What do you do in the off-season? 2024
stk44 reply :
Fishing for me has pretty much ended for the year. I have 3 more baitcasters to clean and lube, then I'm going to clean my rods and seal the cork.
I don't think I'm hunting this year, but I'll probably work up some reloads and get some trigger time in.
What do you all do when/if you put the rods away for the year?
Smjunior25 reply :
I'll do some Ice fishing to pass the winter .
WRB reply :
SoCal there isn't a off season.
Tom
2tall79 reply :
Reload, shoot, repeat.
"hamma" reply :
I dread this time of year, as I wont icefish, and dont hunt. So I usually will restock and arrange tackle, possibly tie up some jigs, and wait for the ice to recede. If the ponds on Cape Cod dont freeze, on decent days I may go try my luck out there if I can get someone to go with. The winter fishing can be great, locate them and you could be on a banner day, If not, at least your not home wishing you were fishing
scaleface reply :
As long as the ground is not frozen I'll do some serious metal detecting in the woods because the vegetation is dead .
Yeajray231 reply :
I like to play cards. Alot. Texas hold em. A few buddies, football some hot wings.. my kind of weekend.
On 12/11/2016 at 3:41 AM, scaleface said:As long as the ground is not frozen I'll do some serious metal detecting in the woods because the vegetation is dead .
This is interesting. I bet you've found some neat stuff..
scaleface reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:50 AM, Yeajray231 said:I like to play cards. Alot. Texas hold em. A few buddies, football some hot wings.. my kind of weekend.
This is interesting. I bet you've found some neat stuff..
My last interesting piece was half a Barber quarter . Click on the photo and it will take you to my photobucket page and you can see a lot of the better stuff I found .
Yeajray231 reply :
Yea wow. Looks like you do it more than just the off season! Nice.
A-Jay reply :
There's quite a bit that goes into this before & afterwards, and it involves a commitment that exists everyday all year.
However for everyone involved - the ride itself is Seriously FUN ~ !
A-Jay
Gundog reply :
Ponder life's little questions like "How do Keep off the Grass signs get there?" and "Am I really here or somewhere else?". Oh and surf the net for new and unusual ways to bother people.
MassYak85 reply :
<-------- Ice Fishing
I wouldn't say I like it more than open water fishing but it really does provide a whole different aspect of fun for me. Running to traps as flags go up and feeling the fish running on the end of the line and setting the hook by hand gets me excited in different ways than fishing with a rod.
Only thing that's annoying is there's usually about a couple weeks to a month on either side of ice fishing where there's not enough ice to safely fish but it also makes open water fishing impossible.
geo g reply :
There is no off season down here. Fish 360 days a year if you want in Florida.
Further North reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 4:19 AM, A-Jay said:
There's quite a bit that goes into this before & afterwards, and it involves a commitment that exists everyday all year.
However for everyone involved - the ride itself is Seriously FUN ~ !
A-Jay
One of the films at the Banff Mountain Film Festival was about dog-power...it was fun to watch and learn.
scaleface reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 5:21 AM, geo g said:There is no off season down here. Fish 360 days a year if you want in Florida.
What do you do the other 5 days .
IgotWood reply :
I fish right through winter, however, I certainly fish much less than in the warm months. I spend a ton of time fly tying. If anyone is looking for flies, let me know!
Further North reply :
Early trout (artificial only, C&R only) opens 1/7...so there's not going to be a lot of downtime this year...as long as the weather's not miserable.
I'll clean out the boat, maintain the gear, tie some flies, chase some grouse and pheasants, fit in a couple of business trips, and one with the family, polish of some around-the-house stuff that gets shoved back if I can fish...
Plenty to do.
Alan Reed reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 5:25 AM, scaleface said:What do you do the other 5 days .
I'll guess take cover from a hurricane.
Jar11591 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 5:25 AM, scaleface said:What do you do the other 5 days .
Beat me to it.
Catt reply :
stk44 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:35 AM, 2tall79 said:Reload, shoot, repeat.
I used to reload and shoot three times per week. I wish there was more time to reload, shoot, and fish. I started out with a lee single stage that I used for close to ten years. Then I got a pretty nice turret press last year and since then I've used it only once. I'm hoping to get a lot more use out of it this year.
On 12/11/2016 at 3:55 AM, scaleface said:My last interesting piece was half a Barber quarter . Click on the photo and it will take you to my photobucket page and you can see a lot of the better stuff I found .
That's awesome!
On 12/11/2016 at 5:25 AM, scaleface said:What do you do the other 5 days .
You beat me to it lol.
On 12/11/2016 at 5:46 AM, Further North said:Early trout (artificial only, C&R only) opens 1/7...so there's not going to be a lot of downtime this year...as long as the weather's not miserable.
I'll clean out the boat, maintain the gear, tie some flies, chase some grouse and pheasants, fit in a couple of business trips, and one with the family, polish of some around-the-house stuff that gets shoved back if I can fish...
Plenty to do.
Sounds like fun. I still do the delayed harvest-artificials on occasion. I'll take my fly rod and crush trout. The year I stopped trout fishing was after catching over 30 trout on a green sucker spawn fly I tied. I haven't done steelhead in a while either.
On 12/11/2016 at 6:08 AM, Catt said:
I guess this is why the state record for Pennsylvania LM is around 11 lbs...
NorcalBassin reply :
Trout fish for the big rainbows and browns that come up towards the surface this time of year. Well, at least when I can launch (currently about 50 vertical ft below the end of our 3rd and lowest ramp). 
Jar11591 reply :
This off-season will be a lot different than in the past. Usually during the off-season, I organize, purchase, clean and stare at my fishing equipment. But this February, I am taking a 5 day fishing trip to Mexico to fish Lake Baccarac! Putting the boat up this year was a lot easier than in the past, only because I have this bass fishing trip to look forward to in early February!
Spankey reply :
I like messing with some trout during the winter. I hunt. I love to shoot trap, skeet, and sporting clays. I tend to shoot clays during the winter a lot because I won't let it interfere with my fishing. During summer months I shoot in a trap league just to keep shooting. My mental relief comes from fishing. Just something about it.
I'll always have something to do at home though.
stk44 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 6:34 AM, Jar11591 said:This off-season will be a lot different than in the past. Usually during the off-season, I organize, purchase, clean and stare at my fishing equipment. But this February, I am taking a 5 day fishing trip to Mexico to fish Lake Baccarac! Putting the boat up this year was a lot easier than in the past, only because I have this bass fishing trip to look forward to in early February!
Someday I'd like to try that...
On 12/11/2016 at 3:30 AM, WRB said:SoCal there isn't a off season.
Tom
Must be nice. My sister lives in SoCal, I need to get out that way sometime to visit her and do some fishing.
soflabasser reply :
If I lived up North I would do ice fishing. Seems like a unique way to fish and you can definitely catch decent sized fish this way.
TnRiver46 reply :
No off season in East Tennessee either. Sometimes coves freeze over but generally not for more than a week. You can always find somewhere to fish
Paul Roberts reply :
Outside of family time, I hunt, tinker with tackle, wait for thaws (which we tend to get one in Jan or Feb), write, and this year I'm editing videos.
A-Jay reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 5:52 AM, Alan Reed said:I'll guess take cover from a hurricane.
