BigEbass

Yeah, there is no golden rule, BUT.... There is truth to the idea that bigger baits draw the fish up... I was fishing with my neighbor saturday over 40 feet of water near an inlet of the lake - there were bass that had blown up on some shad way out there a few times - couldnt get them to take traditional offerings, got a strike on a small spook only when there was a blow up right closeby and got that bait right near and working to the blow up...got a strike, missed....could not for 20 minutes thereafter call up another bite.... Put on the lunker punker and 3-4 casts later working it very erratic - pulled up a 3.2 lb spot - he had 2/3 bait in his mouth! 10 min later, another GOOD spot hit right at the boat - missed him though as I had turned my head to look at the depth finder at the WRONG TIME. Anyway...if you talk to the experienced big bait guys, they will tell you that big baits draw fish, but they do not always spell strikes, there is no "golden rule" for sure...but there will be certainly times when their drawing power will have its place I am sure..... At the same time, I think a small spoon, float n fly, or a hair jig are just likely killer winter tactics as well....just get out there and let those bass tell ya....thats what I did saturday and was rewarded and I plan on keeping the big bait close by and continuing to learn when to key in on that bite.... My more skeptical neighbor was floored when those big spot blew up on that big hunk of wood on top

your broad question was "what does cold temperatures do to bass fishing?"....and you were inquiring about how to catch them during the winter..... I would bet if someone can give you a definative answer about what you should and should not do during "cold temperatures" - I could find you another great fisherman that would do something completely different, maybe even the opposite......

your broad question was "what does cold temperatures do to bass fishing?"....and you were inquiring about how to catch them during the winter..... I would bet if someone can give you a definative answer about what you should and should not do during "cold temperatures" - I could find you another great fisherman that would do something completely different, maybe even the opposite......

your broad question was "what does cold temperatures do to bass fishing?"....and you were inquiring about how to catch them during the winter..... I would bet if someone can give you a definative answer about what you should and should not do during "cold temperatures" - I could find you another great fisherman that would do something completely different, maybe even the opposite......

Caught my PB the beginning of this year, hope to beat it quickly in 2011, 2011 being only the start of my 4th year of fishing (with what little time I actually get to fish with a busy work and home life) - goals this year is to learn STRUCTURE in greater detail - focus on finding the key spot on spots, learn my electronics in greater detail - learn verticle techniques this winter - spoon, jig, ice jig, etc...learn the "float n fly" technique - and finally key in on the swimbait bite this year - have only tried it a couple days on the water half-hearted - this is the year of extremes for me - extremely small and precise presentation, and large and even more precise presentations - all this with the broader goal of catching more of a quota of trophy sized bass this year....of course with only probably about 20-25 actual days on the water likely in 2011, my progress is as such limited....therefore I plan on alo going with a couple guides in my region to pick up on these tactics and hopefully shorten my learning curve... But in the end, Ill be happy just being out there with a wet line!!!!!!!!!

Caught my PB the beginning of this year, hope to beat it quickly in 2011, 2011 being only the start of my 4th year of fishing (with what little time I actually get to fish with a busy work and home life) - goals this year is to learn STRUCTURE in greater detail - focus on finding the key spot on spots, learn my electronics in greater detail - learn verticle techniques this winter - spoon, jig, ice jig, etc...learn the "float n fly" technique - and finally key in on the swimbait bite this year - have only tried it a couple days on the water half-hearted - this is the year of extremes for me - extremely small and precise presentation, and large and even more precise presentations - all this with the broader goal of catching more of a quota of trophy sized bass this year....of course with only probably about 20-25 actual days on the water likely in 2011, my progress is as such limited....therefore I plan on alo going with a couple guides in my region to pick up on these tactics and hopefully shorten my learning curve... But in the end, Ill be happy just being out there with a wet line!!!!!!!!!

Caught my PB the beginning of this year, hope to beat it quickly in 2011, 2011 being only the start of my 4th year of fishing (with what little time I actually get to fish with a busy work and home life) - goals this year is to learn STRUCTURE in greater detail - focus on finding the key spot on spots, learn my electronics in greater detail - learn verticle techniques this winter - spoon, jig, ice jig, etc...learn the "float n fly" technique - and finally key in on the swimbait bite this year - have only tried it a couple days on the water half-hearted - this is the year of extremes for me - extremely small and precise presentation, and large and even more precise presentations - all this with the broader goal of catching more of a quota of trophy sized bass this year....of course with only probably about 20-25 actual days on the water likely in 2011, my progress is as such limited....therefore I plan on alo going with a couple guides in my region to pick up on these tactics and hopefully shorten my learning curve... But in the end, Ill be happy just being out there with a wet line!!!!!!!!!

