What's New For 2020

Bass forum has been a little quiet as of late. If you’re like me, you’ve probably been hibernating.

I’m curious to hear about what you guys are looking forward to this year; new tactics, new tackle, new lakes etc.
I’m really excited to continue my dominance with the Chatterbait Jackhammer, as well as finesse swimbaiting for plus-sized bass. I found some south metro ponds towards the end of October with some massive fish in them, so I’m looking forward to hitting those too.

So what are y’all looking forward to this year? (aside from the obvious warm weather and open water LOL)

Stay Warm,
FDCMN

First and foremost looking forward to warm weather. Been rehabbing tendinitis (“smallmouth” elbow lol) so a little time off for PT has helped.

I’m really looking forward to hitting a couple smallmouth lakes up North in the spring. New lakes to explore. One new largemouth lake too. Then there’s a dozen or so bodies of water around the metro I rotate through.

Last year Chatterbaits and plastics were my best lures. Will be this year too although I’m committed to spending time Spy-baiting more this year…

…only 100 days until I hitch up the boat and head out of state some where…

I’m interested to get some reviews on the Lowrance & Garmin trolling motors

Im committed this year to boating a tank smallie on a 4inch soft tail phantom. Typically for muskys but man does it look tasty for a big bronze back… didnt throw it nearly enough last year.

I’m looking forward to playing with the baitcaster some more. Picked up a tatula 100 last year struggled a bit then finally got a grip on it so I added a tatula sv to the arsenal and boy boy is that a dream to cast. And someone is holding on to $200 worth of cabelas gift cards looks like another sv is in my future. Other than that plopping some big smallies on the river, man that never gets old.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the Neko Rig does in the Spring because I wasn’t using it yet last season during that phase. I am also looking at getting on the finesse swimbait bandwagon. Actually bought the tackle to do it last year just never got around to it. I plan on hitting more lakes that I haven’t fished before and going after larger fish instead of going where I know I can whack em. Other than that it’s more time on the water and learning more about cycles and fish movement throughout the year.

“I am also looking at getting on the finesse swimbait bandwagon. Actually bought the tackle to do it last year just never got around to it.”

Curious what kind of finesse swimbaits, brand, size and gear you’re thinking… sounds good 👍

“I found some south metro ponds towards the end of October with some massive fish in them..”

I found a few too, are you finding ponds big enough for launching a boat, or smaller for kayak/bank fishing..?

FryDog62 wrote:

“I am also looking at getting on the finesse swimbait bandwagon. Actually bought the tackle to do it last year just never got around to it.”

Curious what kind of finesse swimbaits, brand, size and gear you’re thinking… sounds good 👍

So the article that got me interested in this was written by Iaconelli in 2018. In a few of the Elite Series events that year the bite was really tough and a bunch of the guys were using this technique to catch really negative fish. It’s basically using a 2-4 inch swimbait on a 1/4 oz or lighter ball jig or swimbait jig. Throwing it on a light spinning set up and slow rolling it. Seems to mirror spybaiting just with soft plastics. Slow retrieve, light setup and using it for negative bass. Here’s the article:

More about Finesse Swimbaits

I went with 1/4 oz VMC Darter jigheads and keitech swimbaits. 3 inch (I think). If I actually use it this year I plan to use 15 lb braid to a 6 lb fluoro leader. Should make casting very long.

Lots of things to look forward to. A new boat to hopefully help catch my PB SMB which would be 22″. Find some new spots to fish on ML for SMB, other than my tried and true locations.

Figure out how to get the SMB on ML to bite on large sucker imitation swim baits. I tried last fall to to find swim baits that are 5″ and have sucker colors and get the SMB to chase these. Figuring that if they are biting on suckers, then why wouldn’t a swim bait imitation also work. I was not able to make this work last fall. Will try again this year.

In the spring I tried smaller swim baits for SMB but only picked up a few and of course the walleyes liked more than SMB.

Spend more time fishing Neko rig. Story from last year. Was up in BWCA and using Neko Rig with Zoom Worm and lost hook and worm on rock. The only Zoom of that particular color I had. That evening wwent to the same location but at least a 100 yrds away, and caught a SMB on NED. While unhooking the SMB, noticed something sticking out of stomach, pulled on it and out came that Zoom. Crazy but we were the only one on the lake that day and the only one of that color I had.

Learn how to use SI to find the SMB on rock piles. So far I have not been able to locate the SMB with SI.

This years MK is coming out with Mega SI in their trolling motors. I am thinking about getting this but not sure if SI on trolling motor is actually useful. Anyone use SI for finding SMB?

Also anybody using 360 successfully for bass here in MN?

I regularly catch smallies of all sizes on large plastics in the river. Hopefully get out Thursday with my 4″ zoom flukes.

Might actually fish bass this year on some lakes, so against my eye ways…..

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Gonefishin, yes, on that 360 question. Been using the gen1 360 technology for years and plan to invest in the Mega 360 when they start shipping (hearing March/April now due to parts supply disruption). It’s amazing technology. A majority of my fish catches, across multiple species, are directly related to what I’m seeing on that unit. Wouldn’t want to fish without it and think you shouldn’t either. ha. The Mega version will only make it better and probably much better.

