My last trip in 2020, after a lousy COVID impacted season, I/we were able to get on a lake with lots of deep water structure.  It was my first real chance to crank deep.  I had back to back four plus pound fish from 18 feet or so.  Those two fish absolutely got the juices flowing and in about a month the long rod will be back in my hands.  I’m stoked to get that deep bite going again.

 

Anyone else hot to get on something like that beside me?

 

CC

Just being able to back the boat down the ramp into liquid will be enough for me at this time. Soon. Soon. 

Past few seasons, the first 2 or 3 weeks of open water have been some of the best brown bass fishing I'll see all year; for both size & numbers of plus sized fish.

Capturing video of my trips offers me a chance to relive them whenever.

As open water approaches, I re-watch this one on particular - repeatedly. 

Can't help but get me very pumped up. 

https://youtu.be/3OXnPQs0bqQ?t=60

A-Jay

 

The highlight of my 2020 season was watching my granddaughter catch her first bass.

 

It was all down hill after that ?

 

With 2 hurricanes, a tropical storm, & a ice storm any bass will get my juice flowing!

 

 

That’s great. Doesn’t get much better than helping kids catch fish.

Last year I caught my biggest largemouth of the year not long after ice out with water temps under 50. That's got me extra excited for ice out this year...me and a buddy are gonna spend time targeting fat prespawn girls.

I can't wait for the bladed jig bite to get back going in the next few weeks. That feeling when a big bass knocks slack in the line gets me going. They're eating a jerkbait pretty good right now though, and that's one of my other favorite bites too though.

On my home lake, there is a specific pre-spawn bite that begins around the Super Bowl, give or take a week every year depending on conditions.  During this timeframe, I will usually find larger females sunning themselves around the deeper portions of docks midday.  Not under the docks & not willing to chase, just sort of hanging around getting ready to fatten up.  I have found making long casts with a Ned rig often results in getting hit on the fall at these specific locations. 

 

Watching my line stop sinking well before the bait has made it to the bottom and then lifting into a heavy weight gets my blood going two ways.  First, it is knowing that I am on a pattern I can repeat all over the lake.  Second, it is the true sign that spring has begun and the slower days of winter bites are over for another 10 months.

Nothing beats when I feel that thud on the retrieve and then the line starts heading off in another direction.