Ice Out Bass Tactics

Ice out is something that is highly anticipated by the northern anglers.   Many lakes, reservoirs and ponds can freeze solid for several months, keeping you away from catching bass, unless you’re an ice fishermen.  As the end of winter approaches, all we keep saying is “when will the ice finally start to melt?”  When the winter continues to linger on the excitement for the ice out builds.   For those of you who didn’t spend your free time during the winter organizing your tackle boxes, cleaning your reels and all the other stuff us northerners do, you’ve got some work ahead of you if you want to be ready for ice out bass fishing!

Ice out can be a great time of year to go bass fishing, if you understand the transition bass make from their wintering holes to their spawning grounds.   The bass have been hunkering down all winter in very cold waters, as the ice and snow melts away, water temps begin rapidly increasing drawing the bass to move to more shallow areas where the water is warmer.

Locating Bass

Largemouth and Smallmouth bass can be found in many locations from steep bluff walls with stair-stepping ledges to shallow, dark bottom areas near rocks and weeds where there’s more heat.  The one common factor you need to search for is the transition areas that bass will use to get from deep to shallow.  On larger man made impoundments, old road beds, creek channels and stone walls can be used as a road map that shows you how bass will move from point to point:

A (wintering holes) to

B (deep transitional structures, bluffs, rock ledges, points, etc.) to

C (shallow transitional structures like rock piles, docks and emerging weed beds) to

D (Spawning flats)

Read More Finding Bass When the Ice Melts

Tackle Giveaway Register Now!

Register now for your chance to win a BASSIN' USA.com Hat and two packs of Havoc baits autographed my Mike Iaconelli courtesy of Northern Bass Supply...

To register simply fill out our registration form.  You must put "Havoc Bait Giveaway" in the subject line to be enter into our drawing.  All entries must be submittted before Midnight (EST) March 31, 2014.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Rockland County Hunting and Fishing Expo - 2014

Had a great time at the Rockland County Hunting and Fishing Expo this weekend.  Had a chance to speak with Bassmaster Classic runner up Paul Mueller, Mike Iaconelli as well as several companies like Northern Bass Supply, Mega Strike, Shane's Baits and more...

We have some great video footage coming soon as well as some give away items including two packs of Havoc baits autographed my Mike Iaconelli courtesy of Sandra at Northern Bass Supply!

Bobby Uhrig founder of Mega Strike was also kind enough to donate a gift BASS-kit loaded with lures from Mega Strike which will also be giving away.

Visit  Bass Fishing at BASSIN' USA.com for more details!

Consolidate your Bass Fishing Tackle

On the Bassinusa.com message boards there's a discussion about limiting the amount of lures that they carry on their boats.   There's such a vast amount of lures out there that we use for different techniques. We try to consolidate in the beginning of the season, but as one of our members posted "by mid-season there will be a small tackle shop in the boat!"

What do you do to limit the amount of clutter in the boat?

Here's what I've done to help keep the clutter to a minimum.

I've started creating smaller boxes that contain everything I need for a specific technique. Plano makes a great waterproof tray model 3640-10 that allows you to separate the interior layout in some very usable configurations:

 
For example, drop shotting. I have a small dropshot box that contains my three top producing colors which mimic the forage in the areas that I am fishing. (When traveling to other areas, I can swap out colors as needed), Weights I keep loose in the compartment on the right along with hooks which I leave inside their plastic jacket. I mostly use Gamskatsu hooks, so the package fits nicely inside this size box.

I have another one setup for jigs, swimbaits, grubs, tubes, etc.

For jig heads, I keep a separate box (same size) with a variety of the jig heads that I commonly use.

I one larger box that I use for bulk hooks, weights and other terminal tackle (swivels, split rings, etc.)

Like you suggested, I also have combined my crankbaits into one box, with a variety of colors and sizes sorted by Depth. I like a double sided box for this. I'll put 0' -12' on top and the Over 12' on the bottom (or other side).

Top water lures I keep in a medium size box that can hold about 15-20 lures (depending on size).

I have a spinnerbait/buzzbait box:

 

I keep a Plano box that holds all my fishing line and another stand-up bin that holds pliers, glue, scissors, flashlight, and other tools, etc.

I have a small mesh bag that holds my culling scale and rings (up to 10)

Everything fights into one bag that fits in the back compartment of my Ranger. That's the test, if I can keep everything down to that size, if I ever need to jump in someone else's boat, I'm good to go...

From there, I keep bulk plastics in big zip lock freezer bags that can be left in a bin which can be left at a hotel, or the truck and if I'm really paranoid, I can always through a couple in the boat compartments because there' usually plenty of room left over.

Crankbait Tips - Off-Shore

When fishing a crankbait in an off-shore area that you know is holding bass but you can't seem to get them to bite, there are several "tricks" you can try to entice them. For instance, try to vary your retrieve speed (steady, stop & go), change your presentation angle... read more

The New Technique Hump

So you spent the weekend reading about an interesting new fishing technique that’s all the rave on the bass fishing tournament trail. You go to your local tackle shop, pick up all the components necessary, call your buddy and head out on the lake. Your friend decides to stick with the technique that he’s used to, while you rig up the new one and begin to try to fish it.

As the day goes on your friend catches fish while you end up catching nothing or panfish. Towards the end of the day you put it down and pick up ol’ reliable and catch a fish or two. When you get home all the new tackle and the technique go right into the spare tackle box, and you have convinced yourself that it’s all hype. I can admit, that once upon a time this was me, but a close friend of mine told be about how I could overcome this way of thinking and expand.

The first thing you should consider is .... READ MORE



Bass Fishing Articles

The Right Fishing Rod & Reel

Choosing the right equipment doesn't have to be that complicated.  I will give you as much information on the three basic setups I think will give you a good start without costing you a fortune.  I would suggest going with two bait casters and one spinning rig.  In the past I would recommend going to a dedicated sporting goods store to get what you need, but now most retail stores are carrying a good selection of quality rods and reels.  In my area, Walmart is now carrying brands like Diawa, Abu Garcia, Falcon, Wright and McGill and Quantum.



The first setup is a 6”6” Med Heavy graphite bait cast rod paired with a high speed bait cast  reel, like a 7 to 1 ratio.  This is a good all around rod that can be used for fishing worms, jigs, senkos, spinnerbaits, Carolina rigs and even jerkbaits.  There are a couple of options you can choose on a rod.  Some anglers prefer a solid handle, while others want the split grip which reduces the overall weight of the rod.  Both are great choices and it basically comes down to personal preference and what feels good in your hand. The graphite component rod gives you the feel you need to detect a strike and feel your lure moving through cover.  I chose a high speed reel for this set up which will give you the ability to take up more line per each turn of the reel handle which is an advantage when fighting a fish.  It also will allow you to move the bait more quickly and burn a spinnerbait with little effort.... READ MORE