A-Jay
On 12/11/2016 at 6:45 AM, soflabasser said:If I lived up North I would do ice fishing. Seems like a unique way to fish and you can definitely catch decent sized fish this way.
It's unique alright.
It's a good way to freeze your Dangle Berry rig right off too.
A-Jay
Columbia Craw reply :
I bake.
Attila reply :
I'll go ice fishing a few times for perch, crappie, and bluegills. It's fun and hey, a bent rod is a good rod.
Apart from that I'll do some photography if I feel so inclined...
On the bass side of things I review video and research new water that I plan on fishing next year, along with stocking up on my favourite lures and some new ones that I want to try out next year. I'm also debating going to Flordia for a few days to catch a double digit bass on a shiner under a float...it'll be a last minute decision though as air fare gets pricier this time of year.
Today I put my rods and reels away for a winters nap; they'll be back out in March along with a couple of other combo's that I've picked up to target panfish, pike, and trout.
Cheers, enjoy your off season if you have one!
Ohio Archer reply :
Shoot more archery. Tournaments start in January. Didn't hunt last year and probably won't this year. Trying to fish up until the lakes freeze but once it gets below the mid-30s it's kind of difficult.
I'll spend a ton of time online and trying to get my gear/boat ready for spring.
The Bassman reply :
I start looking at new stuff. Funny, when i'm busy with fishing I don't pay that much attention to it. Now that I can't get out I get preoccupied with rods and reels.
soflabasser reply :
I have seen videos of people catching big muskie,pike,lake trout, sturgeon and other big fish while ice fishing. Definitely a type of fishing I plan on doing in one of my next vacations.
stk44 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 9:01 AM, soflabasser said:I have seen videos of people catching big muskie,pike,lake trout, sturgeon and other big fish while ice fishing. Definitely a type of fishing I plan on doing in one of my next vacations.
I thought about ice fishing. My dad used to all the time. I just don't know much about it. I'm sure I'd like it, but between bass fishing 9 months out of the year, shooting, and guitar I probably won't be heading out on the ice anytime soon.
MassYak85 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 9:01 AM, soflabasser said:I have seen videos of people catching big muskie,pike,lake trout, sturgeon and other big fish while ice fishing. Definitely a type of fishing I plan on doing in one of my next vacations.
I don't do this but some guys will catch or buy BIG (I'm talking 8+ inches) shiners or suckers and rig them up on tilts and target either pike/musky or trophy bass, especially out in western mass where the pike are more prevalent. I ran into a guy last year who was using them in this tiny pond that I've never seen anything bigger than 2 or 3 pounds come out of. I don't think he caught anything but I got to give him credit for trying.
Will Wetline reply :
I make baits.
stk44 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 10:00 AM, Will Wetline said:I make baits.
Now that's something I might get into in the future. Do you pour your own plastics too?
GTHenson reply :
Fish, clean reels, order the new rig for the next season and spend some time with the family. I also have a few secret books I like to study on when I get some off time.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 9:35 AM, MassYak85 said:I don't do this but some guys will catch or buy BIG (I'm talking 8+ inches) shiners or suckers and rig them up on tilts and target either pike/musky or trophy bass, especially out in western mass where the pike are more prevalent. I ran into a guy last year who was using them in this tiny pond that I've never seen anything bigger than 2 or 3 pounds come out of. I don't think he caught anything but I got to give him credit for trying.
Maybe he caught one after you left.Its surprising how big of a fish can come out of a hole in the ice,especially since these holes look small in relation to the size of the fish.
geo g reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 5:25 AM, scaleface said:What do you do the other 5 days .
Its in the contract, the wife gets 5 days a year!
MassYak85 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 10:23 AM, soflabasser said:Maybe he caught one after you left.Its surprising how big of a fish can come out of a hole in the ice,especially since these holes look small in relation to the size of the fish.
It wouldn't surprise me but the pressure that pond gets from live bait fishing during the regular season is pretty harsh. And usually the people fishing it are doing it for food. You can reach the other side with two casts probably.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 10:44 AM, MassYak85 said:It wouldn't surprise me but the pressure that pond gets from live bait fishing during the regular season is pretty harsh. And usually the people fishing it are doing it for food. You can reach the other side with two casts probably.
Small bodies of water often have big fish so it's possible there might be some big bass or pike there.The people taking out the biggest fish are not helping that's for sure,but they are entitled to keep their catches as long as they have fishing licenses and are following fishing regulations. Just saw a couple videos of people catching big muskie while ice fishing with small ice fishing rods,looks fun.
Will Wetline reply :
I don't pour plastics. I keep busy enough with what www.tackleunderground.com refers to as "wire baits." Do check out this site.
There is quite a bit about jig tying on YouTube. Start by Googling "smalljaw." Then click on "videos."
Catalogs you should have:
www.barlowstackle.com
www.lurepartsonline.com
www.jannsnetcraft.com
www.lurecraft.com
You may find helpful basic information in this article:
If you're molding, the first thing you should be thinking about is safety.
And, lastly, I can't say enough about the value of patience and practice. Put all of the above together and you'll have a rewarding hobby.
MassYak85 reply :
@Will Wetline I love smalljaw's videos!
stk44 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 11:20 AM, Will Wetline said:I don't pour plastics. I keep busy enough with what www.tackleunderground.com refers to as "wire baits." Do check out this site.
There is quite a bit about jig tying on YouTube. Start by Googling "smalljaw." Then click on "videos."
Catalogs you should have:
www.barlowstackle.com
www.lurepartsonline.com
www.jannsnetcraft.com
www.lurecraft.com
You may find helpful basic information in this article:
If you're molding, the first thing you should be thinking about is safety.
And, lastly, I can't say enough about the value of patience and practice. Put all of the above together and you'll have a rewarding hobby.
Thanks. I will definitely check this out. Do you find that you save money by making your own or is it more just for the fun of it?
I know with reloading, everyone starts out to save money, then you start buying premium bullets, brass, experimenting with powers, etc and then you start spending more money than just buying the manufactured product. Not that there's anything wrong with either option. Just curious.
davecon reply :
I usually straighten out the tackle, clean the reels, etc. But keep in mind that is August for me. Gets awfully hot here in Florida.
To tell the truth though, this morning the grandson and I actually had to wear long pants and sweatshirts. Got down in to the 50's. Bitter I tell you. Excruciatingly cold to us. Why we even had to wear socks !!! Hard to believe.
hunterPRO1 reply :
what off season ?
im running the ac on christmas morning i aint got no off season
Raul reply :
What do I do in the whut ? 
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I have to many things I want to do but too little time, so I schedule myself to do thing inbetween
late spring and early fall
ride my motorcycle and of course bass fishing
summer time
carp and catfish fishing and also bass fishing
winter time
wood working and also bass fishing
this is part of my rod holder and I think I need a second one.
j bab reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 6:08 AM, Catt said:
Same here. It never gets too cold to fish on Toledo, just too windy sometimes.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I hunt and build baits more when it gets colder, but I don't have an offseason. I can see the plume from the smoke stack of the closest power plant lake from my house now.
Will Wetline reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 11:44 AM, stk44 said:Thanks. I will definitely check this out. Do you find that you save money by making your own or is it more just for the fun of it?
