DeanFishesNY

Did you try to set the hook at all after feeling the hits? You might have had one and not even known it, sometimes they hit it hard but I've also had days where they softly hit it and it feels like just a little something extra is there.

I agree with Bill, start off with a jerkbait and jig. I have been catching bass here in NY for a week now and my friend caught 18 bass just yesterday(8 on jerk, 10 on jig). Work them slooow, long pauses with the jerkbait. Some other lures that have worked for me this early would be blade baits, slow rolling spinnerbaits, crankbaits and you could even use a t rigged plastic worked very slow. Good Luck and anytime there's open water it's time to fish!

This lake is in Southern part of NY and there's no smallmouths here, just LM, pickerel, bluegills, perch. Thanks a lot for all the opinions and info guys! Very much appreciated. I have fished this lake late last summer a couple times and both times it was a little tough fishing but the size of the bass were worth it as most were 2.5 lbs or better. That big flat on the western north side has some weedbeds you can see so I will def be hitting that area. The upper part of the NW cove has a very small stream running into it which looks like you called out perfectly. Thanks to everyone for the info and help and I'll let you know how I do when I fish it most likely towards the end of this week!

Ok here's the scenario, It's within a couple weeks after ice out in New York and you're on this 80 acre lake. You don't have any electronics(fishfinders,etc.) It's a nice day about 55 degrees with little wind. Where would you target and what would you use? I'm just wondering what other anglers would be trying in this situation and I'm sure it will help a lot of other people that have similar lakes with some little coves, flats, dropoffs, etc. I know I'd be throwing a jig, jerkbait, red eye shad, shakey head but personally I wouldn't know what areas would produce best this early after ice out.

I always Catch and Release bass.. the only fish I keep are the trout stockies I go for around April 1st for a week.

I love it all, but setting the hook on a solid jig bite is awesome to me. I love pulling back and knowing there's a big one on the other end.

Mine was 85..

Jig Jerkbait Blade baits or spinnerbaits

I just saw on a knot tying site the rapala knot. I have never used it while fishing any rapalas or crankbaits/etc. Does anyone use it on jerkbaits/cranks/slashbaits/etc. and if not what knot do you tie for these type of baits? For those that do use it, what size should the loop part be about?

I fish a small pond like that too and early on I kill them on small spinnerbaits or beetle spins.

My number 1 passion is Bow hunting whitetails. It's ALL I do when it's season. I'm in the woods 6-8 hours every single day during bow season. I also love to play one wall big blue handball, it's a NYC sport. I play in football leagues too which I love and one other thing that's up there with bass fishing would be Cliff Jumping. After bow hunting, they are all pretty close.

I live in southern NY about 80-100 miles north of NYC. Right across the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie. I fish most of the lakes and ponds in this area from Newburgh up to Kingston.

I'm also going with a tube.. it can be fished like a jig, you can swim it or even use it as a topwater. Most versatile lure IMO. I do throw jigs the most though all year long.

Hey everyone, new guy to the forum here from NY. It's almost ice out here and I'm getting ready to get out there. My name is Dean, I'm 22 years old and just got into bass fishing seriously last year, but have fished my whole life. I also love to hunt and do things outdoors. I've learned a lot last year and hoping to learn a lot more this year. Looking forward to posting my reports and reading everyone elses!