Pretty good mag this month from In-Fisherman.  I was interested in several of the articles:

Life and Times of Grubbin'

Article covered the winter strategy you should use with the lowly grub - according to the author, Ned Kehde, the grub is one of the deadliest baits of all times.  I bet we all have a number of them, in various colors, hanging around our tackle boxes - Ned discusses how to leverage this asset for spectacular results.  Most of the techniques he discusses are based on deep water - boat in 50+ feet and then working a steep shore drop.  My local lakes are lucky to get to 15 - 20 feet in most places, so I had to take that with a grain of salt.  However, the techniques apply - basically - throw it to the shore and then work it down the bank - bouncing the grub back to the boat.  Other options include locating a school of shad on the sonar and then jigging over the top of them and swimming the grub around docks that sit over deep water.  The remainder of the article chronicles the history of the grub.

The Hot Bass Bait Syndrome

Very interesting expose type article here - opens with a discussion of watching a bass pro flack his sponsors baits and then switch to something else to do his real work during a tournament.  The article covers the history behind many of the hot baits we have purchased over the years.  I have a confession to make - I have NEVER caught a fish on a crankbait - but I keep getting talked into buying them. Anyway, many of the hot baits are produced by the smaller companies.  The smaller companies can react faster to trends and pump out the lure the fish have not seen yet - hmmm - maybe we should all start visiting the webpages of companies like Netbaits - the manufacturer of the Paca Craw that took the circuit by storm last year - and see what they are up to.

Hurry up and wait Smallies

Article discusses the proper use of slashbaits (something I had never heard of before - hey - this is the amateur perspective).  Turns out slashbait is another name for jerkbait.  Bottom line is to be more patient as you look for coldwater fish - work the lure and give it a long pause.  After the pause, give it a twitch or two and then move forward slowly.  The author, Matt Straw, covers the pros and cons of the new baits as well - discusses how to fish them specifically.

Winter Brown Symposium

I'm not fishing for anything in the middle of winter - so I did not read this one.  But a quick scan indicates a discussion of various ways to jig, the proper use of rapalas and other minnow looking things.  Also covered is the winter strategy on where to find the larger brown trouts.