been tough

[McCarter]

anyone else still fishing?  I have been getting out as much as possible which is only a handful of times in the last 2 weeks but it has been extremely tough.  The fish just arent on the jerkbaits like they should be this time of year.  we are catching a few but nothing like we should be.

Anyone else having this problem and if so, have you found another technique to put some fish in the boat.

the only thing i can think of to try that i havent yet is crankbaits.  wanted to do that last friday but just never got to it.

McCarter himself

[Cheetam]

Are you working them fast or letting them soak?  What's the water temp?  Did you try a single tail grub?

[dartag]

i got out from under my blankie yesterday to go and make sure the plug was out of my Alum boat in front of the house and there was about a 2 pound largemouth sitting under the hoist.  i have never seen a bass shallow this time of year.  the water was 41 degrees.   was hoping to get a boat ride around the lake at Thanksgiving but we may have ice by then.  Blanke time for me.   see ya in the spring or at HOOTERS.

[McCarter]

im letting them soak as long as i can.  but for some reason, my lucky crafts are all slow sinkers right now.  water temp maybe?  i dont remember having this problem before.  no single tailed grubs.  i should try drop shotting or dead sticking.  hopefully now that the weather has settled into frigid temps it will stabilize the bass and they will go back on the feed.

McCarter himself

[thedude]

try a silver buddy - works good in cold prespawn months from ice-out until they are back on jerkbaits.

[Bender]

I went out for a few hours yesterday and only caught one carp on a Pointer, hooked in the mouth too.   I think I missed a couple but not sure, hard to feel through my gloves. I've been out a lot recently and tried everything from blade baits to float-n-fly without success.



Craziest thing was the guy in a kayak out there in that wind and snow:

[Waterfoul]

I was out about 10 days ago with a buddy... he was getting mostly pike on a jerkbait... but did manage a couple bass.  I myself was throwing the drop shot (imagine that?) and managed a couple decent bass as well as a few pike.  This was on lakes in the west/central Michigan area.  2 weeks ago on Reeds I got a few decent fish on the drop shot and missed a couple nice bites on jig/pig.

Bender... you rock dude!!  Those pictures are a sign of a true bass fisherman!!!  Snow on the deck has never stopped me either!!

If I wasn't having motor trouble with my tow vehicle I'd be out this week but I need to get this thing figured out first.

[djkimmel]

Bender,
If I was having a picture of the week contest, you'd be the winner!!!

[Durand Dan]

Went down to the Shiawassee River for some bank fishing yesterday. I was throwing a White 78 Pointer and hooked a couple of nice Smallies. I found that using a steady retrieve and stop technique was the way to go rather than jerkin.

[Buckeye]

I wish I could help you out, but I've been planning a trip south.  KY lake or into TN it looks for me. 

You are the man IMHO though.  I give you all the props in the world for fishing in that weather.  I wouldn't mind the snow or cold, but I would fear my 2wd would make it up most ramps with any snow or ice on them.

Eric

[dartag]

i would say that qualifies for photo of the century.  my boat looked like that at the Last Chance torny but it was sleet.  i say you win a bag of Nemisis Baits.  glad to see you had your lights on for safety.  them kyakers are a tough breed.  they were on my lake saturday along with divers.   toooo cold for us old guys. 

think spring

[chrisvmo]

wow bender, your the man. Are the fish deep?

[Waterfoul]

Went out last night... for Whitefish!!  26 degrees but there was no wind and no snow.  And we sure did catch em!!

[dartag]

Went out last night... for Whitefish!!  26 degrees but there was no wind and no snow.  And we sure did catch em!!

where do you catch white fish.  is that a menomonie.  i remember seeing guys catch them when i used to pier fish for steelhead.

[Cy]

Went out last night... for Whitefish!!  26 degrees but there was no wind and no snow.  And we sure did catch em!!

where do you catch white fish.  is that a menomonie.  i remember seeing guys catch them when i used to pier fish for steelhead.

Waterfowl will have to confirm but I would guess he was out in Muskegon catching them off the pier.  I know they come in this time of year.

[rufus]

The fish here in NE Indiana are grouping up are their wintering holes. The silver buddy is hot right now. You just have to look for the areas where the guys will be ice fishing for 'gills in a month or less and the bass will be right with them. The only thing they will hit is that buddy for me. The jerkbait has been very slow, but I can't put the buddy down.

[chrisvmo]

Do you catch whitefish in Muskegon? how do ya catch them?

[josh617]

rufus, where have u been? I was afraid you abandoned glb. You must of been too busy catchin 5lbers on erie.

[rufus]

I have been here just too lazy to type  !

[djkimmel]

He just has too many good stories to tell and can't pick