Conference wahoo::fishing

    Fishing for bass in the spring doesn't seem to vary all that much
    from one part of the country to next, except for when Spring occurs.
    I've been after these fish for over 40yrs and having lived all over
    the country I've found that spring is spring and that means pre-
    spawn. They hold on the flats and points near deep water and start
    gearing up by feeding as the water temp rises. 45 - 55 degrees is
    a good time to start. Spawning starts around 60 degrees and lasts
    about three weeks. Pre-spawn lasts about three to four weeks de-
    pending on the weather. So, that's about 6 - 8 weeks of spring
    fishing not counting the post spawn period which is usally slow.
    
    In Mass that means the time from late April to early June. In Fla
    it means early Jan to mid Feb, but the tactics are mostly the same.
    Jig and Pig worked slowly though the early weed beds near deep water
    and spinners (safetypin type) or spoon and pig worked slowly over
    the top of weed beds. Worms are much more a summer and fall bait
    then a spring lure I've found. I use dark colors in the morning
    and evening and bright ones durning the day, say after 10:00 till
    about 3-4:00. Of course I'll vary this depending on cloud cover.
    
    I don't think the type of rig (casting or spinning) makes much
    difference (as it might with worm fishing), but I use lighter line
    the brighter it is. Spring bass are spooky and line in the water
    is one of the things that I think spook them. So, I stay with 6
    lb or so if it's real sunny and 10-12 lb if it's overcast or real
    choppy.
    
    The last thing that comes to mind is the earlier in the season the
    more you should fish in the P.M. The water has warmed up a little
    and the fish should be more active. The other thing that I prefere
    is working the northern side and northeastern side of the lake.
    It gets the most sun and I've found that it only takes a couple
    of degrees to turn the fish on, especially during the first 3 -
    4 weeks of the season.
    
    Have fun and tight lines....... Ron (still_waiting_for_Spring) 

    It must spring fever that did it, but I noticed that I made a tiny
    mistake in my last reply. Instead of northeast parts of the lake
    it should have read "northwest" parts of the lake. Obviously this
    is the area that is the most sheltered from the wind and that will
    cause the bass to become more active as the water warms.
    
    Sorry for that little error...........now I have to reread all of
    my stuff to see of anyothers crept in. (it must be spring - please)
    
    Tight lines - Ron (in_a_cloud)

    Re: Northwest
    
    That sounds better Ron, I *was* a little puzzled on that one,
    your notes have been very educational for me, but that one threw
    me. 
    
    And thanks, I've only been bassin' for a couple of years now, and
    I'm still a little green, it's great having people who are as
    experienced as yourself willing to share their views.
    
    						-Don Mac

    Ron,
    
    what is it you mean by jig and pig I know what a jig is but what
    about the pig. Also I would like to echo the statements made by
    don mac as far as your notes being very informative for us bassers
    fairly new to the sport of bas fishing, keep up the good work
    
    
                                                     Jack Hunter

    Jack,
    
    A "jig n' pig"  is a jig with a pork (or plastic) frog attached
    to the hook.  It gives the jig better motion in the water,  causes 
    more vibration, and is a larger bait - which will hopefully attract
    larger bass.  The size of the 'pig' affects how the bait will fall
    in the water - I think it's the larger the pig - the slower the fall,
    I'm sure Ron can clear that up.  (ps: Ron, hope ya don't mind me taking
    a shot at this question adressed for you)
                
    							donmac

    Jack,
    
    You're more than welcome for the info. I really enjoy sharing it
    with appreciative people. 
    
    To answer your question, the "pig" is a pork trailer. Usually an
    Uncle Josh frog tail. Depending on the size jig you use the "pig"
    is either a #3 or #11 frog tail. The use of the word "pig" comes
    from the fact that these are made of pork fat and rine.
    
    You may also run up against the terms "jig and eel" or "jig and worm".
    These mean the same thing, except the "eel" is usually a plastic
    trailer smaller than a worm and of course the "worm" means plastic
    worm. Size here can vary greatly.
    
    These trailers all come in various sizes and colors and there is
    even a "bass strip" that can be used.
    
    What you have to keep in mind here is what you are trying to do
    with these baits. Mainly the intent is to image a crawfish (crab)
    or even a lizzard. That is the reason for working them in short
    hops on the bottom. This imitates the way the natual food behaves.
    
