Over the last two weekends I was able to get out and hit some local ponds for some early bass action. Numbers weren't all there but it's still early and I'm looking forward to the rest of April into May. I did manage to catch some decent fish by following the text book windblown shoreline, shallow bays approach on the ponds. Here are a few that caught my camera's attention.
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As you can see I was busy using the swim shads that seem to work pretty well this time of year. I have been trying to switch it up with other baits when the bite turns off. My buddy actually had some good fortune using senkos which surprised me given that it's so early in the year. Definately a learning experience. I've also been busy using the Manns Minus one which landed my biggest success stories this year. Here are a couple of those:
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That last one was a blast. I was just casting into a corner on a new pond that I thought to explore. It burned the drag and if I hadn't loosened the drag a bit it definately would have escaped my grasp. She pounded the plastic and inhaled deeply. I was pumped and anxious to add the notch to my belt. Fortunately I was able to land her. Biggest fish this year so far. Today's conditions seemed perfect for a spring slaying but the numbers didn't reflect it. I was expecting to catch many more but ended up with quality instead of quantity. I'll take that with no complaints.
Here's a video of the hog that caught my breath.
Yesterday I went out to the Fox for the first time and brought the minnows just in case. Water was up and a bit muddy but I was surprised at the water clarity all things considered. Fishing was a bust for the most part but once again by applying techniques that have proven right in the past I got this guy below:
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Not a lunker but the first of the year from the Fox. Hopefully there are more where that came from. I was able to wade across the river for the most part but this was only because I stuck to a shallow ridge that ran across the river.
Looking forward to many more outings that leave a smile on my face.
See ya on the water.
JB
As you can see I was busy using the swim shads that seem to work pretty well this time of year. I have been trying to switch it up with other baits when the bite turns off. My buddy actually had some good fortune using senkos which surprised me given that it's so early in the year. Definately a learning experience. I've also been busy using the Manns Minus one which landed my biggest success stories this year. Here are a couple of those:
That last one was a blast. I was just casting into a corner on a new pond that I thought to explore. It burned the drag and if I hadn't loosened the drag a bit it definately would have escaped my grasp. She pounded the plastic and inhaled deeply. I was pumped and anxious to add the notch to my belt. Fortunately I was able to land her. Biggest fish this year so far. Today's conditions seemed perfect for a spring slaying but the numbers didn't reflect it. I was expecting to catch many more but ended up with quality instead of quantity. I'll take that with no complaints.
Here's a video of the hog that caught my breath.
Yesterday I went out to the Fox for the first time and brought the minnows just in case. Water was up and a bit muddy but I was surprised at the water clarity all things considered. Fishing was a bust for the most part but once again by applying techniques that have proven right in the past I got this guy below:
Not a lunker but the first of the year from the Fox. Hopefully there are more where that came from. I was able to wade across the river for the most part but this was only because I stuck to a shallow ridge that ran across the river.
Looking forward to many more outings that leave a smile on my face.
See ya on the water.
JB
