Joedodge

Went to one of my favorite ponds today. Had to throw a lure I really don’t like throwing anymore. But the stick bait got it done lol. Got one lil guy to play.

Ugh I really need to get a Cara to try out. But I’m scared ill never be able to use a lesser rod lol

I’m still waiting for a lowrider headturner to be in stock. But they are worth the wait

I went out and tried since it was a pretty day out. I give up haha. I threw everything I could at them even a good old weightless trick worm. My bass have hid for winter I think haha. I didn’t bring my thermometer. But I’d imagine the small ponds I fish are just to dang cold. Our larger lakes are in the high 40s. So the ponds are probably cooler. Was still a nice day out. Bird nested my flouro reel horribly. Saw a couple muskrats. So it was an ok day lol.

Jig is my main go to. Finesse or full size. I love fishing a jig. But lipless, jerkbaits, and red baits have just never produced for me either. Yes I’ve caught fish on them. My wife’s pb when she used to fish with me is on a red lipless lol. I’ve been fishing a new Berkley stunna hard lately and it just doesn’t catch fish for me lol

I Do my best to fish the conditions. Temp and wind and water clarity. Other than that I work the bank parallel. Fantasy the deep water. And fish any kind of structure or vegetation that’s different. Points, rocks meeting soft bottom. Vegetation that’s grows against other vegetation. A odd clump of vegetation. It’s all cover. Even if it’s not a big lay down. They relate to that. Fish baits you are confident in. I like to fish something moving and something finesse. That way I’m covering two columns of the water and 2 speeds with out retying. Of course here in Iowa we are in fall and I don’t have a ton of fall experience. But that’s what can offer. Hopefully the scenery and the time on the water is great that’s half the battle to me.

I’m with ya there. That’s a lake to me lol. Even when I lived in Florida the area I was in that was a good small lake.

This. Hands down this

If you are looking to buy pre painted heads. Mike has about the best prices. Depending on how many ya plan to do. It’s worth it to buy plain lead and some powder paint and a toaster oven. That’s what I do now

Jig hands down. Finesse, full size, swim jig I don’t care. A jig is my favorite the methodical working of the bottom and that thump or watching the line move. Gahhh I love it. topwater I love a choppo or a popper. Love the explosions. And love when they hit a dead stopped popper

I had a great season. Really got to know 4 ponds near me of decent size. Focused on jig and top water mostly. Caught them a lot of different ways though. Got my new pb. And most importantly learned new waters in a new state. Started learning to tie my own jigs ( that’s been a lot of fun) and made a lot of friends and reconnected with some old ones on here. Was a great year lots of fish and good times outside. I enjoy being out there as much as catching fish. Now it’s cold and the bite has shut down. Time to tie a lot of jigs while it snows lol.

lol I need to just hang it up for the year. But I’ll keep plugging away a little til I can’t

There is always next year. I’m just gonna fish like I always have. But if I catch a big one this coming year I’ll have the stuff needed to document it properly lol.

Was off work today so I went out for a bit. We had light snow Sunday. Today it was 60 lol. Gotta love Iowa. Had 2 bites in an hour. I did something I Really didn’t do this year and switched lures a lot. Hard jerk bait, rattle trap, spinner bait, finesse jig and a caffeine shad. Caffeine shad sealed the deal on one lil guy. He pulled hard for his size. But man he was cold. Water temp is definitely too cold to be productive.

I took a pic against my rod and measured. Then used a calculator so I have a rough idea. I got a new tape and will be buying an actual scale for next year. No more unknown lol. I never wanted a scale because I figured I’d never catch big fish after I got one haha. man that’s solid fish for Iowa tho!!!

I tried hard for bass as well. But the one flipping day I got one over 20 inches I didn’t have a measuring tape in my bag. I submitted it anyway but got rejected

I forgot they came out with that! Now that’s a good question

Vegetation and filamentous algae can be thick in Florida. So weedless is the way to go. Texas rigged worms and stuck baits, flukes, frogs are great as well. Green pumpkin and watermelon red and black/blue glitter are very popular colors there. I always liked a stick bait, trick worm or 10” ribbon tail were my favorites. Or a plain old zoom fluke. Look for lily pad fields brush and algae covering the surface. Like any other bass they love cover

X-rap are some of my favorite jerk baits always have been

Good looking set up! I wish I could help on the 3700 box bag idea. I’m a 3600 fan personally. Have ya looked on tackle warehouse yet? They have a ton of different bags

Wow! This. This is amazing. As usual great post to add to @Swamp Girl topic. More people should fish this way.

Same to you!

lol I can’t find them sometimes on my small ponds. I honestly just try to fish spots that look productive and fishy. Fish the spots I’ve caught them in before. But there is no money on the line. And the fish are gonna do what they want. I’m just happy to catch fish and be out there

I’m very sorry to hear that

Thanks everyone