    Hope this helps, tight lines - Ron

    Don,
    
    No, I don't mind at all. The hoped for intent of this file is to
    share as much info as we can. I think that that can only help everyone.
    
    If anyone out there has had success working these baits in some
    special way, I for one would like to here about it. You can never
    know enough.
    
    Hope you didn't mind what I added to your answer........R

re: all the didn't mind stuff - course not - for the exact reasons
    that you mentioned - the more responses - the more info 

         			don mac 
(who'd_rather_be_in_his_canoe_with_a_rod_in_one_hand_and_a_beer_in_the_other)
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The only problem with that, Don, is that if you get a strike, in your 
excitement, you're liable to put the rod down and start crankin' on the
beer can....especially if you've had a few!

Joe-

    Here for those that might be interested are some spring spawning
    tactics for Bass that you can use shortly, I hope........
    
    Largemouths spwan in 1-3 ft. of water when the water temp gets to
    63-68 F; smallmouths in water a little cooler and deeper.
    
    Largemouths prefer to spawn in hard sand, clay or pebble bottoms,
    smallmouths in gravel and rock bottoms.
    
    Both species like to spawn on the north side of coves and shorelines
    which receive the most sunlight, necessary for a healthy hatch.
    
    Water clarity determines the amount of sunlight that reaches the
    nests. Both species will spawn a little shallower in turbid water,
    a little deeper in clear or slightly stained water.
     The entire bass population will not spawn at the same time, usually
    spreading the mating season over three phases, but the big spawn
    will come when the water temp reaches about 66 degrees and about
    63 degrees for smallmouths.
    
    Large lakes often form seperate habitats, which in spring can cause
    water temp to vary from end to end, again prolongin the spawning
    season,
    
    The bed are visible in clear water and in dingy water by wearing
    polaroid glasses, But when you see the bass on beds, they also see
    you. Wear dark clothing and keep a low profile, Approch the beds
    with the sun at your back, thus partly silouetting yourself and
    the boat. Your shadow will, of course, spook bass, and with the
    sun at your back will fall in front of the boat towards the beds.
    Keep back the distance of a long cast, throw beyond the beds and
    retrieve through them.
    
    If you inadvertently spook bedding bass, mark the spot and move
    on, but return in 30 mins, the length of time of the bass' memory
    span.
    
    An on again off again spring with a few warm days followed by cold
    fronts.......when occuring to often.....will confuse the bass,
    continually moving them from deep to shallow water and back again.
    This costantly changing weather will at best delay the spawn; the
    female's body finally absorbing the eggs when retained to long.
    
    More later....Tight lines, Ron

One little tidbit of info I picked up concerning spawning bass...

If you want to use rubber worms then it might be a good idea to put a 
trailer hook in the tail.  Bass usually attack a bait out of anger or 
to protect their bed while spawning, and rarely out of hunger.  They
also tend to pick up a worm very gently to move it out of their bedding
area and often will not engulf the worm.  By putting a trailer hook in
the worm, your chances of success can be improved.

Also, repeated casts thru the bed make be necessary until the bass is
irritated enough to be provoked into striking the bait.  A change of baits
can often lead to a strike when one doesn't work.  Spinner baits or buzz
baits in real shallow bedding areas create a real disturbance and often
annoy those critters into striking.  If you can get close enough without
spooking the bass off their bed, continued flippin of a worm, spinner bait
or jig and pig can be deadly.  Also, make sure you keep a tight line 'cause
when a bass is hooked in shallow water, they often take to the air to throw
the hook...THAT'S THE FUN PART...WATCHIN' THEN TAIL-DANCE!

Any finally, another point.  I just read in the recent Bassmasters mag. that
if you crimp the barb on your hook you will stand a better chance of hooking
the fish with little impact on the chances of losing it.  It makes sense 
because the amount of area that has to penetrate the boney mouth of a bass
is reduced.


			O			O
			|			|
			|			|         less area here
			|      /|   --->	|       | when crimped &
			|       |		|	| better penetration.
			\       |		\	|
			 \_____/		 \_____/

-Joe- (sorry_'bout_the_lousy_pic_but_get_the_drift?)

Here is the approximate spawning schedule of male largemouth bass.
Some of you may all ready know this, but for those of you that don't 
here is some info on the "male" you may be able to use.

