FrogFreak

Let's see my grandfather was a part time commercial fisherman off the Oregon coast and he took me salmon fishing pretty young. My dad and I would fish for trout in the mountain lakes. I got into bass fishing when a friend from Alabama took me fishing and introduced me to the Hula Popper in 1992. So I've been addicted to top water fishing since then. Both my boys are grown and live to fish. Basically fishing is life.

To be serious, the winter reminds me of how precious every moment I get to spend on the beautiful Minnesota lakes truly is. I vow to stop and smell the roses this summer. When I step into my boat and start up the Merc and run across the lake to throw some early morning poppers on my favorite lake point and see the LMB explode or when I pitch a frog into the lilies just to watch it disappear with a gulp from below, I will stop and thank the lord above for such a privilege.

I started making top water lures this winter. It's been fun but I sure miss the summer. I just can't get into ice fishing. It's just too d**n cold around here. I think it got to 60 below the other day for god sake. Here's a pic of one of my early attempts at lure making.

I'm with you guys and I think Pond Boss should manage it for us! Up here in the frigid north, I'd love the opportunity to throw some top waters in January. We could make it a Bass Resource testing facility and we could sell advertising space on the dome! Glenn are you listening????

Well, I can tell you my list is long so I'll just give you a taste. Things I hate about fishing... I can't fish up here from Nov to June I have to work when I want to fish I'll never be rich with a Cabela's so close My thumb feels all scratchy after a good day I never have enough fishing rods Looking at my boat with snow on the cover parked next to my garage Stupid posts from guys in Florida that are still catching bass in December Kids with Snoopy poles that out fish me. Trying to remember all the fishing knots over the winter The way people ask dumb questions like, "If you don't keep the fish, why do you go?" The Cabelas store and how it calls to me. How easy it is to get on the internet and buy fishing stuff Credit limits OK, I think that's it for now.

OK, so I feel like a guy teaching Michael Jordan how to play basketball. But here goes... 1. Research the body of water first. DNR info topo maps etc. I don't like to ask other people though. I like to find my own areas based on my own research. 2. Fish with confidence. Without confidence I tend to speed up my presentation and not allow the lure to work. 3. Don't be afraid to try something different or bring back an old favorite like a daredevil spoon for example.

This winter I'm diving in to lure making. Starting with top water poppers. This summer I'm going to get back to the basics and focus on fewer techniques instead of chasing the latest fads. Here is the lineup: T rigged plastics Drop shotting Top water poppers and of course frogs I'll still punch and flip jigs from time to time as well but I just enjoy the techniques listed above and isn't that what it's all about (unless you're making a living fishing)?

The day I spend $400 for pliers is the day I can't fish anymore because I'll be institutionalized.

I think that's a great idea! Geo Bassing!

Finesse is a great idea as the others have mentioned. Shaky head or drop shot (my go to rig when the fish are tight lipped). Just experiment with what plastic works. Try sometiing out of the ordinary like a small tube or a creature bait. Another thing to try are some older techniques and baits that just aren't used as much anymore. How about the good old daredevil spoon? Or possibly a lucky 13 plug if you can find one. If that doesn't work, then downsize or oversize. Try something that the others just haven't. Hookset on 3 is right, this time of year they want to chase, so let em. I was fishing in some pretty tough conditions last weekend and the only thing they'd hit was a grass pig swam slowly. If I tried to jig it, no go but when I swam it....Whammo. Up where I live, I bet those bass had seldom seen a grass pig swam like that. The problem was, the Northern Pike loved it as well.

I had a guy pull up and ask if he could anchor in the mouth of this creek my buddy and I were fishing. He said he'd only be there for a couple of minutes. Well, we were fishing around the area and I said it would be ok. I should have said no. This guy proceeds to put his boat right over the hole we were fishing and sits there for the next 2-3 hours and every time we'd get close he'd start talking about how many fish he caught with this or that live bait rig. We finally just left and when we came back by to get back to the dock, he was chatting up another boater. Geez, I'm all for saying hi and asking how you're doing but this guy was a bit over the top. And I'll never say yes to him again when he says he'll just be there a minute. Note: We did catch fish elsewhere so it wasn't that big of a deal. I fish for enjoyment not to get into confrontations.

