if my lake isnt frozen it ain't producing. Man I can't wait till spring. tried for a couple hours yesterday off the shore. got skunked, did get some practice with the new bait caster though

Consider yourself lucky. I live on a lake, great right? Not if it's frozen    If I had some open water at least I could make a few casts. Now a foot of snow is on the way, and I'll be "casting" snow off the end of a shovel :

I agree, the hard water sucks! Steveinva, I have tried to find open water here in NoVA but Have had no luck. All of my favorite ponds are solid ice and I checked out Burke a few days ago and it is hard also. :'( :'(