This table is based on 68 degree water temp with all other conditions
being favorable.......i.e. Sun, water clarity, and lack of cold fronts.

These days can start any time, but you can figure that 63-64 degrees
is the kickoff point. The cycle I'm showing runs 36 days and is meant
to be a "typical" spawning cycle. Don't take this as the gospel, as it
will vary from lake to lake and season to season. Weather can delay the
hatch to as much as 10 days.

              eggs    eggs    fry and male                        fry 3/4 to
              laid   hatch    leave nest                          1 1/4 in long
               |       |        |                                 males leaves
     __________|_______|________|_________________________________________|
days |1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|
     ---------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
     final days|male guards nest|       male is guarding roaming school   |
      of nest  |  (not very     |                  of fry                 |
    preparation|   catchable)   |       (somewhat catchable)              |
     (quite    |                |                                         |
    catchable) |                |                                         |



     |_____________________________|
days |27|28|29|30|31|32|33|34|35|36|
     |                             |
     | male resumes feeding        |
     | (quite catchable)           | 

Okay, that's it. I hope this helps.



Just a note on the female (remember, she's the big'en you are looking for).
She is around all durning the first five to ten days. She will then move
off to feed on fry, both her own and others (no motherly instincts here).
Then she will move deeper and usually to her favorite haunt. Now she is
much harder to find and catch. So, if you want to boat the big one, this
is the best time for it (and release her, of course....another plug for
catch and release).

Something that I thought I'd just drop in here. This is a great time to 
take your kids fishing with you and rig them for bluegills and sunfish.
They spawn at amost the same time and your kids can catch a bunch of them.
Natually the kids love it and since these fish are the bass' biggest enemy
this time of the year, you might even save a few fry from being eaten.
Seems like the best of both worlds..........When mine were growing up, this
was the best time of the year for them (they have cabin fever just like us).

Tight lines, Ron (heading_south_for_some_big_bass)

    I have to take issue with one thing that Joe mentioned (only slightly).
    I do alot of "barbless" fishing with worms. I do this for several
    reasons, the main one being better hook setting as Joe pointed out.
    Using this method does one thing however, and here's the issue,
    the hook "does" come out much easier. You have to keep the line
    tight and almost "horse" the fish in or it can throw the hook "much
    more easily" than if you use a barb. I would say that I loose 25%
    of my fish because of this. (hey, maybe I'm doing it wrong, but
    that's what I see) When you squeeze the barb over as shown, you
    will find that you "might" have the same thing happen to you if
    you work the fish the same way that you normally would.
    
    Tight lines (no pun this time), Ron
    

    That's right, FREE fish locator.......
    
    It's right there where you are fishing and not too many people are
    even aware that it is. Now, don't laugh, but its the Turtle. Bass
    fishermen all know that bass relate very strongly to structure.
    They will even get sick and die when its not there.....true! They
    need it to bump up against and rub on, and for other reasons too.
    
    Now, what is not all that well know is the turtle also relates to
    structure in much the same way. It needs it too. The reason the
    turtle can be used is in its nature. It is very curious and will
    come "up" off its home when you pull in to fish or start throwing
    out your lure. This will tell you, when you see it's head sticking
    above the surface that there is structure right below it, and since
    bass like the same thing, you may find some bass hotel you never
    knew existed.....could be your own private honeyhole. Great thought,
    huh??
    
    Tight lines, Ron (needing_more_days_like_today)

    I agree with what you say about turtles, Ron, plus I might also
    include that I ALWAYS toss a bait on top of any logs I see turtles
    sunning themselves on.  You should not approach so close that you
    spook the turtles as this can often spook any bass lying in wait
    below.  
    
    BTW...a couple of the ponds I fish have snappers in them that have
    shells 2' across...I'd sure hate to toss a bait next to that and
    tangle with a mean ole snapper...geez...he'd swamp my canoe!
    
    -Joe-(gettin_itchy_'n_anxious)

    I have a question for Ron & Joe (RE: .14 & .15), I agree with
    turtles and BASS both requiring structure, but turtles eat fish!
    I've had those buggers eat some fish I had in the water on a string
    while I was seeking others.  I'm not sure about BASS, but with trout
    you won't find any around if there is a single turtle in sight.