I know with reloading, everyone starts out to save money, then you start buying premium bullets, brass, experimenting with powers, etc and then you start spending more money than just buying the manufactured product. Not that there's anything wrong with either option. Just curious.
I make my own baits because I enjoy small, detailed hand work. Do not get into this with the expectation of saving money. Do expect, whether you're molding lead or plastisol, that this activity will advance in the same manner as your experience with reloading - if you like what you're doing you will want to acquire more stuff to advance your capabilities.
Read this post:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/170471-jig-pouring/
and remember to read everything posted by smalljaw67 and cadman on BR and TU to name just a couple of excellent, knowledgable craftsman.
Have fun and be careful when playing with molten materials!
N Florida Mike reply :
I fish still but not quite as much.I usually get out hunting some .I do home projects mostly outside stuff that I put off until cooler weather.I also clean and reorganize my fishing room,and tackle boxes,and oil reels.I get a break from mowing the yard etc,until March.So My goal is to finish all my projects before spring before the lawn maintenance kicks in.
But winter fishing is still good here.Caught my pb on Dec 31 !!
stk44 reply :
@Yeajray231 I found your off-season kit while browsing TW.
Kris2016 reply :
The off Season for me is maintenance. Changing out treble hooks that have rust, making more name tags for Plano boxes, preparing reels for service by a local tackle store, cleaning fishing rods and reels that aren't going out for service this year, restocking of favorite soft plastics and buying new I want to try and changing out three Season old line. Since now using a lot of braid makes the last one pretty quick. I also determine what rod and reel additions, deletions I want to make and get the stuff ready for a local Fishermans Flea Market in March. This year I am trimming the arsenal down and getting rid of seven bass rods. Two Dobyns Fury models will replace them. a 734C and a 705CB. I am retired and belong to an old guys bass club that does two club tournaments a month usually. Without a doubt looking forward to next Season.
Also, I take my batteries out each Winter from my reservoir boat. They are stored inside, tested, recharged periodically and retested before re-installation. My present batteries in my reservoir electric motored boat are seven years old I believe. They were bought used from a fishing Buddy and I have had them for four Seasons. These are Trojan SCS-225, 12v batteries That run my MK Traxxis 70 and my MK Edge 55 btw. I also make sure that all my electronics are clean and safely stored, Lowrance Elite 5 HDI and a Raymarine Dragonfly 4DV that is not installed yet, for the Winter. I also accumulate all the upgrades I want to make my reservoir rig better.
As you can see I can stay pretty busy here.
Yeajray231 reply :
Ha-ha ! @stk44 you're invited !
Yakalong reply :
Watch college basketball 
CrustyMono reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:55 AM, scaleface said:My last interesting piece was half a Barber quarter . Click on the photo and it will take you to my photobucket page and you can see a lot of the better stuff I found .
Some of those coins you have found are really expensive. If you sold them, you would probably make your money back that you put out to get the metal detector. Those 1914 D Wheaties are a really great find. Keep up the great work! I would hang on to those coins, they'll be worth a fortune in a few years.
As for me, I do this:
scaleface reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 1:43 AM, CrustyMono said:Some of those coins you have found are really expensive. If you sold them, you would probably make your money back that you put out to get the metal detector. Those 1914 D Wheaties are a really great find. Keep up the great work! I would hang on to those coins, they'll be worth a fortune in a few years.
It took me three months to pay for that detector .
kickerfish1 reply :
We are currently in off season mode here. During this winter break I usually:
1. Order more tackle I don't need and occasionally restock the stuff I do
2. Organize and put away everything for a fresh start in the spring.
3. Do a basic cleaning on my reels and send some of them off for a more thorough deep cleaning
4. Sell off tackle I don't need or want to keep around any longer
5. Spend time researching techniques as well as watching some videos explaining them.
lo n slo reply :
replacing the carpet in the Javelin, new fish finder for the console and the usual boat pm. as for the jon boat, i'll be taking it out of the water for the winter soon, might sell and upgrade there. decisions. i usually sink some christmas trees but that wont be happening this year. take stock, restock, and pm gear and tackle.
edit: good time of year for me to get the outside work done around the house. git r done
ww2farmer reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:35 AM, 2tall79 said:Reload, shoot, repeat.
yup...
April -Nov. is bass season
Nov-April is reloading, and going to the range season.
I will ice fish occasionally
Bassguytom reply :
I will ice fish if the ice is safe. I also melt down and make stick baits from all the plastics I have used during the season. But most importantly I do any projects my wife wants me to while it's cold outside. Why you ask? Because life's a chess game and I'm Bobby Fisher.
stk44 reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 1:55 PM, j bab said:Same here. It never gets too cold to fish on Toledo, just too windy sometimes.
I would love to fish there someday.
j bab reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 9:39 AM, stk44 said:I would love to fish there someday.
Fly in for the Toledo Bend road trip this year if you can 
that's asking a lot but hey you never know until you ask right?
stk44 reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 9:42 AM, j bab said:Fly in for the Toledo Bend road trip this year if you can
I can't this year, but I see that's a yearly trip. That would be a lot of fun. I would have to arrange for the Wife and little one to have some activities to do as well, since I'm sure they would want to tag along. Definitely something I'm gonna do sooner or later.
CTBassin860 reply :
Drill a hole and catch them through the ice!
Columbia Craw reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 1:43 AM, CrustyMono said:Some of those coins you have found are really expensive. If you sold them, you would probably make your money back that you put out to get the metal detector. Those 1914 D Wheaties are a really great find. Keep up the great work! I would hang on to those coins, they'll be worth a fortune in a few years.
As for me, I do this:
Dancing with the Stars ???? I missed that episode.
JT Bagwell reply :
I bow hunt, go ice fishing and get in some much needed couch time.
CrustyMono reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 10:07 AM, Columbia Craw said:
Dancing with the Stars ???? I missed that episode.
haha, that's funny, unless you're not kidding...
hoosierbass07 reply :
I want to go ice fishing and hope I catch my first fish under ice. I also what to build a new computer this winter. I've never built one before. Also, go see lots of movies at the theater.
Columbia Craw reply :
No Crusty, kidding. I wrestled in high school. It was the best six years of my life.
wdp reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:13 AM, stk44 said:What do you all do when/if you put the rods away for the year?
I get depressed. ? lol
Luckily the off season for me only last about 2 or 2 & half months at most. We had some unseasonably warm weather in late Feb this yr & I caught a few good ones.
papajoe222 reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 8:07 AM, ww2farmer said:yup...
April -Nov. is bass season
Nov-April is reloading, and going to the range season.
I will ice fish occasionally
Throw in a rod build or two and this will work until sometime in Feb. Then I start thinking about driving 300-400mi. to wet a line and the bait monkey hasn't been fed in months, so by April 1st, I'm out of reloading supplies because I've spent everything at fishing shows.
Knightiac reply :
Here in Orlando there is only a slowish season, no offseason. I spend my time working a shakey head or dragging jigs. I'll even toss some topwaters and lipless cranks here and there too. I'm not sure I could ever get into ice fishing, and I love drinking beer and shootin the ****.
S. Sass reply :
Fish any time its Texas. But I do have truck and gun hobbies. So if its to cold or windy being single I can find plenty to do.
beardown34 reply :
cry, wipe my tears, and repeat
stk44 reply :
@wdp It's nice that I'm forced to relax on the weekends now, but I'm in the same boat as you. I can't wait til March..
