Bladesmith,

These worms or cysts are common in the ponds and streams of Okla,Ark,and Texas. I first noticed them in the late 60's. They show up in warmer water, as in July when the temps get hot. I was told by an Ark. Game and Fish Dept. biologist that they are not harmful to humans if cooked properly. He also said they were spread to my new pond by the blue herons that visited. Needless to say the herons were no longer welcome guests at my pond.

I personally think that bed fishing is rather like hitting below the belt. There are plenty of other catchable bass on any water that are not spawning. Our lakes and rivers are getting more pressure than ever before, and if we want to continue to have the fine fisheries that we now enjoy in this country, we had better be willing to take measures to protect them, now. Not to be offensive to anyone of a different opinion, but folks that keep saying it doesn't hurt the fishery remind me of the old buffalo hunters that didn't think they could ever kill off all the buffalo. Seen a herd of free ranging buffalo, lately ?

One thing you can count on is that the MAIN PURPOSE of signature equipment is MARKETING. That being said, I think most pros DO use their signature equipment, not exclusively of course, but at least when they're in the public view. After all, it's their JOB.

Nice perch ! That's one more than I caught, yesterday.

Welcome Big Al; Sounds to me like a pretty good come-back with a 5 lb. bass in your first hour of fishing. I understand what you mean about all the new reels available. I upgraded some of my equipment after years of using the same old equipment, which I bought back in the 70's ( if you buy good equipment and take care of it, you don't have to replace it ). The new stuff is surprising in it's variety and versatility, and there is a much greater range of gear ratios available, than there was before. I hope the good luck of your first day back stays with you all season.

I agree with you guys; Spring can't come soon enough. Our lake has been frozen solid since late Nov. or early Dec. It's been so long I can't remember which. At least I can catch a few trout on the river, once in a while. Steelhead should start running late next month. All my reels have been cleaned, my tacklebox is in better order than its ever been. My poor boat is still under 2 ft. of snow. Guess I'll have to put up with cabin fever for a while longer.

I always keep a grub or plastic worm rigged on a stand-by rod. It takes 2 or 3 seconds to grab it up put the worm or grub in the water where the fish hit. I've caught more fish this way than by throwing the buzz bait or topwater back. I play the odds in this case, and the odds favor the worm or grub.

I use an Eagle Fishmark 320, and I can watch my jigging spoons sink from 2 or 3 ft. on down to 35 or so, and that's with the automatic settings on.

I use Strike Kings Mini's here on Lake Cascade. They're relatively weedless and will run through the weedbeds at any depth with few hang-ups. The larger spinnerbaits don't seem to be as effective for me. My favorites on this lake are yellow (not chartreuse ) and black and yellow.

Cry me a river ! Our lake ( Cascade,in Idaho ) has over 20 inches of ice on it,and it won't go away until mid April to early May.I do NOT like ice fishing.

Buzz baits are one of my favorite shallow water lures.I always set the hook immediately.Either the fish has it or he does not.If he does not,I always throw a plastic worm immediately to the same spot that I got the strike.Usually,I'll pick up any fish that missed the buzz bait with the worm.To do this,it's necessary to have a second rod with the worm already rigged standing by.Try it.It works for me,maybe it'll work for you too.

In our lake ( Cascade in Idaho ) 3 inch grubs on 1/8 oz jig heads,in watermelon and pumpkinseed , and shad raps in perch pattern,and occasionally a small spinnerbait in black and yellow are consistantly effective. The water here is generally clear to slightly green.

In Idaho we commonly catch rainbows on 4 inch grubs,rigged on 1/8 oz.jig heads.Rapalas,also work well,as does almost any kind of in-line spinner.

Andy,remember,the water is colder,the fish are sluggish.They are not going to eat anything very large because it will sour in their stomachs before they can digest it and kill them,so use small baits(lures) and fish them v-e-r-y s-l-o-w.You may have to put your bait right under their noses because they will not move far to get it.The take will be very light because the fish are not very agressive at this time of year.Deeper water is the key to finding fish in this season.They'll either be in it or very close to it.Good Luck.

I guess what's effective is going to depend upon what part of the country you're in and wheather you're stream-river fishing or lake fishing.Mainly,I fish the North Fork of the Payette River in west central Idaho for big rainbows,and rainbow-cutthroat hybrids,in winter.The "Cast Master" spoons in 1/12 or 1/8 oz. sizes in silver or brass are very effective here.Rainbows of 20 to 24 inches are not uncommon,and anything under 18 inches is not worth mentioning.If you care to use bait,boiled shrimp (2 inch ,and they won't touch raw shrimp ),or worms are effective.The best time to fish here is Jan. through Feb. Snowshoes are necessary.