Mainebass1984

I love live target as well. The live target crawfish squarebill in brown and orange works really really well. Try some out you wont be disappointed.

April 16th is my guess for ice out. Probably could launch in a couple rivers before then if they aren't to scary.

Still got a ton of snow and ice up here in VT and ME. Its going to be at least a couple weeks.

Still got a ton of snow and ice up here in VT and ME. Its going to be at least a couple weeks.

Last year was a later then usual ice out as well. My first day on the water was April 20th, the lake still had ice over a large portion of it. Probably be about the same this year. I am thinking though it will be a little bit earlier this year.

KVD 2.5s and 1.5s squarebills. Find some off shore wood and bump the stump with these crankbaits and it will produce. Live target craw squarebill. I have had some unbelievable success fishing this crankbait in colder water, around 45 degrees. The key though is to find a clay bank or flat where crawfish are emerging from there winter burrows. When I see water temps around 45 degrees I will be fishing a jig, one of the mentioned crankbaits, a jerkbait, silver buddy and a weightless wacky rigged senko. Fishing when the water is cold, spring or fall, is a great opportunity to catch a fish of a lifetime. I

I am sure I will be doing an open or two on Moose Pond and Kezar Lake. I love fishing Kezar that place can be awesome. I have fished Sandy's open on Sebago in September. The fishing can be super tough there that time of year. Of course they usually drop the lake 5 feet or so the week before the tournament and that changes everything. If you can get a limit of 2 - 2 1/2 lbers both days on Sebago in September you are in contention to win. They have the results from the last few years on there website. That place is just plain mean in September.

Be careful out there !

That sounds like fun. I like going after lunkers. I am assuming your lunker tournaments are unofficial tournaments between you and a couple of your buddies ? What is lunker there usually ? What opens will you be doing ? I also will be doing a few as usual.

Why do they even have have a tourney on Mousam ? That place sucks. There are so many better places to fish nearby.

I have seen color make a huge difference between cashing a check or not, getting a 25 lb 5 fish bag or not, getting a limit or not, winning a tournament or not. In my own opinion, subtle differences in a color, in a bait, in the way you work a bait makes a huge difference. It really isn't just about color but I will do everything to tip the scale in my favor and color can be the deciding factor. I think it is all about attention to detail and noticing these subtle differences what ever they may be, separates good fisherman from great fisherman. For me from my experience in the waters I fish using colors that mimics the natural prey has produced the best results. I wonder how many of the top pros would answer this question.

At times color can make a HUGE difference.

Yep probably going to be close to ice out if it is even ice out by then. All you need is a 2 lb average to win at that place it seems. The arrowhead tourney is going to be interesting as well.

Try a jig fished every so slowly.

Are you fishing the Mousam tourney this year ?

Southern Champlain can be amazing. It can also be very tough at times. There will be a ton of pressure out there. It is very popular in the spring. Early June the spawn should be on. Fish will be shallow. It is the perfect time to throw a frog..

You seem to be pretty optimistic. Cabin fever ? Seems like its going to be awhile before ice out. I was ice fishing his past weekend. Still lots and lots of ice. Probably will be ice fishing a couple more weeks. Most places seem to be 2 weeks behind schedule.

The spawn is a far away thought for us here in Northern New England. I went ice fishing this past weekend on a larger lake and there was still 1.5 feet of snow on top of 3 feet of ice. It is going to be awhile. We need some much warmer temps. This past sunday it was -5 in the morning and -2 this morning. It will be spring by July I hope.

Another vote for rage craws. I fish them as a trailer on my jig. I have some huge bass on them when other trailers just wont produce. I have caught lunkers using them during the heat of the summer and when I am dodging icebergs in my boat. Rage craws catch fish.

Many factors lead to the coloration a bass. It is typically stated that deeper water fish are lighter in color and that shallower water fish are darker. That isn't always the case. Water clarity and forage base play a role in coloration as well as genetics. That being said check out this bass :

3 fish for 21 lbs ? Wow, a 7 lb average, that is huge. How much did your buddies fish weigh ?

Right now is an excellent time to fish for Pike. Although you would be ice fishing... not sure that is your style. The Pike are shallow, active, and very very fat. It is fast action with a lot of fish 8-10 lbs and over.

That bass.... is huge... I would be very happy with one half that size. I think it is pretty cool they were able to get it on video. The comments posted on youtube... Some people are just plain lost.

A couple of the places I fish are big lakes. Some of the best spots are way way offshore. Most of the time I am battling the wind. If it gets too rough I anchor. If it is really windy I will stick with heavier baits such as a spinnerbait, chatterbait, and a JIG. Although not very heavy crankbaits work well in the wind as well. You can cast them a mile. The bite offshore is usually pretty good if the wind has kicked up.

If the bass are there, I spend a whole lot longer than 30 minutes there.