Hopefully this year I can time it right where I can catch river smallmouth in prespawn and spawn, while also being able to hit largemouth during there prespawn and spawn.
On 12/12/2016 at 1:05 PM, papajoe222 said:Throw in a rod build or two and this will work until sometime in Feb. Then I start thinking about driving 300-400mi. to wet a line and the bait monkey hasn't been fed in months, so by April 1st, I'm out of reloading supplies because I've spent everything at fishing shows.
I have a fly rod that I still need to build. I bought it just before I got hooked on bass. It's a 7 weight too, so that would be perfect for bass flies. Fly fishing is cool and all, but it's usually never the most effective way to target bass most of the year.
I was talking to my wife about heading south to do some fishing. I don't know if I can make it without fishing until March...
Master Bait'r reply :
I'm the Operations Manager at a northeast ski area. The work load and stress level pretty much guarantee I won't even be able to glance at my gear until May.
the reel ess reply :
Count the days. I usually keep trying to fish. But this year, circumstances have conspired against that. Family obligations have dictated my activities. My daughter is also involved in an activity that will take up a bunch of Saturdays in Jan & Feb. I will try to get some Sunday afternoons in in February though, weather permitting.
I'm replacing the trolling motor on my big boat with a spare one my buddy has. It's a Minn Kota foot control 46 that comes with the Bass Tracker. He replaced it with one with variable speed control. And I'll buy and set up a new combo.
.ghoti. reply :
Servicing reels, building rods, trying to bring order out of chaos in my tackle bags and boxes,,,,,,
Scarborough817 reply :
organizing tackle, looking at tackle, wish i could fish, repeat
CybrSlydr reply :
My brother and I are currently wondering how cold is too cold to fish.
Hasn't really dipped below freezing here yet (couple nights, about it) or hit that winter chill so...
My days off work I'm sitting at home thinking... "Man, I want to go fishing..."
That said, most of my time is looking at new gear and reading articles/watching videos (I'm becoming a fan of Jon B on YouTube and 1Rod1Reel ).
wdp reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 9:26 PM, Scarborough817 said:organizing tackle, looking at tackle, wish i could fish, repeat
I look at tackle websites & online tackle stores, constantly. Even during fishing season. ?
bigfruits reply :
snowboard, poker and buying more tackle I don't need gets me through.
YoTone reply :
lift weights and try to get back all the muscle i lost while being overly obsessed with bass fishing.
to put it in to perspective before i rediscovered my love for fresh water bass fishing i was lifting weights to gain muscle mass. 3 years before that i was a sickly 115 lbs at 5'7'' . it took 3 grueling years to get up to 157 lbs by lifting and eating like crazy. then all of a sudden i got into bass fishing and lost almost everything i worked for and shriveled up to 128 lbs in 8 months. i didnt care about nutrition or lifting just catching bass. people were asking me if i had cancer or became a crack addict the way i lost so much weight. lol
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
stk44 reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 6:30 AM, YoTone said:lift weights and try to get back all the muscle i lost while being overly obsessed with bass fishing.
to put it in to perspective before i rediscovered my love for fresh water bass fishing i was lifting weights to gain muscle mass. 3 years before that i was a sickly 115 lbs at 5'7'' . it took 3 grueling years to get up to 157 lbs by lifting and eating like crazy. then all of a sudden i got into bass fishing and lost almost everything i worked for and shriveled up to 128 lbs in 8 months. i didnt care about nutrition or lifting just catching bass. people were asking me if i had cancer or became a crack addict the way i lost so much weight. lol
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
My peak was 5'10 195 @6 percent body fat. When I would bulk, I would have to eat around 4500 to 5000 calories per day. Then I got injured and I'm back down to 175.
Ive found I'm much happier exercising to be in shape, not so much just to look in shape anymore. To each his own though.
JT Bagwell reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 1:07 PM, Knightiac said:Here in Orlando there is only a slowish season, no offseason. I spend my time working a shakey head or dragging jigs. I'll even toss some topwaters and lipless cranks here and there too. I'm not sure I could ever get into ice fishing, and I love drinking beer and shootin the ****.
Some people think Ice fishing is super cool. I am not one of those people. I would rather go bass fishing any time. Ice fishing is just something that I do in the winter to occupy my time when the lakes are frozen after bow season ends.
gimruis reply :
I usually fish until mid to late October, then I deer and pheasant hunt in November and December. January through March I play in a racquetball league, ice hockey league, and watch a lot of sports on TV. I turkey hunt in April and then start fishing again in May when the season opens.
On 12/13/2016 at 8:33 AM, JT Bagwell said:Some people think Ice fishing is super cool. I am not one of those people. I would rather go bass fishing any time. Ice fishing is just something that I do in the winter to occupy my time when the lakes are frozen after bow season ends.
I am also NOT one of those people with regards to ice fishing. Some jackass just went through ice already here because he thought 2.5 inches of ice was safe to drive his snowmobile on
CybrSlydr reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 6:30 AM, YoTone said:lift weights and try to get back all the muscle i lost while being overly obsessed with bass fishing.
to put it in to perspective before i rediscovered my love for fresh water bass fishing i was lifting weights to gain muscle mass. 3 years before that i was a sickly 115 lbs at 5'7'' . it took 3 grueling years to get up to 157 lbs by lifting and eating like crazy. then all of a sudden i got into bass fishing and lost almost everything i worked for and shriveled up to 128 lbs in 8 months. i didnt care about nutrition or lifting just catching bass. people were asking me if i had cancer or became a crack addict the way i lost so much weight. lol
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
You poor man, at my tiniest when I was in the Army and had the vaunted "deployment body", I was still 211lbs. lol
Right now I'm about 265.
crypt reply :
off season? what's that…?
fishwizzard reply :
I do a ton of hiking in the winter, the lack of ticks and thorns is very nice. I also plan to do some wading this winter and see what's still biting. I mean, the fish have to still be in the water somewhere in all the small rivers around here.
CrustyMono reply :
On 12/12/2016 at 11:48 AM, Columbia Craw said:No Crusty, kidding. I wrestled in high school. It was the best six years of my life.
Nice, I'm glad to see someone who knows the difference between training really hard and losing a big match and fishing hard all day and catching nothing. It is like a paradox, because they are similar but very different sports.
everythingthatswims reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 9:15 AM, CybrSlydr said:You poor man, at my tiniest when I was in the Army and had the vaunted "deployment body", I was still 211lbs. lol
Right now I'm about 265.
@YoTone is in fact catching bass at that weight though
CybrSlydr reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 12:15 PM, everythingthatswims said:@YoTone is in fact catching bass at that weight though
lol Ouch - apply cold water to burn!
everythingthatswims reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 12:17 PM, CybrSlydr said:lol Ouch - apply cold water to burn!
You've got plenty of time ahead of you to get situated and slay them this spring. Looking forward to hearing about it.
Gundog reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 6:30 AM, YoTone said:
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
Wish I had that problem. Sadly its just the opposite. I lose some weight in the spring/summer/fall and gain all of it back (+some) in winter.
