Fish the Mitt

So this is where we list what we've currently purchased?! hahahaha oh god! Well, it'd be a shorter list if I put down what I didn't buy!

Your morality is exactly why it's an annual fight amongst the State's and their respective Fish & Game departments. Individual morality; namely the might is right mantra, is not basis for argument. Morality is relative. In this game, it's all about numbers. Studies. Research. Stats. Not feelings. If you don't want to fish bedding bass, it's easy - don't fish. OP: As stated, some do it, some don't. Perhaps you've found a moral line to draw. Nothing wrong with that. Do you, man. Do what you're comfortable with.

I too have been working with my new baitcaster. I don't get hogs like that but I do continue getting new PB backlashes! Congrats!

Millionaire Bass Angler. There's an article/thread specifically for this I've seen here before - but can't seem to locate it. Perhaps a search will wield the answers you're looking for. My advice, don't worry about it, just do you. If it's truly a passion, the action(s) in which you take will lead you down the path you're striving for. Ulterior motives, however, will not. Doing what you love, is freedom. Loving what you do, is happiness.

12 hits, 10 lands = Pretty successful evening. Still working on targeting the big females but I'll get there. Generally, if it were earlier, I would have fished a little deeper and worked my way shallow as evening progressed. However, with most of my fishing being done at evening times, I've been focusing on bedding males, an occasional female, and then any females moving shallow to feed. It's a pretty solid plan and was worked well on the lakes I fish around here. Literally, the only variation is the trailer. Sometimes they want the swimbait and sometimes they want a variation of craws.

It was definitely rough at first but calmed a bit the later it got!

It was a high of 47 degrees today. Wind out of the north/northwest at 5-15mph with gusts near 20mph. There was a little snow and a little sleet - but damnit, I wanted to fish. So I did. I'm relatively new to fishing out of a kayak so I wasn't completely sure what to expect today. After spending the day with the GF, doing a little shopping, I was able to get to the water at about 6:30pm. After spending 30mins getting one helluva backlash on my new Abu baitcaster, I decided I should probably launch my kayak (and play with my BC later). My gameplan going into this trip wasn't to far off from what I normally do. Michigan bass right now are pre-spawn/spawn (more pre). Hitting the bedding flats/flats during the evening hours with the yak has been my go to for much of the last two weeks. Tonight, it wouldn't change much. I did back off at certain points and fish a little deeper than usual due to the 3 day coldfront we've had but both proved to be good calls. I started with and pretty much stuck with a Z-Man PZ Chatterbait w/ Keitech Easy Shiner trailer. Positioning my kayak to throw parallel to the bank as I slow rolled that bladed jig with an occasional burn - only jerking to free myself from any submerged vegetation. I mainly focused on water column depth ranging from 2-8ft with an occasional toss to deeper waters - letting the chatterbait sink and jigging it back (fall on slack line, reel slack, lift rod, repeat). Caught a few with that. 10 total LMB in 2hrs. 8 on the shorter depths and 2 deeper. I also had 2 get off. The wind was pretty brutal but I've learned to position myself intelligently on my launch so I could use the wind to my advantage - and barely having to paddle and still make it around the lake. Below is the lake I most frequently fish: Red - Spawning flats Blue - Little cuts with plenty of cover. Essentially a must hit when I'm on the water. I also, caught my PB for this year tonight. 20" @ 3.25lbs Again, just my quick report

Truth! Wind + Kayak = Second thoughts!

I've caught a few but I'll be honest, my jitterbug, frog, R2S poppers, and buzzbaits don't get out a whole lot. This thread just made me want to go right now and give em' some fresh air!!

Agreed. Perhaps I spoke out of place. I've only rarely looked into the rage rig so didn't see a noticeable difference. However, the link above by @roadwarrior led me down a rabbit hole of rage rig videos that clearly shows a different fall. Great. More terminal tackle to get. Thanks! Lol

+1 To me, the 'rage rig' is no different than a T-Rig without a bulletweight. No need to make another name.