As far as you changing lures alot.... I FEEL YOUR PAIN...I still struggle....for me I think changing lures to the extent you are talking about can be deleterious to your results - especially if it means re-tying all the time and spending less time actually with a bait in the water (been there, done that, still fall victim from time to time). I am trying and trying to focus more and more on finding the best spots or "spot on spots" rather now, and choice of bait takes a big back seat I think, choice of bait at that point is largely more a matter of what serves the purpose at that given depth and on that piece of structure/cover... Everything works in my experience, but everything does not work when you present to an area that isnt prime bass habitat....how many casts have I made to areas that were low percentage? How many times did we re-tie because rather we were not on the fish, but that same bait may very well work around the corner on that creek channel bend in 8 feet of water near that brushpile on that bend? I am very new, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I think we relative newB's need to focus much more on location location location....this has helped my fishing pick up slowly this past year (although I didnt get to fish very much in 2010 baahhhh). Good luck and take care - and ask questioins - I know I do, cause we all have to learn - and its a lifelong process perhaps

As far as you changing lures alot.... I FEEL YOUR PAIN...I still struggle....for me I think changing lures to the extent you are talking about can be deleterious to your results - especially if it means re-tying all the time and spending less time actually with a bait in the water (been there, done that, still fall victim from time to time). I am trying and trying to focus more and more on finding the best spots or "spot on spots" rather now, and choice of bait takes a big back seat I think, choice of bait at that point is largely more a matter of what serves the purpose at that given depth and on that piece of structure/cover... Everything works in my experience, but everything does not work when you present to an area that isnt prime bass habitat....how many casts have I made to areas that were low percentage? How many times did we re-tie because rather we were not on the fish, but that same bait may very well work around the corner on that creek channel bend in 8 feet of water near that brushpile on that bend? I am very new, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I think we relative newB's need to focus much more on location location location....this has helped my fishing pick up slowly this past year (although I didnt get to fish very much in 2010 baahhhh). Good luck and take care - and ask questioins - I know I do, cause we all have to learn - and its a lifelong process perhaps

As far as you changing lures alot.... I FEEL YOUR PAIN...I still struggle....for me I think changing lures to the extent you are talking about can be deleterious to your results - especially if it means re-tying all the time and spending less time actually with a bait in the water (been there, done that, still fall victim from time to time). I am trying and trying to focus more and more on finding the best spots or "spot on spots" rather now, and choice of bait takes a big back seat I think, choice of bait at that point is largely more a matter of what serves the purpose at that given depth and on that piece of structure/cover... Everything works in my experience, but everything does not work when you present to an area that isnt prime bass habitat....how many casts have I made to areas that were low percentage? How many times did we re-tie because rather we were not on the fish, but that same bait may very well work around the corner on that creek channel bend in 8 feet of water near that brushpile on that bend? I am very new, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I think we relative newB's need to focus much more on location location location....this has helped my fishing pick up slowly this past year (although I didnt get to fish very much in 2010 baahhhh). Good luck and take care - and ask questioins - I know I do, cause we all have to learn - and its a lifelong process perhaps

My neighbor got me into fishing 3 years ago - hes 69, im 27...and we are best buds now and are completely obsessed with fishing when and where we can!! after my first year fishing with him I bought my modest bass boat and have been dumping every cent of my "fun budget" on that little boat since (as well as equipment) - I read constantly about fishing when I cant be on the water... I do try to not talk in detail about fishing to others as they will die of boredome.....you should draw the line there - if they are not interested, dont talk about it Obsession vs. Passion....now if you lose your house or go into bankruptcy because of fishing, your passion has become an "obsession" - but probably you are not obsessed, rather you are like most of us, overzealous and very passionate about what we love - and that is tricking those bass into biting the end of our line ;D ;D ;D I had a baby 3 months ago - prior to agreeing to having said baby, I told my wife my 2 days per month fishing are sacred, and must remain as a condition to the agreement - sounds wild right, and sure enough she has tried to meddle with that agreement, and I quickly shot it down - I spend every 13 days in a row working non-stop and taking care of the baby and the house, on the 14 day, I go fishing - because I am obsessed/passionate. My neighbor's good friend is 75 years old with pulmonary fibrosis and is very sickly, has to use oxygen tanks all the time - STILL goes fishing with him, but can only stand it for about 2 hours now....we are a passionate group us anglers!!!