On 12/13/2016 at 9:15 AM, CybrSlydr said:
Just wondering....umm...can I borrow that gun sometimes. My neighbor thinks its funny to park in the spot I shovel out for my car. I think if I walked out of my house with that over my shoulder not only would he not park in my spot, he would also probably clean off my sidewalk for me. 
wisconsin heat reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 8:33 AM, JT Bagwell said:Some people think Ice fishing is super cool. I am not one of those people. I would rather go bass fishing any time. Ice fishing is just something that I do in the winter to occupy my time when the lakes are frozen after bow season ends.
I dont bow hunt yet, but otherwise share the same feelings as you. Ice fishing can quickly become a lot of work, running around and drilling holes to try and mark fish; it's so hard to be mobile which is the main reason I don't like ice fishing as much.
scaleface reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 10:17 AM, Bunnielab said:I do a ton of hiking in the winter, the lack of ticks and thorns is very nice. I also plan to do some wading this winter and see what's still biting. I mean, the fish have to still be in the water somewhere in all the small rivers around here.
I do the hiking thing too , especially if we get a couple of inches of snow . Play with knives , shoot a couple of rabbits , sip bourbon and smoke a cigar if I can get a fire lit . I take a fire starter, no lighter , no matches . Sometimes its difficult to get that fire going . No sense staying inside ,its the best hiking time of the year.
scaleface reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 1:16 PM, Gundog said:
Just wondering....umm...can I borrow that gun sometimes. My neighbor thinks its funny to park in the spot I shovel out for my car. I think if I walked out of my house with that over my shoulder not only would he not park in my spot, he would also probably clean off my sidewalk for me.
LOL . The guy across the street will park his vehicle in front of my house , so the snow plows will clean his side off leaving snow on my side .I wont shoot him but he might end up with a flat tire some day .
beardown34 reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 6:30 AM, YoTone said:lift weights and try to get back all the muscle i lost while being overly obsessed with bass fishing.
to put it in to perspective before i rediscovered my love for fresh water bass fishing i was lifting weights to gain muscle mass. 3 years before that i was a sickly 115 lbs at 5'7'' . it took 3 grueling years to get up to 157 lbs by lifting and eating like crazy. then all of a sudden i got into bass fishing and lost almost everything i worked for and shriveled up to 128 lbs in 8 months. i didnt care about nutrition or lifting just catching bass. people were asking me if i had cancer or became a crack addict the way i lost so much weight. lol
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
Wow, that's pretty dramatic! And you are a crack addict. Addicted to cracking that Hookset!
YoTone reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 10:36 PM, beardown34 said:Wow, that's pretty dramatic! And you are a crack addict. Addicted to cracking that Hookset!
lol well once i dive into something i get that tunnel vision and just become obsessive. being obsessive can be destructive to everything around you, like being a family man, if you dont check youself but its the only way for me to get results in either weight lifting or bass fishing.
this next season ill try to mix in both but that usually means mediocre results in both passions.
stk44 reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 1:16 PM, Gundog said:Wish I had that problem. Sadly its just the opposite. I lose some weight in the spring/summer/fall and gain all of it back (+some) in winter.
Just wondering....umm...can I borrow that gun sometimes. My neighbor thinks its funny to park in the spot I shovel out for my car. I think if I walked out of my house with that over my shoulder not only would he not park in my spot, he would also probably clean off my sidewalk for me.
Gundog, you've gotta wait on that. After the army beats the living S#!$ out of their SAW's, they then go to the Marine Corps. After that I'm sure they are available...
CybrSlydr reply :
The one in my picture might be a lot cheaper - it was destroyed in an IED. Later was told by the armorer who assessed it that the bolt was jammed into the chamber and couldn't be knocked out with a 16lb hammer. Barrel was also bent at rather severe angle and various bits had been destroyed (bipod, grip, etc).
stk44 reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 5:07 AM, CybrSlydr said:The one in my picture might be a lot cheaper - it was destroyed in an IED. Later was told by the armorer who assessed it that the bolt was jammed into the chamber and couldn't be knocked out with a 16lb hammer. Barrel was also bent at rather severe angle and various bits had been destroyed (bipod, grip, etc).
Pressure plate I would assume? What part of Afghanistan is that?
fishwizzard reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 9:00 PM, scaleface said:I do the hiking thing too , especially if we get a couple of inches of snow . Play with knives , shoot a couple of rabbits , sip bourbon and smoke a cigar if I can get a fire lit . I take a fire starter, no lighter , no matches . Sometimes its difficult to get that fire going . No sense staying inside ,its the best hiking time of the year.
Hah, well I love hiking but hate camping so I never rough it too badly. My idea camping scenero would involve about five mules full of gear.
slonezp reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 1:16 PM, Gundog said:.
Just wondering....umm...can I borrow that gun sometimes. My neighbor thinks its funny to park in the spot I shovel out for my car. I think if I walked out of my house with that over my shoulder not only would he not park in my spot, he would also probably clean off my sidewalk for me.
This is how we save shoveled parking spaces in Chicago. Call it an unwritten rule or tradition. Everybody who grew up here knows not to mess with a shoveled parking spot that has been saved with lawn furniture.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 6:30 AM, YoTone said:lift weights and try to get back all the muscle i lost while being overly obsessed with bass fishing.
to put it in to perspective before i rediscovered my love for fresh water bass fishing i was lifting weights to gain muscle mass. 3 years before that i was a sickly 115 lbs at 5'7'' . it took 3 grueling years to get up to 157 lbs by lifting and eating like crazy. then all of a sudden i got into bass fishing and lost almost everything i worked for and shriveled up to 128 lbs in 8 months. i didnt care about nutrition or lifting just catching bass. people were asking me if i had cancer or became a crack addict the way i lost so much weight. lol
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
Nice ,I also enjoy weight lifting. What's your favorite lift? For me it's either Squats or Deadlifts, especially on heavy days where I put 5 plates on each side.
CybrSlydr reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 9:04 AM, slonezp said:This is how we save shoveled parking spaces in Chicago. Call it an unwritten rule or tradition. Everybody who grew up here knows not to mess with a shoveled parking spot that has been saved with lawn furniture.
Apparently they do that in Pittsburgh as well.
On 12/14/2016 at 8:28 AM, Bunnielab said:Hah, well I love hiking but hate camping so I never rough it too badly. My idea camping scenero would involve about five mules full of gear.
YoTone reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 9:41 AM, soflabasser said:Nice ,I also enjoy weight lifting. What's your favorite lift? For me it's either Squats or Deadlifts, especially on heavy days where I put 5 plates on each side.
well i just mess around with dumbbells. i do enjoy the chest press and pull ups and over head presses.
i run a typical body part split. i mostly do it for the aesthetics.
Yeajray231 reply :
Lol. @scaleface the way you're holding that cigar... I almost called you cheech !
I'll go hiking with ya if you put me on those morels I seen you post awhile back. !
J Francho reply :
I fish for steelhead in the tribs around here. Year round, I do this, though writing and performing ramps up in winter.
scaleface reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 9:41 PM, J Francho said:I fish for steelhead in the tribs around here. Year round, I do this, though writing and performing ramps up in winter.
Do you know " Camp Town Ladies" ?
bigfruits reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 9:41 PM, Yeajray231 said:Lol. @scaleface the way you're holding that cigar... I almost called you cheech !
yeah, scaleface, that cigar looks hand rolled too. Cuban or from Colorado? 