Snapping turtles!!! - I have no clue. It was that or El Chupacraba

So.... this lake, what's the coordinates? I'll even take a 6 digit grid and search

Agree to this as well. Logic tells us that if fish are snacking on craw, you throw craw. However, there's always adjustments that need to be made. Like anything in fishing, adjustments must be accounted for. I think the biggest thing with your situation is the fact you could see them not interested in your bait. To me, that is telling me that it's less about the bait, and more about the fact they knew you were there. For instance, I fish in a kayak so I when I see fish, I'm pretty fricken close. Of course, like anyone else that close, I see fish on beds and when I see a nice one I'll try to get it. However, I 'm so close NOTHING works. I have to force myself to back off, trust that the bass is still there, and throw various things until I get a bite. If I don't get bit, I don't necessarily blame the bait. I could have spooked him, he could have moved on, etc.. This is literally mother natures 3-D chess game. You win some and you lose some. To many variables to blame one certain thing.

I'll reference two suggestions. One of which was articulated well by @papajoe222 above. Essentially, if you can see what they're doing. They can see you. No dice! The other is your mention of them feasting on bluegill. If you see them actively forging on bluegill, why throw a worm? Why a spinnerbait? Unless of course it was BG colored. If you see bass eating craw, are you going to throw a minnow? Nope. You throw a craw imitation. Remember, they will tell you what they want. If they don't tell you, sometimes you can see. In this case, you saw what they wanted. Go with it! Just my two pennies worth anyways!

I'm sorry @buzzed bait, not to jack your thread, BUT A FIVE POUND BAG OF POPCORN?! As for a scale, I actually use an old school spring loaded one (that's "close enough" on weight). I've been in the market for a decent digital one as well. ie: More of a comment so I can follow along to see what other's use!!

+1 for the chatterbait. -It plays into the muddy water factor by having heavy water displacement (due to the blade wobble). Choose color that sticks out (dark or bright - no natural). - It plays into the lateral line of the bass (due to muddy water) by being a versatile lure. You can burn it, slow roll it, jig it, or any combination of the three to get to any structure the bass will be on. Especially with variations like the Z-Man Freedom (better around wood, branches, etc..) or the NU-Techs (weedless chatterbaits)

My gameplan is completey relative a set of variables but is pretty much second nature. Weather, time, season, whether I have the kayak or not, daughter or not, etc.. Essentially, I've been to my set of lakes so many times, I have an idea of how everything is going to happen before ever getting there. However, adjustments are sometimes needed. For new lakes, it's all about the topo. Develop a plan by looking at the topo and considering the aformentioned variables. Then adjust once you're on the water.

We'll be in the Savannah area for a mini getaway. I'll be bringing some fishing stuff to hopefully get a new PB!!!

I feel ya!!! I went out to a local lake that's always been good to me and it was HOT! 11 fish in 2.5hours of fishing (9 bass and 2 toothy critters). All but 2 on a KVD 1.5 squarebill. The others were caught on a Z-Man PZ Chatterbait w/ Keitech Easy Shiner. No size (biggest maybe 2lbs) but fun anyways! Sucks I'll be in Georgia next week for 10days so I'll be missing out on some good Michigan fishing!

Muddy water means lack of visibility - for you and the bass. However, unlike a bass, you don't have a lateral line. When water is dirty, they'll depend on this lateral line. However, they'll also stick closer to cover due to the limited visibility. Like someone above mentioned, hit that structure. Also, my opinion, fish moving deeper or shallower is less about water clarity and more about various other things. I wouldn't focus solely on going to the deepest spots of this body of water. Focus on structure and focus on lures that don't require visibility. Colors that stand out in dirty water (bright or dark - no natural) and things that make noise, vibrate, wobble, rattle, etc... water displacement and noise is your friend in the choco milk!!! Also,18lbs?! What state?

El Chupacabra!

Does grunting count?! In all honesty, I'm usually just a "Got one!" type if I'm with someone. If I'm alone, I just "oooo come here" repeatedly at it until I have it. Then it's usually an expletive or two.

It's never ideal to break rods and lose PB's, BUT at least you see the silver lining in having the opportunities to get out. Plus, some wifey time while on the water. Good stuff!! BTW: That Lake pic is like dangling a bag of rocks in front of a crackhead! Disclaimer: I apologize to any crack addicts.

I use the Rage Craw and Havoc Craw Fatty equally.