Author Topic: Bring da Spring (Read 7690 times)

Hard2handle · « **on:** March 04, 2014, 06:40:37 PM »

Anyone getting jacked up for some late winter/spring bass fishing, this ones from last year, hope I didn't already post it but i might have late last summer.

bassquatch · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2014, 09:53:06 PM »

NO JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Started seeing a few in the 5-3' range but they wasted no time splitting for deeper water the second they saw my boat! Not too committed yet. Sunday's full moon and the steadily warming weather will start the inevitable soon

I can't wait! Put the boat in the shop today for a tune up and systems check and should be ready to go hard next weekend, already planning the first Potholes Reservoir trip for next month to...can't wait to lip my first greenie of the 2014 season!!!!!!!!!

Tight lines

Here's my best from last season....

duckmen1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2014, 10:25:43 PM »

I'm ready. Last seasons best was 5 pounds 11 ounces.

duckmen1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2014, 10:38:54 PM »

And a pre spawn 5 pounder. Pics are cropped for spot secrecy. Sorry folks. It's hard enough for me to catch them as it is without extra pressure. But I do get around to a lot of different areas so don't know why I worry so much. Guess I take bass fishing just as serious as hunting.

bassquatch · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2014, 10:23:25 AM »

Nah.. I think every bass fisherman starts out that way... The key is replication, I could take you to the exact spot I caught my 8.4 last year, hand you the exact rod with the exact bait and you could make 100 casts and not catch squat?? Sometimes it's something tiny you did that triggered the strike, the key to bass fishing is remembering that tiny thing along with all the other ingredients: time of year, water temp, weather conditions, line weight, lure color, retrieve speed, retrieve cadence etc...

I've had my best friend in the back of my boat fishing the same way with the same bait and I was putting fish in the boat 2-1...it's gone exactly the other way many times as well! It can be maddening! I used to "hide" my spots early on until it started to dawn on me just how difficult it was to repeat the exact process that caught a nice bass! Heck, ever tried to explain how you caught that bass to a newbie or someone that doesn't bass fish? They either glaze over or just shake their heads. Bass fishing can be extremely technical at times of the year and at other times anybody with a topwater lure and some spare time can boat a 5+lb largemouth!

Pre-spawn (now through the end of April) is one of the easiest times of year to bag a giant as is fishing in the fall. The 2 things that keep people from enjoying it are the weather this time of year, people (even other bass fishermen) refuse to believe that bass are active before May! In the fall all the salmon runs and hunting keep them away.

I guess all I'm trying to say is that while it's perfectly normal to keep the secrets, it's equally as important as you build your personal body of bass fishing knowledge to share the wealth and keep the sport alive! Maybe not to everyone on the internet but never refuse a newbie or one of your friends a ride in your boat for a learning experience!

Here's a pic that will illustrate the "lure of choice" for that day....now what I was doing with said lure is a different story

duckmen1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2014, 10:45:26 AM »

Oh trust me I believe in keeping the sport alive and do bring a lot of family and friends to spots. I do share techniques with people throughout the year, but some of my smaller locations get I good amount of pressure from people as it is and fishing a fish off a bed during the spawn that has been caught from 5-10 other bass boats before me that day is not my thing. I like going for fresh fish that haven't been caught repeatedly.
All my fish are released as soon as a pic is taken. I've been fishing for bass for probably 13 years, have been extremely successful. Share lots of info but always keep a handful of tricks up my sleeve. And am well known to out fish everyone.

bassquatch · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:01:11 PM »

Quote from: duckmen1 on March 18, 2014, 10:45:26 AM

Oh trust me I believe in keeping the sport alive and do bring a lot of family and friends to spots. I do share techniques with people throughout the year, but some of my smaller locations get I good amount of pressure from people as it is and fishing a fish off a bed during the spawn that has been caught from 5-10 other bass boats before me that day is not my thing. I like going for fresh fish that haven't been caught repeatedly.
All my fish are released as soon as a pic is taken. I've been fishing for bass for probably 13 years, have been extremely successful. Share lots of info but always keep a handful of tricks up my sleeve. And am well known to out fish everyone.

