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Fish the Mitt

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Everything posted by Fish the Mitt

  1. Sounds like what you've got is fine. For heavier cover, depending on how you describe that term, perhaps a few flipping jigs wouldn't hurt. Again, depending on what you're calling heavy cover, a football style might suffice. If it works, it works.
  2. I myself have always been partial to 'The Happy Hookers' and 'Nauti by Nature' (Reel Nauti a close too). Obviously my mind is more 'nauti' than some of you all!
  3. The only thing I'll add; as everything posted is tremendous, is in reference to the jigs you state you already own (all football head style) and your reference to flipping these jigs. Now this information is likely in the threads already shared, but I will make my personal point anyway. Understanding why you throw a jig, when you throw it, where, and how is a great step in understanding jig fishing. It's also important to understand the various types of jigs so you can pair the knowledge you've learned with the what, where, when, and why with the accurate jig and presentation. Not all anglers utilize or believe in the different jig styles in reference to their reported and manufactured "purpose" -and that's ok. You can certainly flip a football style or structure jig into heavy cover. You can certainly drag a flipping jig or arkie head style across the bottom and over objects. You could certainly hop and drag a swimjig up a rocky slope. However, certain styles of jigs are better for certain applications (IMO). There is; or was at one point, a reason jig heads are shaped differently. A football style head or structure jig is generally meant to drag across harder bottom, while staying upright with the ability to be dragged up and over objects. Flipping jigs generally come with a more arkie, or streamlined, head for penetrating heavier cover without hangups. Swimjig heads are more horizontal with the hook shank and are meant to be swam. Casting jigs, finesse jigs, etc.. all have a reported purpose. It is up to you on whether you utilize or believe in this, but I at least wanted to make you aware. Because for me, I would certainly not be using a Football style jig to flip into heavy cover. I would however utilize that style to speed drag across a sand bottom and up a bank or slope. *Disclaimer: I had great success burning a 2kJigs Dock Monkey (flip and skip jig) with a Netbait Paca Chunk last year. In theory, this setup wasn't meant to burn back, and I attribute most of that success to the Paca Chunk action. But this goes to show that anything is possible. So in no way is there a perfect way. Practice to discover what you like, and what works for you and the areas you fish.
  4. Yes. If not, my time in the Marine Corps would have been that much more entertaining (for others of course). But to answer the real question, I know and understand my capabilities on the water. However, there are many things that can happen that I cannot control. Because of this, when my big motor is running, my PFD is on (regardless of laws and tourney rules - I've seen too many videos to ignore that). I don't however wear one when my big motor is not on (unless chop calls for it or I'm so excited to fish I forget to take it off). As far as kayaking, I always have one accessible, but rarely wear it.
  5. My daughter is a typical 6yr old. Enjoys fishing for all of an hour - which I am happy to oblige to. Like most young children, the act of not "catching" anything really turns them off. Because of this, our main spot is the pond at our house - loaded with BG and Perch, and we can catch a dozen or two in that hour all while having just a blast of a time. While I have hopes that she will grow to have a passion for bass fishing, as this can set the foundation of an even more fruitful relationship with her throughout time, I cannot force that upon her. In time, as she grows, decisions and passions will be made and created. All I can do now is enjoy the time spent at the pond, make memories, and ensure she's having fun!
  6. Hey everyone, as the title suggests, I am looking for pointers for Tennessee fishing this time of year - specifically Percy Priest as I will be in the Nashville area for a week. Now, I have been looking over a few reports to gain a rough idea of what stage these bass are in, but as far as areas are concerned (as my time is limited and I will NOT be bringing my boat), any advice? Again, I am going down with a group of friends (9 in total) so the majority of time will be spent sight seeing during the day, and hitting the nightlife at night, but the basshead in me won't let me go down there without some gear and equipment and at least spend a few hours fishing. Plus, ice has Michigan covered so why not land my first bass of 2018 in TN?! I appreciate any and all insight!
  7. As others have mentioned, I too would like to see Aaron Martens take the W. I'm also hoping to see good performances by Sumrall and Gritter!
  8. Before the why, understand the what. What makes a bass bite will hopefully aid in understanding the why in "why my lure, and not the varying baitfish and other inhabitant prey?" For me, I look at bass striking as either being an active, or somewhat active feeder; or straight impulse or defense. For an active, or somewhat active, feeding bass, I agree with what others have said. It's there, it's more easily accessible, and a lot of our lures entice based on the notion of injury or something being wrong - it's different in some way. Bass are lazy and opportunistic in the sense that they want, as @Catt stated, maximum intake for minimum output. We may say lazy and dumb, but as hunters and gatherers ourselves, we're not much different. Now for impulse or defensive strikes, I categorize that as more of a "it's just there and bass are predatorial by nature ". That's how I look at it anyways!
  9. Nah. Just had some close deaths in the family last summer so left all my tournaments and parked the Skeeter. Focused on some family stuff. One day at a time is right!
  10. I agree with @Catt, what state? Hard to answer questions on warm spell techniques without at least knowing the state.
  11. Hey all! I haven't been around in a minute. Figured I'd swing in and see what's going on. This warm spell had me really itching to fish. It's rather unfortunate knowing we still have some winter left.. Anyways, what are you all doing with the weather? Prepping? Equipment upgrades? Me? My YouTube history is that of an addict. ?
