Minnesota pro Seth Feider seems unphased by the frigid temps surrounding the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series opener on Guntersville, Ala. Understandably, given the fact he caught a 9-pounder on the final day of practice Tuesday.
But did he use one of the Rapala ice fishing lures you see him holding here to catch that G’Ville giant?
Q: Let’s start with an easy one. Did you use your Vexus as an ice breaker ship at any point this week?
Feider: Absolutely! All the shallow bays were totally iced over the first morning of practice when it was 14-degrees. I waited until noon to launch that day.
Q: What’s the coldest water you’ve ever caught a bass from a boat in?
Feider: Right here. This week. Surface temp was 36 degrees.
Q: And you caught 9-pounder yesterday?
Feider: Yup, on a bait that looks a whole lot like this Rapala Rippin Blade. I caught the 9-pounder on a lipless crankbait, working it almost exactly like I slowly “yo-yo” a blade bait off the bottom in cold water.
Q: It’s been an exceptionally cold winter for most Americans. What advice would you give fans on how to catch a largemouth as things first start to thaw out?
Feider: Target the same shallow bays that ice over first. Those shallow bays may ice over first, but they’re also the same places that warm the fastest. Use a lipless crankbait or a ChatterBait.
Q: It may be frigid here, but it’s still Guntersville. How many limits over 20-pounds should fans expect to see weighed-in on Day 1?
Feider: They’ll be 10 to 20 guys with at least a 20-pound limit, and somebody’s probably gonna catch a 30-pound limit.
