Ice-out Largemouth...favorite tactic.

[hipkvw]

I know mine and a few of the hardcore locals use gold rattletraps...suspending jerk baits...and sloooooooooow worms and jigs in deep structure.

Warm up in late March/April...I still use Rattletraps but also spinner baits. I look for early beds and emerging pads if its a warm year.

This is just basic info...

[FISHNFOOL]

Your a wealth of Knowledge HIP...LOL

I use a lure called Frogzilla drug over the ice till I hit open water..Kill'um I tell ya...lol

http://av.warehousesports.com/tac/ProductImages/SPFGZ-00.JPG

[ 02-07-2005, 07:36 PM: Message edited by: FISHNFOOL ]

[hipkvw]

HAHAH Frogzilla. I told you it worked ;)

Maybe not on ice though smile.gif

[joey2boats]

I've fished a small sj lake in march,ripping a firetiger rattletrap.The fish in this lake are not lethargic,looking back in my logs,we've had 20 fish in 3 or 4 hours.I've tried this in other lakes,just not the same results.

[Fly Ty R]

Joey:
Is the lake spring-fed? Sounds like it. Any submerged springs will keep the nearby water at a balmy 55* all year round. Bass are pretty active at 55*. Same goes for hot summer fishing.

[hipkvw]

The lake does not have to be warm. I have broke ice to launch..found 39/40 degree water and bailed them on rattle traps. It only takes SLIGHT warming trends to get bass very agressive. Sun and wind are MAJOR factors to an ice out bite. This is the norm every year not uncommon. Not discounting what Dave said just sharing what I know from 5 years of Largemouth Bassing HARD in South Jersey.

[njvbass]

Just stocked up on frogzillas!!!!

[Fly Ty R]

Keith,
Good info; not discounting at all. It's just another facet to the world of LMB'ing!

[hipkvw]

Dave, There are too many things to learn for ONE fish. Saltwater is so easy ;)

FROGZILLA ROCKS!!!!!!! PADS Mid-Summer....

[Fly Ty R]

Frogzilla on the fly rod is even cooler... tongue.gif

You've got it, saltwater is too easy.

[Gilly21]

Sorry but I'd have to say LMB fishing is much easyer than salt water. Maybe that's just me because I am relitively new to the salt water scene.

[hipkvw]

Originally posted by Gilly21:
Sorry but I'd have to say LMB fishing is much easyer than salt water. Maybe that's just me because I am relitively new to the salt water scene. Dont take this the wrong...this goes for a lot of people...its in NO way an insult to anyone. Freshwater Bassin is not easy if you are trying to be consistant with artificials and fish tournys and do well. I didnt fish tournys but I remember going out with guys that were experienced and they would catch 5 and I would get one. It isnt easy to go to a lake in the boat use all artificials and put a 5 fish limit in the livewell. Im not talking 12" fish. I could go out any day and throw a 4" worm or tube and catch a ton of fish. Im talking 3..4..5 pounders and bigger. Anyone can bait a bass or luck into a 5 pounder with a live bait. It kind of depends what kind of a Largemouth Bass Fisherman you are. Some guys go out with a hook and buvket of shiners and catch bass off the dock. Some guys can go to a lake they have never been to and score a lot of bass on artificials and never use live bait. They catch because the conditions they know tell them where to fish, how to fish and what to use. They dont do circles around the lake beating up the side. Some guys never leave the shoreline. Bass are always in the lake somewhere but finding them and getting them to bite is another story. With saltwater...if the fish are there you can USUALLY catch. When I got into saltwater fishing I found it to be AMAZINGLY easy to be successful. Sure, anyone can go to a small lake or pond and catch. Drop them on Union Lake or a REAL lake like Kerr Resovoir or Lake Anna in VA and see what they catch. We all have our opinions as to why we think one is easier than the other. Yours are valid for you...mine for me. ;) I have took a few saltwater guys out...I caught...they went home scratching their head. One of my freinds even gave it up for the salt because he couldnt catch fish in the fresh. In the salt...he's a happy camper ;)

[Makojoe0317]

I could not agree more with Hip

[Bunka Chunka]

Early March breakin the Ice at Parvin and chuckin Traps and Jerkbaits on the Flats,I have caught em in the snow on Parvin reeling the traps as fast as i could.Hip your right Bassin isnt just a Minnow and bobber affair,although that works fine.Nothing like chuckin a Senko in the grass and just waiting for the inhalation,Damn I wanna go Bassin.I used to fish a lot of tournaments all over the northeast.The best area I have ever fished for em was Lake Champlain.Anybody lookin for a Bassboat my Stratos 201 XL Pro will be up for sale in a couple weeks.I bought a new boat and will give ya a sweet deal,HRL

[Fly Ty R]

I have caught WAY more freshwater fish than saltwater fish, but I still think freshwater fishing is tougher. Although, it all depends on how you're fishing too. Keith spelled it out pretty well. Artificials and flies are way harder than bait and bobber, on both water types.

[KeysKid]

Frogzilla! yeah man!
:D Early bassin... a large spinner bait in golds and reds slow rolled always caught my first and largest fish.