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Mid 30s air temp but water still at 58. Caught two, one with @Bluebasser86 s bladed jig

Because bass fishing is all about accuracy, I've never cared about how far I can cast.....ever.

Even with my years of experience I still try to practice casting, pitching, & flipping evey day even if it's just for 15 minutes. I have an obstacle course of sorts that has targets at various distances.

First fluke fish. I already love flukes. ?

Making me proud with a 4 pounder... Plus netting my dad's fish (that definitely didn't need a net ?)

Never have measured how far I can cast. Far enough though. I worry more about accuracy as I'm more of a shallow water, close quarters fisherman.

SEMPER FI

A fluke is a strange looking salt water fish , thats a largemouth bass . ?

Yelp! Improvise, Adapt and Overcome ?

Guess I won't be cleaning up the rest of those leaves any time soon ~ That's a win. A-Jay

Congrat on the Fluke. and no your face doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. I think it is actually great, that's just not we see your face but a whole fish too lol.

I'd been searching for one of my Daiwa Fuegos (the older red ones) for a couple of months and finally reconciled myself to the fact that it was lost for good. Clearing out the boat prior to winterizing, my electronics go on a shelf above my work bench where my muskie tackle box sits. Guess where that gem was hiding? I'd put it in there as a spare for the only muskie trip I took this season. The wife thought we hit the lottery because I whooped so loud. She said it was my own fault because I have so much gear .........................women.

Here's a view looking out the back at Mud Creek Lodge, one of six properties owned by the Douglaston Salmon Run. It's a short drive from there to a DSR parking area and river access. It was great fishing weather during our time at the river, October 22 - 26: mostly cloudy, a few hours of sun, a few of rain. Calm conditions to moderately breezy. Air temps ranged from just below freezing to the low 50ºs. Water temps were in the mid to high 40ºs. L - R: Aaron Muller, Aaron Holmes and Don Muller form a receiving line to greet steelhead coming in from Lake Ontario. They're dead drifting, (bottom bouncing or high sticking if you prefer these terms), egg pattern flies, size 10, 2X strong. If a fish blew the pool we'd cautiously chase it into the stretch you see in the photo. Understand that a steelhead of any size, say 5 lbs. and up, is gonna go wherever it feels like going. These fish are the fastest in freshwater and also the most unpredictable. A good example from this year's trip is the one that, immediately after the hookset, thrashed the surface and then went . . . where? Reeling quickly, I caught up with it as it headed upstream between me and the bank. It then zipped 360º around me and continued its upstream journey. Truly an astonishing maneuver which I followed awkwardly, negotiating the rocky bottom in cleated boots. Let's look at a few fish now: Cold-looking Don holds a steelhead recently arrived from the big lake. The chrome coloration changes to rainbow trout with time in the river. They're at their peak of power and speed now. This drops off as the river gets colder. On a December trip a few years back, a veteran steelheader referred to their behavior as "lethargic," which still breaks me up. Lethargic compared only to their chrome capabilities! A smiling Aaron Muller displays this chunky fish for a photo op. Aaron had a difficult week due to tackle problems but kept at it. Good thing for the steelhead he wasn't his usual dangerous self. Aaron Holmes, the first Aaron's fishing buddy since college days, came all the way from Seattle. Thoughts of steelhead took over his brain (as they do to all fishermen who've had one on) on his first trip in 2011. I'm waiting for a photo of Holmes' best-of-trip, a 15 lber. "Pleased to meet you!" said I. Don't mean to disparage the medium sized steelies I brought to net, but I couldn't beat a big one on this trip. There was one that weighed in the mid teens that taunted me by clearing the water - twice! - right in front of me then turned around, sped downstream, and broke me off. Aargh. Let's talk about other species that swim in the Salmon River. Don holds a fine specimen of a domestic rainbow, a close relative of the steelhead. However, the 'bow is a homebody - it lives its entire life in the river, never venturing out into Lake Ontario. Don's next fish was a brown of about 9 lbs. that was so lively it wouldn't keep still for a picture. Take my word, it was a beautiful, plump brown as they are in these parts. It was an unusual year for salmon. In the past we've seen a number of "zombies" - dark, decaying creatures at the end of their life cycle. Six or seven years ago I landed a "green" salmon over 20 lbs. which is a king that's colored up but not yet decaying. This year we got into quite a few "fresh" salmon. These fish were golden brown colored, spotted, and too big and powerful for our steelhead gear. We did have a better chance of stopping one of these monsters than a freight train but . . . To summarize: We hit it just right this year. River flow was 335 cfs which is what we prefer. The weather was great. And the crazed chromers kept us busy! The deposit has been made for next year's trip. Will Wetline

