Bass-Addict

Indy Bait and Tackle. There were definitely fish there, I caught a bunch they just wouldn’t touch the craws.

Tried them a week ago with no success, you don’t think when they disappear in their burrows it impacts smallmouth foraging?

High water, record rains?? Where are you, Oregon? It’s been dry as a bone out here, water is at it’s lowest.

Yeah it’s actually gonna be sunny and 65 today so tempted to give it a whirl, but yes water is still frigid and next week looks better. I figure I’m off work may as well try a few of these drive up spots while I can with only a few weeks left of prime fishing.

It got down to 37 thurs night, yesterday didn’t even get a nibble. Last night went down to 33, you think it’s worth even trying today? Gonna be warmer than yesterday, in the 60s when yesterday was in the 50s. I only ask because I’m on crutches so it’s a bit of a production for me to go.

No idea lol, prob rusty since they’re invasive and the most abundant

I’m not talking like your typical riffles, like anywhere from a 3-10 ft drop into a slower moving pool like this: It seems like it would be a perfect spot, just not sure how it works and how big they get. I fished one today that was prob a 7-10 ft deep hole below a waterfall similar to this but much smaller in size. Got skunked but I think it was the cold front, dropped down to 37 last night.

Man that was bad, especially being such an otherwise perfect day. Sun was shining it felt great. I hit 2 different prime spots too and was using pretty big decent sized (2-4”) live shiners. Both deep holes after a current on this small river. Not even a nibble. It dropped down to 37 last night, could that have shocked the fish or caused them to stop feeding? I wanna go back out tomorrow but the low is 33 tonight so it’ll likely be even worse. Warms back up next week though, might have to wait for the overnight lows to get back up in the 50’s Wednesday, or do you think it’s worth trying again tomorrow? Gonna be in the low 60s, just cold tonight.

It really is amazing how nice it is when no one else is out

Oh yeah that’s ridiculously rude I would say something, esp now w covid you can say back up buddy! But yeah, terrible fishing etiquette. I don’t even like fishing w friends for this reason.

Even on live bait?

What do you mean they like to follow the bent rod pattern?

Yeah I’m certain it would work, supposedly they’ll hit live year round in the right conditions

Have you tried live bait?

Yes, can’t stand the annoying people that crowd all of the prime fishing spots and have no respect for fishermen. One family was so loud and obnoxious I finally said something, it was a weekday literally all by myself fishing this riffle off a rocky beach and this Karen and her 3 kids come waltzing up and the kids proceeded to jump, splash, kick and throw giant rocks in the water right where I was fishing. I finally asked if they could play a little bit down from where I was, unbelievable.

You can’t catch bass before April?

I’ve had some of my best fishing these last few weeks, thanks to the advice of the people here not to pack up my gear as soon as it got too cold to swim. In fact, I enjoy it more as there is virtually no one out and I have the river to myself! During peak season a canoe livery uses the same stretch I float and it’s insanely busy even during the week, it’s really annoying. I need to find a less trafficked section for the warmer months. Anyway, yeah I used to dread fall and winter as it seemed like I’d have to wait forever to get back out there, but now that I know it’s just 3-4 months I have to stick it out gets me pumped! For those who don’t fish year round in the temperate regions, how early do you start fishing?

Thanks man, yeah it is really well made. A little pricy, cooler itself was $60 but worth it, keeps water relatively stable temp and most importantly seals. I first tried using aerator w a regular cooler and by the time I got to my fishing spot I was soaked. The mesh liner is especially handy if you don’t use all your bait and have to keep them over night or a few days, makes changing the water incredibly easy. The aerator is great too, I wanted one that afforded me the ability to plug in at home and take on the water without having to buy batteries forever, this is the best of both worlds w the USB chargeability. I mostly kayak, so I am going to buy this for next season to lighten my load as I already have 50 lb of **** on my boat and the cooler/aerator are nice but cumbersome, but I will definitely still use it for bank fishing and keeping minnows alive at home and in between spots: https://baitshark.com/

https://engelcoolers.com/products/7qt-live-bait-box https://www.amazon.com/KEDSUM-Aquarium-Rechargeable-Portable-Transportation/dp/B07SB4MLJ6 works pretty well, change water every 12 hours, toss a few ice cubes in when water warms above 60.

My dad and I were tearing it up yesterday when suddenly the bite dropped off hard. It was still nice out so we couldn’t figure it out, but sure enough later that night it stormed pretty bad. Could this be the reason? How do the fish sense this and why do they stop feeding, do they go deep to avoid being washed away?

I mean I guess I’m trying to catch the most/biggest fish lol If I’m trying to keep it as simple as possible is a split shot 8” above a hook plenty adequate or will I have a lot more success w the drop shot?

For casting long distances is split shot a good choice? If so, do you then jig off bottom or just let it sink?

Why exactly do some people rig live minnows on jig heads, is this more effective? I thought the whole idea of live bait was natural presentation?

Cool thanks!

Wow so even with all that bony exoskeleton and claws etc they are 80% protein?? No wonder they eat them the most.