That's awesome! I caught the bug when I was 13 and it hasn't let up...I'm 44 now

It's a great sport full of great people and there are just so many places in this Country to enjoy it! I doubt I will ever stop.

I hate bed fishing and anyone who thinks they are actually accomplishing anything by doing it are fooling themselves! It's exactly like hunting at the zoo, it's pointless!

I had a co-angler that loved it until I made him sit in a spawning cove one Saturday and made him watch as boat after boat cruised the beds catching the same fish over and over again, meanwhile we sat out in 15 feet of water and caught fish that hadn't committed to beds yet and some that already spawned...THEN just prove my point I took a fat rubber band off of one of my bags of Power Worms, broke it so it would be straight, Texas-rigged it and pulled up and caught one of the bedded bass....I looked at him and said "real technical huh?". He stopped bed fishing after that...it ruined it for him LOL.

Now, if you're a tournament angler (Pro) and that's what puts food in your families mouths, then do what you gotta do, but other than that it's sad.

Sounds like you have it figured out and that's awesome!

Good luck this season and post em up on here, not enough guys do it! We definitely take a back seat to the salmon, trout and steelhead crowd in this State but the bass fishing is AWESOME on both sides of the Cascades!

Tights lines

duckmen1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:13:28 PM »

I will dedicate posting some pics this year. Last year didn't get a ton of pics because I didn't have a camera most the time. That changed for this season. It will be relatively easy for me to get out this season after work and days off so looking forward to catching largies and smallies. I think we should dedicate a post your bass pic thread for 2014 in the fishing section for this year.

duckmen1 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:23:29 PM »

All this talk I think I will just head out today and check out some new waters and play a bit. You got me all jacked up and ready to fish.

bassquatch · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:46:10 PM »

That's the spirit!

Wood and jigs = peanut butter and jelly

Go get em

Hard2handle · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2014, 05:23:08 PM »

Well put Bassquatch!!! I caught the bug at about 11-12 years old, I even named my Daughter Marina and my Sons name is Anthony Banks,

At 42 years old, I still get all jacked up and cant sleep the night before I roll out. Im heading for Potholes and Moses the first weekend in April......Cant wait, good luck guys.

bassquatch · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2014, 06:34:55 PM »

I'm hoping to be over there April 21st-24th but may have to wait until May? Good luck! Be sure to report your experiences over there

Hard2handle · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2014, 08:05:04 PM »

Will do, I'm gonna track the weather and if it's not looking good I might hang on to my kitchen pass until later in April , definitely let ya know either way

gonna hit Washington this Saturday , hope to have a good report to post...

Badhabit · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2014, 09:17:00 PM »

Potholes Open is April 19-20 so the water should warm up enough to see some good bags of green coming in. But bags of big bronzebacks just might make a good showing. They are already getting bronze off the face of the dam no big numbers yet but nice fish.

duckmen1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2014, 09:25:54 PM »

Well fished the evening. Little breezy and a bit of mist. Nothin but trout hitting the crank baits. We caught rainbows, a brown, and a cutthroat. No bass. Tried fishing slow with plastics up to probably 12 to 15 feet at the deepest and as shallow as 3 feet. Nothin to show there. Fun day though.

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2014, 12:29:17 PM »

I caught the bug early this year, catching some smallies out of Samammish in Feb. Will start looking for the big Largemouth this weekend somewhere in one of the smaller Pierce county lakes, maybe even head up to Spencer Lake and see if any of the big females are up looking around. Boat is ready with all of the maintenance done on the outboard and trolling motor. Can't wait....

Hard2handle · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2014, 01:57:51 PM »

Pannic Minnow, what an awesome Avaitar name :tup:Thats one of my all time favorite drop-swim/dropshot baits, use to smack the spots down at Shasta and for all of Washington for that matter. They are getting hard to find though, Auburn Sports Marina use to have the best selection, hard to find anywhere now days. I also fished Samy this past Feb, did ok. I seem to do better on Washington during the winter months, only because I fish it year round,I too will be posting more pics this year, starting Saturday, I hope

. Glad to see every one is as stoked as I am...Lets get it on!!!

