the reel ess

They're there

And don't EXPECT any bites. In the conditions you're describing, a bite or two would be icing on the cake.However, I do believe the MD state record was caught by a kid who had to break the ice. The cool thing about winter fishing is the average size is good. I would add to the list, if you have one, a spinnerbait with Colorado blades that you can slooooow roll just off the bottom. I caught a couple tow weeks ago (one was 3.6#) on that and one on T rigged Chigger Craw. Both baits were black/blue. My buddy caught two on a Zoom Trick Worm, but that's all he ever uses. I was told by the owner of one of the ponds we fished at that crappie tube jigs under a bobber work well in his pond for winter bass. Kind of float & fly presentation.

My best is a Falcon LowRider. I know they get more expensive, but I don't know why. I just bought the Cabela's Tourney 7'3" Hvy/Fast ZX frog rod for $100. I'll give a review when I've had a chance to use it. I'm going to use it for a pitching rod as well. It' feels like a winner.

I don't want a different knot for every line. I like the improved clinch for mono because I can tie it, eyes closed in the dark. My dad taught it to me when I was a kid. In all those years, never a knot failure. I also saw some comparison between Stren and Trilene once that recommended it.It's an easy one to teach to kids that they'll never forget. I use the Palomar on braid only because the IC will slip. I don't use Floro much, if ever. But I occasionally decide to use a leader, joined with the double uni-knot. I also use that one when I use backing line on a BC spool before I start the braid.

LOL. I always buy frog colors because that's what frogs look like. I have a SPRO black frog, but I've have better luck and better hookups with the Booyah Pad Crasher. I like everything about the Pad Crasher. Esp. the price. There was a Facts Of Fishing show that showed the Live Target frog in the water from all angles. You could easily see the frog's body and leg color.

Berkley Chigger craw black/blue, T-rigged, 3/16 oz tungsten bullet weight or Zoom Trick Worm, bubble gum I think I could get a bite on either of these almost EVERY TIME I go, almost any time of year.

The wife got me Kayak Angler for a year. But I let it go when it expired. Not a lot of specific information except in regards to kayak advertising. The Interwebs have so much more than you can get in a paper magazine.

They suck! I went there with a gift card looking to buy a particular spinning combo they had advertised on the website. Pfleuger President. They didn't have but maybe three combos of lower quality on the rack. I asked about it and they told me come back in a few weeks and they'd have their "seasonal fishing equipment" out. I went back and nothing had changed. So I spent my money and some more on a kayak for my daughter. It was a backup plan I had already discussed with the wife and we surprised my daughter on the spot. Dick's doesn't even seem to know what species of fish we have here.

Went to Cabela's Saturday with $150 in gift cards and still managed to spend $157 of my own. Jitterbug, Hula Popper, Hula Grubs, Husky Jerk, hooks, 2 boat seats and a Tourney ZX froggin' rod. I had to limit my impulses.

I can still smell the grape.

I remember these for sale in my grandfather's general store. He also had boots, hardware, pistols, ammo, feed and gas. My dad was still making these with two Aberdeen hooks when the Crème worm went away (around here) out of Mann's Jelly worms until the offset shank (Texas rig) worm hook came on the scene. That limited the gut hooks.

Might pass for a swimbait rod or smaller A-rig.

Berkley P'Bait, Zoom, Yamamoto. I've got some others, but I don't use them enough to say I use them. I got several sample packs of Stinky Fingers "Sponge baits". It's one of several lures in each color in each pack. I'll give them a try one of these nice, warm days.

I second this. Weightless is best for me. Carolina, splitshot, wacky, weighted T rig. It does it all. If you start off presenting it a certain way (I usually start weightless like a jerkbait when it's warm) and they don't want it you just need to slow down and adjust with the same bait. If they won't chase, I'll just let it sink and drag it ever so slowly. That will usually get some interest, usually on the fall. Sometimes wacky will get them more into it. And it's just an inherently good bait for Carolina rigs.

Spoonerbait?

They aren't much fun to me. I know their purpose and I've caught a good many on them, but chunking and winding is getting old to me.

Well, being such a T-rig lover, I have to keep one open for that. So that's 2 combos. I have a Med BC combo for trebles and a Med spinning combo for smaller trebles. And one MH spinning combo for single hook presentations, like Trick Worm. That's 5 total. I only have 5 rod holders on the kayak. But I intend to add another flush-mount. I do have one more BC combo, but it's cheap and the idea has been to replace it before it lets me down on a big fish. I think the composite reel frame is getting warped.

I bought black/blue flake because that's my best craw color. I buy other craw colors, but rarely use anything other than black/blue.

Looks like I can rig 'em any way I want. LOL

Exactly. I carry five rods and would carry more if there were more rod holders on my kayak (and there will be, crate included) but he has one rod, one lure. Simple. And rarely does he get skunked. I even have to rig it for him and retie. LOL! I'm convinced he's on to something by keeping it weightless because it forces you to slow way down to keep it in the strike zone and the lack of weight makes it extremely finesse. There is not a more finesse presentation than weightless. As for the hardware (swivel) I think that bothers us a lot more than it does the fish. I tie braid directly to the bait-no leader.

I love the Carolina Keeper!

Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw, black/blue fleck. 6.3#. I caught several over 5 on this bait. I caught a couple over 5 on Rat L Trap and Chug 'N Spook, Jr.

I would attack this pond with two main lures: Trick Worm, T-rigged weightless and hollow body frog I use the Trick worm year round in ponds. My buddy, who kayaks with me just to drink beer, ONLY uses this lure. When they won't chase it like a jerkbait, just throw it out and slooooowly work it back. Go as slowly as you can stand to.

My biggest deficiency is with the jig. I use T rigs to avoid it. But I'm all over the jig this year. I have a dedicated combo for it.

I picked up a bag at Cabela's. How do you rig them? Jighead? What style? I am a T-rigging disciple so that's probably my go-to. But if there's an advantage to be had, I'll take it.