Flukeflicker

And even if those fish did live, what right does that guy have to stab stringers through those poor fish's jaws? If he wanted to show his catches, he should have held each of them separately immediately after catching them and snapped a quick photo. Cruel crap like that should get your licence taken.

As the title says, what do you guys think? I personally have never eaten any species of bass, and never will unless it's better for the fish. When I say better for the fish, I mean if it is clearly going to die and is suffering. I know this topic will ruffle some feathers, and that's partially why I wanted to post it. I was also just curious. Just know that your safety might be compromised depending on your answer.

Must be nice still being able to throw topwater. That stopped for me about a quarter of the way through November. My first bass of the year was a 3lber on a red strike king red eye shad.

I am an absolute snag magnet when it comes to jigs. I fish water with minimal cover, and it always happens the same way. I'll be working the jig, I'll pause it, and get an obvious thump, and when I set the hook, I'm hung. I fish jigs with moderate to heavy cover weed guards. I guess I'll just have to buy some more, again.

-5°?! 114°?! And I thought I was crazy, my goodness. I think if I really wanted to, I'd fish in colder weather, but a couple of decent bass in frigid temps just isn't worth it to me. Thanks for sharing.

I personally fish throughout the entire winter and wanted to see what measures you guys take. The lowest temp. I've ever been out in was 15°F. I also fish in heavy rain and in the 90's with breaks.

One of the latest tackle purchases I made was a 500yd spool of 15-lb KastKing Flourocote. Has anyone had experience with this line?

That lake is beautiful. Just don't fall in. 😬

The weirdest catch I've ever had was a female mallard duck. I was walking the bank and was scared half to death by a duck flopping around. I had figured it was injured since it wouldn't fly away. I noticed a bright yellow blob on its back, and by the time I could tell what it was, it had already run into the water. It had someones lost walking bait pinning its wing and foot together. I knew I had to help it, but it swam to the middle of the pond. About half an hour later a noticed that it was on the opposite bank. I slowly snuck behind the dam over to it and hid behind a tree right by the shore. I raced down to it before its knew what was happening, grabbed it and carefully removed the hooks. During the removal she was extremely calm and let me help. After the hooks were out, I let her go, and she flew off. I felt like a freaking hero.

My biggest bass this year was a 6lb. Largemouth on a texas rigged zoom lizard.

My fishing goals this year are to catch a new PB LMB and start flipping mats.

I normally throw a Strike King Perfect Plastics ned Ocho on a 1/4 mushroom jighead. I fish them on rocky bottoms to downsize if fish won't commit to jigs.

(Update) I took what you guys said into consideration and had some good results. I caught probably a dozen bass between 1 and 3.5 pounds, 3 four-pounders, one 4.5, and a 5.2lber. I threw a bacca burrito 6'', a River2Sea S-waver, and a red eye shad. Hopefully, with a lot of patience, I'll get a big one.

I purchased the Crixus combo a while ago and noticed some issues. It started extremely smooth and worked just fine, but after a few months of light use, it felt grainy and cheap. I fugured id just use it as long as it would last. Eventually, the drag completely gave out and broke, making the handle spin backwards from pulling on a snag. I know this isnt the exact reel you purchased, but I thought this might help. Hopefully, you don't experience the same things.

If I had to flip, I would go from bank fishing Missouri ponds and backwater areas, to fly fishing for trout and salmon in Oregon. Interesting topic Swamp Girl.

I have had the most success on Texas-rigged craws in shallow cover.

6lb trout S.O.S. mono line is cheap and strong.

My two most recent tackle purchases were a Strike King Red Eye Shad and a Strike King Pro Model Rattlin' Jig. Don't expect the rattle to be too durable, though.

Thank you guys, you've been very helpful. I'll be fishing A-rigs, crankbaits, jigs, glides, large Panoramas, and swimbaits. I've never been night fishing, but I was already planning to go this spring and the coming year.

Thank you for the tips. I'll definitely be heading out earlier and taking advantage of water conditions this winter and coming spring, especially during flooding.

Thanks so much for the info!

I live in Missouri, and my personal best largemouth is 6lbs. Ever since that catch, I've been chasing a bigger one. Multiple spots around me have crystal clear water and many bass in the 8-11lb. range. What techniques do you guys think should use to catch them?