frogflogger

Troll!

Lovely float-n-fly in the winter - 20 - 40 fish on good days - up to 31/2 lbs or so - good ned-rig lake.

Lots of techniques for this water but myself I'd be throwing topwaters fewer bites - bigger fish.

Launch ramp area first - then points and nooks - sloping gravel banks - any vegetation.

If you are looking for a sensitivity upgrade get a recoil tip guide. Expensive ($12.-$13) but are used by many pros for dropshotting and other techniques where sensitvity is needed. Particularly on spinning rods. Mudhole has them

Guided for several years I never expected or wanted tips. I was doing a job and was paid what I charged.

My friend the late great Chuck Woods - invented the beetle - beetle spin - puddle jumper - etc. Mentored many who went on to become successful in the industry - father of what is now called midwest finesse which has been refined by Ned Kehde into a very popular method.

top water of course and then the easiest way I know to find fish in this situation is to troll/stroll a small hair jig or ned rig behind the boat. Change directions and depth often - it can be slow but it is deadly. Cast as far as you can - let it sink and away you go.

Devils horse, spook types, frogs frogs frogs - original rapala lge size - poppers

speed worm effective buzzed on top

I laugh pure joy.

Just go fishing - things will work out - you'll catch fish.

BILL MURPHY AND BILL SIMENTAL (sp)

Beetle spin, plain beetle, zman nedrig stuff. Will catch lots of bass and everything else and you will catch some big bass.

We called it nook and cranny fishing.

Pond that is fished a lot. I fished one last year,, my grandsons did well enough on ned rigs. Myself I threw a black furbit for two hours. One fish, middle of day, 71/2 lbs. That's what makes me happy.

I caught my first bass in 1948 (if I remember correctly) I've helped quite a few younger fishermen but I was mentored by men who gave me more than I have been able to give. Men who changed bass fishing and whose influence is still felt. I try and help a few youngsters each year catch their first bass - that is my debt to the sport. I've fished a lot of tournaments and guided for several years but wading a stream and watching a kid catch a little smallmouth that's what I've arrived at for fishing fun.

The Ohio river is very tough fishing but a good challenge - there are backwaters for largemouth and different structures in main river for smallmouth and largemouth. Get proficient fishing there and you'll do good anywhere.

What ever time you can fish is good. Most of my decent fish have come between 10 and 2.

I read an article (somewhere) the author downsized hooks on hard swimbaits and had a better hookup ratio.

FROGS!

Medium will let you cast better and more accurately. I've built rods for almost 60yrs. and think folks starting out will learn to cast more accurately with a med. power. It will work for moving baits, top water, jerk baits, etc. The MH designation is all over the map depending on the maker. Start out with a med. get proficient then go on to the heavier actions.

After 70 + yrs. of chasing bass my response to questions about bass behavior is the word "maybe".

Interesting read - got to see a lot of it happening.

Letting something I have no control over bother me. When thinking clear I just fish and let everything else slide past.