BigEbass

hmm, I think you are talking about the BJCC arena....it is downtown - my favorites in that area are dreamland if you want BBQ. There is also a Jim-n-nick's BBQ in 5-points (both short car ride). ALso as I said I like Pita stop cafe (also a fairly shor 4-5 min drive). Other than that, I dont eat very much in downtown, so some others may have more rec's - good luck!

Just yesterday was actually the first time I used suspending jerkbait - the rapala Xrap jerkbait variety - used a basic shad color - I had read that they are good for cold water - I probably made about 50-60 casts in total in a few different spots with it without luck. I used a basic downward jerk jerk pause and varied cadence and speed - but no luck. I really like the suspending crankbait idea - the luckycraft you all mentioned - that is a good idea - I have a few xrap cranks that I could have tried suspending on those points - forgot to try that. My expectation was to kill em yesterday, but 2 bites would have felt like a victory for me - I knew going out the day after a big front (it snowed in Alabama 2 inches!!) and very cold water it would be tough, but I thought perhaps I would squeak out a few bites :-X Maybe next time with some more tactics - this was my first time EVER using a jerkbait, so perhaps I need to perfect its presentation.... Oh, I like the spoon and little george idea - I have a few spoons and a little george - just boght them this winter and have not broke em out yet - how does the bite feel when working these? I spent a majority of the time workin the jig real slow, with no luck.

I am a pharmacist geek by profession and I started bass fising about 1.5 years ago - and spent much time reading readin reading...I still read books for fun and information when I travel - take what you read with a grain of salt I would say cause most of it is quite anectdotal and frankly stuff can blatently contradict - but it seems to me that many things can work on the opportunistic feeder that is the bass! But certaintly, you cannot go wrong with soft plastics, spinnerbaits, topwater (pop-r and weightless trick worm are my favs). Jigs are something I am myself starting to learn just now, but I know of tons of people that swear by the jig-n-pig!!

Some off and on bank fishing within my family, but no serious bassers and the like. My 68 year old neighbor got me "hooked" just 1.5 years ago at age 25. I have my first child on the way and hope that he/she will enjoy time on the water with me as you did with your father!! Where in NJ did you fish - I have inlaws that fish the delaware bay often up there. On this same note, it is hard to find friends to fish with that are really serous about fishing my age....sometimes it is a bit of a downer - but lukily my neighbor is quite reliable.

So, I am a newB Bass junky - live in Birmingham, AL - last winter was my first winter fishing season and we hauled in the bass (largemouth and spots) all winter pretty consistently (mostly on cranks and worms). This winter is DIFFERENT - water temps have been 10 degrees colder in comparison to last winter - now 45 degrees - brrrrrr. I only get to go fishing perhaps 2-3 times per month, so getting completely skunked is no big fun for me - I feel apeased if I can get a few bites or a few fish at least! I have a general question about approach to tough cold water bite: I was out yesterday on a small local lake that I rarely ever fish - water was slightly stained, water temp 45 degrees - it is a public lake with little cover on it - most intersting bassy looking habitat I thought to target yesterday was 2 or 3 points on the lake and they drop off to 20 feet very quickly. I also fished the dam which drops down first quickly to 20 feet or so then steadily down to max 40 feet. This was the first time I ever went out on my own somewhere without my 68 year old neighbor mentor....I started with jig-pig 1/2 oz - standard with zoom pork trailer - worked it real slow on those points (I am very new to jig fishing). After 45 minutes of that, I changed to a lipless crank and see If I could trigger a strike. Tried to throw Rapala Jerkpait for a while, no strikes. Spinner bait slow rollin it, tried a crankbait for about 1/2 hour and gave that up. Tried a shaky head jig (with zoom purple finess worm) - nothing. Tried a swim bain workin it deep on the point (very new to swim baits too) - nothin. My question is this....in these tough conditions are you better to switch your tactics, colors, etc...intermittantly frequently to find what works? Or should you stick with something for much longer and wait for the bite? Also, in ponds and small lakes without alot of cover or rocks, where in the winter are the bass primarily holding up - where do I target mainly? I try to find the steepest drop offs and banks or a point....couldnt find a creekbed yesterday....any advice for this relative newB appreciated!

I feel your pain with dark and "muddy" water. I live in Birmingham, AL - the classic is going on down here and just look at the pros right now - the water in Lay Lake is stained pretty pronounced and 44-46 degree temps (last year probably 55-60) - many pros on prefishing days did not get a bite, some got "as many" as 6 bites......I guess that tells you somthing about "cold and muddy water" - its tough, even for the pros who got mucho experience and gear. But I still fished yesterday - hauled water baby - fished all day at a small lake (public) nearby, not a single bite from 10am to 4pm - I can say though that I did not try black or purple - will give those colors a shot! A bad day on the lake is better than a good day at the office.... Chatterbait - I am a newb but I got a couple chatterbaits - for alabama largemouth, they are worth having around - I am not so sure if they are a good winter lure though (correct me if I am wrong) - I have killed bass with it though in spring and summer. This severe cold weather has inspired me to learn the jig-n-pig myself - glad it has worked out for you - wow, two 4 pounders...nice - I have not been so lucky so far, but I think I am still getting the feel of using jigs - had before stuck with worms, cranks, and spinnerbaits.

Hey everyone - I live in Birmingham - when is the Clasic exactly? There are a ton of BBQ joints to choose from. My personal favorite is Green Top BBQ, it is in Jasper, AL though (about 40 minutes from birmingham). Dreamland down near UAB is good too. One of my favorite restaurants is "Pita Stop Cafe" - greek/lebanese - its really good and reasonable - otherwise Birmingham has a number of pretty descent chain type stuff including cheescake factor and PF changs. If you all will be in tuscaloosa though, they have some of the best diners with great southern cuisine Anyway, maybe I will go to the classic - I have never been to something like that - probably alot of things to do there? Have fun everyone - any questions for me, let me know.

Hey everyone, My name is Ellery. 26 year old newB bass fisherman from Birmingham, AL. My 68 year old neighbor "hooked" me into bass fishing late in life. I always was bored by bait fishing growing up and using lures seems illusive as a kid. Now I have gained much confidence in fishing with various baits (artificial), bought my first modest bass boat just 8 months ago - having a great time so far! Still much to learn, thus joining this site to further my eduation