58 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

We're in the same shoes, Alex. As a kid, I fished largemouth.

 

As an adult, for a couple years, I was musky obsessed, but other than that, I was fishing for smallmouth in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Wisconsin River, the Mississippi River, and a dozen or so lakes in northwestern Ontario. Total finesse fishing.

 

Then, this past summer, for the first time in 50 years and after five years of caregiving without fishing, I started fishing for largemouth again. It was like running into a high school sweetheart at your high school class's 50-year reunion and being smitten again IF my high school sweetheart had become an enormously complex person in that half century. Bass fishing has become enormously complex, as you know. There isn't a day at Bass Resource where I don't google a lure or technique that someone mentions. 

 

I'm slowly adapting to catching largemouth with modern techniques, but I've got my decades of finesse fishing for smallmouth always nudging me. I'm an old dog, but I'm slowly learning some new tricks.  

I would have assumed you'd have been Power fishing your whole life given the results you've achieved with it.    I love it, talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.    

 

It's a bit overwhelming at times, but after several months I've started to get my sea legs under me to some degree.   I had to google Whopper Plopper for the first time because of you earlier this year, now I own one......I'll send you the bill ?

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

I bought half a dozen 6th Sense Crushes because of you, but you'll get no bill. I expect them to hook lots of bass in the prespawn. They're gorgeous lures. I expect the lure to be a:

 

 

This past year, I missed the prespawn and spawn. I missed June and most of July. So, I am super exited about 2023 because I'll get to fish all these periods. I'm up to 21 new bodies of water to fish. The planning is almost as much fun as the fishing.  

14 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

I bought half a dozen 6th Sense Crushes because of you, but you'll get no bill. I expect them to hook lots of bass in the prespawn. They're gorgeous lures. I expect the lure to be a:

 

 

This past year, I missed the prespawn and spawn. I missed June and most of July. So, I am super exited about 2023 because I'll get to fish all these periods. I'm up to 21 new bodies of water to fish. The planning is almost as much fun as the fishing.  

Haha, and I feel exactly the same way.    I've been looking forward to fishing pre spawn and the spawn since I started back mid summer.   

 

Like with most great crankbaits, there is just something unique about those Crush baits especially when it comes to quality fish.    Really great hardware too, they seem to have oversized very stout, and super sticky hooks.    I have no fear horsing a fish on these hooks, whereas that Shimano WM Flashboost Jerkbait today was getting its hooks slightly bent out by 2-3lb Spots.    

 

Before I never took any of this stuff into account, now I'm really trying to pay attention to line diameter, hook size, drag setting.....and how you must calculate that specific 3 part formula every time you tie on a new bait if you want the best chances for landing success.   I can't imagine the sick feeling I'd have if I lost my White Whale horsing her in on heavy Fluorocarbon and thin wire hooks which I would have tried to do as recently as a few months ago.     

 

If you don't appreciate being humbled, and learning......Bass fishing isn't the pursuit for you.

I got out this past Saturday. Numbers were crazy, well over 50 fish. No monsters, 17.75" was biggest. Pretty wild to have the non-stop action in the kayak like that this time of year.

 

19 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I got out this past Saturday. Numbers were crazy, well over 50 fish. No monsters, 17.75" was biggest. Pretty wild to have the non-stop action in the kayak like that this time of year.

 

Well that was fun......like Bream fishing but with Bass instead ?

 

Not sure I could transition as easily as you do from a Bass boat to kayak.  Never kayak fished, but it seems to add a whole another level of difficulty to the process.   I also bet it connects you with the elements and nature better.  

15 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Shimano WM Flashboost Jerkbait

I'm thinkin' of getting one of these this winter to add to my jerk bait aresenal.  They seem to have a lot more "flash" than any other jerk bait.

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I got out this past Saturday. Numbers were crazy, well over 50 fish. No monsters, 17.75" was biggest. Pretty wild to have the non-stop action in the kayak like that this time of year.

 

Nice work there! I caught myself settling the hook with you! ?

19 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Caught 12-15 fish this afternoon.     All but one came off a big Shimano Flashboost jerkbait.   

 

3 high quality Spots with one going close to 3.5.      One nice Spot inhaled a DD crankbait, and while it didn't gullet hook or gill hook it, it got it somewhere right at the back of the mouth and the fish was bleeding quite a bit.    Inevitably this ate me up the whole fishing session.   I can't help but constantly think if that fish is going to make it, if I could have done something for it......I know the Mtn Dew is debunked, but after today I'm going to research finding a product to help with this.     Thankfully this is the first fish since I started back fishing that was a bleeder.      One too many though, kind of makes me sick....oddly I have more empathy for Bass than most humans ?

One eyed willy, but proof catch N release works 

Know how you feel! I have way more empathy for Bass than lots of humans. I won't get political by mentioning any. Always hate to have a bleeder. That is one of the reasons I no longer use live bait. The other is that I'm not trying to catch them all......just the ones I can fool with a lure. Besides, like most of us, it's not always the fish we are after when we go fishing!