    You're right...and I do get concerned sometimes when I put a fish
    on the stringer (I do eat them) when I know there are snappers around
    the size that I mentioned earlier.  I can just image the damn turtle
    dragging my canoe under...shades of JAWS IV!
    
    When I mentioned turtles on logs...I meant small ones, not MONSTERS.
    
    -Joe-

    Turtles are also a real drag if you're using live shiners for bait.
    They have a habit of choppin off the heads.
    
    Denny

    George and everyone else,
    
    Yes, you are right about "snappers", not too many fish hang around
    when they are in the area, so that is another, abet negative, locator.
    The turtles I refered to were "aquatic" turtles.....mud turtles
    is one local name I've heard. Painted turtles is another. These
    are mainly insect eaters and don't bother the fish. So, they are
    the locators I spoke of. (sorry it wasn't clearer) Remember, the
    idea here is to locate "hidden structure" that you normally wouldn't
    know about. There is no guarentee that there will be fish there,
    it just "seems" to work out that way (and its free).
    
    The idea I was trying to get across is using nature to help you.
    By understanding how nature relates, you can help yourself become
    a better fisherman and enjoy some of the "roses" along the way.
    There won't be fish around beaver huts, but there may be fish around
    the dam they built. When you see otters or muskrats around, the
    fish will be deep in cover and not biting. Look for duck nests and
    after the chicks hatch the bass will hang around this area. They
    love baby ducks. Its little things like this that can make the whole
    fishing experience more fun and enjoyable.
    
    Tight lines, Ron (off_for_some_big_bass)

    On the beaver 'huts'... There may not be bass there if the huts are
    occupied, but many of these are abandoned. I have one abanded hut
    that I have taken at least 5 good size bass out of!  My first cast
    to the left side of this particuliar hut got me a bass, a couple of
    days later, cast right back to the same spot, and BAM!  I feel like
    I'm just about guaranteed a strike there!
    
    don mac	 

    That's funny because I have a white birch tree that has the same
    characteristic.  This birch hangs over the water, nomatter how many
    bass I pull out of there, there's always more next week.
    Bass heaven I guess.
    

    re .-1	sure is...
    
    I'm gonna have to hit my spot soon, just to build my confidence!
    I've been out quite a few times this year, only to come up with
    one scrapper of a large mouth...  I know that it's been rather cold,
    and the water hasn't had a chance to warm up much.... BUT IT'S MAY!!!!
    
    Has anyone else been bass'n here in new england yet???  I feel like
    I SHOULD be catching bass, but nothing... 
    
    What about the rest of you "early spring bassers"????

    	Catchin'em all the time.....every day. Actually its been kinda
    slow but not as bad as it was......caught a 2.5 lb'r last night.
   
    
    	Denny

    Well now Don, I can't help but agree that this is one slow spring, so
    far. I have only one smallmouth to talk about and that wasn't that big.
    The weather has been anything but cooperative and the water isn't even
    close to warming up. If it helps this should mean a long fishing season
    once the water does get warm. We will have a late spawn and a prolonged
    fishing period that comes with that. Since it is late already and the
    water is about 10 degrees colder than it should be, the fish ought to
    be ravious when it does warm up. Might mean more fish in the long
    run. We can only hope and put up with it till then. 
    
    When I start to pick up the bigger smallmouths, then I'll know that
    the largemouths are getting ready to come up. 
    
    For me, these low pressure systems that keep hanging around the
    coast are the killers. When they decide to leave and we can get
    some of that good old southern air up here things should pick up.
    About a week of 70 in the day and 50 at night should get things
    stirred up for us. Oh well, we wait and keep trying.
    
    Tight lines, Ron
    
    p.s. Nice fish Denny - where???????
    

    re.24
    	In the "new backyard".....Sunset Lake in Ashburnham. I moved
    there a couple of weeks ago and the fishin has been pretty good
    so far, although it's mostly smaller ones. 
    
    	Denny

    Geez...I dunno about you guys...but I've had SUPER results in the
    spring!  Why...me and Coonass blasted (oops...)...ah, er...CAUGHT
    and released 25-30 largemouths in one weekend!
    
    
    Yah...yah...I know...the water temp was 68 degrees...BUT IT WAS
    SPRINGTIME!
    
    -Joe- (where's_the_structure??)
    