Olyolson · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2014, 02:23:45 PM »

Here's one of those brute smallies from Potholes 22 in. 5.2 lbs.

Hard2handle · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2014, 04:24:43 PM »

What a toad

backyard bucks · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2014, 11:23:22 AM »

Quote

Pannic Minnow, what an awesome Avaitar name :tup:Thats one of my all time favorite drop-swim/dropshot baits, use to smack the spots down at Shasta and for all of Washington for that matter. They are getting hard to find though, Auburn Sports Marina use to have the best selection, hard to find anywhere now days

not just his user name,, he is the owner of panic minnow.

maybe he can direct you where to get them.

not a bad bait.. has won us a bunch of money in the NWB tournies..

Hard2handle · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2014, 11:52:38 AM »

I had a feeling that was him, I asked a few of my buds about it! :tup:Thanks backyard bucks, I use to fish those NW tourneys back in the day, awesome group of sticks.

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:25:53 PM »

Quote from: backyard bucks on March 20, 2014, 11:23:22 AM

Quote
Pannic Minnow, what an awesome Avaitar name :tup:Thats one of my all time favorite drop-swim/dropshot baits, use to smack the spots down at Shasta and for all of Washington for that matter. They are getting hard to find though, Auburn Sports Marina use to have the best selection, hard to find anywhere now days

not just his user name,, he is the owner of panic minnow. maybe he can direct you where to get them.
not a bad bait.. has won us a bunch of money in the NWB tournies..

Auburn Sports seems to have scaled back all of their tackle quite a bit this last year. We have been selling them at Limit Out, and then online at quite a few E-Tailers. Glad to hear you like them, cause we have a few new baits coming out specifically for Salmon / Steelhead Bobber Jig combos. These will be out before the fall, with some awesome colors.

Hard2handle · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2014, 03:51:54 PM »

Panic, I bought almost every pack Auburn had left when they had there sale last year when they decided to scale back, looks like I will head down to Limit out and have a look. Thank you for the heads up, much appreciated !

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2014, 11:37:22 AM »

Quote from: Hard2handle on March 20, 2014, 03:51:54 PM

Panic, I bought almost every pack Auburn had left when they had there sale last year when they decided to scale back, looks like I will head down to Limit out and have a look. Thank you for the heads up, much appreciated !

The support is also very much appreciated. Out of curiosity, what is your favorite color? Would you consider it a multispecies bait?
Thanks

backyard bucks · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2014, 12:02:15 PM »

[quoteThe support is also very much appreciated. Out of curiosity, what is your favorite color? Would you consider it a multispecies bait?
Thanks][/quote]

my favorite color sir is which ever ones you decide to give me!!!!!!!

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #25 on:** March 21, 2014, 12:04:56 PM »

Quote from: backyard bucks on March 21, 2014, 12:02:15 PM

[quoteThe support is also very much appreciated. Out of curiosity, what is your favorite color? Would you consider it a multispecies bait?
Thanks]

my favorite color sir is which ever ones you decide to give me!!!!!!!

[/quote]
Beggers can't be choosers....You can be the guinea pig for the new steelhead bait / colors.

Hard2handle · « **Reply #26 on:** March 21, 2014, 04:45:38 PM »

I would have to say the trout pattern, not sure of the exact name, I remove all the baits and put them in my Plano boxes, so the bags go in the garbage , this is why I can't ever remember the pattern names.I will post a pick this weekend of my top 3, the sculpin is next on my fav list. With the trout pattern, I've caught walleye,smallies,crappie, trout and perch, at banks lake and Roosevelt , minus the crappies at Roosevelt. The 5" swim bait is also a killer, actually gonna chuck it tomorrow on Washington and drop shot the smaller baits.....I'll be on Washington from dark to dark...anyone else gonna kick some bass tomorrow? Good luck to all...let the shakes begin,

bassquatch · « **Reply #27 on:** March 22, 2014, 10:32:18 PM »

Well how did you do?? I may have seen your boat today? Is it green and black? Best I could tell....was in the Medina area about 10:30 running about 40mph...

