@ol'crickety IME, regardless of rod, reel line, situation; I can always detect the initial bite. Sometimes it's challenging to detect if they're still on it. I've situations where a couple seconds was sufficient for a good hook set or 15 seconds was needed to get a hook in them. Speaking mostly about a drop shot or Texas rig. Jigs after a bite detection, usually waiting 2-5 seconds for hookset. Just my preferences and experience. Maybe I'm not detecting a fish sucking the bait and siting still once in a while. Doubt I'm getting slack lined this early in the year and fishing anywhere from 5-20 FOW. Might be missing bite detections at the beginning of long bomb casts while waiting to start any type of retrieve. Always more successful when I stick to 2-3 setups max and stay focused with confidence. 

Thanks, @Fat Ika, for all the info. I was once fishing a clear farm pond and retrieving my subsurface lure parallel to the bank. I saw a bass dart out of the weeds, completely inhale my lure, and spit it out and I didn't feel a thing. I assume that undetectable bites happen to all of us from time to time. 

 

33 minutes ago, Fat Ika said:

usually waiting 2-5 seconds for hookset.

 

I found this especially helpful. I always worry I'm too hasty or wait too long.

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

What does a hit feel like when they're so lethargic? 

It feels like a walleye, aka a wet sock on the end of the line.

22 minutes ago, gimruis said:

It feels like a walleye, aka a wet sock on the end of the line.

 

Aren't ^these^ fightin' words in Minnesota?

1 minute ago, ol'crickety said:

 

Aren't ^these^ fightin' words in Minnesota?

It is true that the walleye is sacred here, but its also true they put up almost no fight when hooked.  Even the most avid walleye angler would agree with it.  They are like dead weight on the line, with a slight head shake or two.

I have heard that bass are aggressive and biting as soon as ice is out in Maine. Think about it, by the time ice is out, the daylight cycle has already progressed to a point where the bass are in full pre-spawn feed mode.  

Gosh, I hope you're right, MassBass!

You’re going to be hard pressed to find much fishable water in Maine in March. I’d focus more

on finding the fish than the lure your fishing. Find the warmest water you can find. Typically that time of year it’s near an inlet. After that let the fish tell you what they want, jerkbait, swimbait, jig, crankbait, Chatterbait… they all work that time of year even if the lake is mostly frozen.

@Mainebass1984, I checked the nearest pond yesterday. Nothin' but ice, so you're right about waiting.

 

And waiting.

 

And waiting.

 

And sighing too!

@Mainebass1984 good to see you back on the forums. Hopefully we get to see some more Maine giants. 

@Mainebass1984, the guys here have told me of your big bass-catching prowess, so you're a legend in my mind. 

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

@Mainebass1984, the guys here have told me of your big bass-catching prowess, so you're a legend in my mind. 

@Mainebass1984 is the real deal. This guy knows how to catch big New England bass!  I've been trying to get him to teach me for years! I'm getting him on my boat this summer! ?

1 hour ago, Smokinal said:

@Mainebass1984 is the real deal. This guy knows how to catch big New England bass!  I've been trying to get him to teach me for years! I'm getting him on my boat this summer! ?

 

Lucky duck!