    
    P.S.  If any of you bassers in MK1 would like to see some pictures
          of REAL STRUCTURE, stop by and I'll show you stuff that will
          give you a wet dream! (MK01-2/C11).

    Boy gents it must be tought living in the east with all the cold
    and what not. I have had one of my best springs yet, but the weather
    has been alittle nicer out here than it has been for you guys |^(
    thats to bad. Anyway I have gaught about 20 keeper bass this year,
    atleast 100 yellow pirch and about the same amount of cropie, not
    to mention 5 or 6 northern pike all about 5 1/2 to 6 lbs and 5 
    nice trout, 3 browns and 2 cutthroats all in the 3 to 4 lbs range.

     I hope the fishing picks up for you eastern boys, I really miss
    the stories you guys have. If anyone is interested in a colorado
    fishing vacation kinda like Joe went to visit Coonass let me know
    I might have room at my place and I got a boat.
    
                                              Jack

    Well believe it or not, the Assabet River in Stow is loaded with
    bass.  I've already caught many  bass, mostly on the warm and calm
    days, as a matter of fact I caught a 3 pounder 2nd week in April.
                                    
    Spring fishing has been great, weather permitting.
    
    P.S. fishing the Assebet, for me, is just for sport I wouldn't
    recommend eating them.   
    
    Anybody know of any campgrounds in western Mass that are on a small
    pond or lake.  I want to camp, fish and eat the fish for supper.
    I'm looking for a smaller pond that wont take a long time to learn.
    
    thanks
    mike

    For the early spring bass fisherman,  On May 4th there was a 
    a Mass Bass Federation Open Team Open on long pond in lakeville
    ma.  Myself and partner did not do to good, But ended in 38th out
    of 126 boats.  The weather was bone chilling cold.  (i wore ski
    pants and coat)  The winds were about 10-20 mph.  
    
    	Well th fishing was not great but was very good.  My self I
    caught numberous shorts and 2 keepers.  My partner did not keep
    up his end this week.  The winning weight was in the 12.++lbs and
    so on down the line.  the 10 ten were about 5lbs.  Many 3-5lbs caught.
    The large fish was 7.++ caught ON ITS BED!! there were many fish
    on beds.  This lake is very sallow so the water was a little warmer.
    
    the key is fish in the wind.  The fish don't take the time to follow
    the plug they just hit it hard.
    
    good luck 
    		bassin bob
    

    
    Well, this warm weather seems to be helping. I went out after work
    last night and between what I caught and what I could see on the
    depth finder, the activity is picking up. The lake I was on had
    risen 4 degrees since the weekend, and the prickrel were much more
    active. The small mouth (little ones) were coming up  to the edges
    of the flats, and since this is a very deep water lake, the large
    mouths should be up within the next week or so, if the temp holds.
    
    Based on what Bob said, I'm going to try and hit a shallow lake
    this weekend and see if there is more activity there. I'll post
    the results Monday (if there are any).
    
    Mean time, tight lines, Ron

    Ron,  
    	
    I went to lake Manchuag last night after work.  I hit my favorite
    honey hole, and within 1Hr I caught 12 keepers between 1-2lbs'
    It was a shallow cove with lots of structures.  They were right
    up on the banks.
    
    good luck this weekend.
    	baassin bob
    

        Alright Bob!! Nice.
    
    I'm really quite amazed at the difference we are seeing between
    lakes that are really quite close to each other geographically.
    I fish Manchuag too, and "think" I know the spot you're referring
    to. I may just give that a try tonight as it's close enough to the
    house to get some good water time in. I usually wait till June to
    fish it though as when I've gone there in May my luck has been very
    slight. In June last year I took out a half-a-dozen 4lb'ers. Have
    you had any success with the smallmouths that are "suppose" to be
    there? I've never seen one, let alone caught one (but I keep hearing
    about them).
    
    Do have any idea what the water temp is there? I'd be very interested
    in comparing it with Singletary (where I was last night). Amazing!!
    Singletary is about 54 degrees and if they are up on the banks at
    Manchuag, it must be much higher.
    
