fishingsj

Any size to the picks? Nice work getting two bass with this cold weather coming.

Not much size to them (14-18"). I had a bigger one fall off of swim jig. I was pretty shocked to catch the bass. Especially with the overcast + rain combo and low 50's water temp. They looked about fed up for winter.

I got out today, down in the pine barrens. Caught about a dozen pickerel for fun. Also managed to pick up two chunky little bass. Water temp was around 50, surprised to even get a bass to strike in those conditions 

It's a small public body of water that is a 3.5 hour drive north from downtown philly.  I give out more info in the members section, this is a lake though I usually keep close to my back pocket.  It gets enough pressure from people eating the fish

 

It bit back this week only giving up 3 fish in 3 hours on a perfect LM condition day.

 

Ah ok I totally get that. I thought it may have been a big body of water. My small lakes have been shut down pretty bad since September. Probably has a lot to do with the fact they lack any water deeper than 5 ft  . Though 3 fish in 3 hours still ain't too shabby in November!

Ended the weekend with shy of 30 largemouth, 2 smallmouth crappie, and a walleye in about 9 hours total fishing over 2.5 days.  I will put a report up in the members section when I get a chance

Mind if I ask what body of water you've been fishing? You're killing it dude

I have a few favorite lures for this weather. My utility bait at this time of year is a drop shot with a small keitech style swimbait on it. Any structure i'm fishing, I can fish that slow and get a few bites. Only managed a couple in my last two outings though.

I've been trying to learn rattletrap style baits, specifically the red eye shad. Doing okay with it, but at this point the water is a little too cold for it, at least in the small ponds I fish. Tidal water may still have enough warmth for success with the traps. I like the red-eye shad for the ability to yo-yo the bait.

If i have rocks, I'll throw a squarebill crankbait on them until I can't stand it anymore. Not high-yield, but some big ones can be caught on it.  

In another week or two, I'll slowly move suspending jerkbaits. Not the most fun way to fish, but it can catch a few if you're in the right spot.

I hate this time of year, at least in the local lakes. They've been tough all year and fall has been no different. Thinking about doing some shore-based striper fishing in the next few weeks to see if I can get the rod bending.

Good luck today! Conditions are brutal. I was thinking about a pickerel trip but may hold off until tomorrow unless the weather clears up soon.