Etc.

Great fish! Nice pic.

This is a pic from an autumn morning hiking excursion that my wife and I took to Hawksbill Crag in the Upper Buffalo River Wilderness in 2017.

I don't know what else to say, except that this is amazing. Jordan Lee stayed within striking distance the whole tournament. He has killed on day three two years in a row. If he is within 8 lbs of the leader and they choke on the last day, watch out!

Welcome back!

BassTrakk shows him at 14th. A few guys jumped him in the last hour, unofficially. However, he is still in striking distance.

The brothers, Jordan and Matt Lee, are neck and neck on BassTrakk.

Winter fishing can be a brutal learning experience, especially for someone who is new to bass fishing. A number of lures and techniques have been mentioned that may work under these conditions. For me, I like @A-Jay's jerkbait suggestion and a finesse jig takes care of the bottom. I have to ask, what are you using for a trailer on your jig? I've found that a very subtle trailer makes a lot of difference in getting bit once the surface water temps are in the 40s and 30s.

It has to be tough for you northeastern guys with the last three nor'easters almost back to back. Sounds like it just wants to keep snowing for now.

This Rocky Mountain Goat was hanging out near the bottom of an "out and back" mountain trail as we came back down at Glacier National Park. It didn't seem to care that we were only about 20 yards away.

We are about the same. Our smaller bodies of water might be a bit warmer, but I was out at Smithville Lake north of KC yesterday evening and lake water temps ranged from 43.5 to 44.5. It has warmed up 3 to 4 degrees since I was there 10 days ago. Coincidentally, that was my second time out with the big boat in 2018 as well.

I think experienced bass anglers understand the theory and rules of thumb for bass behavior. That's a far cry from being able to predict with a high degree of accuracy what they are doing in real time under the water. I, for one, will never stop learning something new about how to apply that theory of behavior because the darn critters always make a fool out of me a handful of times every year. Maybe two handfuls?

Welcome to BR! Now . . . . let's talk about those "feats of strength" and the "airing of grievances."

LOL. Yes, lesson learned.

A view just a few feet above the shore of St Mary Lake in Glacier National Park.

I am thinking about using that as my profile photo.