papajoe222

Not a lipless, but I've caught them on blade baits when there was still ice on the water.

Also, for lakes that you can't find a map of, check with a local bait shop or sporting goods store.

Luggage scales are extremely accurate and inexpensive. I've found mine to be accurate to .1oz That auction site has a good assortment.

I'm old school and have been fishing Spooks for as long as I can remember. My favorite rod is the St.Croix PC56MF. It's short with a pistol grip. I believe they make a couple of different lengths, but this is their only offering with a pistol grip.

Looking for suggestions on a silent crank that runs 8-12ft. deep. I have ones that run deeper and a bunch of square bills that run shallower.

A Fluke. I don't believe I threw one at all last season, even though they have always produced.

Welcome to BR. I’ll address the spinnerbait/under spin. Aside from the obvious difference in blade placement, the big difference is the profile and what each one imitates./ The under spin a single baitfish and the spinnerbait multiple ones. The spinnerbait, IMO, is more versatile as it can elicit both reaction and feeding bites and can be worked through and around cover much easier. The under spin is presented more in open water and hard bottom situations.

I'm looking to pick-up another pair of sun gloves before the season here starts. I'm looking for open finger tips, seams that won't unravel under use and something that won't leave a gap between the glove and my shirt sleeve (my only knock on my current pair). Looking for recommendations and possibly suppliers of same.

I use a Palomar, but it seems a lot of guys have trouble tying it correctly. A Pitzen or SanDiego Jam is just as strong, IMO

Floating worms shouldn't be overlooked. As the water warms, that surface layer will be warmer than the deeper water and the bass will use it, not just to absorb the warmth, but to forage. Zoom makes a floating TrickWorm that gets a lot of use up here after ice-out.

I'm a firm believer in both colors. All red lipless cranks and any color crank with an orange belly pre-spawn seems to get them riled up. Except for a Model A and a Deep Little N in red, they seem to prefer other, more natural colors in the summer.

It really depends on how much I'm willing to spend. I splurged on a pair of Costas glass green mirror about eight years ago and they're still my favorites, but my vision has gone south recently and I opted for a pair of polarized that fit over my Rx glasses. I think I paid like $39 for them.

Early in the season, I prefer something that doesn't have a lot of action like a Zoom SpeedWorm. When I want more action, I choose a ribbon tail like a Culprit. A stick worm is always a staple for me. Mainstay colors are purple/red and pumpkinseed

I don't use an underspin this early, but two of my most productive retrieves are a slow, just fast enough to get that boot tail working and a couple of times during the retrieve ripping it. The other is just the opposite, burning it and them killing it before burning it again. Hang on, because the strikes can sometimes pull the rod out of your hands. Whatever way you try, change something during your retrieve to get followers to commit.

A priest, a minister and a rabbi were out in a boat, fishing. when they were about 30yrds from shore the rabbi said: "I can't see to tie this knot without my glasses." He got up, stepped out of the boat and walked across the water to shore and his parked car. He returned a few minutes later in the same fashion, sat down and tied on this hook without saying a word. The minister then piped up saying: "I left my lunch in the car." He stood up and did just as the rabbi had done, returning with his lunch and not saying a word. The priest thought to himself; 'I am also a man of God, I'll do as they did and walk on water, too.' He made up an excuse to retrieve something from his car, got up, stepped out of the boat and quickly sank into the water. The minister looked at the rabbi and with a sheepish grin said: "You think we should tell him where the rocks are?"

Great News Enjoy Still waiting on my end, but should be ice free here by Sunday.

The tail on them reminds me of the G-Tail worms that have been discontinued. Those are what I would consider grubs. You might do a search using that term to find them.

And don't get me started on structure/cover.

One bait I haven't seen mentioned is Cordell's Crazy Shad. It's a smaller double prop bait that is a top producer here pre and post spawn when the bass don't want a Pop R. I recommend spinning gear only because it is lightweight and easily buffeted by the wind.

Jig/Chunk Blade Bait Jerkbait

In early spring, I target areas with quick access to deep water. Not necessarily bluffs, but a bank that drops quickly to deep water, or a point that does so.

Add me to the chunk group. Zoom Salty Pro Chunk or their black and blue Super Chunk for stained water.

Bomber Model A in Apple Red

BRAID