Fish the Mitt

My current 1-2 punch: 1. Bladed jig (unless there's enough cover to warrant a jig-n-craw or T-Rigged bait) 2. Crankbait (1.5 squarebill usually). I think most everyone agrees that the water dictates. You can't go into a marshland expecting to toss a crankbait everywhere. Also, to continue your early success as bass move throughout the later phases, adaptability is key. Practice and research should allow you to understand what adjustments are needed when. It'd be up to you to fine tune that.

Totally thought that said kayakdaddy. Not until I was on the site for 5mins did I realize the difference....

Dayum! Sounds like a blast! Where did this all happen?

How's everyone's fishing been going around MI? I've been out quite a bit lately (since i sold the boat and bought a kayak).

I didn't make it on the map

Standby to standby, right gents?! While I can't speak on behalf of ACU Gortex, I know a thing or two about MARPAT Gortex!! I actually have a blog/website dedicated to my fishing adventures. It's kind of my way of 'logging' things.

Went out yesterday (Herrick Park South Lake - Isabella County). (From my blog) I stuck to shallower water between 0-8ft. I focused on coves and areas with cover (both subsurface and exposed) – whether it was fallen trees, submerged logs, heavy vegetation pockets, etc.. it seemed to be an excellent call. I caught my first few LM shortly into my trip. The southwest corner; with a huge half submerged fallen tree, provided excellent opportunities to land fish. Positioning my kayak to take advantage of the rather large tree openings proved to be the right call. I was throwing a ZMan Chatterbait (white) with a StrikeKing rage tail craw (brown/blue fleck). These LM were all smaller (12-14″) so I decided after a few (and a few bites but no action), I would paddle on. On the south/southeast side of the lake, there are renting cabins nestled back into it’s own little cove. A few small docks and plenty of overhanging limbs provided yet another great opportunity. The only problem here though was that I was directly in the way of the north wind and it was hard to maneuver my kayak to a position without being blown back into the shore. However, I stuck it out long enough to a land a real nice LM by continuously working the shallows (0-6ft) underneath the overhanging limbs. I was using the same ZMan Chatterbait (white) with a StrikeKing rage tail craw (brown/blue fleck). I wanted so bad to upload a photo but my girlfriend deleted it off her phone on ‘accident’. After cruising around the lake a little more and catching another smaller LM off a huge submerged log poking out of a cattail overgrow, I came to an area (north bank) that screamed bedding to me. While the bass aren’t in the spawn phase yet, this spot looked awfully enticing for when they would be. As I approached this bank, I threw parallel to the shore (about 4ft in depth) and reeled that Chatterbait in nice and slow. I landed another nice LM. Not as thick as my first one but probably around the same weight as it seemed to be a little longer than my first. All in all, I landed 5 bass in the Kayak with 2 (one hog) getting off right at the Kayak. Not shabby for 2 hours of fishing. I’m still getting used to the kayak and I’m still getting used to fishing from a kayak. It’s a different beast.

mmmm boobs! I've never thrown a Spro to be honest, but I do like my Booyahs.

Tried a ton out and have been looking now for weeks. A Perception is what I ended up getting. Crazy how that works. Somewhere, in this vast world, someone is doing the exact same and exact opposite!! Middle of a custody battle (not cheap). Time. Effort. My love for bass fishing is increasing yearly and right now, with the above to consider, I just want to fish. I don't want to worry about anything else. A kayak lets me just go and go quickly! There were some I was in and after 5mins I was like "nope, not a chance in hell!"

Sold my bass boat. Decided I wanted to get into Kayak fishing! So... ideas on beginner yaks?

I couldn't tell. I literally thought you bringing the spelling back up again! haha oh man, I apologize. Hadn't drank my coffee yet!

Is it that important for you to point out a spelling mistake? Does it matter to you that much?

