Bankbeater

Maybe where you are it's just an off year for crankbaits. I usually do well on cranbaits throughout the year, but last year from the end of the spawn until winter they wouldn't produce.

I never fish with a deep diving crankbait anymore. I always use either a Cordell Super Spot or a Rat-L-Trap, and just let it sink down to the bottom. The bite usually comes after the bait has been sitting for a few seconds, and I start moving it. This year after the middle of April the lipless bite died off to nothing. I'm hoping that it picks back up with the cooler weather coming.

Spinnerbait / Bladed Jig Jig and craw Shallow running crankbait Lipless crankbait

My yearly muskie catch.

Last weekend they were biting for a total of 30 minutes. I caught a 2-10 lb dragging a jig and craw over the top of a hump, then this 3-09 lb dragging the jig across the hump from the opposite side.

Nice going!

Congrats!!

Hope everything goes OK.

Around here I would use the chart and white bait. I like to let them sink all the way down to the bottom and then slow roll them back like a spinnerbait.

Clean the reels. Restock baits that I'm low on. Clean up the baits I've found.

I have three Pflueger presidents, and have never had any issues with them.

I love Mepps and Rooster tails. They are one of my winter go to baits, and you never know what you will catch on them.

Congrats to your grandson's first job! It's great that you and Mike are fishing together!

I've always fished with the 1/2 size.

Try a different bait and presentation than the other anglers are using.

Since Labor Day the bass have either been in deep water, or buried in the coontail, or under lilypads. Its slow until you find them.

I choose a 6'8" rod since a 6'6" choice wasn't offered.

I think a lot of it depends on type of bait you are fishing with and what species you are targeting at any given time.

Nice score! I haven't seen a super spot in that color for quite some time.

I can remember what I was doing, and who I was talking to when the planes hit the buildings. Then I can remember the surreal atmosphere the rest of day.

I’d find structure on the side that is getting the wind. Then I would drop anchor and see what happens.

I’ll swim a 1/8 or 3/8 jig depending on the wind and depth of the vegetation.

It depends on the size of the topwater bait. 10# big game for 1/4 ounce and below. 15# big game for anything over 3/8 ounce.

If the lilypads are in small clusters, and the coontail isn't right on the surface then I will use a Mann's one minus. If I'm going to be dragging across the top of the vegetation I will use a senko or a fluke.

Cool! Congrats!