double a

I am getting tired of pounding the banks in search of big largemouth. Some day's it's a sure ticket for success but others not. I know those fish drop (live) deeper most of the time and I have read lots about deep structure fishing in the south. What about in the north? Do you guys have proven strategies for catching big bass in deep water (10-20 ft) in the north country?

I think that once the guide has his/her client set up and fishing, that he should be experimenting with different lures/baits to see what the fish are biting on. Once or if he makes a discovery, the guide should put their rod down and watch the client reel em' in. Remeber, all the guide is trying to do is put the client on fish...two rods are better than one to find them. Even if the guide has been on good fish all week, we all know that patterns change daily/hourly and some days will require more work than others.

yeah, its pretty sweet as you know matt fly. I'm heading north this weekend for opening of moose season and a bit of lake trout fishing. One negative is our hellish long winters.....6 months of hard water. Its a good thing I like ice fishing too.

Jig and Pig (or craw) - sweet beavers work well as jig trailers too.

If the hump that you are planting on has some weeds, it should be even better. Will you be targeting smallmouth or largemouth on these brush piles? I have personally have never seen a thermocline set up past 30 feet deep, then again I cannot speak for every lake. The lake I am on reaches depths of 250 ft in places and the thermocline is seen at approx 15 ft in the heat of the summer. Happy planting.

I am afraid that the smallmouth won't get much shallower until next spring. They will slowly be making their way to their wintering holes and putting on a serious feed bag. Focus on midlake humps (8-30 feet) that are real close to deep water. I personally prefer to use blade baits (silver buddies), 4-5" jerk shads on an 1/8 gopher jig, and hair jigs. Hit enough humps and you will be sure to find 'em.

If the fish are snappin' I have to go with the jig. I just can't be bothered messing with soft plastics and such at a fall rate of 1 inch/second if the fish are willing to inhale a 1/2 oz. jig. Mind you if the bite becomes horribly slow...its senko time.

Try fishing shallower than you would in your clear lakes. Also try blue/black flipping jigs with spider collar rattles (extra attractant in that stained water). Use a scent attractant as well. This time of year the bigger the bait the better...for big fish. Don't be scared to experiment with some big ol' chucks of pork as trailers.

have to agree with NWGA on this one...dying/dead weeds =less O2 =less bait =less bass. Typically your deeper weeds will be the last to die. Try fishing a little closer to some deeper water but still in the weeds. I would avoid those floating mats all together.

I would have to totally disagree with you on this one! If any lake is going to have a thermocline, it is going to be a deep one...clear or not. I would definately recommend placing your brush piles above the thermocline unless you are planning to fish them after fall turnover. Try increasing your sensitivity on your depth finder to see the thermocline. Expect to see it anywhere from 10 - 20 feet.

Man, replying to your own post sucks...my search continues elsewhere :-/

Hello All, Posting from Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada with a question about weeds. I have noticed over the past couple of years some major disturbances in weed growth on LOW. One year there will be vast beds of coontail or cabbage in one area and the next it will non-existant. I know water levels can play a role, but on a natural lake this big there is very little fluctuation from year to year (0-4ft). We have been graced by the rusty crayfish in the last 20 years so i guess it is possible that their impacts have begun to surface. However, this year I have found good weeds where previously they never existed. Makes patterning the Largies from year to year pretty tough. Does anyone have any insight into this mystery? By the way, the bass fishing here has been awesome this fall! 21lb+ sack on the weekend!

Man, that is a serious drag. I am on my last two bags of the camo craw worm. I am sure that other craw trailers work just as well, but there is something big to say about confidence in a bait....oh well.

What Happened to Mad Man?!? Has anyone been able to place orders through their website lately? I have tried contacting them by phone....number no longer in service! :-/ Mad Man is a major part of my largie arsenal here in Ontario. Any insight would be appreciated.