bishoptf

Yeah just these lakes really do not have points, they have something but they are not pronounced...ugh I don't think im ever going to figure out offshore stuff, lol ..just need to keep looking and trying stuff.

Last year I had this question - https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/264975-early-prespawn-and-prespawn-favorite-lures-for-pb-size-fish/ and really probably wasn't the best question to ask. Everyone thinks pre-spawn and thinks shallow and I guess for the most part at some point that is true but we have had some crazy weather last few weeks. Very warm days and nights and it has warmed the waters up pretty quickly. I have been out a couple of times and focused on shallow and they just haven't moved up for the most part so I am trying to figure out where to look in regards to staging areas. I have read that lmb will move up in stages to points, secondary points etc. when the water starts warming up. Most articles refer to highland reservoirs and talk about creek channels etc. The lakes I fish are small shallow lakes more like lowland reservoirs. They are man made and pretty shallow for the most part and brush piles are the main under water feature, not a lot of rock except close to the bank. I am just trying to learn under these type of lakes where are the lmb most like to be staging. Where should I start first and with what lures. I assume they must be relating to some brush piles in deeper water but I know last couple of times, moving baits in shallow were not producing and I should have tried other areas deeper but just not sure I understand where they are likely to be staging. Thanks in advance....:)

This can be a deep rabbit hole and it depends on how deep you want to go, being an old engineer like everything I tend to go deep to try to understand everything. I'm a huge LifePo4 (LFP) fan. It's a very stable chemistry and when made properly they should last a very long time. My setup is rather complicated since I do not have shore charging so I need my configuration needs some additional electronics that allows me to charge ALL the batteries when the big engine runs. I'm sure you have read most of the highlights for LFP but they are superior (again when made properly) than lead acid or agm. One of the major things that I believe most folks overlook is that they have different charging profiles, you need a special charger for them and most of the plug and play chargers while they say the support LFP they may not be a good fit for your batteries. One of the main advantages to LFP is that they have a BMS that manages the 4 cells in the battery (if talking 12v batteries). That BMS controls all of the functions and is the brain and depending on how it is programmed will also control the charging profiles. Most LFP chargers want to charge to 14.x volts and what usually ends up happening is the BMS will just cut off charging when one of the cells hits 3.5x voltage. These batteries can balance at higher voltages but its a slow process so what happens over time is the cells become more unbalanced. Again LFP has such a long life and capacity that it will not impact things for a very long time. See I am already going down a bunny trail, lol... Anyway, they make LFP cranking batteries that should meet most mfg specifications, the one thing that you may want to think about is depending on how you are going to wire things up you may want a shunt or something else on the batteries to know what the voltage is and that will allow you to derive the state of charge. What's nice about LFP batteries is you get the full capacity, if it states 20ah then you have 20ah, lead acid/agm etc you can cut that number in half. I did not go with a LFP cranking battery since my new boat came with a brand new agm cranking, but I have 3 LFP, 2 for 24v trolling and 1 for house which runs all the electronics. Depending on the LFP types one of the only gotchas is that they have a low temperature cutoff, meaning that the BMS will not allow you to charge them when the temps are below a certain temp. Each brand like I said has a value that they use for low temp cutoff and again it only applies to charging, you can use the batteries and they will work and actually heat the batteries up but if you try to charge them when its cold and below the value the bms will not allow since you can damage them when below 32. Just something to keep in mind, some of the batteries have heated wraps that turn on below freezing to keep them above the temp but just something else to consider. Oh well, if you have any questions about setup balancing etc let me know, I may not have an answer but I do know some good forums that deal with the batteries that probably do...

Basspro has Suffix 832 braid on sale $10.

Welp I had started another thread since I didn't know this ine existed ..last couple of days walking the bank in the same cove...

Well shoot, thats where I should have posted ...Doh...thanks for the link.

Day 2, same stretch, its a cove and maybe all of 50 yards if that....some interesting lures, I thin one is 13 fishing jabber jaw, the lip/bill moves, storm square bill and a really nice vision 110 1/2 jerkbait...

I too found one vision 110 last year, onlybone I have...I have lost some cheaper jerkbaits in this lake and hope I can find them once the hooks rust off....

Located in the midwest a couple of our smaller lakes near me sometimes ice up and this was one of those years. Finally thawed out a couple weeks ago and we have had some strong windy fronts come through and yesterday when I was shore fishing I looked down and found a major craft crankbait and reminded me to maybe walk the shore and look for lures. I knew of one cove that the wind usually blows strong and found 8 lures...some paint needs some work and need new hooks but I will put them back into service. Just wanted to say if fishing from the shore take a close look around never know what you may find.

