Bankbeater

Fishing from shore on this 40 acre lake pretty much ends at the end of April due to the vegetation growth, so I thought I would give it a try yesterday. I caught 10 on a Texas rig, and one on a swim jig. All of the bass were out in the deeper water, and the water was cold. The trick to catching was to drag the bait slow for a couple of inches and then dead stick it. The bite was very light. I fished down three sides and couldn't catch a bass large enough to weigh. After about 3-1/2 hours I headed home for lunch.

Nice! Congratulations!

If the wind is not an issue then I'm fishing with a 1/4 ounce swimjig. If it's windy I'm fishing with a 1/2 ounce size. The 1/4 ounce size will pretty much get through the coontail and milfoil without picking up too much.

My method is simple. If a bass stays down and I can't skim it across the surface, then I weigh it.

For the past few years I haven't caught anything with a vibrating jig. That bait used to be one of my staples.

You can bring a swim jig through almost any type of cover. This time of year I fish them in the lily pads before they start growing.

I fish a lot of Lunker Lure buzzbaits in white and white / chartreuse. The only two sizes I use are 1/4 and 1/2 ounce.

Cordell Big-O in Pearl or Smokey Joe and the Strike King KVD 1.5 in some type of shad color.

If I'm fishing from the bank then I'll try to get behind a hill, or get in some trees to cut the wind. If I'm fishing from a boat and the 15 lb anchor is dragging, then that's a pretty good sign that I'll be heading back over to the ramp.

Yesterday the high temp was 87 degrees. Today the high temp was 73 degrees, but that was at 3 a.m. this morning. The temps have been dropping steadily ever since. Winter ain't done yet.

The only bait over $10.00 that I have purchased has been Spro Bronzeye frog.

Welcome from Missouri.

A round trip over to the park is about 5 miles. The farthest round trip I will drive in one day is about 198 miles. Those trips are only 3 or 4 hours long.

I like it quiet.

When I had my shoulder operation I was out of commission from ice out to the beginning of post spawn. My dad asked me if I wanted to go fishing with him, and I said "How"? Then he said, "well you can ride in the boat". I declined his invitation.

I'm finally on the board for 2026! I caught this one on a Texas rig in about 2' of water next to a laydown.

Engineering construction? I'm a project manager. I know your pain. Nice bass!

I bought a minnow trap last year. At the time it seemed like a good idea.

My largest purchases each year tend to be fishing line, and replacement hooks.

I hope everything went well with your surgery. Take it easy and here's to a speedy recovery.

I'm both, but it depends on the conditions. Wind, structure, and cover will decide what I'm going to do.

I took advantage of the Spring Classic yesterday.

As long as you enjoy it go ahead and do it. Stop if it starts to feel like an added burden. I cut my in-laws yard for 7 years. I did it for $30 a month, but again they were my in-laws. I would go over after work, never on the weekend. Sometimes it was nice just to be outside in the sun with the fresh air, and other times I hoped for bad weather so I wouldn't have to drive over.

You're on the board for 2026!

Nice catching!