Leaderboard

Another milestone has been passed. This morning I took the last of my twice daily chemo pills. I'm feeling better than I have been. I've put on a bit over ten pounds. I am looking forward to my body eliminating all the chemicals that have been used. Once again, I couldn't have done this alone. I thank all of you for your support. You honestly can't imagine how much you've helped me. Stitch

I started keeping track of all 5lbers & 6lbers caught out of my boat for spring pre spawn which is April & May and a limited few fall days from Oct & Nov. There would a category for 7lbers but nobody wants to contribute to that statistic the last four years. Maybe I need to get LuckyCraftMan to fish out my boat instead of his. Anyhow here is the breakdown for 2010 through 2013. That's 145 smallies over 5lbs and 26 smallies over 6lbs for the last 4 years. That means on a four year average you need to catch 5.5 five pounders before you are going to get a six. I have no idea why 2012 was such a good year for five pounders caught. Average fishing days for each year probably totaled 45-50 days per year for pre spawn & a few fall days. All fish complied were caught on jerkbaits. 2010 Results 33 smallies over 5lbs 4 smallies over 6lbs Biggest was 6-12 2011 Results 30 smallies over 5lbs 7 smallies over 6lbs Biggest was 6-9 2012 Results 60 smallies over 5lbs 8 smallies over 6lbs Biggest fish was 6-15 2013 Results 22 smallies over 5lbs 7 smallies over 6lbs Biggest fish was 6-8

Made a one day trip back to New York's Salmon River, November 16. Very fortunate to have exceptional late fall weather with sunshine, high 50ºs and light breeze. This trip I wanted to see if I could fine tune a presentation that worked a few weeks ago, throwing a Woolly Bugger variation weighted with a slinky to get it bouncing the bottom in the 500 CFS flow. If you have an interest in my five day trip October 21 - 25, you'll find it here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126928-salmon-river-ny-steelhead-trip-october-21-25-2013/ The morning of the last day of my annual trip on the river was very slow. Figuring I couldn't do worse, I switched from throwing egg pattern flies (which are commonly and effectively used this time of the steelhead season) to streamer flies. Below is a pic of one of the most popular, Woolly Buggers. This pattern in white caught the interest of two fish, neither of which were landed due to terminal tackle failure. The second, a steelhead easily over ten lbs. but under "braggin' rights" size (15 and up!) was a real thrasher and cut the leader when it wrapped in the snap of the swivel of the slinky. I've been using this type of weight for many years and don't recall this happening before. It occurred to me that a permanent fix for this rare failure would be as simple as a dab of epoxy. Okay. Now we're back to the early morning of November 16. I sized up the water in front of me and tied on a four ball slinky to get the size 6 Wooly-Wife drifting in the path of a moving steelhead.

Undoubtedly this was my best year yet, but every year seems to be. This was the year of "learning/experience" to me. I got my first baitcaster this year, a Johnny Morris Carbonlite combo. But unless I'm wrong, under the tree is a Curado....I'm drooling already. Three things stand out to me this year 1. I was able to fish quite extensively with a local pro who would take me to pre-fish. I can't begin to convey the amount of knowledge he imparted to me. I learned more in 6-7 trips than I learned on my own in 3-4 years of fishing 2. BassResource forum guys are the true pros of this sport. You all get out there, field test, practice, find new techniques, new equipment. You've always been helpful in answering my sometimes novice questions, and it never fails that I'll find the answer to a question of mine on here 3. Lastly, and most importantly.....my wife and I had our first child this year. A healthy, adorable, little baby girl. She's a wonderful and entertaining part of my life, I couldn't imagine it without her now. But my best fishing day was when my wife was first able to leave the house, after getting out of the hospital, she wanted to go someplace calm and quiet, but outside and pretty. It was about 75, and a gorgeous day, I took her to a smallish pond with a fountain, and a small island in the middle of it, connected by a small wooden bridge. On the island is a nice wooden gazebo. I fished a bit, played with the baby a bit, and then just enjoyed the outdoors with my wife and daughter....on our first (but not last) fishing trip. I think I saw her eyeing the Disney Princess fishing poles at Wal-mart last week. She thinks we're just fishin..... Great year....and ready for next!

When you were gone we all voted for it to disappear http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127468-was-the-site-down/

Dat some hawgs!

Nice report Dwight. I don't remember if it was 2011 or 2012 (tough getting old), but I do remember in 4 days getting a 6-0 and a 6-4 and several 5's. We had an awesome 4 days despite the weather. My PB came on my birthday- 10/28. Could have been a disaster when I slipped and fell on the ice on the dock the first day. Luckily I only dislocated my shoulder and was able to keep fishing. I remember seeing a few guys out in standard bassboats bobbing around fighting the wind and waves and we were drifting by in relative comfort. Definitely the way to go. Maybe now that things have settled down here, we can get together again (if you'll have me). I think the biggest asset Dwight has is a wonderful wife that lets him get out and fish as much as he does. You're a lucky man my friend.