Hate I couldn't go this past four day weekend but I was catching up on honey-do's! Building the little woman a new fence up by the road. I'll bet Ol Crickety wants to see it so I'll have to take pictures. Maybe I'll get invited to sausage and tatters!

5 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Know how you feel! I have way more empathy for Bass than lots of humans. I won't get political by mentioning any. Always hate to have a bleeder. That is one of the reasons I no longer use live bait. The other is that I'm not trying to catch them all......just the ones I can fool with a lure. Besides, like most of us, it's not always the fish we are after when we go fishing!

Hate I couldn't go this past four day weekend but I was catching up on honey-do's! Building the little woman a new fence up by the road. I'll bet Ol Crickety wants to see it so I'll have to take pictures. Maybe I'll get invited to sausage and tatters!

You're a good man Bob!   I'm sure that woman appreciates it.   The universe will provide you with a monster Spot in due time ?

 

 

10 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

You're a good man Bob!   I'm sure that woman appreciates it.   The universe will provide you with a monster Spot in due time ?

 

 

You are very kind! She does appreciate it. She says it's my one redeeming value. She just doesn't understand my other.......fishing! I'd better get away from yours and Bluebasser86's videos and get my butt back to work! BTW you guys do a great job and crush my job productivity but after all, I got to watch you catch just one more! Going after that Spot Sunday Lord willin'! It's raining here in the mid-state....Thank God for that!

@Blue Raider Bob

 

I do want to see those pics! Sausage and taters are you due.

 

@Bluebasser86

 

What a day! 

 

I think I'm going to change my name to Blue Crickety. Given what the two Blues produce, I want in on the blue action!  

Still catching them from the boat and the bank. Water temps running 44 deg or less on most all bodies of water. Small jigs, jerkbaits and blade baits depending on water conditions. Hoping we can keep throwing at open water for a few more weeks - or that I run into a big one before it all ends.

 

 

Got out after work, caught two smallies, two white bass, saw two eagles, then saw two lightning bolts. Ran away 

9 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Got out after work, caught two smallies, two white bass, saw two eagles, then saw two lightning bolts. Ran away 

How many thrusts is that Minn paddle up front? ?

 

Beautiful creatures as always, you are blessed in that TN is an amazing state for wildlife.

 

ETA:   This is the second ridiculously close call with lightning, and ironically enough both have been while I wasn't fishing.    This one happened within meters, and I smelled the electrified air and saw the bolt along with sparks.   Crazy it was on film.  

 

On 11/28/2022 at 7:58 PM, ol'crickety said:

Bass fishing has become enormously complex, as you know.

 It's only as complex as we choose to make it Katie. A T-Rig or jig, and a handful of moving baits are all that are really required. Lord knows I've had a tendency to over complicate it over the years, but that's coming full circle.

 As I analyze what's worked for me and what hasn't, my fishing is getting more simplified, and I'm a better angler for it. Instead of rotating through a bunch of baits and constantly second guessing myself, I pick up a bait or two I have confidence in, and grind all day or night with 'em. 

 That said, it seems there's always something new coming out that I just gotta try. Sometimes those new baits pay off big and become a confidence bait. The Slugo, Senko, Chatterbait, and A-Rig come to mind. Boy has that A-rig been paying off big lately, just not with the bass. LOL. That bait's still a work in progress for me, but already it's become a bait I have a ton of confidence in when the water's below 50 degrees.

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

 It's only as complex as we choose to make it Katie. A T-Rig or jig, and a handful of moving baits are all that are really required. 

Minus the handful of moving baits……..

 

8 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

How many thrusts is that Minn paddle up front? ?

 

Beautiful creatures as always, you are blessed in that TN is an amazing state for wildlife.

 

ETA:   This is the second ridiculously close call with lightning, and ironically enough both have been while I wasn't fishing.    This one happened within meters, and I smelled the electrified air and saw the bolt along with sparks.   Crazy it was on film.  

 

currently I think the minn paddle is about 195 lbs thrust……… 

 

that’s a wild video, I live right near that road. Those mtns are not a fun place to be during a storm 

@T-Billy

 

Thank you, Voice of Reason. I need that reminder now and again.

Well, I have my core baits then add baits and colors recommended by our members.

I generally prefer soft plastics and jigs which is pretty simple, but I like fishing jerkbaits

and shallow crankbaits.

 

My main baits:

Senko & Fat Ika

Rage tail Structure Bug, Menace and Baby Craw

Siebert Grid Iron G2 Jig/ Rage Craw

 

Hard baits:

Megabass Vision 110

Jackhammer

Norman Fat Boy

Red Eye Shad

Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad

Megabass PopMax

Bandit 200

LC Sammy

Zara Spook

 

Then I have a 1000 more to decorate my tackle bag!