  12. It seems as if many overlooked the humor behind the post and truly thought the OP thought he created a new technique. Regardless, many of us have been there. I too; like Papajoe referenced, find myself hard pressed to let it sit that long. I should work on my patience...
  13. So what's your new favorite lure? And why?
  14. Never made it up there for practice. I did however have the tournament yesterday and let's just say, having my gf as my partner (due to my normal partner not being able to make the first event) is NOT a good idea. It was 8hrs of agony. My plan was out the window because she was bored, hot, cold, hungry, tired, changing lures every 2 mins (I had to tie), etc.. Eitherway, it was a good day on the water and I managed 4 fish. I obviously didn't win but it was fun none-the-less. Winner in our circuit was a tad over 18lbs. Winner in the other circuit launching out of the other launch was 21lbs.
  15. It definitely depends on the scenario. I have no problem pitching a jig into the same spot a half dozen times. I usually make rounds and don't do it consecutively but sometimes I do. There is no 100% way. Perhaps the first three times I dropped er in, no one was home - but my drop attracted a bass to the area so pitch 4 or 5 gets the set. Sometimes there is a bass home and pitch 6 irritates him enough to strike. Sometimes it's pitch 1. If I'm fishing an area that I believe to be high probability then the number increases. If I'm unsure, it's until I'm convinced one way or the other. If I'm just pitching the weeds, laydowns, etc.. just for the hell of it, or looking, it might be 1 or 2 and I'm out.
  16. Took the Skeeter out for a few hours this weekend. I planned on being out all weekend but..life! Landed a handful. No size. All on the 2k Jigs Deposit Spin in Bluegill. Also, I have my first tournament of 2017 at the end of May on Houghton Lake. Haven't been there in a decade or more. Anyone have an advice or tips on this lake for this time of year? I plan on practicing up there next weekend.
  17. I'm way north but if you have any questions, this thread; or any BR thread, can help. Welcome!
  18. Yes, it's the one up close to Traverse City. I caught a dink LMB too but mostly SM. So clear, it was a new experience for me. I'm used to 5ft clarity max. I easily had 10-12ft clarity on Bass Lake. Fun to fish new waters and test knowledge.
  19. Ended up going to Bass Lake instead of Arbutus. Wow, is it a lake out of my comfort zone. Zero cover, little structure, and super clear. I'm used to dirty, heavy cover, etc... But put my limited smallie knowledge to work and landed a few in the 2hrs we were there. I was using a 2k Jigs Power Lock jig head with a Havoc Grass Pig Jr.
  20. Anyone here fish Arbutus Lake? Going to head out there with the kayaks. Thanks!
  21. My absolute favorite thing to do in the summer!! I've got a special spot on a certain lake that I have a window narrowed down at (as of last year) and 20 bass in 2hrs is normal. Have yet to beat 4.5lbs out of it, but it'll happen. Consistent 3-4lbers OP, just fish. Spawn, like many have said, happens throughout a period. So at any time, you will have different bass in all three phases. Just fish, cover water, and you'll be fine. Or, get a kayak or canoe.
  22. Thanks! I was catching them pretty much in 3-10ft of water. Like I said, this fish and a few more, came off a main lake point getting hammered by the current and wind in about ~10ft of water. But I also caught some a little shallower too casting parallel to the shore from 3-10ft and pitching a jig into some flooded brush. As for the 2k Jigs, absolutely love them. If you have any questions on them, feel free to PM me. If you go in the store, tell Dan I said hi!! I'm also going to be in Muskegon for the week (for work) so if you're in the area, let me know. I have a few I can give you if you want to try em out.
  23. Got the Perception Pescador out today for the first time. Went to Herrick Park and Rec and landed quite a few on the couple hours I was out. Big bass of #4-2 Wind blown points were key today.
  24. Oh man oh man! Love me some Wixom, Sanford, and Ross. Here's my advice. Just because it's going to be in the mid to high 60's does not mean the water is warm. It is still that transition time between winter and early spring. Because of that, I focus on transition areas MAINLY but will fish everything just because. 1. Find the deep spots on your topo map, then find the shallows, and fish the area between the two. I would use a spinnerbait or bladed jig (chatterbait). Fish it at every water column depth. I would go around the E/SE cove entrances and fish the deep creek channel all the way to inside the coves/tribs (with everything) on every one heading up toward Smallwood. 2. Just east of the M30 bridge (east of the Marina) and then the North, you will run into a lot of deep submerged vegetation. Obviously that's mostly all dead; if not all dead, but it also has a lot of submerged wood. Plus, it slopes enough into the deep creek channel that I would use a lipless crank here and along the shoreline to the east. Keep in mind the depths. Once bit, slow down and I would fish tubes here nice and slow for smallies. 3. North of the west dam is a huge pocket. Even more north of that is another pocket (west of Dundas) and probably the biggest main lake point on this body of water. Fish it. Fish it fast. Fish it slow. Just fish it. Again, it's cold water right now. It's getting warmer so you can start using searching baits but if you don't get bit, don't get discouraged. Just slow down and go a little deeper. It's a hard time to pattern them but just have fun and don't be surprised if you spend time retying due to pike. They roam the south end of the lake alot along with Bowfin.
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