My neighbor got me into fishing 3 years ago - hes 69, im 27...and we are best buds now and are completely obsessed with fishing when and where we can!! after my first year fishing with him I bought my modest bass boat and have been dumping every cent of my "fun budget" on that little boat since (as well as equipment) - I read constantly about fishing when I cant be on the water... I do try to not talk in detail about fishing to others as they will die of boredome.....you should draw the line there - if they are not interested, dont talk about it Obsession vs. Passion....now if you lose your house or go into bankruptcy because of fishing, your passion has become an "obsession" - but probably you are not obsessed, rather you are like most of us, overzealous and very passionate about what we love - and that is tricking those bass into biting the end of our line ;D ;D ;D I had a baby 3 months ago - prior to agreeing to having said baby, I told my wife my 2 days per month fishing are sacred, and must remain as a condition to the agreement - sounds wild right, and sure enough she has tried to meddle with that agreement, and I quickly shot it down - I spend every 13 days in a row working non-stop and taking care of the baby and the house, on the 14 day, I go fishing - because I am obsessed/passionate. My neighbor's good friend is 75 years old with pulmonary fibrosis and is very sickly, has to use oxygen tanks all the time - STILL goes fishing with him, but can only stand it for about 2 hours now....we are a passionate group us anglers!!!

My neighbor got me into fishing 3 years ago - hes 69, im 27...and we are best buds now and are completely obsessed with fishing when and where we can!! after my first year fishing with him I bought my modest bass boat and have been dumping every cent of my "fun budget" on that little boat since (as well as equipment) - I read constantly about fishing when I cant be on the water... I do try to not talk in detail about fishing to others as they will die of boredome.....you should draw the line there - if they are not interested, dont talk about it Obsession vs. Passion....now if you lose your house or go into bankruptcy because of fishing, your passion has become an "obsession" - but probably you are not obsessed, rather you are like most of us, overzealous and very passionate about what we love - and that is tricking those bass into biting the end of our line ;D ;D ;D I had a baby 3 months ago - prior to agreeing to having said baby, I told my wife my 2 days per month fishing are sacred, and must remain as a condition to the agreement - sounds wild right, and sure enough she has tried to meddle with that agreement, and I quickly shot it down - I spend every 13 days in a row working non-stop and taking care of the baby and the house, on the 14 day, I go fishing - because I am obsessed/passionate. My neighbor's good friend is 75 years old with pulmonary fibrosis and is very sickly, has to use oxygen tanks all the time - STILL goes fishing with him, but can only stand it for about 2 hours now....we are a passionate group us anglers!!!

That would be interesting and cool to watch...but just like in the masters, when they have the old timers come back and play, they always (well not always) get left behind for the most part, but its always fun to watch....but perhaps fishing is totally different...if one of those old savy guys get in the zone, watch out - who knows..but the younger guys like KVD are just fishing more in the competitive setting, more up to speed with new insights and technology...much more likely to win I would imagine - who knows though

couldnt get the link to work?

huh, that would be crazy to rotate it around on the trolling motor axis....intersting, hadnt thought of that, although come to think of it that is I suppose how it would work - seems like the image that you would get back when rotating it would be difficult to interpret? I think I need like a course in using this unit, so much potential! hmm, thats interesting about lowrance...can you verticle jig for suspended bass on the down imaging - ie see your lure, the fish, all that jazz? isnt the area of coverag different for down scan than 2d - hard to believe they are phasing out 2d, but as you said, this technology is quite all new to me...

photography is a hobby of mine....resolution is only important to the extent that the size of the photo desired for viewing can be achieved with still all detail preserved..... I prefer to be able to view a photo in its entirity without scrolling around...I always resize to usually something like 800 pixels high or 1200 pixels wide for better web viewing.... And its a common misperception that hi resolution always means high detail...take the thumb picutre (I like that one though cause it was resized and it was in very good focus and good exposure) - I could take that same photo with most any point and shoot - even a 3 or 4 megapixel camera - and get the same detail at that given size here - but it would look all pixelated if I tried to blow it up beyond like 5x7.....the whole megapixel craze is starting to wear off in fact cause there really is no difference between a 10 or 20 mega pixel camera for an average user - again, only if you are going to print a banner vs. a 4x6.... Cool photos though - but I would size em down so I can really see them

