The Bassman

I want to hear about all the fish you caught.

Finally caught the pre spawn bite big time this afternoon. Caught a couple dozen with nearly half over three lbs. and a couple nearly five. Fish were chasing bait to the bank. Also, with the water warming it's nice to feel a decent fight. Enough with sluggish cold water bass.

Really appreciate this info. I don't care what the other guys say, there's just something that sticks in my head and takes my mind off fishing when a big, stupid bird comes after me. I'll be glad when it warms up and I can get back in the creeks. Snakes just get out of the way.

What's more fun than bare hairy legs and a bunch of shiners tugging at you?

The essence of midwest finesse fishing (ned rigging) is not bottom contact but rather a slow almost drifting retrieve. I use primarily the smaller (1/15-1/16) heads when stream fishing. Heavy current may call for slightly heavier. @Team9ninewill hopefully chime in as he is an authority on this.

Would be as funny as George when the hawk came after him.

Any other bank walkers having trouble with aggressive geese? I always heard you should stand them down and act like a bigger goose. Then I did a little reading and learned just the opposite. Just back away but don't turn away. Supposedly they rarely attack. Any opinions?

I want to be cool like Andrew Luck. I just don't navigate well on a smart phone. I'm a relic.

I don't care for the EVA knobs that came with them. The handle on the 1000 seems a little short, too. That's a 2500 handle with a left handed (BNT 4240) knob. Hard to tell by my flip phone camera pic.

It was a lot of fun. Landing was a bit of a challenge. The hooks were outside of its lower lip. I've got a gadget that I wear on my lipping thumb called Fisherman's Thumb. Saves a lot of wear and tear on good numbers days. You have to be careful when releasing, though because it acts like velcro and can go with the fish if you're not careful.

Got a surprize this afternoon. Was cranking my Rippin' Rap when my phone rang and I let the lure flutter down. Then this happened. (Didn't answer the call). Sorry for the rotten pic but cats don't lay flat like bass.

The occasional times I use a leader I like the Alberto as well. My biggest issue with it, though is keeping my reverse loops nested between my first set. I'm sure I mess it up but the knot seems strong and compact nonetheless.

Heard we're going right back in this cold pattern after Sat. storms. I don't ever remember the cold being this persistent and I'm almost 64.

I have some Cabela's Pro Guide spinning rods (discontinued) and have been very impressed. They were around forty bucks but fish much above that.

Amen to that. I've got arthritis in my thumbs and it makes baitcasting difficult anyway. I spin fish much more than baitcast.

Depends on how they're cooked. Seriously, I think size, presentation, and color based on water clarity are what really matters.

I don't think it makes much difference with today's lighter spools. Personally, I cast with a sidearm roll cast motion and use rods under 6'6". I don't focus on handle position. Just don't stand to the right of me. lol

Good point. I don't know how many times I've stressed that one should shop diameter, not stated strength. Then consider physical characteristics of a given product.

Finally got a couple fatties. They hit a spinnerbait close to the bank just five minutes apart. Also, never mind the cold. It must be spring because I just had my first run in with a goose. No warning, just swooped down out of the air and meant business. One slap with my rod and flapping my "wings" and I managed to stay out of trouble.

Every year's different. Some years like 2012 they were in full swing in early April. Our weather might be cold but the sun angle and daylight hours don't change. A few nice days and these fish will catch up real fast. Really cuts into our pre spawn bite window. Can't make excuses, though. @Team9nine and @IndianaFinesse catches em no matter what.

Anybody catch tonight's April Fool episode? Bill Dance and Mark Zona joined in. It was a hoot.

I run it through my lips more times than a granny threading a sewing needle.

To quote Fred G. Sanford; "Who you calling old?"

And I thought that I was the only one who had trouble feeding line through the guide, especially braid that's fuzzed a little on the end.

Mine is a play off of an old Seinfeld episode.