TheLastRodBender

what do the bluegill/crappie populations look like? If you have larger bluegill/crappie it may be having a strain on the bass... not only can they not eat these fish due to size, but they may be overtaking the baitfish

i'd be tossin flukes across the grass depending on how thick/deep the top of it is.

What state is it in? Do you see any structure (dam, trees, points on the edges of coves)? It's hard to say what i would do because i dont know climate/water temps.

saw your title... and my ears perked up!

4lb at Lake Royal 6lb 10oz at Lake Jackson Multiple 3's at huntsman and royal.

Black/blue jig with a craw trailer. Water temps were about 43... and she was sitting on the end of a tree in about 8 ft of water. I literally flipped it out to the end of the tree, and just stood there letting the boat pull the bait across the bottom at a VERY slow crawl... and she just thumped it.

haha all the time... even been yelled at by EB

or there might not be reasoning with the anglers... I know if i was throwing at 8 - 10 lbers i wouldnt be flashing my info all over the place

out of fountainhead? I was one of the donks in the bass boat gettin blown all over the shoreline haha

Beaver dams are AWESOME. There's, imho, no negative to beavers. In addition to what others have said, they will also keep the shoreline groomed, making it easier for you to find a spot to cast from without finding the business end of a tree.

Abu Garcia Veritas - $99 Bought one this year and LOVE IT!

I've been deadstickin stick baits since i could get out this year... and it's been working, as well as a couple on flukes... NEVER too early for plastics...

Lookin at the map i see a point coming into deep water on the bottom eastern side of the lake.... on the outside of that cove. Also there are no docks over there. I'd go there and toss plastics, t-rigged or c-rigged around the shelf of deep water into shallow.. and as the water warms i would work that little inlet there on the bottom with faster moving reaction baits, trying to parallel the shelf.

Nayte, check your PM's

Where at in springfield? I hit as many local lakes i can get my hands on

Caught this last month, just recently joined the board so i couldnt post it when i caught her! She went 6lb 10oz... which is the biggest i've every caught!!!

Roanoke agrees shimmy!! So does Springfield!

did the same thing when i pulled this pig out in Prince William County

I have a 7' MHF Abu Garcia Veritas that I have a Citica on and have no complaints. Very light so fatigue is cut down.

First thing i would do is key on the structure. Work shallow out to deep. I was fishing in 43 degree water and pulled a 6+ off a tree in 8 feet of water. I've also fished brush piles and pulled 2 - 3 lbers out of 3 foot of water. They're there, just slow. Work a Jig, black blue with a craw trailer has been working for me. Next i woudl dead stick a stick bait. Cast it out, let it sink til it hits bottom, and lift it about a foot or so, then letting it sink again. Its worked for me, hopefully it works for you!

Stopped by Huntsman on my way home from work. Saw 1 dead shad... no bass (caught or dead) and the water was stained with little clarity... just thought ya'll would like to know.

I would definitely get information on the motor itself. When you buy a used boat, in reality, you're paying for the motor. If you arent as familiar with the workings of the motors, i would take it to someone who is.

overnight air temp doesnt bother me as much here. I was out on Sunday at Royal Lake here in burke and the water temp was warmer then the air temp! What bothers me is the freakin wintry mix were supposed to get tomorrow!

WOW, didnt realize so many people on here fished Huntsman. I've hit it probably 10 or 15 times this year, usually just on my way home from work for an hour or so. I've pulled out 3 of them, and lost 1 that i would guess was around 3 lbs but she threw the hook as i was getting ready to hoist her.

If you want to make a project out of it, and have some fun doing it. Go down to the bait shop, pick up 2 dozen minnows and catch as many crappie as you can, then have a heck of a fish fry. Do this a few times and make sure you only keep fish OVER a certain size, it'll help balance out the population and be enjoyable doing it.... that is with permission of the pond owner. You could mention to him if he has any kids/grandkids, that it probably wouldnt be a bad idea for them to come down and weed out some of them by fishing for them. Also i would downsize GREATLY... just to see if you have ANYTHING in there thats bass related. Throw small jerkbaits, inline spinners, grubs. I know you are gong to have a lot of competition with the ohter species of fish but it'll still make for an enjoyable outing if you outfit yourself with some ultralight gear!