Hard2handle · « **Reply #28 on:** March 23, 2014, 08:21:48 AM »

Bassquatch, Well it was a nice day put, water temps 43-48,depending where and how shallow. I ended up landing 9 Smallies, all cookie cutter 2-2.5, only managed one over 3. I saw about a half dozen other bass boats, I tried for Largemouth for 2 hours , not even a looker. The catching was fast and furious from about 7am til 930,landed 5 in that period. Then I scraped for bites all afternoon. Males are stacking up in schools, I landed that 5 off the same pile, in about 13 ft, my biggest fish was in 28 ft. All my fish came from craw pattern jigs, 1/2 ounce football and anything with a twin trailer.
ps, that wasnt me

My Skeeter is Red and White with a Vmax, holler if you see me out there next time.

bassquatch · « **Reply #29 on:** March 23, 2014, 01:46:49 PM »

Quote from: Hard2handle on March 23, 2014, 08:21:48 AM

Bassquatch, Well it was a nice day put, water temps 43-48,depending where and how shallow. I ended up landing 9 Smallies, all cookie cutter 2-2.5, only managed one over 3. I saw about a half dozen other bass boats, I tried for Largemouth for 2 hours , not even a looker. The catching was fast and furious from about 7am til 930,landed 5 in that period. Then I scraped for bites all afternoon. Males are stacking up in schools, I landed that 5 off the same pile, in about 13 ft, my biggest fish was in 28 ft. All my fish came from craw pattern jigs, 1/2 ounce football and anything with a twin trailer.
ps, that wasnt me My Skeeter is Red and White with a Vmax, holler if you see me out there next time.

Nice work!

Can't holler, I was at work....It was difficult to see the boat color through my security camera but it definitely wasn't red and white. Good to know though, Washington is still on my list to fish I just spend so much time running North to Skagit and Whatcom Counties I rarely go South anymore...

I'll let you know how I do tomorrow and Tuesday?

skeeter 20i · « **Reply #30 on:** March 26, 2014, 03:52:12 PM »

Potholes Flippin = a great time. I'm usually out a couple times on PH by this time every year but I've been to darn busy. Here's one from last year.

P.S. Panic Minnows on a DS rig, Yeah if you haven't tried it you really should, no seriously.

Hard2handle · « **Reply #31 on:** March 27, 2014, 10:50:35 AM »

Quote from: skeeter 20i on March 26, 2014, 03:52:12 PM

Potholes Flippin = a great time. I'm usually out a couple times on PH by this time every year but I've been to darn busy. Here's one from last year.

P.S. Panic Minnows on a DS rig, Yeah if you haven't tried it you really should, no seriously.

Hell of a fish man!!!!

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #32 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:34:27 AM »

Happened to luck into some nice fish this weekend......

5.4, 6.2, one over 5 (no scale) and a 3. Missed 2 others, one on a spinnerbait, the others on the bait in the photo. All from shore or canoe in the downpours.

Hard2handle · « **Reply #33 on:** March 31, 2014, 11:48:03 AM »

Nice fish Brian

:tup:I I'm gonna be looking to put a green one in the Skeeter this coming weekend....Nice toads man

Way to tough it out in that weather.

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #34 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:12:48 PM »

I think that the heavy rains raised the water temp, and the wind and also made them more approachable without getting spooked. They had no problems eating a sweet beaver pitched in a foot of water. If it was not on the bank it did not get bit.

Hard2handle · « **Reply #35 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:39:44 PM »

I think your dead on, that kind of weather will turn your knuckles purple but does make them a little more less spooked. Ive had some good days when the weather was jacked up, ended up having the lake to myself along with plenty of willing big fish...nice report!

backyard bucks · « **Reply #36 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:44:09 PM »

that doesn't look like the bottom of your boat Brian! ha..
being sneaky again I see.

Panic Minnow · « **Reply #37 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:56:07 PM »

Yes, used the canoe.......need to use whatever tool is best suited for the situation. Kinda like you using your bass boat to steelhead fish over in God's country.....

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Author Topic: Bring da Spring (Read 7690 times)

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