Jigs and Pigs; Delta 1-24

Ive heard that cold water hypothesis as well and it is said to be more prominent in the florida strains.
Im going to start paying closer attention to their mouths throughout the seasons.
I dont think that its "eating" crawdads that makes their mouths red but Ive watched LM dig in the rocks during the winter months when the bait fish arent as available and the frogs are hunkerd.

Interesting bassology or maybe just an excuse to spend more time with the crawjig.

oh yeah,  nice duck eater X

I'm drooling for just a small piece of action like that!!  You've got BassSkillz    WTHookTheFatOne(s) X!!
IneedTOgetMYprioritiesSTRAIGHTENDout,Real_SOON!

I think the lips are red from you and HobieBlue settin all them hooks out there.  That same fish probably has been fooled by Bryan's crankbait.  If you two didn't practice catch and release, the delta might be in trouble.  

Awesome fish, Kevin!!  Is that your personal best?

Yeah, that one was a pb and set an early high water mark for this year.  Bryan and I are fighting it out to try and enter the 10 pound class.   

I don't know what to think about the red mouth theory.  I agree with points from both schools of thought.  The bass are all really pale this time of year which may let the red through.  One thing that I can't figure out is the current state of their forage.  Shad school and mostly die in the cold.  I'm pretty sure crawdads hibernate in the winter.  Maybe they are eating ducks!  Success has been had by still imitating the main food sources of the bass, so maybe their instincts to attack similar looking baits aren't seasonal.  I'll keep throwing it at them until one pukes up some evidence in the yak!!!

  One thing that I can't figure out is the current state of their forage. 

I know you practice catch and release, Kevin.  But why don't you take one of a reasonable size home for the frying pan and check out what is in it's guts.  I caught a catfish one time on a 4" creature bait.  When I opened him up, I felt something hard in it's stomach.  I opened it up and found crawdads that were not far from 4". 

What better way to match lures to the forage than to find out EXACTLY what they are eating, real time.  It won't hurt to bring one or two home, if you eat them.  If you don't like the taste, I wouldn't do it, of course.  I think LMB are delicious.  I think if it really hurt to keep LMB, Fish and Game would tighten up the regs.  Just my opinion.

I don't think you really need that much help, though.  You are catching awesome fish. 
Congrats on the personal best by the way.

WOW man, those definitely ARE some pigs! Thanks for the report+pics.

I enjoy the seasonal bass-coloration discussion, too. I've always been curious about the pale winter colors and red lips---my conclusion is that the lower temp induces these physical changes moreso than their current forage.
If you want to know what a bass has been eating, study its teeth (and the roof of its mouth). Consistently-flattened teeth mean it's been eating 'dads for a while. A few inconsistently-flattened teeth mean it has recently began relying on 'dads. And sharp, undamaged teeth would mean it is still feeding mainly on shad. Also look at the roof of its mouth--sometimes you can see marks that would indicate it has been crunching on 'dads. Of course, this info is only applicable to certain times of year in certain bodies of water....and completely unscientific.

Thanks Ben.  I have eaten bass before as a kid and remember liking it.  I hear what you are saying, it's not like they are going to be endangered, but just can't bring myself to do it!  Nothing bums me out more than the sight of a LM on a stringer.  Incidental kills happen, I had a couple last year on the frog.  At the end of the day, if a bass won't make it then I am willing to take it home.  But I would much rather put it back in the arena for a future battle. 

Sqid nice dose of the green rush you had their buddy. (Im jellous)

Those picks definatly make me want to get my flip on!!!!!!!

I am with you on the catch and release of bass, it to is hard for me to put one in the live well, or stringer, and I even crave the taste of B.B.Q fillets.

As far as coosing the corect forage,for the time of year, its obvious that your choice was O.K    I mean lets be real who wouldnt take a free Margarita at a chinese returant if it was offered to you.

I am getting my flipping stick out and pitching to a cup on the living room to sharpen up.

Awsome job X  ( I love those little green bassturds) 

I love those basturds too.  It didn't take long to switch from striper madness to full on bass mode.  On your practice session, I remember flipping in the backyard last summer.  No, I'm not lucky enough to have water there.  I was just hitting a spot where the grass met the bushes.  Then the wife came out and saw what I was doing and just shook her head.  Yep, it's a sickness!   

WOW! Send those hogs to market!