GOMH+ Today (2/21/26)

 

It is refreezing

Wild clouds, a lot going on 

Just one bass, tonight

Lots of these though

A gang of these thugs showed up as it was getting dark

GOMH Today (2/20/26)

 

If I'm going fishing at Lake Place, Rock Lake, or Erskine Lake, it is about an 8/9ish minute detour to check the conditions at the Grumpy Old Man Hole to be back on 8 headed North.

GOMH Today (2/18/26)

 Yesterday was the end of the mild stretch of 40℉+ weather, and yes, there seems to be an increase in current and the start of the South GOMH opening up. We got rain and snow last night, leading to slushy conditions today.

My tracks today on Erskine Lake

GOMH Today (2/17/26)

 

1st Bass of Ice Season and 2026 (2/16/26)

 

BP's February Ice Off Platte Lake Spitball For 2026

 

This winter has not seemed super cold to me, but the ice thickness in the Platte/Sullivan area tells me it has been plenty cold. I have been drilling from 24-26" this past week. The warm-up and sunshine the last few days have been nice, but I don't think the sun is quite there yet to really kick the snow melt into high gear. I am pretty sure we have reached peak ice depth in central MN. I have been following long-term forecasts for a few weeks now, and they have been saying cooler-than-normal weather is on its way, but the temps keep getting revised upward rather than sustained cooler than normal temps.  Snow is the big X-factor in March and April. We haven't really been dumped on in 2026, yet. I've maybe had to use the snow blower once this year. By the end of this warm trend we have been in, there should be a lot of bare ground. Bare ground heats up in sunny weather and gets the ice melting process started from below, from the shallows to the depths. Ok I'm going to end my waffling now.

My spitball for ice off in 2026 has moved up from April 15th to April 12th for Platte Lake. I am counting on there being few March and April snows and near normal temps. Spring is in the air, I can feel it.

 

My Fantasy Bass Rosters For Lake Martin, AL

 

GOMH Today + (2/11/26)

 

Belle and Luca in the field

Spring Watch 2026, Part 2

 

As of right now, the possibility of a pretty good mid-February thaw is looking likely this upcoming weekend. Will there be open water at the Grumpy Old Man Hole a week from today? I wouldn't bet on it, but maybe. I think the snow will be mostly gone by then. The days are getting longer, and the sun is getting stronger.

Started Strong And Fade Every Day, Guntersville Fantasy Recap

 First day, I started ok. In the 98th percentile and was 1st in the Bass Boat Central group.

Ten percentage point slide thanks to Jordan Lee not catching 'em and falling outside of the cut.

Another ten percentage point slide thanks to Bryan Schmitt falling off a cliff.

Final Results: (A small drop in percentage because of losing out to people with bonus points)

I just cannot keep from picking multiple bottom quintile guys in Drain the Lake

Might as well just flip a coin.

Spring Watch 2026, Part 1

 

We will see if it holds, but consecutive 40℉ days are a good sign that Spring is right around the corner. It will be interesting to see how much snow remains after the upcoming warm stretch. I will probably do the first When Will I See The Driveway? post soon.

Congratulations, Uncle Sam!

 

2026 Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing Starts Today At Guntersville

 They will be alternating tournaments between no scoping allowed and allowing it. I dropped Trey McKinney and went as chalky as I could get with Cullman, Alabama's own Jordan Lee in Bucket A.  Here is my roster:

For Drain the Lake, I went Alabama-heavy, with Caleb Kuphall as the one exception.  I'm not sure how much long-term planning I'll do with Drain the Lake this year.

The Day Has Come

 

A totally closed bass season is now a thing of the past in the State of MN. Here at Bass Pundit, I have been advocating for this change since my very first year of blogging. Here is my very first post on the subject from April 2005.

Pundit Activism

Ice Fishing Personal Best Pike Tonight

 Unfortunately, the bugger flopped out of the cradle and found the hole when I was reaching down to grab it for a selfie.

Baxter Bass Snatchers 2026 Tournament Schedule (Tentative)

 

Last Saturday, we picked dates and lakes for the upcoming tournament season. The schedule will be debated and finalized at our February meeting.

Sunday, May 31st, Platte/Sullivan: Like I said in my tournament wishlist post, I would prefer a tournament on my lakes later in the year. If it is post-spawn, the lakes can be tricky if the fish are off. That said, I have had some really productive days in late May and early June, and thanks to being able to target bass right from ice-out, I should have a really good idea of productive areas. Will the Chicken play? Will I finally be able to beat out Tuma?

Saturday, June 20th, Big Birch (Grey Eagle): We fished this lake in my very first year in the club, 2008, and we haven't been back since. I really liked the lake. It has smallmouth and clear water. I hope this one stays.

Saturday, July 11th Gull /Crow Wing River: This was my suggestion, and it beat out all the other lakes we came up with in the vote. Tuma said later is better here. So at the next meeting, I am going to make a motion to switch it with Pelican or Leech.

Saturday, August 15th, Pelican Lake: I may have to stock up on a certain color of craw tubes for this one. Judging by my pre-fishWill the Chicken Play?

Saturday, September 12th, Leech Lake: Hopefully it stays at Leech, it doesn't blow hard that day, and water levels are normal. Will smallies play?

Saturday, October 3rd, Gull Lake: Gull Lake has been on fire the past few years. Will it continue? Will they bite the Chicken?

Weather For the First Half of February

 

I'm back-dating this post by a day. Today is Monday, February 2nd. As of a couple of days ago, the long-term forecast trend suggested mostly cooler-than-average temperatures. Yesterday, that changed to being close to average, and today it switched to average to slightly above average. I'm guessing that the lack of snow cover in wide open spaces has something to do with it. It seems like most snowstorms this winter have come with a lot of wind, so if there isn't a windbreak, the snow depth is really shallow in a lot of places. And to the South, there isn't much snow at this point. I will not do my Platte Lake Ice Out February Spit Ball until more toward the middle of the month.

Update: 2/20/26 We got lucky, and the jet stream brought warmer temps to the middle of the country and didn't dip back south until it was well to the East.