Lots of lucky craft baits, rapalas. smithwick, duo realis, megabass, matzuo and a some misc stuff. The best piece of advice I gave you was to get out of the bay & fish the main lake. You listened & your results were pretty fantastic. Well done Steve. I'm still debating about which new PB you got this year is most impressive the musky or the smallie. There are both pretty rare. You and A-Jay both PBed twice this year. Congrats to both of you. All you have to bring is lunch for two, two rods & reels & a few favorite jerkbaits. Bring along your favorite hat for your new PB photo! Now I know why there were so many five lbers caught in 2012. Those smallie numbers aren't as incredible as the number of New England slobasaurauses you have posted up this year. I am always amazed by the number of giant New England bass posted up on this forum. You NE bassers are outstanding.

This is another vote for the Owner Hyper Wire Split rings. I prefer to change out rings & hooks on most baits and these are the split rings of choice; Smaller in size but Extremely strong and they have yet to "open up". One of the best attributes of this ring is that it will continue to retain it's original shape even after repeated treble hook changes, which is something many brands can not boast. They cost a little more but you'll save in the long run. For the application you're listed, sizes 2 & 3 should do you nicely. A-Jay

Same day a big cat.

I had a great season, not all for bass either. For starters, this was the first year I ever caught 2 bass over 7lbs in Kansas. I started in January with a 7.51 on a SK Series 5. I also caught a 5.88 that same day on a Bandit 100. I topped that fish in March with a 7.76 pounder on a Spro Fat John, the second largest bass I've ever caught in Kansas. I got to go to the Bassmaster Classic at Grand Lake with a couple of my good friends and had a blast. Got to meet lots of legends of the sport and got to meet Big O, one of the highlights of the Expo for sure. Later in March I caught a new PB rainbow trout with a 6.5 pound fish. In April, a friend and I went on a combo trip to the White River/Bull Shoals/Beaver Lake where we broke a combined 6 PB's. I got the 2 that I was really hoping to get, first a 5.5 pound brown trout on a LC Spazz jerkbait from the White River. Got to watch him miss it 3 times before he crushed it. Then in the last hour of our trip at Beaver Lake I caught a new PB striper on an A-rig, 20.01 pounds. I've caught many other big and memorable fish this year but those were the best one. My wife didn't get out much but she made the trips she went on count. She fished the KC area get together tournament with me in April and we got second place and she caught her PB smallmouth with a beautiful 3.96 pound smallmouth on a tiny Luck E Strike crankbait. Then just 2 weeks later we were on vacation at a friends private lake in South Carolina when she broke her PB largemouth with a 4.59 pound fish that was also the biggest bass of the trip.

Check out the River2Sea S Waver in the 168 size also. It's a proven bait for not a lot of money.

Just when you thought time could move no slower..........

I have a pair of old 4" car speakers that I wired into the stereo plug. I just duct tape them to my head and then pull over a wool cap. Works great, but it's a little painful to take them off.

I get that it's hard to make a budget reel here, but that was their whole platform. They intended to keep up with the big guys while staying in America. To produce reels overseas undermines their entire reason for being different. Furthermore, if those reels are quality, then all they have done is undermined their own products which are made in america and don't have the most stellar of reputations. I honestly just think it's a company coming to grips with the reality of the marketplace.

My PB was in central Wisconsin. 23.75" and 7lb I've caught plenty of 20-22" largemouth since, but Wisconsin LMB just don't get the girth like they do in other places. MY biggest smallie was around 4lbs but that was in Canada. Biggest Wisconsin smallie was 3 to 3.5.

My Fishing Season started out with quite a bit of excitement and anticipation. Traveled to catch both a PB LMB and SMB while sharing some fond memories with a couple of good friends. As the spring turned into summer the reality of a very slow year as far as local results were concerned set in. Then my normally abundant fishing opportunities reduced drastically. I was fortunate to get out a few times during the summer for an excellent late night spinner bait bite and did OK. But that was about it until the last month or so. Closed out the year with a Bang; Locally landing a couple of fine SMB in early November. Then traveled once again. Shared some good times on what turned out to be a mutli-species trip and then in a friends PB and first Double Digit LMB. This same trip ended with what could very well be the biggest LMB I may ever catch. So despite some highs & lows, this will go down as a fishing season like no other I've ever had. I certainly appreciate it, I'll never forget it and I have no right to ever expect anything more . . . . . . A-Jay

My suggestion is also Owner Hyper Wire rings. I'd go with either #3 or #4 for the lures you mentioned.

Owner Hyper Wire Split Rings are definitely the way to go for quality split rings. Barlow's sales some heavy duty stainless steel split rings that would be great for adding weight to jerkbaits.

If anyone's interested, " Reel In The Outdoors" is on El Salto this week. This show airs on the Outdoor Channel this weekend.