    Oh well, thanks for the luck, and I hope your's continues.
    Tight lines, Ron
    

    Ron,
    	If your there tonight give a shout.  I am going to be on the
    water from 4-till dark. There will be two of us in a small brown?
    bass boat.  As for the temp,  Most of my gear is stored in my partners
    boat.  And I did not take a temp reading.  But the only place I
    caught fish was in my hotspot.  I did talk to a few other people
    from my club there yesterday(we have a tournament there sunday)
    and they had a few fish on biggest 3lbs.  (if you fish the coves
    if you really don't need the fish try to release,  the spawning
    beds have been hit real hard the last few years. )  
    
    	As for the smallies????  I have not caught a spring time keeper
    out of the lake in two years.  It used to have the best smallies
    around.  About 5 years ago the state did a study on the lake and
    did a lot of pr on the pond.  Since this it has been very over fished.
    	Many bass clubs fish it which is ok for they have rules and
    release fish.  But many many weekend campers and and meat fishing
    person who keep fish and shorts.  well enough on the catch and release
    bit.
    Try around the old dam and the blueberry island(sand bar island)
     That used to be the best.  The entire shore from dam down used
    to produce smallies.  Late summer months on fly rod poppers those
    places produce well.
    
    have to go talk to you later
    bassin bob
    

    Well...Don Mac and I got together yesterday and hit Pawtuckaway
    Lake without too much success.  Don got a small (1lber.) largemouth
    in some shallow weeds.  The wind was quite brisk which made it a
    little difficult to manuever the canoe even with my electric motor.
    
    There was quite a bit of surface activity, however, despite the
    wind.  The were a lot of bait fish schooling and there was an
    occassional splash of large bass.  We both had several heavy strikes
    but missed them.  Although me threw spinner baits, top water buzz
    baits and deep runners at them, all the action came on rubber worms.
    In fact, I must have lost at least 4-5 tails off the black and purple
    firetail worms.  Unfortunately, it was overzealous sunfish that
    seemed to enjoy the bright colors!
    
    We threw Don's thermometer into the water and I think it must be
    off because it registered 68 degrees on the surface.  The bass beds
    are still empty, however, the sunfish are starting to move in to
    their beds so I imagine the bass should follow within a week or
    two providing the water continues to warm up.
    
    -Joe-

    
    Well, well, well, what a difference a day of sunshine makes. I hit
    the same lake, same spots, with the same lures and came up with
    5 nice 2 and 3 lb'ers. The females were just starting to show their
    egg sacs. They are diffinitly getting ready. Another week or so
    on this lake and they should be on the beds. All the action came
    on crank baits in about 10 feet of water off the bank edges. They
    were real fiesty too. One of them came about two feet out of the
    water. Oh, did it feel goooooooooooooood..............
    
    I didn't get to Manchuag Bob, as I got out of here late and had to
    make the most of the time I had. Maybe we can say hello next time.
    
    Oh how great it is to be fishing again, Tight lines everyone, Ron
    
    

RE: .34
Joe, I did a little better last night, at the Merrimack.  I was out by the power
plant, around 6pm, the only one out there (I'm not sure but it looked like they
may have extended the fence by the Bow launch, to keep out the walk-in's)  

Anyway, I caught 5 little smallmouths - from 1-2lbs, small but fun. At least
we're starting to see some action!!  Was using small black rubber worm, 
weighted, bumping the bottom.  I caught 4 of them on the same worm, until the
last one had to keep it (and my hook, that one will probably not be hungry 
for awhile - Note: this was one fish "saved" but this conference, I hadn't 
known, until reading it here, that a fish could digest a hook, so thanks to
my knowing this, instead of ripping it out his stomach, and taking the little
scrapper home, I was able to release it, like all the others) 

...now, where was I, oh yea... the worm that I did real well on, had a 
REAL soft and loose swimmer tail, when I switched to another worm "almost"
identical, my action was cut back quite abit, I only caught one more fish.
Even though I have hundreds of other worms (can o' worms from bass pro shops)
I'm going to get some more of these really soft ones...

And, Joe, the seat worked well once mounted properly.  For everyone else, I
mounted one of those plastic, molded, swivel seats in my canoe, works great.
I haven't tried paddeling yet though (I have a small outboard).  The base is
attached with wing nuts, so it is easy to install.  [Joe, I made the holes
in the seat twice as large, with a bigger drill bit]

Anyway, it looks like "spring bass'n" is here!

don mac

    ok Ron,
    `Had fun'???    Well I was on manchuag again.  Lots of boats from
    my club so I did'nt hit to many of my spots.  I did manage to make
    it into my honey hole undetected.  Took a 4 1/2 of a bed.  Purple
    fire tail worm. 8'' with Mains fs4-54 sent on it.  Caught a few
    1-2 just like the day before.  Surface temp was 70-75' in the cove.
    the rest of the lake ranged from 62-69.  Lots of pickeral on grubs
    in the deep water.
   
