On 3/26/2016 at 8:32 PM, Sbauer said:Hey guys. Recently, at the beginning of this season, I haven't been able to catch anything (especially bass) anywhere. Not even really getting bites or seeing fish. Anyone else having this experience? I've tried all my normal set ups, different ponds and lakes, and different baits.
Where are you located? What are you using (lures)? What type of water?
8 hours ago, Tygaiser7 said:I've been out 6 or 7 times and have only caught 3 small bass. Doesn't help that the water temps are still really cold here in Michigan. This is my first year every fishing this early and I'm also having a hard time finding them. Don't really know where to start!
Where about in SW Michigan? I'm guessing GR area?
I fully expected to read this thread and have my answer be within par. But nope, now I'm self-conscious and shopping. Thanks guys... lol
Rules of fishing:
1. Bait your own hook
2. Clean your own fish
3. Tell your own lies 
I'd say 8-10 would be a safe bet! Hog tho!
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7 minutes ago, wnspain said:Oh c'mon Semper, you could have embellished a little and said it was all that was left of Osama
Now that you say that, I do recall a leg attached. Phew, thanks for the reminder! I almost had a heart attack thinking I was boring!
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Well I live about 100 miles south of Burt/Mullet. Never fished em' but a quick search will tell you that Burt is 9 miles long and almost 5 miles wide. Mullet is about the same size (9 miles long and almost 4 miles wide). Not sure about you but I wouldn't want to paddle that unless I had a sure fire plan to catch fish!!
Without personally knowing the lake(s), and without knowing how the next 2 months are going to treat us, it's hard. But June 1 in Michigan, we would usually look at shallower waters/flats with access to deeper depths. This time is usually either spawn or a transition period from spawn to post-spawn (depending on the water you're fishing and how the Winter/Spring was temp wise) but both will keep bass close to shallow water.
1. Research bass patterns for spring/summer
2. Research the lake
3. Research lures based on the above two
4. Watch the weather the closer your trip comes up (reach out to someone and ask about water temp too).
I've attached a quick topo map from my Navionics:
On 3/19/2016 at 8:15 PM, Smokinal said:Wizard! Was going to post this^^^^. Now all I can say is it looks like he's been dippin too much Skoal.
HAHAHA!
My first dip ever was Skoal.... good times, good times!
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47 minutes ago, Jaderose said:This is one of those questions that really show the differences in the generations of fishermen. Most of us older guys (I'm 48) prefer to watch videos that teach stuff. No music...camera not bouncing around, etc. Younger guys....completely different. Loud fast music, crazy camera angles, lots of action. The good news is that there is plenty of all types for everyone out there. Watch what you like and have fun!
I'm 28 and I prefer what you prefer. Does that mean I'm old at heart? 
lol
As previously stated, a head/chest mount is too much movement (especially when setting the hook and trying to land it). I prefer to watch the angler as much as the water. What do they do when they feel the fish is about to jump? Is it different than what I do? How about their retrieve? Hop, hop, pause, drag for a slow jig? Maybe I can try that. Etc..
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Stay safe, brother. Remain positive and keep your head on a swivel! Regardless of branch, regardless of MOS, we're all wishing for safe travels and an expedient return for you!
Semper Fidelis
Rick B (USMC)
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30 minutes ago, LastCast721 said:Agree..... Winter sucks here in Buffalo.... Period... this past winter wasn't bad though..
As I read this I look out my window....and it's snowing. Again.
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I must not fish as much as any of you (which I don't believe to be the case) or I fish in some boring waters because the only thing I've ever pulled out of the water is a sandal..... 
So who here has spent any time on Houghton? My Tourney Kickoff (Open) is on Houghton and I've never fished it. Any advice or tips? Tourney date is May 29
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1 minute ago, MIbassyaker said:Well.
More plastics is pretty much the last thing I need right now. Never stopped me before, though.
Thanks? (I guess?)
You're totally welcome. I view the "bait monkey" like I view a few cold beers - always better with friends and sharing the love! 
1
I was just on Fishogs Facebook and I came across a comment by one of their page admin's who state that it's not a sale price, its the new set price. Apparently, they've developed a new business model that allows them to sell them at these prices. I'm assuming this new business concept revolves around removing all sales from brick & mortar type establishments and solely going with the e-commerce idea. Just a hunch. Who knows. But as long as they're selling them and I'm needing (term used to replace want ;)) this relationship will work out fine!!