Caught these two nice ones earlier in the week, I didn't weigh them but I'd say the bigger one was pushing 6lbs...

well i spent 9 hours out fishing today, 6:30 to 3:30, trying to get another 20" or more, but no luck today only got 5 and the biggest was 17", so no culling caught my 1st fish on a spook (bone) at first light, 17 inch the 2nd on a white fluke w/red hook weightless around 8:30, 16 inch 3rd on kvd crankbait 1.0 sexy shad, 12 inch, missed 2 or 3 on this 4th on 1/4 oz rattle trap, silver and blue, worked slow near bottom, 25 ft, 16 inch, last fish around 1:30 used a spro frog, green, missed 2 more, but this one was the most fun today, 16 inch most of the guys i talk to today had a very slow day, some were skunked. lou, i'm in for next month

I'm in! Look for my order come Black Friday! Jeff

Ill be ordering some spool bearings

You wanna know how many smallies I have caught over 5lbs pounds in the last 4 years....... None You wanna know how many smallies I have caught over 5lbs in my life....... None LOL

Dwight, those are some extemely impressive numbers of huge smallmouth. I didn't realize they were all on jerkbaits. Whatever your system is, it sounds like you could write a book about it. My hat is off to you. Incredible!

That the spot over on chest wick off argyle?

I'm on the road for the holiday but should be home by Sunday afternoon and will be putting in an order...

Haven't been there but do droll over their annual catalog.

This one works great. The medium hook sharpener. http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/8/page/1/id/1063/name/SmityHookSharpener

Mark nailed it. I feel that going to a 12" to scare off the smaller guys might just scare off everyone(except maybe pike) I'd rather have action from a few 15" fish rather than a day of casting for nothing<- (Why I only fish muskie for a month or so a year) If your the very patient type though, I don't doubt the big monster swimbaits could pay dividens with our upper midwest bass.

I'd get a 7 or 9 personally. Start smaller before you go huge. 12" is a huge bait that can wear you down really fast. Besides the 7 or 9 is going to catch the occasional 3-4lbers more often than a 12 would. You and I both don't live in areas that produce DD bass regularly so keep that in mind. This is just how I view it. The die hards will tell you go big or go home, I just don't live by that in the Midwest.

I'm late to the thread but I have to say sorry to Brian, however your post did make me chuckle. I hope all is well now and the waters are calm. Keri

Thanks A-Jay. I ordered a couple packs of the #3's this week from TW. Should be here Monday

For both of us. That bait had PB written all over it. As I remember Catt said his pb was on a lipless crank.

I'm pretty proud of this one as my goal to get a pike over 30lbs took a lot of years searching. 32lbs

Scrounger jig for me or should I say "SCROUNGA"

Here is a spoonbill swimming under my boat.

Hahaha............I know a guy that knows where Hoffa is buried too.

Cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the driver is VERY handsome and the cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring. He replies: I have a question to ask you but I don't want to offend you." She answers, "My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive." "Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me." She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic." The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I'm single and Catholic!" "OK" the nun says. "Pull into the next alley." The nun fulfills his fantasy, with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. "My dear child," says the nun, "why are you crying?" "Forgive me but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish." The nun says, "That's OK. My name is Kevin and I'm going to a Halloween party.

ONE OF US A guy walks into a bar in rural Alabama and orders a white wine. All the good ole boyz sitting around the bar look up from their beer and whiskey, expecting to see some pitiful Yankee from the north. The bartender says, "You ain't from around here, are ya?" The guy says, "No, I'm from Canada." The bartender says, "What do you do in Canada?" The guy says, "I'm a taxidermist." The bartender says, "A taxidermist? What in the hell is a taxidermist? Do you drive a taxi?" "No," says the Canadian, "I don't drive a taxi, I mount animals." The bartender grins and hollers, "It's okay boys. He’s one of us!"

Those Numbers are just outrageous. The only thing that might be more impressive is the sheer size & frame of the bass themselves - just Massive. And btw - was 2012 the first year you and I fished together ? I'm not saying, I'm just saying . . . . Here's to popping a 7 plus next season my friend. A-Jay

AAAAHHHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I had a couple hours free, and was gonna hit the water, so I load up, and I get there, and it's FROZEN!!! I was STANDING ON IT!!!! Somebody just shoot me now.

The hooks are a stock Gammy with a welded steel ring I forgot the part number, but I am sure they arev still available. The weights I had poured for me with a crane swivel inthem and I just powder coated and baked them. Use a good splitring to join them and you are done. My advice is just buy the BPS version because the rest is just for looks anyway.:-)

The latest installment of Bass Resource members DD bass: Dwight Hottle:(Welcome to the club sir) A-Jay: (with his second Baccarac DD, and the biggest of BR members so far 11lb 11oz)) And myself: (5th) I certainly look forward to updating this list at the end of March next year! Jeff

I have a bass hanging on my wall that sings. His name is Billy.

I was looking at the *** and the jadewood, I decided on the St. Croix rage rod...