The Bassman

My measure of success is to enjoy myself whether it's catching foot longs or bigs. Right now as we're as deep in winter as it gets I'm looking forward to an early March day in the 50-60's with a southwest breeze and non stop bite.

We're just south of the heaviest snow. Supposed to get 8-12" by tomorrow night. Yesterday was 58* but with probably 5-6" of ice on the ponds no fishing opportunities for at least a few weeks. Darn that groundhog.

An article in In Fisherman cited a Berkley study finding that a tube was more readily taken by bass than any clawed crawfish plastic.

Welcome from a fellow hoosier. Enjoying some Redenbacher Kettle Korn in your honor right now.

I started fishing about the same time Andy Griffith debuted. I'm the same age as Ron Howard. He was cuter than I was then but I think I've got him beat now, just a lot poorer.

I would love to have one but I replaced my stable with Vanfords last year. I'm afraid of risking my perception of the perfection I'm enjoying now. Case in point, I have an older Spirex that felt glass smooth to me many years ago that now feels like a coffee grinder compared to todays' technology.

I have four Vanfords and wouldn't remotely consider tinkering with them. Shimano got it right with this reel.

Looks like a good spot to bank fish. Would love to be there. Serious cabin fever's setting in.

I would think that the problem is more the line strength than the knot. Maybe bump it up to 10 lb. Edit: BTW welcome aboard.

I bought a bag of Max Scent Generals a couple of years ago. Decided that regardless their effectiveness I can't deal with the smell. I'll just stay with my elaztech. They work just fine.

I've been watching a YouTube channel "Richard Gene the Fishing Machine". He's focusing on winter crappie and catfishing in the Tenn. river region. Real down to earth guy, maybe a little goofy. Makes me want to be there. We're ice locked for a good while now.

I saw it described in an In Fisherman article a while back. Seems to be just overcomplicating the ned rig.

I think you mean a wise man. I'm a wise guy but that doesn't necessarily translate to wisdom.

Well put, Tom. Around here early cold water can produce really well. For me clarity is the key factor. If we've had a lot of rain and the water is dingy I focus on storm drains that are producing current. my fishing is pretty much confined to residential ponds. I would think that in your locale you would be fishing natural lakes that should be clear right after ice out. If you can find clear water follow the advice to fish sunny and windward areas.

I don't fish spinnerbaits often but the last time I did it was a War Eagle 5/16 finesse with a fire tiger skirt. Worked just fine in lightly stained water. I still believe that color selection gets too much thought.

Cold bright windy days after a front have brought me some of my best winter fishing. Comfort and lure control are my main obstacles (other than being iced in now. But that's another conversation).

I know I'm fishing too much when I get way behind on chores around the house. I get feeling guilty...but I eventually get over it.

More than once I've had very large bass attack dinks I was reeling in. I would think a jointed bluegill swimbait would be very effective if vegetation wasn't an obstacle.

I had one when I was a teenager. I kinda remember not liking the thin plastic compartments. Hooks would get caught on the edges of them.

All of my catches since New Year have come from spontaneous decisions to get out with very short notice on days that weren't supposed to be fishable. We're at 6* now with no short term prospects for open water. Sure glad I jumped. Wouldn't mind being in Tenn. now even though I'm sure it's plenty chilly.

Love the avatar. Grew up idolizing Ed Roth. Even had a Rat Fink model.

Arthritis in my hands made it clear last summer that frogging was a thing of the past. I'd just purchased an SK Poppin' Perch and was getting bit with it including a 4 lbr. when I had to stop and go home because of the pain. I looked forward to that technique when vegetation made my usual methods impractical.

Stranger things have happened. I know a local guy who just caught an 8 lbr. on New Years eve from an HOA lake.

Our Indiana state record was over 14 lb. and if I'm still remembering right was pure northern strain.

I'm trying to recall any one lure that I've tried and blanked with. I do know this, though. The baits that I have little confidence in don't seem to get bit and the reason is obvious. I don't put them in the game long enough to give them a fair chance. A good example is the chatterbait. For a couple of seasons they weren't key producers for me for this very reason. On one outing in Jan. '19 during a warm spell I made myself commit to it and did very well. They are a key tool in my rotation now. My biggest bass this past season came on one. Lures are tools. My experience is that if one connects depth, size, speed, and to a lesser degree, color with conditions they'll all catch bass to some degree.