This is our second year doing this, and my wife and I enjoyed it tremendously. It just gives us a great feeling to teach young children how to cast a fishing rod. Many kids never even held a rod in their hands. After maybe a dozen practice casts, the kids usually figure it out and they start casting really well. I urge anyone that fishes to get involved and teach kids how to cast and catch fish. My wife and I will do this again next year.

This head-turner is the new concept truck cap from A.R.E. Definitely a big change from "traditional" caps, and a glimpse into future innovations. https://www.4are.com/

A good way to end the work week. Thankfully I'm not responsible for repairing them. @lo n slo I imagine you don't miss that one bit.

Tonight begins our annual tradition of all night phone chats with Army buddies. We started this 20+ years ago and even though we shed the same tears and share the same laughter, we enjoy it more and more as each year passes. I wish everyone a quiet and safe Veterans Day. 23 years ago, a member of our unit was killed in a terrorist attack, Central Region, Middle East. Sergeant First Class David Warrell, Special Forces Weapons Sergeant from Fayetteville, North Carolina, is remembered on the wall at the Special Operations Memorial, MacDill AFB. You are not forgotten brother.

Gassy Malamutes, eh? A barrier is definitely a good thing. For us it's wet dogs. When my wife and I drive to a local trail for a lovely walk with the pups, there is always water.... When we get back to the parking lot, dread, as we have no barrier in our little RAV 4. Oi vey. Not sure this URL / vid will work, but reminds me of Monsters, Inc. when they shared deodorant... Wet dog... Low tide... https://y.yarn.co/54a1fccf-b562-491a-a878-3b47f7e6ab43.mp4?1541871005220

I know exactly how far I can cast and makes it easier to judge distance if you practice. Being a engineer details are important to me. I would say 30 yard cast with a 3/8 oz aerodynamic Senko is decedent if you can land it in a bucket every cast. The shorter you cast the higher you strike detection will be therefore the more bass you could potentially catch. There are situations that making short cast results in no strikes like big wary bass in clear water that leave if you get too close. Casting long distance accurately is a practiced skill set, the same as casting accurately a shorter distance. Tom

Download the google maps program on your computer. They have a timeline feature where you can see satellite images from different dates, I use it to find grass in summer and find deep water on low tides(tidal marsh). It may have some other satellite images that give you some info. i can’t really tell much from the above photo. Other than I bet that concrete drain at the top has probably carved out some sort of hole or ditch where it flows into the pond.

I can see his point of view. However, I really do prefer a buffer between whatever is in the bed of the truck and me as the driver. I actually tried the 'SUV' thing - went with a Yukon Denali XL - Super sweet rig - but with four 100lb Malamutes in the same space as me - the dog hair and especially the gas . . . . was Brutal ! Traded that thing in and have never looked back . . . . A-Jay

I personally throw the unmentionable brand of reels and flat enjoy them. I was a Lew's guy and had a couple revo's, but I'm sold on the concept line... 22lbs of drag, and throws smooth as silk!

Usually wait until Thanksgiving, but I jumped the gun.

Having had over a dozen procedures, it is easy to come up with excuses not to do something. I see endurance and balance as being more most important at my age. knowing your limitations is also a key factor in staying on the water. There are also many simple solutions to A lot of our struggles. Orthotics help with ankle, kneee and back pain. Talons help avoid having to lift anchors. seats with good back support allow rest when moving spots. self inflatable pfd’s eases your mind. wrist compression sleeves help with inflammation. ect........ i also believe there is a difference between being in good shape and being in fishing shape. i know many that have difficulties walking but can spend 8 hrs on a boat...

Just purchased a Dobyns735C,Diawa Fuego CT 8.1:1, 50lb Power Pro. Now the bait monkey is whispering in my ear to buy a selection of frogs. Keeps telling me not to wait to BF. I am trying to hold off, but it ain't easy.

Any of Daiwa Lts will do good.