 

14 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

@Blue Raider Bob

 

I do want to see those pics! Sausage and taters are you due.

 

@Bluebasser86

 

What a day! 

 

I think I'm going to change my name to Blue Crickety. Given what the two Blues produce, I want in on the blue action!  

Nothing special about the fence other that half the posts had to be formed and poured due to surface rock. The other half had to be dug in soil full of rocks, roots, and old fence wire. Serious pain you know where. The 6x6 posts are overkill but I like the way they look. Also had to sandwich a metal fence between the posts and the horizontal panels because my daughter uses this paddock as a nursery for baby goats in the spring when they start arriving. Got to keep those little critters in and the coyotes out. That was a PITA as well. Notice the corner post and the older wood where the new section begins. It has been several years since that section was completed but things kept getting in the way such as........pre-spawn.......post-spawn...ect. I've completed about a thousand feet of this fence so far and still have a thousand to go. Due to lumber costs and fishing trips, it won't happen soon!

@Blue Raider Bob

 

I respect people for many things, such as kindness and living a grateful life, but of all the traits I admire, I think I admire hard work the most. I'm a gardener and amateur forester who lives in New England, the Land of Rocks. I've planted hundreds of trees, so I know it takes dogged grit to dig "in soil full of rocks, roots, and old fence wire." 

 

But you're more than muscle and tenacity, Bob. You're got an artist's eye. It's not easy to make a fence good looking, but you did it, Bob.

1 minute ago, ol'crickety said:

@Blue Raider Bob

 

I respect people for many things, such as kindness and living a grateful life, but of all the traits I admire, I think I admire hard work the most. I'm a gardener and amateur forester who lives in New England, the Land of Rocks. I've planted hundreds of trees, so I know it takes dogged grit to dig "in soil full of rocks, roots, and old fence wire." 

 

But you're more than muscle and tenacity, Bob. You're got an artist's eye. It's not easy to make a fence good looking, but you did it, Bob.

You are very kind. When we bought our place 30 years ago I planted several hundred trees as well. The forestry service sells bundles cheap! Now we are benefiting from the effort. We have an abundance of acorns for the goats and deer as well as flowering trees all over the farm. Love the flowering Crabapples, Dogwoods, and Redbuds in the spring!

46 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Nothing special about the fence other that half the posts had to be formed and poured due to surface rock. The other half had to be dug in soil full of rocks, roots, and old fence wire. Serious pain you know where. The 6x6 posts are overkill but I like the way they look. Also had to sandwich a metal fence between the posts and the horizontal panels because my daughter uses this paddock as a nursery for baby goats in the spring when they start arriving. Got to keep those little critters in and the coyotes out. That was a PITA as well. Notice the corner post and the older wood where the new section begins. It has been several years since that section was completed but things kept getting in the way such as........pre-spawn.......post-spawn...ect. I've completed about a thousand feet of this fence so far and still have a thousand to go. Due to lumber costs and fishing trips, it won't happen soon!

Bob, that's an epic job, and that fence is beautiful.   There's some serious money and sweat equity in that job!

 

Like Katie, I admire hard work/strong work ethic the most in fellow humans.   It's a rare quality, especially when you find someone that has a strong work drive and is equally talented like you are with carpentry.    

 

I'm a firm believer that if you continue to do the right things in life, the universe will eventually find a way to reward you.    

@Blue Raider Bob I’ll echo the same with nice job on the fence. I’m fortunate living in Illinois as most of the areas around me were cornfields, not many obstacles in my way of digging. I’ll never forget being a first year apprentice and being handed a gas powered auger. I had 8 hours to prep/create as many post holes as possible. I got through the first 1/2 dozen and when I got on #7 and my breaker bar couldn’t pull the rock out I told my foreman who suggested (not so politely) that  I figure out how to get the hole dug. Well I smoked that bit so bad the dang tip was practically worn down to nothing. After 2 hours on the same hole and my foreman making some heated phone calls it turns out we were working on an old parking structure that was demolished and back filled with the base layer being left behind ?

12 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Got out after work, caught two smallies, two white bass, saw two eagles, then saw two lightning bolts. Ran away 

 

Wise choice. I live here in the lightning capital of the world, I don't mess around with that stuff, especially when I'm holding a 7 foot long lightning rod. Weather app I use on my phone (Weatherbug) has a great lightning radar map paired with it that I keep an eye on if the weather starts to look dicey, if lightning gets within ~10 miles of me I'm out of there.

2 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

@T-Billy

 

Thank you, Voice of Reason. I need that reminder now and again.

Yer preachin to the choir sister. I just dropped about a hundred on stuff to make my own A-rigs, and I'm not even 100% sure the design in my head is gonna work!!! Lol. I'm pretty sure it will though, and if so, I'll have quality rigs for a few bucks each. Those muskie wreck em in a hurry.