J Francho reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 9:44 PM, scaleface said:Do you know " Camp Town Ladies" ?
Yes. Doo-dah.
scaleface reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 10:00 PM, bigfruits said:yeah, scaleface, that cigar looks hand rolled too. Cuban or from Colorado?
Walgreens .
soflabasser reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 9:31 PM, YoTone said:well i just mess around with dumbbells. i do enjoy the chest press and pull ups and over head presses.
i run a typical body part split. i mostly do it for the aesthetics.
Taking care of our health is the most important thing we do for ourselves, and it makes fishing for long hours much easier. I worked out chest and triceps yesterday and have a routine where I train my muscle groups evenly. I don't really train for bodybuilding(aesthetics), but my neck, arms, and calves are more or less the same size since I try to give my body a balanced workout. Doing HIT training today along with some lower body weight training.
YoTone reply :
On 12/15/2016 at 1:40 AM, soflabasser said:Taking care of our health is the most important thing we do for ourselves, and it makes fishing for long hours much easier. I worked out chest and triceps yesterday and have a routine where I train my muscle groups evenly. I don't really train for bodybuilding(aesthetics), but my neck, arms, and calves are more or less the same size since I try to give my body a balanced workout. Doing HIT training today along with some lower body weight training.
thats great stuff. 5 plate deads is impressive stuff. ive heard way too many horror stories with heavy dead lifts and heavy squats so im not big on the power lifting thing. Seeing people grow old is a scary thing and you can always point out the guy whos been exercising on a regular basis a mile away. those who do not will pay the big price if they get lucky enough to reach their 60's.
once i get to a decent size i will try to incorporate HIT and cardiovascular training. i just want to add 10 or more pounds of muscle to my body and then try to maintain it from then on.
blckshirt98 reply :
Wintertime in NorCal is when the local reservoirs will start stocking Lassen trout so I'll go trout fishing a couple of times a month if it's not wet/rainy. Other than that I'll clean up the rods I used heavily with Q-Tips and water, will re-spool or fill up spools with line, and will organize and clean up tackle that I tend to just throw around during the season. I'll also use the cold days to stay indoors and watch a ton of movies or read books.
Gilgamesh reply :
Message Pats twice a week and try to get him to sell me a swimbait 
soflabasser reply :
On 12/15/2016 at 3:30 AM, YoTone said:thats great stuff. 5 plate deads is impressive stuff. ive heard way too many horror stories with heavy dead lifts and heavy squats so im not big on the power lifting thing. Seeing people grow old is a scary thing and you can always point out the guy whos been exercising on a regular basis a mile away. those who do not will pay the big price if they get lucky enough to reach their 60's.
once i get to a decent size i will try to incorporate HIT and cardiovascular training. i just want to add 10 or more pounds of muscle to my body and then try to maintain it from then on.
Thank you, I have been powerlifting for close to 2 decades now,use to be much stronger when I was younger,but I don't lift anywhere as heavy as I use to back then(I am focusing more on cardiovascular sports now).Powerlifting/Weightlifting is a relatively safe sport, if done in a safe way.One must make sure to always warm up,always have good form,have breaks throughout the year in lifting,not lift too heavy, and never,ever overtrain. Athetles of all sports can get hurt, golfers get hurt if they don't train safe ,so safety is #1.You are correct that you can point out those who have been taking care of their health, there's plenty of +60 year old men who are in much better shape than most 20-30 year old men(both in cardiovascular endurance and strength ) .Age is just a number for those that take care of themselves.
Knightiac reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 6:30 AM, YoTone said:lift weights and try to get back all the muscle i lost while being overly obsessed with bass fishing.
to put it in to perspective before i rediscovered my love for fresh water bass fishing i was lifting weights to gain muscle mass. 3 years before that i was a sickly 115 lbs at 5'7'' . it took 3 grueling years to get up to 157 lbs by lifting and eating like crazy. then all of a sudden i got into bass fishing and lost almost everything i worked for and shriveled up to 128 lbs in 8 months. i didnt care about nutrition or lifting just catching bass. people were asking me if i had cancer or became a crack addict the way i lost so much weight. lol
now that the seasons over im trying to get back to respectable size but will probably lose 80% of it when spring starts.
I hope you told them it must have been all the crack... just to see their faces for a second.
Last_Cast reply :
Still fishing, or thinking about fishing...or my most favorite- buying fishing gear. lol
Red Bear reply :
On 12/13/2016 at 9:00 PM, scaleface said:I do the hiking thing too , especially if we get a couple of inches of snow . Play with knives , shoot a couple of rabbits , sip bourbon and smoke a cigar if I can get a fire lit . I take a fire starter, no lighter , no matches . Sometimes its difficult to get that fire going . No sense staying inside ,its the best hiking time of the year.
already mentioned, but that does look like a hoglegged sized blunt though lol. also, wish i had some decent private property i could hike around on. always loved just walking around in the woods exploring. agreed that winter is best time for it. everything is opened up and easier to navigate. plus no snakes or spiders and their webs. i could go to my uncles farm, but most of the woods are going uphill up a mountain side, lots of loose rocks too. and so far up you come to a fence that the government doesnt want you hanging out around. hang out too long and theyll detain and question you. some sort of govt facility inside the mountain up there. ive heard military communications site. all but a little shed are blocked off on google maps with fake trees overlayed in the image, but some nights you can see the whole mountain lit up like crazy. the road up there has an AT&T sign where you pull in off the main highway.
On 12/13/2016 at 9:18 PM, scaleface said:LOL . The guy across the street will park his vehicle in front of my house , so the snow plows will clean his side off leaving snow on my side .I wont shoot him but he might end up with a flat tire some day .
next time he does it, park your vehicle in front of his house
Bankbeater reply :
In between cleaning reels, sorting through tackle, and online shopping, I constantly check the weather to see when the lakes are going to thaw.
Burtonxj reply :
Throw money at my 4Runner
doyle8218 reply :
I live in Miami where there is no off season.
DroneFisher reply :
Travel to the coast to chase redfish.
Work on my flipping and pitching.
Make videos.
Take pictures.
Cary on with the same routine of bass fishing using winter techniques.
halfpint33 reply :
I have to many other hobbies. Love to shoot and collect guns,collect ball cards,build models,but mostly woodworking. Started out with a scroll saw a few years back and now have a shop full woodworking tools. So if I ain't working or fishing,I'm usually in the woodshop.
Jaderose reply :
Well......Looking out the window right now at the snow flying and ice covered roads. Glad to be safe and warm but going stir crazy. Only so many times I can chase the wife around the house. Think I will tear down an old BPS PQ I got and see if it's worth salvaging
AC870 reply :
I still fish but weather means not as frequently as spring, summer, fall. I deer hunt too. I try not to miss a Crimson Tide games on the tube. Rainy and windy herd today. Sitting by the Christmas tree, watching Celebration Bowl and playing on Internet. Crappie are going gangbusters down at lake. May have to try them soon.
stk44 reply :
On 12/18/2016 at 3:03 AM, Jaderose said:Well......Looking out the window right now at the snow flying and ice covered roads. Glad to be safe and warm but going stir crazy. Only so many times I can chase the wife around the house. Think I will tear down an old BPS PQ I got and see if it's worth salvaging
The first two weeks of no fishing was manageable. I don't think I can wait until ice out, which I hope comes really early this year.