I understand where you're coming from. I was a bank fisherman for a long time when I had little kids. Once in a while I'd treat myself and rent a boat but for the most part I was stuck on shore. The good news is there are a bunch of places to fish up where I live, the bad news is they are diminishing. It seems home owners on lakes will do just about anything to keep you off "their" lake shores. Just last weekend I was pulling my Kayak off the water of a small canoe/kayak only access lake and a Sheriff came up and asked me if I knew how to get on another small lake nearby. Apparently one of the home owners on the lake called and complained that a boat was on "their" lake. You see, that lake is kayak and canoe only as well and this boat had a motor. What a crime (that's sarcasm). I also get sick of the no parking signs that seem to crop up next to bridges. I get that folks shouldn't be parking half on the road but geez. Is is such a big deal on a rural gravel road to have to slow down a bit. I know people here say to buy a kayak etc and that's a great idea if you can afford it. If not, the Google Earth idea is great. I would ask you to look at the cost of a Kayak v the cost of gas to make those trips to out of the way areas. It may make more sense to invest a bit in a way to get on the water. I love my Kayak. I finally bought an aluminum bass boat this year but I still fish out of my Kayak on a regular basis. Good luck with the family. I didn't do much fishing for about 6 years when mine were little but the investment is worth it. When they do get old enough to go with you, it's priceless!

The only thing I would add here is that I would go with the lightest gauge you can when finesse fishing. It's simple physics. It's easier to get a good hook set with a smaller diameter hook. And yes, you can catch big ole fish with light gauge hooks. I just caught a 40 inch Northern on a small VMC #2 drop shot hook. Note: I like to go to the store and look at the hook size. It seems size varies a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Another source of great information on SMB fishing is In-Fisherman. They have a bunch of videos on their site. I have personally had success in rivers using paddle tail swim baits rigged on the appropriate size swim jig (depending on current) and tubes. Smallies seem to love tubes. I always look for rocks along any current break. Back eddies are great places to find fish. But as others have said, there's nothing like the heat of summer to make us anglers humble. Sometimes they just aren't biting.

My hook set has 4 distinct parts: When I feel the bite I: Look at the camera Reel in the slack line Set the hook putting my body into a reverse C Say something like WHOO NELLY But seriously, I really try to remember to modify my hook set depending on what technique I'm using. The hardest thing about drop shotting for me is to remember to simply lift up the rod (exposed hook). The first couple times I lost fish by yanking the hook out of their mouth. On the other extreme, when frog fishing, I wait longer than I can stand, feel the fish and set the hook with as much force as I can muster. Anything less and the fish is spitting the frog unless they are very aggressive and eating the heck out of that frog.

I just got back from a work retreat in Ontario. It was three days of guided fishing, lodging and food. It ran about $1000 per person plus the gas to get there. Paying for a guide makes sense but just paying to fish.... I do that by purchasing a license. I don't like the idea but that's just me. Each to his/her own. When I catch my pb I want it to be in public waters. I wouldn't feel good taking a trophy deer on a game farm either.

I think it's funny that he told us about the other pond that they're in as well. I'm pretty sure that was a LMB as well.

It's either a flux capacitor or a continueum transfunctioner

I didn't do it....and it'll never happen again!

Up here in MN a 6 pounder is rare. My chances of catching a 5 pound bass have decreased since I bought a digital scale. I used to catch 5 pounders but now I just catch 3 to 4 pounders...........

I have to learn to use a jig. I'm in a pretty weedy lake up here in MN. What do you guys recommend I start with? I'll be fishing them both shallow and deep.

I recently went from a shore angler to a boater. What I had to overcome was the endless options that were now at my feet. I like the advice earlier about just having fun. I will add to that the following: Get a map of the lake and study it Have a strategy before you get on the water but stay flexible Use bassresource.com to learn about all the new ways you can now fish Try to get some local knowledge of the lake but be wary of dock talk. I pay attention to talk of structure, not technique. Explore and enjoy!

I feel your pain. I used to be a big dock angler and I would do as the others have said. Start fast and slow down. Look for likely bass hangouts etc. My advice would be to get a kayak or a float tube. You can pick up a pretty good float tube for around $100-$200 and now you've just expanded your area! Even with the expanded area, the same tactics hold true. Good luck!

I fish around them a ton. I've never had an issue with them. Gulls on the other hand always seem to dive bomb my poppers.

Great lesson. I am going to retie when I get to the lake. I've had a drop shot rig tied for about 3 weeks and a wacky rig that I know has a nick in the line. We all get lazy, me probably more than most.