33oldtimer

Sort of sounds like a split shot rig. I also like lighter wire hooks.

I'm going to start using offset round bend worm hooks whenever I can, but seems I'm mostly stuck with ewg hooks for thick plastics. I've heard you can bend the hook so it's slightly out of alignment with the hook eye for better hook ups. Anyone ever try that?

I recently started pegging larger soft plastics at the top of the offset hook with a tooth pick.

I almost never peg the sinker. I could load up the rod a bit to see if the bass is still there, I do that for jigs, but never had to for T-Rigs. That's the tough part, bites are so few right now with the cold water it is painful to miss 3 good T-Rig bites in a row.

Pretty cold. One bite I got yesterday and skim ice was starting to form at the shady end of the pond. Definitely fishing smaller profile lures, and 4" stick baits.

Yep. Been thinking more about using offset worm hooks. Also thinking I need to give the fish more time to take the lure.

I haven't used Texas Rigs much since the late summer. During the Fall I used moving baits. I've had bites on 2 different bodies of water but I missed the last 3 bites on Texas Rigs, 2 were stick baits, 1 was a beaver style plastic and I used ewg hooks all 3 times. And the 3 bites were good with my line moving. During the summer I had no issues. My question is, are the bass biting differently in the cold water? Picking it up by the tail and not really taking the bait? Or are ewg hooks not as effective with cold water bass? Surprised I'm missing these bites and welcome any insight you might have on cold water bass and using a Texas Rig. Thanks!

A few days ago my ponds were skimmed over with ice, as were parts of the river. Warm rain from the south and warmer temps got rid of the ice. Going out for a short time today.

I've got one setup with a wacky rig on a 1/8 oz wacky jig. But I mostly fish it deep. Trying a 4" Senko on it for finicky bass.

Yep. Realistic Fishing is one of my favorite youtube shows. He sold me on the Ozark Trail Combo. He even used 12# Zebco Omniflex mono line on it and had few issues with it. On one of the latest videos a guy rebuilt that Ozark Trail Baitcaster for him. Will be curious to see how much more use he gets out of it

Do you just fish them slow off of the bottom or hop them?

I'll admit it, I love Walmart. Our city has a very good fishing section at Walmart. It's surprising as two larger cities to the south have much smaller Walmart fishing sections. The Yum plastics are great, as are most Strike King lures. Lots of small panfish lures. Reasonable prices. Last week I got an Ozark Trail baitcasting combo for $20. I talked to the guy running sporting goods and asked if they ever sell damages stuff. The combo had the handle off of it laying on the shelf. The nut must have come loose. Normally $40 I got it for $20. Took a few minutes to put a nut and washer on it and as good as new.

I agree, except for T-Rigs and Jigs. Will have to be careful with anything having an open hook and keep it away from heavy cover.

I'm going to use the plastics/ElaZtech on regular ball head jigs. I've lost patience with Ned jig heads, especially as a bank fisherman. Last one I used took just two casts to snag under a rock. I just watched Nathan Quince's latest youtube video where he was using Neds. I couldn't count the snags and number of Neds he lost. He caught some nice fish, but I think I would've used anything else. I had some luck this summer slowly swimming Ned plastics on regular jig heads. Will try dragging them this winter.

It astounds me that people drive their trucks out on the ice and fish.

One pond I fish, usually in the afternoon, the sun hits the east side of the pond more. It has several deadfalls and I caught a 14" bass on a spinnerbait there this afternoon. He was under a deadfall about 6' from the bank. A few days ago I caught a 17" bass in the middle of the pond. He was busting on some shad and I tossed my jig into the middle of it and he slammed the jig. Maybe look for cover on the sunny side of the pond? Wood and rocks heat up in the sun.

I love those bitsy bug jigs, they are cheap and they work. I caught a nice bass the other day on one.

I've wondered how well a chatterbait and spinnerbait might work in the winter. Finesse is the main thing I had heard about winter fishing.

Yep. Bank fisherman. The river doesn't completely freeze but the main two ponds I fish will when it gets cold enough. I mostly use Texas rigs and swimbaits in the river. Lots of snaggy areas.

I've never fished in winter before, this will be my first year. Here in the US Midwest I figure I have just a handful of days before either the weather gets too nasty or ice ends my chances, so I'm trying to figure out my best options for lures. What are your go to bass lures? Thanks.

Super cheap: Ozark Trail Baitcaster Combo at Walmart $40. I bought two. Fishing a bitsy bug jig on one and a T-Rig creature bait on the other. They hit well above their low price.

Bank fisherman. Lots of wood and rocks where I fish.

That was my thought as well. Without a leader you break something or cut your line. I can't stand to see braid in the water where it's been cut. 2 days ago I was fishing a ned and got hung up on a deadfall. It broke off at the leader on my spinning setup below the braid. Fishing the same setup later I didn't realize the deadfall snag had damaged the braid just above the leader. I made a cast and the lure and leader and small section of braid at the damaged area went sailing out into the water. Even on spinning gear braid is becoming a PITA.

I've switched all my baitcasters back to mono now except for my frog reel. Feels right and no concerns about leader lines.

Great thread, thanks! I'm slowly working my way through it. Particularly interested in fishing a jig in winter, at least until it gets too cold and icy. Really just started fishing jigs this year. Caught a bass last week on a jig off of the bank, but expect they will be moving out deeper soon.