@19Krob, you're not alone, brother. As you're probably aware by now, there are many organizations out there with a very specific goal of being an outreach for veterans. Whether it's just an annual event or a frost call type org offering a support system. The goal, is the same. To get veterans on the water. -The serenity of open water offers an escape of mental sorts and away from the hustle and bustle of society. -The inherent toughness to fishing provides a challenge. -The angling community provides a sense of belonging and camaraderie. These are all things we are accustomed to while in the service. Whether you've recently transitioned out or have been out for decades, the mindset we develop while serving our country isn't something we can easily let go of and it's often a struggle finding something comparable to ease us along in the Civ Div. My advice is to fill out your profile and stay awhile. BassResource is a phenomenal site - not only for the vast amount of knowledge throughout, but also for the members. If you're as passionate as you sound, you will develop a sense of belonging here and the members are always here to assist in anything you may need on your new journey. Also, if you ever need anything, I'm always a PM away. Regards, SemperBass USMC 0351

Ah, pike, the fun but sometimes not so fun fish. Got them plenty up here in Michigan. There are times I go out with pike being my specific target. (I'll admit, I prefer a pike fight over bass anyday). Small adjustments can be made to accommodate this. On the contrary, whether you're fishing bass or pike, you're bound to catch both as they inhibit the same waters. As one person mentioned though, if you're landing bigger Pike/Muskie and are targeting Bass, move elsewhere. If you're landing little hammer handles, there are bass there too. The only advice I have, to help not land pike when bass fishing, is to not use anything bladed as much. Stick with the finesse style of fishing if pike is plentiful. Spinnerbaits and in-line spinners are crack for pike it seems. None of this is surefire but there are things we learn along the way to at least help.

I completely agree. Central Michigan has really turned on since that warm up! I have not been disappointed so far!

That's exactly how I came to find BassResource. It seemed that no matter what I searched; how simple or crazy, there was always a BR link at the top of the page. I immediately thought to myself, I need that!

I would be extremely hesitant to believe this for the sole fact that it'd be completely relative to the water you're fishing, the strike, the bass, and the lure. Essentially, too many variables to consider this an absolute method in determining missed strike or structure hit. I personally have never observed this but being honest, I've never checked. When I think I've had a missed strike, I ensure my next few casts are back to that area. If nothing comes of it, I chalk it up to structure. It helps my ego doing it that way too!

Spelling isn't a requirement of fishing

Herrings destroyed ours up here in MI. I blame the muskrats too!

I do it all the time. Sure, the lures are relatively inexpensive but no point in superfluous spending if I can attempt a recovery. Shoot, I almost went swimming for my Gatorade that dropped of the dock the other day. Wind was on my side though BTW: Love my 1.5's. I'd go swimming for my Red Sexy Shad!

Yup. I went again lastnight for a quick hour. Caught two (one nice one) - both in 3ft of water or less. Both on a Buddha Bait Bladed Jig (white and chartreuse) with a KVD Rage Tail Craw in Black/Blue Fleck trailer. This warming trend really has em' moving deep to shallow pretty quick I feel. I've almost eliminated waters deeper than 8ft already.

Amazing.

I just bought a Rapala Shadow Rap 09. Slow riser. Have yet to use it. Is that what yours is? It's supposed to have 180 degree action when jerked on a slack line.

I have not did any competitive fishing so I'll only speak on fishing for fun. I, like many others, have been fishing since I was able to hold and rod&reel. It's always been a hobby of mine, but like my intro to BR stated, something clicked 3 years ago and it escalated into a deep passion. Like you, I was in a failing marriage, dead end job, financial struggles, and just had a big question mark above me the entire time. Fishing was less about fishing and more about just getting away from it all. But it was never off my mind. What changed? I got divorced, I left my job, and I started living for me and my daughter. My life completely changed for the better. I brought that clear mindedness to the water and that's when my hobby escalated to the deep passion it is today. I was able to truly fish with a clear mind. I am in a great spot in life now and it shows in everything that I do - to include fishing.