As for what I’m excited about this coming year – besides the Mega version of the 360 – is incorporating Livescope into my fishing. It has sure amped-up the fun factor in my ice fishing. Currently researching various TM mounts and think I have settled on the ones by Low Pro. Also excited about fishing little black hair jigs early in the season for big bronze fish. Hoping to capitalize on a spring bass tourney with them.

“As for what I’m excited about this coming year – besides the Mega version of the 360 – is incorporating Livescope into my fishing.”

I had once thought about having both Livescope and 360, but one of the concerns was possible interference between the two units. Don’t know that would be an issue so if you use both will be curious how you rate the experience, or if you prefer one over the other.

Brian, are you having success with 360 for SMB in our around rocks? Thinking ML type of SMB fishing.

The images from BBC on Mega 360 are pretty amazing.

http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1023534

I would definitely get Mega 360 if I did not have an Ulterra which makes attaching to the trolling motor difficult. But with attaching to Ulterra difficult, not sure about going that route unless I can feel assured it is worth the effort to attach to Ulterra.

I am excited about turning the lease in for an SUV so I can travel with my kayak to the 2 reservoirs and phosphate pits near me to see if I remember how to catch a bass.

I want to throw a spybait that seemed to be the new,hot bait last year. Found a banjo minnow kit and walking worm pack i bought off a tv ad years ago. One day I’m giving em a shot.

FryDog62 wrote:

“As for what I’m excited about this coming year – besides the Mega version of the 360 – is incorporating Livescope into my fishing.”

I had once thought about having both Livescope and 360, but one of the concerns was possible interference between the two units. Don’t know that would be an issue so if you use both will be curious how you rate the experience, or if you prefer one over the other.

Frydog, I can’t stand the guy but check out Jacob Wheeler’s electronics set up for this season. He dropped his electronics sponsors so he could use each one. He has an HB, Lowrance, and Garmin on his bow. Not sure if he’s using Livescope and 360 but I have a feeling he might be.

That’s a lot of hardware (and instruction manuals to learn). Hey JW was right about the Cover Pop and which Neko hooks to use, so will have to see which brand of electronics he prefers over time..

gonefishin wrote:

Brian, are you having success with 360 for SMB in our around rocks? Thinking ML type of SMB fishing.

Sorry, I didn’t see this until just now.

No, you can’t see smallmouth as well in big rock piles, at least with the gen 1 version of the 360. You can see them if they’re suspended up off the rocks/boulders, where they will show up in the water column above the rocks on your screen, if that makes sense. On sand and pea gravel, smallmouths will stick out like a sore thumb.

The 360 unit is still indispensable in my opinion because it shows you exactly how the rock pile is laid out, where the projections and transition lines are precisely, and the size of the rocks that you’re fishing. Basically, I use the 360 to determine where to make my next cast. It’s sight fishing with electronics…and its deadly.

As for compatibility with an Ulterra, check with the guys at Low Pro. They have high quality mounts for most every TM configuration.

I am working on building 3 new spinning rods. The bait casting rod I made myself last year is so nice I sold my St. Croix Elite (it way outperformed it). I have parts coming in the mail for the spinning rods. I just don’t know what kind of thread art I want to put on it. The reason for the new spinning rods is to work on my drop shot and wacky skills. Just like most years my main goal is to get out more.

GET YOUR WALLETS OUT NEKO RIG LOVERS!

Missile Baits is unveiling the Quiver this week at the Classic! This think looks like a killer neko/wacky rig worm.

Take my money already!

https://www.bassmaster.com/gear/missile-baits-unveiling-quivers-classic

Looks awesome! Just got hooked on bass fishing in metro last year, always been a walleye guy. Mahto, would u throw this on weed edges in spring, same spot walleye roam?

Craig Sery wrote:

Looks awesome! Just got hooked on bass fishing in metro last year, always been a walleye guy. Mahto, would u throw this on weed edges in spring, same spot <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye roam?

Yep. And on docks and other shoreline cover if a jig or T rig isn’t catching them. I didn’t use it until after Spring last year so I’m looking forward to seeing where it shines best in that setting also. But those are the two ways I plan to use it to start. I’m a big jerkbait guy at the beginning of the season. Always produces for me.

mahtofire14 wrote:

GET YOUR WALLETS OUT NEKO RIG LOVERS!

Missile Baits is unveiling the Quiver this week at the Classic! This think looks like a killer neko/wacky rig worm.

Take my money already!

https://www.bassmaster.com/gear/missile-baits-unveiling-quivers-classic

I like the looks of it – very similar to the Yum Genie I used a bunch last year..

FryDog62 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mahtofire14 wrote:</div>
GET YOUR WALLETS OUT NEKO RIG LOVERS!

Missile Baits is unveiling the Quiver this week at the Classic! This think looks like a killer neko/wacky rig worm.

Take my money already!

https://www.bassmaster.com/gear/missile-baits-unveiling-quivers-classic

I like the looks of it – very similar to the Yum Genie I used a bunch last year..

I got a few bags of those Genies and I seemed to do quite a bit better with Dingers and the Neko Fat from Daiwa. It was when the Neko bite was dying off in the Fall so that could’ve effected it. I’ll give them some more time this season.