2 hours ago, Nitrofreak said:Only when I fish private lakes that require the use of barbless hooks, some of these guys go to great lengths to keep up a fishing pond, some are more than big enough to accomadate several bass boats so I keep a small Plano box stocked with baits that have barbless hooks just for these guys.
Exactly. There are some private ponds I fish where the owner has purposely done the work to grow hogs! Out of respect for the mini fishery he's got going on, and per his request, I have some lures with bent barbs. Now, I've never really had an issue when the barbs are not bent but again, it's his request and I abide by it in order to fish there. Other than that, if I'm fishing elsewhere (anywhere else), I don't ever bend them. My thought is if you need to bend the barb in order to fix something that's happening, the barb isn't the problem, and you should be looking elsewhere for a resolve.
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2 hours ago, BaitMonkey1984 said:So I have always been afflicted with the bait monkey disorder. Badly. Well, I have been buying more and more baits then ever before but more economically. For example, I take advantage of the TW 25 days of christmas sale. I also took advantage of the sebile buy one get one free sale not too long ago. I just saved $140 on yum money minnows through the dicks sale going on now. Now, I just bought 15 bags of plastics that cost about $2.00 a bag after including shipping from this fishog sale. I am going to need to build another garage to hide this loot...
Haha I hear ya. I've quickly went from "enough" soft baits to "what do I do with all this"!!!
Thanks for the input!! Glad to hear they're at least proven in some aspect. Once I hit like 30 bags, I figured I should slow my roll and see if I'm the only guy in the world buying it. Haha
Regards,
Rick
www.fishog.com has all their softbaits priced at .99-1.29 per bag. Now, I have never purchased Fishog products before but splurged on some of these softbaits. From everything I'm reading online elsewhere, Fishog are generally cheaper baits anyways BUT .99 is still a deal.
Does anyone here have any experience with any of the Fishog line of softbaits? Is it worth the sale price? I mean, I received my first two packages and while they seem a tad cheaper, it's still only .99. Any insight is appreciated.
Regards,
Rick
...a little late but I'm here!
MidMichigan here. Clare/Midland County line. I mostly fish the Tittabawassee Chain. Keeping mostly to Wixom/Sanford. Various other lakes, rivers, etc.. but that chain is my go to. Never fished it east of Dow Dam though.
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Hello, my name is Rick and I'm new here [insert Hi Ricks] 
I grew up in a small town in rural Michigan. Fishing, hunting, farming,etc.. is a way of life and I'm no exception. After graduating college, I joined the Marine Corps Infantry where I spent the better part of half a decade. Now that that chapter in my life is complete, I have moved on to focus on my personal and professional life/career. That's when my love for Bass fishing really took off. Not sure what it was but the timing, the finances, the opportunity etc.. were all just perfect and a once occasional hobby quickly developed into a deep passion. I purchased a bass boat and the rest.. history.
I've got a lot to learn and I'm always looking forward to insight, advice, or just friendly conversation with other anglers.
I look forward to my time on this forum and most importantly look forward to the conversations to be had.
Semper Fidelis
Rick (SemperBass)
P.S.
Favorite spot: Tittabawassee River Chain (Secord Lake through Smallwood Lake, Wixom Lake, Sanford Lake, and out to the bay).
Last year (Spring 2015) I went about a month (equal to about 7 trips out) and couldn't catch a thing. Just got done with back to back wrist/hand surgeries and was in a cast and couldn't get anything right. Timing, finesse movement, rod grip, tip angle, etc.. I tried but came up empty time after time even though my fishing partner was catching fish.
In the end, after getting my cast off and getting back into the rhythm of things, I learned a valuable lesson on just how important certain aspects are in fishing. Things seasoned anglers almost take for granted. The specific way we hold the rod, angle of rod tip, grip, finesse in our movement, hook-set reaction, etc... Essentially, you can have the right lure and be in the right spot, but if you can't fish it, ya can't fish it.
Humbling and valuable experience. Terrible at the time though!
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Anyone Having Early Season Trouble?
in Fishing Reports
Posted
I'll admit, my boats still in the barn...
Ill probably start getting out later this week. The weekend of April 9th should be the kickoff for me up here.