SausageFingers23

Great photos! I havent been out on the water in the twenties yet but I did get out when it was 30 deg. in an inflatable kayak. It was an experience. Im going to start taking my photos with the lure as well.

I keep them in their original packaging and store them in utility trays. I carry the trays in a tackle bag. For some reason I have a hangup about taking them out of the original bag.

For what its worth, I have a Vengeance and I love it. Im thinking of picking up another. All of the previously mentioned suggestions are very solid reccomendations.

Thanks. Forgot to mention the place - Calef Pond in Auburn.

Got out yesterday for a couple hours with a buddy and managed 8 total. The only thing they would hit was a white on white spinnerbait with silver blades. The slightest change in color or size - nothing. They were all up tight to cover within 10-15 feet of the shore. You really had to tuck it in to get a strike. Hope everyone else was able to get out for a bit to enjoy the weather yesterday.

Welcome aboard. Lots of good people and information here.

First one of the year! Must feel awesome to get that one out of the way. If it makes you feel any better, I broke one off at the side of the boat the other day that would most likely have pushed 3+. The line snapped just as I was reaching down to lip it. That sound is heart breaking.

Had some good action on the version (c-rigged) recently in reasonably cold water.

I've been finding them in about 6-8 feet of water, just on the edge of the shallower areas. I think they're getting ready to move up but are still hanging out on the depth breaks. I have caught a couple smaller ones that were up in under 3 feet of water, but that hasnt been the norm.

Fantastic post. I used to buy into the "you can't catch bass in cold water" myth until this season. I got on the water as soon as there were open patches. Ive managed a few - nothing like your numbers - but they're fish nonetheless.

Nice fish NixStyx! Welcome aboard. Like UNH said, the Mill Pond is decent but it gets swallowed up quick with fishing pressure and millfoil. Looks like you landed that one on a brush hawg. I've had a couple this season on the *** version of that. They are an excellent bait to texas rig and pitch into cover. They'll work well on the Mill Pond.

Great fish Wagon! The season is definitely upon us.

Im trying to not let it get to me. Its not easy. I've been out three times, albeit abbreviated trips, and have managed four fish. Id rather be out fishing than not at all. Even if it means getting a little wet.

Nice job! I finally got my first three jig fish this season. Problem is, I think Im rapidly becoming addicted to throwing them. I want to stay diversified.

I usually Texas rig, but thats only because the waters I fish tend to have pretty thick cover (i.e. pads, grass, etc.).

Hey guys. I've been fortunate enough to get out twice this year. Water is still pretty cold but appears to be warming quick. I've pulled in three total in two abbreviated trips. Im actually pretty happy with that.

Hey guys. I got out yesterday to a pond where ice out happened less than a week ago (NH). Its shallow, max depth is just shy of 10 ft. I caught two and noticed that each had a bright red coloring of the teeth area. This is the earliest that I've been out and I've never noticed this before. That said, I had a feeling I would find a good discussion somehwere on here about it. Lo and behold.... The coloration looked very similiar to the photos Loudon posted earlier. I apologize for not having any pics to include but I wanted to add my observations to the conversation anyway. Based on what I've read so far, my gut feeling is that it has something to do with a physical reaction to the colder water temperatures that dissipates as their bodies apapt to the warmer season. Im looking forward to following this thread. It's a great topic.

These look amazing! Im always so impressed at the paint jobs on these baits. The details are flawless. I would have no idea where to begin. Nice work!

I've become a pretty big fan of City Limits. I love Ike's enthusiasm and the fact that it depicts the real results on the water, not the "success" stories of the stocked ponds where everything is a 5+. There is also a show on VS where they have the pros on. Cant think of the name of it but that's pretty decent as well.

I like Strike King and Rapala, personally. Im just confident in those two brands. It doesn't mean that others aren't equally as productive. The primary forage for bass in the waters I fish (the northeast) are bluegill, rainbow smelt, and craws. As such, most of my cranks are in colors that match those food sources - bluegill patterns, silvers with subtle accent colors, and orange/reds. I have a few that are patterned after trout for the times I venture north and fish deeper, cooler lakes with good populations of trout. I have a couple that are designed to run to deeper depths, some for shallow areas that have cover such as downed trees, stumps, weeds, etc., and lipless for covering a wide range of depths. Also, if you are unfamiliar with what each kind of crankbait looks like (there are many different designs) check out www.***.com. They do an excellent job of categorizing each type. This will give you a decent idea of the general designs for each style of crank. Hope this helps.

I love these. Especially in red shad. I re-discovered them last season. They killed for me. I like to fish them weightless.

You are most definitely not the only one. Im am such a spaz right now. I went out the other day just to throw from shore with 3/4 of the lake covered in ice. I couldnt resist it any longer. My biggest problem is buying all kinds of stuff that I know I dont need just to fend off the urge. We got a nice little teaser last week with temps in the 60's but its back to 40 deg and rain again. Soon enough. Atleast thats what I keep telling myself.

I was stating to get so fired up that we were in for an early warming trend, with the bass getting active as a result of last weeks weather. Looks like we're back into a little bit more of a real March pattern. Im struggling something fierce with waiting. Hopefully we'll get back to some 60 degree days to get that water temp up.

Red Shad. For some reason it kills for me.

x2