Got out a few days ago for what will be the last trip of 2014, in fact it's snowing as I type this one up.

 

The day started and ended pretty cold. The few times there was sun it was almost pleasant. 

Fished various blade baits all day and enjoyed some decent action as the bass (and small walleye) were still in a chewing mood.  I caught the only lmb I've ever seen in this lake which is odd.

 

Last smallie of the day was a real nice fish in every way.  From the location, to the take, right through the fight and into the net, it will be nice to have that one to think about over the winter.

 

A-Jay

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGz9vXrru-U

Nice fish, its fun to end the season on a bass like that it. 

 

Mitch

All great fish! Great way to end the season

Now that is the way to finish the season. Two really nice smallies.

Nice fish I can't wait to catch my first smallie when I visit my buddy up in MN

Great cap to a great season. Nice work.

Nice smallies to end the season! 

 

Jeff

Very nice! What a beautiful place to fish. 

Sweet way to close your season.  Nice going.

Great fish AJ, what rig were you throwing with? Calcutta & lamiglas ? Cool vid!

Great fish AJ, what rig were you throwing with? Calcutta & lamiglas ? Cool vid!

 

This is my first season fishing blade baits - at least seriously anyway.  I had decent success with casting gear but much, much better success with spinning gear.  Seems like the smallies like to follow / chase these baits a bit before they commit.  So a longer cast has proven very beneficial here.

A 7'4" stick, a reel loaded with 10-15 lb braid and a longer 10-12 lb mono leader works well for me.

 

A-Jay

Nice fish man! Good vid to watch.

You threw back lunch

You threw back lunch

 

Yea ~ I did.  I tossed back a few that trip.

 

I don't routinely bring the fish box with me - it's a space availability issue in the Old Town.

 

And you can bet the days I don't have it, I should and the days I bring it - I end up not needing it.

 

What really kills me is when the rainbows show up thick.  Often they end up just flopping around on the deck - They are just that tasty . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

Thoughts of that trip will warm you throughout the winter. Enjoyed the video, A-Jay.

SWEET!

 

 

 

 

 

Great post A-Jay ... thanks!  But come on, your last time this season after catching those beauties???  No way -- grab the thermals and give us some more good viewing!!!

Great post A-Jay ... thanks!  But come on, your last time this season after catching those beauties???  No way -- grab the thermals and give us some more good viewing!!!

 

Thanks you very much for the vote of confidence but I'd encourage you to take a brief look at the 5 day forecast link below.

 

 Despite doing almost 30 years on the North Atlantic, fishing from the Old Town requires prudence.

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/49735

You win -- go make a fire instead!

Sweet video and nice chunks!

Nice video. When does it warm up enough to hit it again up there?

Nice video. When does it warm up enough to hit it again up there?

 

It's not the air temps that drive the opportunity, it's ice out & the season opener.

 

The opportunities to catch bass are there as soon as the ice melts.

 

Some years the ice is out before the opener so that a no go.  Other years the opener happens Before the ice is out - which is a real tease.

 

On the average Ice is completely out on most lakes by the first or second week in April and the season opens the third Sat of that month.

 

So it will be A while.

 

A-Jay

It's not the air temps that drive the opportunity, it's ice out & the season opener.

 

The opportunities to catch bass are there as soon as the ice melts.

 

Some years the ice is out before the opener so that a no go.  Other years the opener happens Before the ice is out - which is a real tease.

 

On the average Ice is completely out on most lakes by the first or second week in April and the season opens the third Sat of that month.

 

So it will be A while.

 

A-Jay

 

 

There is always Erie.

There is always Erie.

 

Thanks and You've got that right ~ !

 

A-Jay

Great way to end the season.