photography is a hobby of mine....resolution is only important to the extent that the size of the photo desired for viewing can be achieved with still all detail preserved..... I prefer to be able to view a photo in its entirity without scrolling around...I always resize to usually something like 800 pixels high or 1200 pixels wide for better web viewing.... And its a common misperception that hi resolution always means high detail...take the thumb picutre (I like that one though cause it was resized and it was in very good focus and good exposure) - I could take that same photo with most any point and shoot - even a 3 or 4 megapixel camera - and get the same detail at that given size here - but it would look all pixelated if I tried to blow it up beyond like 5x7.....the whole megapixel craze is starting to wear off in fact cause there really is no difference between a 10 or 20 mega pixel camera for an average user - again, only if you are going to print a banner vs. a 4x6.... Cool photos though - but I would size em down so I can really see them

photography is a hobby of mine....resolution is only important to the extent that the size of the photo desired for viewing can be achieved with still all detail preserved..... I prefer to be able to view a photo in its entirity without scrolling around...I always resize to usually something like 800 pixels high or 1200 pixels wide for better web viewing.... And its a common misperception that hi resolution always means high detail...take the thumb picutre (I like that one though cause it was resized and it was in very good focus and good exposure) - I could take that same photo with most any point and shoot - even a 3 or 4 megapixel camera - and get the same detail at that given size here - but it would look all pixelated if I tried to blow it up beyond like 5x7.....the whole megapixel craze is starting to wear off in fact cause there really is no difference between a 10 or 20 mega pixel camera for an average user - again, only if you are going to print a banner vs. a 4x6.... Cool photos though - but I would size em down so I can really see them

some of the things I do with my bow SI is to select which stumps/logs/rocks to cast to since I can see which one has a fish/s on them. I can do that with my current side imaging as well already and have been doing it since I got it.mark it and perhaps a few other possible spots and go back and cast only before now I would have had to look back at my old unit rotated around to track the GPS waypoint or mark said spot with a buoy. I can check directly ahead of the boat as I fish and can avoid running over fish or structure to see them. Well, side imaging cannot see ahead of the boat you still have to run past structure and fish to see them - in the case of a bow mounted side imaging unit you are seeing structure and fish laterally and will only see them as you pass BY them.you can avoid spooking the fish when finding good structure to fish cause you don't have to run directly over a brush pile or creek channel to pick out the structure that fact is true wither mounted on the bow or from the transom (although perhaps to some degree you are more stealthy when using side imaging with trolling motor). But you cannot check directly ahead of the boat with side imaging what you see is what you have passedbut when you see stuff 40 feet laterally, it still allows you to mark the spot and return to fish it via means of any GPS tracking or a buoy. When I am fishing a creek channel edge, I hold the boat a long cast from it while seeing it displayed on SI-that way I don't have to take the boat over to it to find it with 2D, You can achieve this same result via marking GPS waypoints from the steering wheel.side imagining on the front while hunkered down on this spot becomes less useful? As I am fishing line of boat docks, I scan under them to decide whether to even fish that particular dock. I don't have to let the transom pass by the dock to make that decision. Again, I already have side imaging and I can do this as well from behind the wheel..granted, my signal return is delayed to allow the transom to pass the docks, but is there any real difference you get the same information in the end ie is there fish marked under these docksyou get your information about 2 seconds earlier than me, but it is still AFTER you pass the spot with the trolling motor, which will still mean you may have to turn around Keeping up with schooling bass is a lot easier with SI as well as finding the shad schools as I am fishing That's why I have side imaging already I have been able to find schools of shad and crappie its awesomeit would be nice one day to have side imaging on the front as well to quickly reference as I fish an area to also pick up any of this such information, for now I will have to look over my shoulder still at my side imaging unit from time to see such information I don't get a sore neck looking back at the console to see what SI is showing and don't have to move the boat to get a good SI image from the transom transducer, and don't have to move the boat past potential fish holding spots to see them. You certainly have a point here.but for now my budget will keep my neck sore if I need to reference my side imaging data as I fish in real time..but even in my current setup with only the one unit, my neck feels fine [ch61514] - its always my shoulder from cranking that acts up hate it! And really, I may be wrong about this, but I feel that side imaging data once a pass has been made on an area is a bit less useful at that point at that point I am now focusing on presentation presentation, presentation. I think the ideal setup will be to have my 998 at the steering wheel.788 at the frontand later to have perhaps a 798 or another 998 on the front to give more latitude and luxury that you speak of wayne.for now, my current setup makes it difficult to find my spots from the bow now I can. It also is impossible to present a vertical lure or other lures on deeper structure or to a suspended fish with my current setup now I can much more easily. The additional benefit of side imaging on the bow will have to wait, but honestly, I am not all that sold yet on its benefits on the bow.. I certainly do not think that traditional sonar will lose its place in fishing electronicseventually I suppose that side imaging will be a standard on all units perhaps, but plain old sonar gives a unique ability to track bottom detail, structure, and especially fish better in its own waysdown imaging is awesome, but not as good for marking fish suspended in many situations less coverage - it certainly is better at discerning types of structure and even finding fish on structure, but its coverage is very narrow.all of these tools are used together and in different ways I think.

