Aaron_S

Like a lot of people have said, christmas trees make great habitat, but in the lake that I fish in a lot we have put old tires in places that bass spawn and they like to spawn on the inside of these tires. Just something else that you can try!

Roadwarrior hit it right on the nose, I like all of his suggestions, and make sure that you take some Zebco 33's because they are easy to sue for beginners!

Use a texas rigged plastic worm, and cast parallel to the bank like Roadwarrior said.

Roadwarrior is right you should read everything you can get your hands on and this site is a great place to start.

When a cold front hits fish tend to hold tight to cover. In this instance I will usually use a plastic worm or lizard or something of that category to pick apart the cover.

Well said Fisher of Men, God has a plan for everything and it will all work out in the end.

This happens regularly on a lot of ponds because the sun causes the plants to grow and come to the surface. As for treating it the neighborhood association should contact someone who can professionally treat your lake. It may be expensive but it is definately worth it to have it done right.

I am like the rest of the crowd, I am going to work on jig fishing so I can catch some big fish.

I like sunflower seeds and deer jerky.

10 pounder! No question.

I agree with everyone else there are too many big catfish in your lake. I have/had this problem in a lake that I fish frequently. There are several 10 to 15 pounders and the bass were really small so I have been trying to get the big cats out and so far the bass are getting a whole lot bigger.

1.) Wacky rigged Senko.

I know there are a TON of people on this site that are strictly catch and release and I am glad that an article like this has come up because selective harvest is a good thing. I fish a lake that used to produce 5 and 6 pounders frequently however people stopped taking fish out of the lake and within a few years all you would catch are 12 inchers. Now that I have been selectively taking some fish out every year the fish are gradually getting bigger. This just goes to show how selective harvest is a good thing and that limits are put up for a reason and selective harvest should be practiced more often.

I think you can use reaction lures anytime of year especially Rat L Traps. Last weekend I went fishing and the water was between 50 and 55 degrees and I managed to catch some on a Rat L Trap.

I have a binder I put together with articles that I have found and read on the internet. I put them in catagories such as techniques, sensonal presentations, equipment, ect. I refer back to it when it comes that season ie. prespawn is coming up.

You should make sure that your hook is big enough for your worm as well as the hook being sharp because if there isn't enough shank left when the hook has gone through the worm it can be difficult to hook fish as well.

To check if it leakes to can leave it on the trailer or put it on some sturdy saw horses and fill it up with water I have done it before and it is effective. If your boat ends up leaking get some caulk that is called gutter guard aluminum gutter sealer to seal the holes it works great.

The main thing is experience. I can tell you what I think a bite feels like but to you it might be different. Once you go out and fish for a while and get a few bites you will know what it feels like. Like D Taylor said when in doubt set the hook for sure.

Heddon Baby Torpedo, Senko, Rapala DT6

Black Yamamoto Senko wacky rigged with a 3/0 to 4/0 hook.

I have caught a perch on a spinnerbait, plenty of bluegill on the spinnerbait as well, and not to mention the number of catfish on Rat L Traps and other crankbaits.

When I can't seem to get any fish off of the bank I tend to look for offshore cover such as a sunken tree. I like to bump the tree with a crankbait or spinnerbait to get some bites.

Weightless Senkos wacky rigged on about a 3/0 hook.

Here in Southern Indiana all of the lakes that I know of you can eat the fish out of with no problem. I know that you are not recommended to eat the fish out of the Ohio river though. Overall the lakes are pretty clean.

If you decide to fish at night on topwater during the summer be sure to try the jitterbug, it has really worked well for me.