So today, I'm out with Eric.  38-40 degree water, ice is JUST out, still lots around.

I usually don't catch this early in the year.  I have a good "back cove" pattern once the water hits that magic 50 degree mark but...before that, I'm weak.   Chris told me a few yrs back that traps and cranks are what I'm lacking in,....something I've always known, they just don't appeal to me.  I've caught on them, it's not that but....

well, today I found their nich.

Back in Dec., Bighead sent me some stuff for the xmas exchange.  One was a gold ratltrap type and the other is a blue/silver slash bait type.  I didn't know but a few of my friends told me they were nice ones, the team diawa one especially,....cool,....still,...remember, I'm not a cranker, I don't own any, my partner Eric is loaded with them so if I want one, I use his supply.

So ,...today I told myself I would stick with the c-bait, why not, ....not gonna catch anyway.....39 degree water.....I showed up with 2 baits I've never used....

So we get out to the deeper water, no wind, and Eric and I are goofing around saying how the bass are probably looking at our lures going by and saying "geez fella's we'd love to eat that for ya but it's 39 friggin degrees and that would take waaaay too much energy",....and then WHAM,...my rod loaded up.

Slow creeping the team Diawa bait, and I had a fish on,.....I'm stoked!!

Eric is dumbfounded,...I'm dancing,....

Next cast......WHAM!!

Another one.

Now, these are nothing special size wise but they are very special pattern/versatility/ growth as an angler wise, and I owe it all to 2 members, Chris and Bighead.  Thanks guys!

Watch this quick vid and you'll see both my Christmas presents catch.  One catches a bass, the other catches me!

Back out this weekend with Senko77, Tin and Matt 5.0

First of '08

Heck yeah man, now that's gettin' after them in 39 degree water.

The hair is getting a little long Russ. ;D

Very nice. Can't wait to hit it.

Senko and I got our butts handed to us just 15 miles south of you.

You just had to call when we were fishing that point.

I just got the boat hooked up for the Bullet owners tourny on Fork tomorrow and thought I'd give BR a look before calling it a night.  Russ, that is too cool.  I'd never have guessed the fish would have hit that bait in water so cold.  They seemed pretty lively and fat.  Must be a healthy lake you have there.  Well, our water is just getting in the 60's here right now and the big girls have been showing up in numbers.  Sure wish I could make Guntersville to say hello in person.  bighead

looks kinda cold there whats that like??? : lol great vid,  keep em comin

Way to whak'em Russ.  I thought for sure you were going for a swim when you slid off your seat.  Please get a wider boat.

op aou

lol

nice video

ICE OUT!!!!! Yea, the Chunk is clearing too !1

Nice going, stay warm 8-)

Good work! And those bass are something of size to me  :

::EDIT::

I just noticed how that bait stuck to ur knee...haha

looks kinda cold there whats that like??? : lol great vid,  keep em comin

Ugh

Temp was 54 that day, dropped to 28 the next day and has stayed there with some snow added in.  Senko77 is here for the weekend but the weather just won't cooperate. (39 degree water+ 25 mph snow laden wind + someone elses kid in a jon boat=bad idea.)

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