Oklahoma Mike reply :
It usually doesn't get cold enough to ice over here, but the colder weather does keep me from getting out as frequently. It also means that when I do get out on the water, I'll be hunting crappie for roughly half my fishing time.
dubin reply :
I am busy winterizing my home at the moment. I have already checked all the windows and doors for air leaks but I still found the home drafty and cold. A closer inspection revealed that the loft was not insulated properly.I then called in a roofing company to insulate the loft and then just to have a thorough check on the roof. I am also preparing for Christmas, my sister and her family will be visiting us after a long time and I am excited to see her.
scaleface reply :
i wont be doing any metal detecting this winter .The temps dropped below zero so fast that we had frost quakes . Those are miniature earthquakes caused by the moisture in the ground and rock freezing and expanding . I have a few guns that need sighting in I'll do that this winter .
Gundog reply :
On 12/19/2016 at 11:28 PM, scaleface said:i wont be doing any metal detecting this winter .The temps dropped below zero so fast that we had frost quakes . Those are miniature earthquakes caused by the moisture in the ground and rock freezing and expanding . I have a few guns that need sighting in I'll do that this winter .
How bad are the mini-quakes? Do they do any damage to property?
scaleface reply :
On 12/20/2016 at 1:34 AM, Gundog said:How bad are the mini-quakes? Do they do any damage to property?
I dont know of any damage, they were wide spread in this area . They are rare. We had them here in 2014 too .
CybrSlydr reply :
On 12/19/2016 at 11:28 PM, scaleface said:i wont be doing any metal detecting this winter .The temps dropped below zero so fast that we had frost quakes . Those are miniature earthquakes caused by the moisture in the ground and rock freezing and expanding . I have a few guns that need sighting in I'll do that this winter .
Along with frost quakes you get to see these kinds of phenomena.
Talk about creepy as hell to watch!
Allegedly frozen ground thaws and before it can re-compact, wind blowing the tree makes it move (liquefied ground) like it's breathing.
tholmes reply :
Play guitar, a lot.
Clean, lube and repair (if needed) about 15 reels that I use regularly, clean and organize tackle boxes, replace hooks on the lures that need them and put new line on my reels. One of my casting rods has a broken guide that needs replaced. I have a big box of old reels that I've picked up at yard sales that I will go through to clean and repair.
I'll spend some time making jigs and blade baits for next year.
Tom
brgbassmaster reply :
No offseason in Arizona. Winter is glide season
Red Bear reply :
serious question here, some of you only mention doing fishing related stuff in the off-season. dont yall have any other interests besides fishing? you know, that can be done in the winter time? once im done fishing for the year, i dont even want to look at my fishing stuff until march at the earliest...
TriCityBassin' reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 6:34 AM, Jar11591 said:This off-season will be a lot different than in the past. Usually during the off-season, I organize, purchase, clean and stare at my fishing equipment. But this February, I am taking a 5 day fishing trip to Mexico to fish Lake Baccarac! Putting the boat up this year was a lot easier than in the past, only because I have this bass fishing trip to look forward to in early February!
I do the exact same thing minus the cool trip.
CTBassin860 reply :
On 12/21/2016 at 1:15 AM, Red Bear said:serious question here, some of you only mention doing fishing related stuff in the off-season. dont yall have any other interests besides fishing? you know, that can be done in the winter time? once im done fishing for the year, i dont even want to look at my fishing stuff until march at the earliest...
Ice fish.........ing? Awww crap ?
"hamma" reply :
On 12/21/2016 at 1:15 AM, Red Bear said:serious question here, some of you only mention doing fishing related stuff in the off-season. dont yall have any other interests besides fishing? you know, that can be done in the winter time? once im done fishing for the year, i dont even want to look at my fishing stuff until march at the earliest...
I used to ski, and loved to snowmobile,.. but, they are no longer a option due to injury. Now i'm leaning towards setting up to pour different types of non-lead jigs that I can powder coat, and either tie fur and feathers on, or just use with plastics.
Just cant shake the fishing bug, no matter how hard I try, its always there.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 12:02 PM, hunterPRO1 said:what off season ?
im running the ac on christmas morning i aint got no off season
"'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, the A/C was running 'cuz we live in the south."
But as a northern boy, I don't get that luxury. This year we were in Jax for Christmas but didn't get any fishing time in as I was trying to spend time with the family. Off-season for me usually comes in a November, and looks a little like this: 
I do train year round, but the meets ramp up when high school season comes around Nov 1. Currently hoping to get a spot on a college team in 2017, and working hard to take another consecutive team sectional title, along with a respectable showing at Conference and State.
Hog Basser reply :
Hmmm..... Let's see....Duck Hunting, Deer Hunting, collecting new gear and still fishing a little bit. I take a little time off from fishing to pursue other hobbies, mainly because my best fishing spot is also my best deer and duck hunting spot and I don't want to mess up the hunting. If it gets warm in the afternoon, I grab my fishing gear and head on out...they just bite a little slower and I'm still perfecting my wintertime technique.
hawgenvy reply :
My off season is summer, when the fishing is lousy and the sun unbearable. Of course, I fish then anyway. But winter bass fishing here is awesome, and temps are usually in the 70s, so come on down!
Rick Howard reply :
If I did not have t work, I would hibernate from mid November to mid April.
A-Jay reply :
On 12/29/2016 at 2:11 PM, Rick Howard said:If I did not have t work, I would hibernate from mid November to mid April.
I don't ~ and for the most part - I do,
But it's more like mid December to mid-March.
A-Jay
BillP reply :
This year I am going to repaint the old boat I bought that replaces the one I had that developed stress cracks in the hull. Mostly I watch the fishing shows on TV and read as many fishing magazines as I can get
RoLo reply :
As I live in Florida, there is no 'off-season'.
Between you & I though, I sometimes wish there was
Roger
lonnie g reply :
try to go to Alabama lay lake where it is warmer for me. living in Indiana. brother and cousin live on the water also make furnature out of reclaimed barn wood and other wood working. A mans just got to get out of the house!!!
BrianinMD reply :
This year bought a boat, but really try to have as short of an off season as possible. Even in colder temps the bass are still catchable.
hoosierbass07 reply :
Me, since its almost the new year, the cable channels are showing their new 2017 fishing shows already. I may criticize a lot of them but I still enjoy watching them until I see them three or four times and by that time its spring anyway so then it's time to get outdoors and do some fishing.
stk44 reply :
I just received an ice rod for Christmas...so I guess I'm learning to ice fish. My Dad used to get out on the ice a lot, so I'll bring him along to show me the ropes!
the reel ess reply :
I go to my primary 6 combos and rig them with what I think I'll use next time I go fishing. I usually do this three times for every time I actually go in the winter. And I order new baits so when they come in, I tie them on as well. Sometimes I go to the back porch and toss them a few times. My next door neighbor's always asking if they're biting out back.
Scott F reply :
This winter, at night, I dress up like a spider and fight crime.
MGranlund reply :
Spend a lot of time on the ice. Either fishing or skating.
However, you did just remind me I should quit putting off reel maintenance.
Gundog reply :
On 1/9/2017 at 4:57 AM, Scott F said:This winter, at night, I dress up like a spider and fight crime.