    I will let you know how the tournament goes monday.
    bassin bob
    

    re .32
    ron,
    	the smallies were out in force at the tournament at manchuag
    Sunday.  one memeber of our club hit a school of them.  Brought
    in 5 at the noon time wieght in.  Smallest 3lbs largest was going
    to be registered into the state fishoff.  5.10   In the afternoon
    he came in with 3 more.  All caught on a smoke grub.  If you know
    the lake it was between the two islands with the big rocks and the
    deep dropoff.
    
    	The tounament winner had 18lbs for the day.  10 fish weight
    in.  Myself I had a very bad day.  I could not get a fish into the
    boat in the morning.  So at noon I ate lunch all by myself with
    the only person with out fish.   But my honey hole paid off n the
    after noon when I came in with my limit and 6 lbs.  If I only landed
    afew of the ones I lost in the morning.
    oh well!!  the home court disadvantge strikes again..
    bob
    

    
    OH YA! Think I'll head for the lake right now. At least we now know
    that they are still there. 5.10 isn't to bad. A 6.4 took the state
    last year if I recall. I know the spot you're talking about Bob.
    I took a couple of largemouth out of there (close to the islands).
    
    Sorry to hear about your luck, but even 6lb's isn't to shabby. It
    all adds up for the year.
    
    Well, continued good luck, and tight lines, Ron

    Well, this rain we have been having isn't exactly the kind of weather
    we'd all like to go fishing in, but if you have the gear and don't
    mind getting a little wet it can be good fishing. 
    
    I was out last night, in the rain, with four other very wet people,
    and we all did pretty good. The bass were up on the beds and we
    managed to take four off plus a couple of other fish. Nothing to
    write home about, but fun.
    
    So, if you don't mind the wet, they can be caught. We were using
    spinners and crank baits.
    
    Tight lines, Ron

    Don Mac and I hit my honeyhole on Wed nite...beautiful day but very
    breezy...even after the sun went down.  Don nailed a 2.5 lber on
    his second cast and I had a good hit on my 4th, so things looked
    very optimistic.  Things quieted down until about 8-8:30 when I
    nailed a 4 lber. and lost three that were easily 5+.  One even snapped
    my new 8lb test line.  I guess it's time to forget the lighter lines
    and switch to 12lb. test on my spinning rod...I'm getting a little
    tired of losing so many HAWGS!  
    
    We were using strictly worms in the weeds.  They wouldn't touch
    anything else....spinners, cranks, topwater...NUTTIN!  Good ole
    worms were the answer!
    
    
    -Joe- (wishin_da_best_to_Don_n_Mrs_Don)                            
    

    You folks don't be afraid to stick a plastic craworm on that jig
    instead of a pig either.  But be sure to hold on...They do
    attract some rather large bass.   Another good spring time bait
    to try is a plastic lizard...
    I hope this info will be useful  
    . CHAMPIONMAN

    Hey Championman,
    
             You'll be tickled pink to find IN_FISHERMAN magazine has
          a huge article on bassin with craworms & plastic lizards..!!
    
                                                   
    
                                        Go buy it !!  you'll love it !!!
    
                                                          kiv

    KIV,
      Thanks for the tip on the magazine article...  Most of those folks
    usually put out some very informative stuff!  If you really want to
    learn how to use the various plastic baits the best way is to go with
    someone who has been using them for several years and watch and LISTEN
    if you can get them to talk..Then go out on your own and try try try...
    Nothing replaces experience. However I'd rather have a little luck.
    Remember  No amount of training will ever replace plain dumb luck..
    I fish a little lake called TOLEDO BEND RESORVOIR every weekend
    and if I could only take one variety of baits--PLASTIC NO DOUBT ABOUT
    IT.    
            REGARDS FROM THE SOUTH
               CHAMPIONMAN

    Those plastic craw things work everywhere except TOLEDO BEND when the
    fog doesnt lift until 1 or 2 O'clock in the afternoon and the current
    is so strong that a 175 Merc has trouble holding you on a log.  Then 
    you have to throw a small spinnerbait to catch the only/biggest bass
    of the day.  But what do us tourist know 'bout fishn' those big ponds?
    
