Gundog

I'll be trying the whole texas rigged finesse worm this year. I'm guessing light weights and light wire hooks so all the weight doesn't drag the worm down.

Agreed. Lets put all this nasty fall back stuff behind us and every spring move ahead one hour. I'd much rather have sundown at midnight then 9pm.

Kudos for the massive jelly worms. Big bass love 'em.

For as long as I can remember Pennsylvania had a closed bass season from the opening of trout season (usually in April) to roughly the 2nd saturday in June. A few years ago they changed the laws and you could catch and immediately release bass anywhere in the state. As far as I know, and I've read biologist reports from the Fish & Boat commish, there has been no adverse effects on the bass population in the state. Southern states have had the same "no closed season" bass regulations and they haven't noticed bass populations dwindling. I think catching and releasing bedding bass has little effect on the population. Pollution has more of a hazardous effect on fish populations than anything.

Only reason I know what it is is cause I catch them that size

I still got a bunch of slugos mostly smaller ones. I use them on drop shot hooks now. And I think the other posts are right on. Newer and better baits come around not to mention different techniques are developed that are productive also.

Well he is dead to me

I first heard about it in the late 80's from a fishing guide at an expo. Said it was bad mojo and he didn't want them in the boat.

Yea my boss would love me taking a vacation. The last time I asked for a vacation day he told me "that's what weekends are for". He's a real humanitarian.

Not fair. The world's most interesting man is dead and Flo from Progressive car insurance is still out there annoying people.

Life ain't fair and it just lost one hour of unfairness.

Just another reason why I want to move to Florida. I fish 40 yrs to catch a 7 pounder and Paul almost beats it on his first day of bass fishing. That ain't luck, that's the universe telling me I'm in the wrong state.

I think you got a new world record there Any way you look at it, you caught a great bass there. Congrats

I know bass are caught thru the ice (although the 2x I went ice fishing I never caught anything but a cold) and smallmouths have a lower threshold for water temps. They spawn and become more active at lower water temps than largemouth bass. If I was fishing in high 40's water temp I would be fishing slow and expecting the bite to be soft. I think Senile has a point in that the window of active feeding is gonna be small. Ice out is a tough time.

Bass are cold blooded which means the water temp determines if they are going to be active or not. When water temps are in the high 40's bass are lethargic and don't feed as much. Not the best time to pond fish (I know, I started fishing for bass in a pond). Just saying.

Dynamite??? Seriously at a water temp of high 40's you would be better off sitting back and watchin' tv. But if ya have to get out fish really slow. Jerk baits with very long pauses, jigs (I like arkie jigs with a twin tailed skirted grub) and worms dragged on the bottom. Find warmer water than most of the lake and you should find fish. Good luck

That photo only kinda looks like the OP's original photo because its blurry. If you clear it up it looks nothing like the baby bass in the first pic.

I'll pay for a sweater for the little guy but you gotta put it on him!!!

I thought it was about big billed crankbaits so you were closer than me. OUCH!!!!

The Cleverlys are too funny.

I gotta say its impressive that you caught that many fish and that many species not to mention that you were able to remember and list them. Kudos.

I have a home that is over 100 years old. No, its not a Victorian home, its more of a pile of you know what slapped together when the coal companies needed additional housing for workers. Nothing in the home is square or level. There isn't much that has been updated in the last 30 yrs by the previous owner so I have to do a lot of work. What would be a short project like replacing the shower faucet turns into a 3 day weekend project needing special tools and attachments. I feel your pain BassnChris.

I like his vids also. Fishes mostly the Susquehanna river down by Harrisburg and local lakes.

Thats what i think too.

Well I didn't have a good day. I got up late, got my tackle together and only had a few hours before work so I hit my best spots. The river was lower than normal and clearer than it usually is. I tried every lure I brought with me. Everything from tubes and deer hair jigs to spinner baits and swim baits and nothing worked. The upside is the temps are going to be above average for the next 3 days so by saturday or sunday I should be able to catch a few. This time of year if you can get 5 or 6 days of warm temps (between 60-70 for highs) bass will start to feed up for spawning. I'll post again when I get some fish.