For now due to budget constraints I bought the 788 for the bow....I have side imaging on the back for searching out spots. The wife would agree to the 788, but not 300+ dollars more at this point - Ive streteched my fishing spending to the brink this year with these electronics....but need a bow unit to track structure marked and jig and spoon up some suspended bass this winter I am psyched still though cause my GPS waypoints can interlink up with my GPS/sonar on the bow for easier fishing plus I can still rotate my side imaging back to view as I go along if needed (although that is more of a hassel I agree) - but overall I am pleased with my setup though - will think about adding an additional unit to the bow later perhaps when I free up my fun budget!

Still my question remains to everyone....the side imaging functionality seems alot less useful from up on the bow I would think if you already have one on the console you use to meander around and find your spots in detail....once Ive scanned a given area behind the wheel, side imaging from the bow is less of a concern I would think?? How do you all use your bow side imaging functionality to your advantage? Just thinking out loud, but if you even plan on using side imaging on the front while fishing say some deep structur suspended fish, you would have to share the side imaging on the screen - it would compete with my map and with my traditional sonar - and even with down imaging.....The pros ive seen have a couple units on the front so they got more leeway to have more views available... Also thinking out loud, I can already turn my 998 on the console around with side imaging active as I sit at the bow and peak at it if I need to to achieve a similar thing... I just am not sure the side imaging on the bow will add anything to the strategy...??

wayne, I thought of that, but you know, I scout out the spots using my side imagine 998 at the console, mark the spots, then I can easily track the waypoint down with the 788 and save a few hundred bucks...I would like to have the DI on the bow unit, but I already have it on the console - not sure it is a huge benefit added as well to the bow...it would be nice though - bottom line at the moment is that my budget doesnt allow the 798....I blew my load on the 998 already....

I already have the 998 on my console....Have only gotten to use it 10 or so times so far since getting it so far (had a baby ) - but I now want a bow mounted sounder/GPS as it will make transition easier - mark my spot or spots in an area on the console - then pull those waypoints up on my bow (interlinked with my 998) and hopefully that will be a bit easier for me now - particularly this winter as I start targeting some bass stacked up, spot, and perhaps some crappie....want to learn some veriticle techniques so the bow unit should help with that I suppose - want to learn to fish for suspended fish this winter using these tactics, hopefully this will help.....plus its xmas and I need another toy Any final thoughts before I use up my xmas budget on this item....?? Also a quick sideline question....please give me a few pointers on good lures/techniques for these suspended graph fish - ice jig I hear is a good one for this....a spoon (any specific one you all suggest I start with?), or a jig (again a specific one appreciated).. My last two winters fishing with my neighbor, he still largely beat the banks with crankbaits....I hope to move off and find these stacks of fish and coax em to bite with other methods if needed

Got my SI unit - hb 998 about 8 months ago or so, have only got to go fishing with it a handfull of times (have a new baby) - still am figuring it out in totality, but it is all too clear that you can find crap MUCH easier....i can find submerged brush, logs, trees, rockpiles......I can find congregations of shad much easier now in quick passes in areas - I have not gotten all that good in identifying individual bass per se or schools, but I think when you get to this level its trickier....I hope to use it to easily target crappie with my baby boy later with ease - I have seen amazing photos of such things....the unit has given me much more confidence in searching for the "spot on spot" locations we all are looking for - without the SI I am sure I would be facing a steeper structure learning curve for sure.... Oh and you just gotta love how darn good weeds look in down imaging - you can just about tell the difference in various types of weeds from this technology - so good - of course the traditional sonar coupled with the other two....end result is really awesome....and I am still only a novice at using it......I will post some shots on here soon for people to look at... Oh, and I will add another great innovation - credit cards with points towards sporting good stores....that is such a nice innovation - I use it for EVERYTHING - I get at lease 20-40 bucks per month for "nothing"....