    BTW Championman the smalljaw are biting on the Tenn. River this month
    one of my club buddies had 6 smalljaw totaling ~27lbs biggest was
    a 7lb 7oz ( 5oz off the state record ) that all were caught on a 
    Jig & Craw .....
    
    See ya,
    Ron

     Ron
      You could have written all day and not said anything about TOLEDO
    BEND FOG!!!!! I've been trying very hard to forget that I so miserably
    failed the V.I.P's. Congrats to your clubmate on the GIANT littlejaws.
    Man, what a mess of fish!!! Impressive to say the least. 
    BTW  The big bass are beginning to get in the brush on the BEND...
    If y'all can get a little  time c'mon down,  I'll see if I can do a
    little better this time....No guarantees on the FOG though...
                        REGARDS
                                 CHAMPIONMAN
    
                                    
                 

    
    	Well...Kiv and I "broke the ice" so to speak with a trip to South
    	Pond this weekend.  The boat was in the water at 7:15 am.  We
    	marked fish in about 23 feet of water.  Worked the "plastic" real
    	slow....but couldn't entice a bite.
    
    	If anyone wants to learn my new technique send mail....a very slow
    	drop off the ice edge.....could be a killa'
    
    	Gitzit'
    	
    
    

Well,  I wet I line for the first time this year on Sunday.  Went to the
Merrimack River up by the Bow power plant.  About 4 other canoes and 2-3 
small boats.  The water was cold...I don't think the power plant was 
discharging warm water on Sunday.  Anyway...picked up one smallie...
about 2 -2.5 lbs.  It felt g-r-e-a-t!

C'moooooonnn ICE-OUT!

-HSJ-

    I don't know if it's cabin fever, a warmer winter up north, fanaticism
    brought on by world crisis or what but it seems like open water fishing
    is being discussed earlier this year.  I would have written this a
    couple weeks ago but I didn't have time to search for an appropiate
    topic.
    
    I went out March 2 for my first bassin' attempt this year.  Now this is
    not early for Tennessee since there's no ice and the water doesn't go
    below 40 F in Jan or Feb but my time's been eaten up with other things. 
    My first stop was a small (1/4 acre) overflow pond next to Melton Hill
    Reservoir.  This place is tiny and the water is clear so I know what
    is/isn't in there.  The population consists of several medium sized
    bluegill, a couple schools of shiners and one approx. 2# largemouth.  
    Now this guy is pretty wary and on several occasions last summer, I
    threw everything in the tacklebox at him from flies to grubs, from
    spinners to crankbaits - everything but live bait.  So, while others
    were lined up on a feeder creek outlet to the main lake, I was pitching
    a grub at ol' #2.  I figured this little pond was warmer than the lake
    by 5 degrees at least so I counted on the local denizens to be a site
    more active than those in the big lake.  On the 20th or so cast, I was
    ready to give up since I hadn't seen ol' #2 when a car drove past on
    the highway.  Some redneck leans out the window and yells, "Hey
    a**hole, there ain't sh*t in there."  I was distracted momentarily and
    removed one hand from my rod to salute my "friend".  When I returned my
    hand to the rod, I felt a slight tug and there was ol' #2.  I wish my
    "friend" had driven past just 60 seconds later.  I put ol' #2 back in
    the pond feeling a little sad knowing that he was catchable and
    expecting that I won't find him there next time.  I guess I'll have to
    replace him if that really happens.
    
    The next thursday, on the way back from Chattanooga, I couldn't pass by
    all that water without a stop.  I picked Big Soddy Creek which is
    accessable from the highway and was flowing well.  I fished both sides
    of the highway and picked up a couple big bluegill and a huge yellow
    perch (first I've caught since I moved here) on small spinnerbaits. 
    The last fish was a decent smallmouth taken from a deep pool surrounded
    by blowdowns and brush and tough to cast to.  Unlike ol' #2, I suspect
    he'll be there next trip.  Tuesday.
    
    Spring has sprung
    -SSS-