DitchPanda

If it were me this is what I'd do: first and foremost I'd wait until afternoon to get out so the sun can warm the shallows as much as possible. Then I'd hit the north shore somewhere, preferably where there is rock...that should be your warmest water because the rock holds heat and the north shore should have the sun on it most of the day. For baits in that temp range I've had luck with: slow rolling a chatterbait or Colorado blade spinnerbait, a crawfish colored flat side crank like a frittside or crawfish/ gold lipless hopped or slow rolled. Normally I'd say a jerk bait but 1ft of visibility is not conducive for jerkbaits in my experience. A black and blue jig could also play, especially if you have some shallow wood mixed in with the rock.

I've actually got a pork butt smoking for carnita tacos. I love a good paloma...what's your recipe?

Well yesterday was a little out of hand. Buddy's wife was out of town so we grilled and drank basically all day. Must have paced myself just right because I have no hangover after way too much Jameson.

I've done mine as follows: French bread with some of the inside removed, sandwich dill slices, Swiss cheese, frenchs yellow mustard, honey ham and smoked pulled pork butt (shoulder). I dont have a press some I use my big iron griddle and weight the sandwich with another cast iron pan. Only made them a few times but they were delicious.

I took a cold shower a few weeks ago. According to a guy that works for our water department, our cold tap water here in winter is like 45ish. Wow is the only word to describe it. Years back I fell thru the ice while fishing, went in chest deep. It was like nothing else I've felt, don't really know how to describe it. Not quite paralyzing, but not far off. I could barely get my body to do what I wanted it to. My feet were so cold from the freezing water in my boots I actually took them off and walked barefoot back to my truck.

Well with the quality of equipment we have for ice fishing now its really not so bad

I'm jealous. I hit the local lake after work. Drilled thru 15+ inches of ice. Bet I popped 40 holes...never caught a fish.

Dude your a dang white bass magnet

It will likely be a horse race between Ned rig and rebel pop r

I've noticed my elaztech baits fishing better after they are beat up but not my regular plastics.

Agree on the drop shot. I'd rather fish for carp.

my biggest bass of the year will come on a: 5\16oz BOSS finesse flip jig, green pumpkin skirt and a trimmed green pumpkin missile baits D bomb trailer.

Ive.never understood this about Minnesota. You guys have 14,000 lakes and are in the bottom half of the US for population density. On top of that they have really tightened the limits on fish. Yet I constantly hear people complaining about the size of the panfish. Either people are keeping and eating fish everyday or you have alot of anglers breaking the possession limit laws.

So looking over the hook options for catfish can be overwhelming... Just like in bass fishing. Just a quick look and I see j hooks, kahle, octopus, circle, oshaughnessey and a few others. For those that target channel catfish often...I'm talking eater size fish lets say 1-5lbs...what brand and style hook do you prefer?

Well that is a challenge all its own. Ones own health can certainly dictate what we are able to do fishing wise.

Oh you have a family member like that to?

So here's my take on it. The trimming like said above is to present a downsized profile. The reason I believe that is helpful is because bass metabolism is greatly slowed down in cold water...meaning they can eat alot less frequently. In my estimation that would mean a small compact meal...one that would fit in various levels of hunger...would appeal to the most fish. I fish alot in sub 50 degree water...my 5 most successful baits are: jerkbaits, small ball head finesse jigs lion mane trimmed, Ned rigs, yo yo lipless crankbaits and small chatterbaits reeled as slow as possible to get the blade moving. All of these baits represent something relatively small, easy to chase down and not unrealistic activity wise to the natural activity level of the actual forage.

Only rods I have for a single purpose is my frog rod and my shallow crank bait rods

I'd bring some along...just in case!

Looks like catfish city if you cant find bass

A nice fish and a beautiful sunset in a retro ride...not bad. Good luck on the bucket mouth hunt.

I've only had sake a few times at nice sushi places. Jury is still out on if I like it or not.

Until you've experienced that kind of cold you have no way to anticipate what it will really feel like. I've lived here for 20+ Years and it always catches me off guard. My crew worked Christmas weekend and the windchills here for those 3 days were -42, -46 and - 36. Like you said it takes no time at all for things to go wrong.

There's a gravel company north of town that used to.allow fishing in the pits outside of working hours. They were a goldmine for bass, big crappie and walleye. Of course some morons kept going out there during business hours so they shut down the fishing. I know plenty of guys who sneak out there, several of them have got trespassing tickets. Heard the fishing is still fantastic, but its not worth the legal hassle.

Lots of good info here...I believe I will consult a physical therapist before going the foam roller route since they sound like no joke. I did forget that I had purchased a workout\yoga ball at the recommendation of my chiropractor and a physical therapist. I will dig that out and work it into my normal strengthening routine.