Still! I thought you would have grown out of that by now. Or at least grown out of the costume. 
razor6570 reply :
I mostly spend time in the winter stocking up on tackle and greasing and cleaning all my gear. Do some trout fishing but I am surely not a cold weather fisherman! I do a lot of hunting till the 1st of the year then it is working around the house and watching some of the fishing shows.
By the time April roles around I am in craze to get on the water!
GLK reply :
Do a little work on the reloading bench
kilroy9988 reply :
67 km/h winds gusting to 87 km/h and feels like -43c in my neck of the woods this morning................ I stay inside
Scarborough817 reply :
update, i'm going crazy i have re organized my crankbaits, by size and colour as well as bought all new terminal tackle and my girlfriend bought me a waterproof 3700 for christmas so it's all in there. i want the water to be open already
Hawghead reply :
I am big into bowhunting. Once sept 15 rolls around in Missouri I will be hunting. I own small piece of property and I spend a lot of time up there hunting, camping, etc. My only real off season is between Jan 15 and the spring thaw.
Once it warms up enough I divide time between fishing and getting food plots going.
stk44 reply :
On 1/10/2017 at 11:11 AM, GLK said:Do a little work on the reloading bench
Aren't you supposed to seat the primers the other way?? LOL
clh121787 reply :
My favorite Lake is a Power plantLake. It just works out
GLK reply :
On 1/29/2017 at 9:26 AM, stk44 said:Aren't you supposed to seat the primers the other way?? LOL
Rookie mistake
stk44 reply :
On 1/31/2017 at 9:01 AM, GLK said:Rookie mistake
I bought an RCBS turret press about a year ago, they accept all standard shell holders but the Lee shell holder that I use, isn't quite up to the specs of the RCBS. Long story short, there is a sweet spot for aligning the primers to seat properly. Until I got this down, I ruined dozens of cases with upside down primers and sideways seated primers.
CenCal fisher reply :
On 1/31/2017 at 11:31 PM, stk44 said:I bought an RCBS turret press about a year ago, they accept all standard shell holders but the Lee shell holder that I use, isn't quite up to the specs of the RCBS. Long story short, there is a sweet spot for aligning the primers to seat properly. Until I got this down, I ruined dozens of cases with upside down primers and sideways seated primers.
The case isn't ruined, just knock the primer out and try again. I have a loadmaster and screwed up a bunch of primers before I gave up and started hand priming the cases
california doesnt really have an off season, but the fishing has been slow lately so I'm shooting instead. Luckily this week and next week have a predicted high in the mid 60s and a low in the upper 40s and low 50s. Pre spawn fishing should be starting!
stk44 reply :
On 2/1/2017 at 12:39 AM, CenCal fisher said:The case isn't ruined, just knock the primer out and try again. I have a loadmaster and screwed up a bunch of primers before I gave up and started hand priming the cases
california doesnt really have an off season, but the fishing has been slow lately so I'm shooting instead. Luckily this week and next week have a predicted high in the mid 60s and a low in the upper 40s and low 50s. Pre spawn fishing should be starting!
When you seat the primers sideways, they don't clear the shell holder unless you smash the primer down. I usually take a pair of vice-grips and pry the case off. What die do you use to remove the upside down primers? I have a resizing and decapper die which doesn't seam safe to use on the charged end of a primer.
I used to have a single stage press and would hand-prime all of my cases with the Lee autoprime. The carpet installers stole about $700 of reloading gear from my basement, so that's when I upgraded to the RCBS.
WI_Angler1989 reply :
I'm in central Wisconsin and don't ice fish, so a lot of the usual stuff: clean gear, organize tackle, restock, fees the Bait Monkey (a lot).
I watch a LOT of fishing videos too. Whether for fun or to learn tips and techniques to try come spring.
Other than that, all the same stuff! Work out a lot, cook, play ps4, work, and we do stuff woth friends a lot too.
CenCal fisher reply :
On 2/1/2017 at 2:41 AM, stk44 said:When you seat the primers sideways, they don't clear the shell holder unless you smash the primer down. I usually take a pair of vice-grips and pry the case off. What die do you use to remove the upside down primers? I have a resizing and decapper die which doesn't seam safe to use on the charged end of a primer.
I used to have a single stage press and would hand-prime all of my cases with the Lee autoprime. The carpet installers stole about $700 of reloading gear from my basement, so that's when I upgraded to the RCBS.
You can use the decaper die. If it's just one or two cases I'll use a small punch and a hammer. Even a sideways primer doesn't take much force to remove. If you are worried about setting off the primer put a drop of gun oil on the primer and wait a bit. The oil will make the primer inert. Also if you spill a bunch of powder and don't want to use contaminated powder you can throw it on your lawn for fertilizer
stk44 reply :
On 2/1/2017 at 2:55 AM, CenCal fisher said:You can use the decaper die. If it's just one or two cases I'll use a small punch and a hammer. Even a sideways primer doesn't take much force to remove. If you are worried about setting off the primer put a drop of gun oil on the primer and wait a bit. The oil will make the primer inert. Also if you spill a bunch of powder and don't want to use contaminated powder you can throw it on your lawn for fertilizer
I'll have to give that a try. I've heard that gun oil will make a primer inert but I've never tried it. I've never heard to use gun powder for fertilizer, that is interesting.
CenCal fisher reply :
On 2/1/2017 at 3:02 AM, stk44 said:I'll have to give that a try. I've heard that gun oil will make a primer inert but I've never tried it. I've never heard to use gun powder for fertilizer, that is interesting.
It has a bunch of nitrates in it and is a better option than throwing it away though lighting it on fire isn't bad either
Jacob Phelps reply :
Dream about warmer days
Joey B. reply :
What do I do in the offseason? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs and desperately wish that when I wake up tomorrow it'll be Spring...
hoosierbass07 reply :
I've decided to leave my big fishing tackle box in the shed till March. Usually I get it out January 1st and get my rods all ready to go for April but I've slowly but surely learned - having rods and reels ready does not make winter shorter or bring spring quicker. So I'll just leave it all in the shed till mid March. Although, I'm still buying so many new fishing lures I already bought a new smaller tackle box just to store all my new stuff in! There is no hope for this addiction! lol.
I have picked up a new hobby though that is almost as expensive as fishing - building computers. I built my first PC at the end of December and I'm posting this from my new home built computer now. It was really easy to do plus the led lights inside make the motherboard look alive. lol. Now I'm addicted to Pentium processors, Asus motherboards and super quick Samsung SDD's. Plastic worms and Pentium processors, my passions!
Snipe Hunter reply :
I don't get much done around the house during fishing and baseball season. So I go into overdrive in the off season. I just moved a laundry room from the basement to the second floor and finished remodeling two bathrooms. I'm about 90% done gutting the master bath and bedroom. I hope to get it done by the end of march. I generally work on the house in the winter.
samwise2u reply :
fish
ThePolkFolk reply :
I live in Florida so there isn't much off season, but I have been fixing up a new (to me) jon boat as well as practicing backing in the trailer while the ramps are slower. The first time was the only time I truly had major trouble, but I did forget the plug once! I do enjoy shooting though and have picked up clay shooting this winter.
related General Bass Fishing Forum topic
most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.