dink

I fish 3 - 4 different power plant lakes all winter long in the midwest. The warmer water is good for numbers with late spring and summer type presentations, but the cooler water (45 - 60 degrees) is where you will find the bigger fish easier to catch with early spring and fall tactics. Go with your confidence lures in those scenarios and see how it goes. Good luck!

Listen to KU! In the pre-spawn time I throw the biggest slowest nastiest looking spinnerbait in stained water with gold and copper blades. Many people quit throwing copper blades long ago but they still work everywhere. This is a go-to pattern custom made for early spring fishing as weel as the rest of the year. Go Slow!

If the theory of 'blanked' WERE true, then year-round fishing would also apply to Florida. And, more people equalling more competition for X number of fish...Japan has it there! Read a couple of articles on their lakes and you will know what "fishing in a crowd" really is.

I think this year I'm going to trust my instincts more when I'm actually on the water and save my booksmarts for the planning phase. I have second-guessed myself (especially in tournaments) way too often lately. I might try crankbaits a little more year-round also.

Denny Brauer because he is the only pro I've met who actually sounded like he wanted to go fish my little lake I described to him. Randy Howell is another who seemed like he just wanted to go fish "anywhere, anytime".

Question for John Cullum (sorry Ceph): What kind and size of jigheads and senkos?

Early spring is one time that I don't downsize unless faced with an ultra-tough bite. I supersize everything looking for those big females, but I still keep it all moving real slow and methodical.

Ceph, I fish a few power plant lakes here in Illinois all winter long every year. Some have grass and wood, some just one or the other, and some niether. I have found that if you find some current, you'll find some fish. Also, the temp of the water will be relative to how you want to fish for them. I tend to have faster action in the warmer temps that are more like late spring or summer, but get better quality fish in the cooler temmp waters fishing them like it was late winter or early spring. But even on these lakes that have temps warm enough to spawn in all year, it seeems that the bass still wait for more available daylight associated with lengthening days. If you can't find shad anywhere, look for bluegill and sunfish and fish accordingly. Hope this helps you out a little. Dink

Ike is here to stay. Love it, leave it, or CHANGE it. For anyone who claims that they are NOT a "follower"(and we all are in some way or another), then put up or shut up. But don't hate what you don't understand. Also, professional bass fishing is not some Divine sport free of corruption, crooks or schemes, so don't put it up on some pedestal like it is going to "deliver us" someday. I love it and every aspect of it, but it is still JUST FISHIN'.

Before, I couldn't stand Ike! Now, I can't help but to like him. Don't know why. I guess he just does his own thing without trying to fit in. Actually, "going Ike" is a good stress reliever (if you don't mind the stares).

Amen Ghoti! Actually the best is the grizzly bear....he fishes for survival.

Any trout smart enough to take an IQ test is pretty darn sharp in my book.

Dad took me to Lake Havasu in TX when I was four. We fished with minnows or shineres on the bottom. I caught six bass that day 15 -18" and almost left the boat when the biggest one made a run underneath. My tiny ahnds had a death grip on that pole and my dad had me by the seat of my pants. LOL By the age of seven I was Texas rigging my own Mann's jellyworms. Been all downhill from there. I owe that man more than I could ever repay him. (But I will still kick his butt this summer on Barkley)

There's still birds at night! Well, if you count bats. Nothing like a bat hitting your line or hat at about two in the morning. WAKE UP!

Big 'uns eat at night! I go to Lake Barkley once a year just to night fish for 3 or 4 nights. We usually get sore arms throwing Tx rigged worms (10 - 12"), salt craws, and creature baits. Also definitely throw the dark "thumper" spinnerbaits with rattles if possible. Last but not least, try a red spot or trap.... they are deadly!!

I just bought a 2005 G3 Eagle 165 (16') with a 25 hp Yamaha 4-stroke for the regulated hp lakes in my area. I picked it up on Halloween and haven't been able to leave it at home very often. I absolutely love it. It has most of the amenities you would expect from a larger fiberglass rig. Once I figure out how to put a bed in it, I may never come home.

A fed monkey is a happy monkey. lol ;D

Just imagine how much MORE fun bass fishing would be for countless numbers of anglers if sponsorships did not exist. Although, I am a realist and know that this is far from the case. I was one of the throngs of fisherman who just wanted to wear that patch, or get those freebies, or even rub shoulders with the Big Guns. Instead, I stayed loyal to one local baitshop for a number of years. I was able to persuade them to carry lesser-known lines of baits and tackle as well as solidify a substantial permanent discount on anything I buy from them. When people ask where I was able to get certain goods, I direct them to my local baitshop. I recently found out that the perks I was enjoying through "customer loyalty" were actually better than those of some of my friends who are "Pro Staffers". For anyone out there wanting sponsors, remember: there is more than one way to skin a cat.

I just bought an '05 G3 Eagle 165 bass boat (16 ft.) and I pull it just fine with my 99 Ranger with a 3.0L V6. It is a manual 5 speed but it pulls just fine. I have also pulled my buddy's 17 ft. Grumman a few times with no problems. Oh yeah, my truck has 108,000 mi. Don't use OD, change oil, check tires, catch fish! No worries.

Remember that the weather changes that you feel will not affect the fish as much. No wind chill factors underwater. If I were faced with your dilemna, I would try a reaction style bait (i.e. crankbait, spinnerbait, Rogue) and fish it slowly and methodically. Last ditch effort would be to burn Spot or Rat-L-Trap past them a dozen times.

Got an 8+ in 47 degree water in early March just east of St. Louis on a white spinnerbait reeeling so slow I almost fell asleep. Also caught a 44 lb. carp with a plastic worm at night picking out a backlash.

Over the past six years I fish an average of 160 - 200 days per year.....but my nearest body of water is an hour away and I frequently haul my boat that distance to fish for as little as an hour and a half. My wife is committing me next week, ha ha ha .

Don't be afraid to trek through the thicker shoreline brush and trees to give yourself different angles at some of the same cover you are fishing. Also, tubes are wonderful vehicles for fishing backwater areas effectively and there is nothing in the world like getting your tube spun 180 by a six or seven pounder!