Mista bass

Wait you're saying that using soft plastics is boring and has no thrill? Soft plastics are my go to bait in almost any situation. There is always a way to fish a soft plastic that will catch fish in any situation.

I guess I'm kind of ranting. My did brought me to this off the beaten path fishing hole that he fished when he was a kid. I've been fishing it for years with him since I was a kid and we rarely, if ever, saw anyone else here. Last year I made the mistake of telling a buddy where it was. He decided to tell a bunch of his friends, they told their friends, his friends told their friends, and so on. Now this season every time I go, there is at least 3-5 other people fishing it. I used to be able to go here and pull a bass out every other cast. Now I'm lucky if I get a fish every hour. You can tell the pressure really ruined the fishing. I'll never tell anyone about my fishing spots again. Fishing will never be the same here and it's really frustrating. I know I don't own the water, but when someone tells you about a special fishing spot of theirs you don't go blab about it to all your friends.

I haven't hopped on the giant swim bait wave yet. I'd need a whole new set up and I'd rather get a new glass crankbait rod for throwing squarebills or a top water set up. I just wouldn't fish the swim baits enough to justify a set up dedicated to them.

I doubt the hat is worth any money but it is definitely something that has some sentimental value. I'll probably give this to my kid some day.

What reel is that in the center?

I guess I was being too optimistic. Of course today I get there and not a single bite. Granted I was only there an hour before the girlfriend was ready to go eat. Still nice to get out there!

Check out my profile pic! That's my PB at 7.3 pounds of goodness!

Haha trust me there is way bigger in this spot. I see big girls in the spring on beds and some I have seen have got to be over 10. I just can't get them to bite. Those 4-6 pounders are beyond plentiful. I can go for a day (6-8 hours) and pull 20-30 out in that size range.

I'll fish a very large pond full of largemouth. It was an old rock quarry that they filled in many years ago. The place is very secluded and holds the most concentrated number of lunkers I've ever seen. They're hitting jerkbaits pretty frequently. What would you guys use to pick apart the water a little slower? The water is about 45-50. I'm up in ct so the ice just cleared within the last few days. I caught my PB here and I know there's bigger but most of the fish I'm getting with jerkbaits are only between 4-6 pounds. I want to pick apart the water slower but I just don't know what to try. They're still pretty sluggish. I've tried jigs and senior but had no luck. Im guessing main forage is some kind of baitfish, bluegill, and crayfish. I've never seen any perch or any other forage. I've only seen 3 species, largemouth, bluegill, and monster carp.

No not the tour, just local tournaments. I think we'll be fishing a lot together though.

Today was my first day of practice with my partner Jeff. We were both concerned as I had never backed a boat. Well I did it first try with no a single hiccup. Backed it in to get the boat with no problem either. In 7 hours, only Jeff out a dink smallmouth in the boat. We just couldn't get on the fish. Overall it was a great day though, I got to show him I knew what I'm doing and that I can back a trailer. We also get along great so that's always a plus. Tight lines everyone!

I keep braid and I'll keep flouro as well. I'll only keep the used flouro as leader line. I've used old mono as a leader too. If you're using the line for a leader you can usually just stretch it really well and the memory won't be too bad. I wouldn't go spoiling a whole reel with year old flouro though. Tight lines! - Matt

I believe the photo period plays a huge role in spawning.i say this because I breed fresh and saltwater fish, mostly salt. When I want to get fish to spawn I play with the light period. The temperature matters but not as much much as the light. Granted this is in a controlled environment so take it for what it's worth.

I tried dragging a tube and football head jig as well. I also messed around with a shakey head I made. All with no luck. That's why I made this thread. I just didn't understand why no matter what I threw, fished fast or slow, I couldn't get bit. It's never happened to me before.

Why do you say it's going to be a short summer?

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Just to clarify something, I'm not a new bass angler haha. tight lines everyone! -matt

It's cold so I'm wearing my full real tree camo hunting suit. If the deer can't see me neither can the fish.

What do you mean float and fly? I tried ripping squarebills, chatter baits, and spinners as well as slow rolling them on the bottom.

that's funny you say that. I was thinking I should throw a hair jig but I didn't bring my light pole and the medium and MH are just way to stiff for the hair jig. I'm gonna go back tomorrow real early and see what happens.

I did not but the rage tails have coffee scent and the reins axe craw I was using has a garlic scent. I wouldn't think to use blue/black either that why I thought it was weird.

I tried all of those you mentioned and many more. I just talked to someone who fished the same spot and got bit with a black/blue jig. I fished a jig and other soft plastics but all were in green pumpkin because that's usually the most productive color. I never fished this spot this early in the year. Maybe the cooler water has them wanting some brighter colors?

I've been out the last 3 days to the same spot. It's a very large and clear pond. It's so clear I can see big largemouth stacked on the points before this ponds spawning flat. I've tried everything in my box and I just can't get bit. I don't get it. The only explanation I can think of is that I was warm last week and went back to below freezing starting about 3-4 days ago. There is still ice on most of the pond. Any tips on how to get them to bite?

I love the rods and reels. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thanks for all the support guys!

I don't own any of the fx series but from what I've heard they're even better then the champions. I'd love to get my hands on a few of those. Especially for those bottom contact baits. Do you think the dx's are a big step up from the champion series?

Haha Im not that type of guy. I'll keep it moving and let the weight of my bag talk on tournament day.