Depends on the rod, there were plenty of posts about Edge rods delivery delays a few pages back, there were some waiting almost a year....its a ymmv. I personally wouldnt mind the wait if they charges your card when it ships but my understanding is they charge when you order and then you have to wait. I know they are nice rods but the process ans wait it pretty lame, just my opinion.

Its been interesting and Ive learned being in the midwest that florida strain bass really slow down in under 50 degree water temp, im just a couple weeks from ice out and water temps still around 42. What i have seen with the float and fly is it just depends on the day, I have had more luck with windy overcast days. Yesterday was warm bluebird and not a single bite. Same spot early in the week caugh 8 small bass, so its like everything, timing plays a big piece but I am fishing slowww like @Harold H mentions. Win there is some wind just letting that move it along with some twitches...

This is what I came up with, just press fitting may hold fine but i wanted to glue them...that was a pain but was able to get three done...see the pics for my setup.

The original idea is to use a hair jig for deep suspended bass. Ive tried that but have had more luck with a minnow style bait mostly over brush piles. Ive been trying differnt style baits but the 3.5" rapala mooch minnow has caught me the most bass, with the largest being 4+. Ive found that at least for my lake that i have had more success on overcast windy days since it helps impart some motion, but I do twitch it when fishing it....its a slow process but again for me has really been the only thing i have had success when the water has been well below 50 degrees. Im using a 3/16 #1 jig head, 8lb leader to 15lb braid.

Good suggestion and kind of what I was thinking about. They are tiny but will see if I can get it done and not glue my fingers together.

Went out and tested they work but since they are so small when I reel it back in, water on the line keeps the bead from easily slide down the line. Not a huge issue but wish I could have found one a little bigger. Will have to see what i can come up with but for .99 cents I will make it work.

Thanks everyone, i had tonrun another errand and stopped at the local Hobby Lobby. I use 30lb braid for the bobber stop knot and 8lb mono leader and 30lb braid is not that thick but what I use and have on hand. Hobby Lobby has lots to choose from but most medium size beads have holes that are to large but they had some tiny, I mean tiny beads that have very small holes. I was concerned that the overall size would be to small for the float but appears to work, lifetime supply for $.99....I may pair it up with a larger bead that I can see but either way I thin this will work. Appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

Yesh not many craft stores left, I looked at wally world craft section, lots of beads all with big holes, lol...maybe check michaels..

Not sure many are utilizing this technique but I have learned at least for me in the midwest when the water temps dive below 50 degrees (often around 40 ) florida strain LMB become really hard to catch, at least for me, lol. I started playing around with the float and fly technique and to my surprise was able to catch some bass. There are several iterations of the technique but I am using a slip float with a bead and bobber stop knot, I can adjust the knot up or down to adjust depth. It works really well and I have actually been using it with Rapala mooch minnows and catching fish but my only issue is finding beads with a small hole. My wife had a collection of beads but only a couple had a small hole through the bead. I can use larger material for making the bobber stop knot but the bigger the knot it doesn't like going through the guides as well. I thought I would just ask if anyone knows of beads that I could look for that have a small hole, just thought I would ask...thanks!

4.65x8.7 I believe is the correct size...I was lazy and didn't go get my digital caliper, this is my $2 caliper but its accurate..

Yeah not the easiest to get in touch with, not sure how long its been since you left a message but they always called me back. Honestly there shipping process leaves a lot to be desired. If you have a caliper Inwould just measure it, height vs diameter. There seems to be several standard sizes, but once you have the measurement you can go on ebay and find ceramic ones that should last even longer. If you have the same reel that I was repairing I can take a measurement and let you know what size it is...

Yup same for me, they had a bunch in various sizes along with 6th sense strobe shaker...i bought more than I need, will use them has bladed jig trailers....not as big as a spunk shad but close enough...they were $1.78 ea so figured why not.

Thats my concern, my local store has had less and less fishing tackle and not sure what if anything they would have on clearance. Thinking about taking a drive but not sure it will be worth the drive..

Yup going to hate seeing those deals gonaway, they also have the b3g3 on other stuff like rapala cranks, steike king jigs, spinnerbaits etc ..the b3g3 is about the best deal going when they have it imho...im having the same issue usually I can fish through most of the winter but the cold hard froze a couple of the smaller lakes near me and we have warmer temps and they are melting but not fast enough...sigh.

I just order online, they have an app also but they have removed most of the fishing stuff from the stores but you can order online and even with shipping still cheap.

Dicks sporting goods has the best deal for chatterbaits, buy 3 get 3 basically makes them half price. They have jackhammers priced higher but you can chat to a csr and they usually will price match bass pro etc. prices. I believe the sale continues through February but basically you can get JH for $10ea and evo's and mini max's for $5ea.