DitchPanda

I've got several different lipless baits... at least 5 or 6 different brands...the 2 I've had best luck on are the Cordell spot and the spro aruku shad jr...they both are a little lighter and have a decent flutter on the fall..to be fair I don't fish much grass

I get about 15 to 17 days of pto a year depending on what holidays I work...and I'm fortunate to have a very cool boss so I've also never called in sick to go fishing but I have used some lets say last minute "emergency" PTO days for quick trips..as long as nobody else on my crew is out im usually good even on just a day or two notice

Two mentions on mepps inline spinners... I've never thrown one targeting bass but looks like I should

What rod length? That's the only deal for me...but for bass I prefer a size 30 or bigger

I know the typical ice out lures... jerkbaits, lipless cranks, shad raps and flat side cranks, jigs-regular and hair, Ned rigs and blade baits. Does anybody have anything strange or unique or just different they have good success on right at ice out? Looking to add a few arrows to the old quiver this year

Thanks for the responses

I appreciate you saying I'm a good guy...not sure how true it is but I appreciate it nonetheless. I was just trying to help you focus on the fun of learning the process of targeting big bass. Big is relative as guys on this site have caught fish twice the size of my PB. I'm just trying to figure out the biggest fish in my local systems and if I run across a 10+ doing so that's even better.

I'm a bank bound guy... I had a boat several years ago and didn't use it so I sold it... so in that regard I'm way more behind than you! My local lakes and pond's I frequent are all small 1 to 10 acres on average so that helps me get by without a boat. I instead use some of the money id spend on a boat payment or upkeep buying nice gear and too many baits. Sorry for the ramble I guess my point is I've found something that works for me and don't care how it looks. I'd say you feel that way too.

Jimmyjoe is on the right track most people are good and much more friendly than you'd think so I'd just ask...worst case they will say no or if it's worse than that you wouldn't want to fish there property or have anything to do with them anyhow...Also a PB under the conditions im describing illustrates my point outsized fish seem to bite in non optimum conditions... a 5.42 is a very respectable fish and remember this isn't a race to 10...enjoy the big bass hunting process and keep doing the right things maybe you get there and maybe you don't but I bet you'll have a great time trying and learning...and if you do you can show us all without a doubt that 10s exist in Ohio!

Absolutely there are 10s there.Not sure about fishable numbers but some for sure.I'm with the guys suggesting getting permission to fish private ponds...that said tho I've caught several 7 to 8.5lb fish from small public waters here in Iowa...never a 10 but there are some around.Probably 8 of my biggest 10 bass in almost 20 years of fishing have been in the last 5 or 6 years...not from the same body of water and there has been no magic bait.One thing id say has been key for me is fish when other people wont...probably 4 or 5 of those 8 biggest have been in very early spring or very late fall when they "wont" bite...many days I get 1 bite but I'll tolerate crap weather and a long fishless period for a stud..just saying even if it's cold or overcast and windy or rainy or all of the above keep your head down and drag a jig or slow roll a spinnerbait and hold on cuz it can happen.

I use single and double Colorado's with gold blades...skirt usually has chartreuse in it...this year in gonna throw a few singles with black skirt and size 6 copper colorado

I'm a huge falcon fan and feel they always fish way above there sticker price... In the Bucoo SR series they have a 7ft heavy fast and a 7ft 4in heavy fast both rated for 3/8th to 1oz for 99.99 and 109.99 respectively..I've always felt falcon rate there rods 1 power off so id imagine these would fish like an average medium heavy... to me the actions feel close Fast feels fast mod fast feels mod fast etc...the thing I like most about Falcon is there rods are light they feel comfortable in hand and I've never had one that felt unbalanced or tip heavy Let me add that for the past several years I've been jig fishing mostly 3/8ths jigs on a mojo bass 7ft1in medhvy fast and I love it... A few people above me have recommended the mojo line and I can say with confidence they are a great rod for not a lot more money if you can swing it

At least you had a 6+ on today...we've got 12+ inches of ice here..only thing I've seen jump off today was our cat off the top of the couch when I scared him

Pretty sure they still make Mann's stingrays grubs

For traps and Squarebills I use a couple falcon bucoo trapcasters and they are great..believe the falcon bucoo sr series is around 100 on tackle warehouse...for spinners, buzzbaits and chatters I use the previous generation Berkley shock 7ft medium heavy...they are only like 40 or 50 at wal mart

For me a go to for texas rigs and Carolina rigs has always been a baby brush hog. The medium power rod would be ok for texas rigs in moderate cover but for the Carolina rig I would suggest a more powerful rod. At least a medium heavy in my opinion. Also one other thing is suggest is stepping up to 30 or 40 lb braid. Should help prevent the line from digging into itself on hard hooksets. Also forgot to mention that while I do like the zoom brush hogs I actually prefer the big bite baits version. They have them on tackle warehouse. The 4inch ones are only 5 bucks for a 25 pack...can't beat that in my opinion.

Basically like everybody has said I only replace them when they break. A big thing is make sure everything is dry before putting boxes away. When I get home I take my boxes open them up and dry everything with a fan before storing everything.

Renegade 4inch curly tail worms at Wal Mart...I have plenty of other options but these are very nostalgic for me

I was looking at the little dippers on tackle warehouse and wondering if there big enough?I know they say 3.5 inch but that varies so much from company to company..would primarily throw them on siebert fogys and chatterbox customs which are both a little smaller baits in my opinion BTW that goby is a cool looking little bait

Do any of you use these on chatterbaits? If so what brands do you prefer? So far I've used flukes and pit bosses with good results but want to change it up some Let me ad I have searched thru some old chatterbait trailer posts...but I was just curious about any changes you guys have been having success with

I'm one of the northern guys that is still on lock down... so I fish until ice up for bass..through the ice I switch to bluegill crappie and perch which is cool since I like to eat fresh fish... by now we've had ice for 3 months so I'm kind of over it and I'm just messing with tackle and buying to much crap...um..I mean gear

I don't have any experience with the Nichols colorado spinnerbaits but I use the metal flake pulsators and they are great..no reason to think the Colorado's wouldn't be great..and they have some awesome colors! For budget baits I love booyah so that would be one recommendation

I would look for wind blown shorelines especially ones with sun on them..this time of year a degree or two difference can really pull fish into water so shallow it may surprise you

Welcome from a fellow Iowan

One blade to rule them all!