I think your avg person doesn't realize how physical fishing can be.

Have had my share of 'injuries' over the years. Many of them were self induced and usually revolved around me being a victim of my own (over) enthusiasm. Currently working on my 60th trip around the sun. I've tried to keep in at least 'fishing shape' for most of it. Best way for me to be able to fish tomorrow, is to do something about it today. A-Jay

Mine is a couple years newer, but I'm probably going to make my wife scratch her head a few times this winter obsessing over the boat. She already told me I needed to get a hobby the other night when I was playing with the Garmin I bought from @webertime. I was sitting in my chair with a huge battery on the floor, and I'm staring at the screen in demo mode, and I was scoping out the mapping too checking on lakes here in Michigan. @A-Jay I stalked your home lake. Looks fairly shallow and featureless to my untrained eye.

Guiding for 15 years has helped me in my "advanced" years.... I'm 61. I have always said that hardcore fishing works a whole set of muscle groups that you don't normally use and unless you tailor a workout routine to specifically address those groups, you can be really surprised on how someone can be in good shape and a day of "combat" fishing will tear them up. I've seen it hundreds of times on guide trips where clients are tuckered out and sitting down after 5 hours into an 8 hour trip. I may look fluffy and out of shape but I can still hardcore fish for 12 hours in any conditions. Yes, my back feels it a little more nowadays (losing some of my fluff would help with that) but otherwise, I'm good to go. Spending a lot of days on big water when it is rocking and not just fishing when conditions are perfect helps keep my balance sharp and me in what we call "fishing shape". After the winter lazyies, we make a very concerted effort to get in a couple of weeks of hardcore marathon fishing to get in fishing shape for our annual trip to St Clair. As anybody who fishes hardcore knows, a full week of sunup to sundown fishing on big water, no matter the conditions, will flat out tear you up if you are not ready for it. I don't ever want to let my body think that there is any other way to fish and barring a major injury or health problem, I have no plans to slow down.

Temps in 60s yesterday for probably last time until March, so used a vacation day. Was a dink sort of day for first several hours until this guy came along

Caught this dink on a fluke this afternoon. I was lucky to land him because I accidentally pressed the spool down before setting the hook. Took me about five seconds to get up all the slack and set the hook but he was still on. I didn't weigh it but I think it's safe to say that it was at least ten pounds, right? ? Does my face make you feel uncomfortable?

An imposter!! Just kidding, I think fishballer jumped the gun with good intentions.

This is exactly why it will do well. People can relate to this style of fishing and could see themselves out there doing the same thing.

Sounds like buzzbait time to me

That is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. And they have $309 raised so far. ? Read some of the names of the donors and its funny as heck. Mrs. Peterman, OJ Simpson, Bills Defense, EJ Manuel.

a crate a flag a stake-out pole an anchor with trolley a cooler a dry bag or two a set of leashes to tie down rods and gear in case you dump it

I don't care what anybody says, I'm not lipping them!

G3 Eagle 175. Pictures and story to come Saturday after I get her in my possession.

@12poundbass ~ DUDE !!!! That's Big News ! What are we getting ? A-Jay

It's French! Serious bummer! What else is a bummer is tomorrow there will be a tin boat making it's way tlfrom Indiana to it's new home (mine) and I can't even play with it this year. I'll get to say hi, welcome her to the family and put her to bed until April. ?

It looks like we MIGHT get 40+ degrees next weekend? Guess I won't put the boat away QUITE yet.

This year the top water bite down here was limited at best. Despite what we think...the bass will do what they want

My preference is...a little of everything, but nothing cheap. I find that, like folks who are breed-blind WRT hunting dogs, folks who cling blindly to one make of anything (cars, trucks, boats, motors, fishing gear fish species to chase...anything) miss out on a lot of great stuff.

14.2 lb LMB was caught on a surface frog a few weeks ago, this is the first "teener" in years at Casitas. Things are looking up if we get rain this year. Tom

To understand why Casitas is recovering and big bass catches are returning some history is needed. Nearly every bass lake north of San Diego jumped on the Florida strain LMB band wagon do to it's success *. Castias received thier initial FLMB from San Deigo Upper Otay in 1970, fingerlings and a few adults. Castiac, Cachuma lakes were also stocked at that time. Castaic was new and filling at that time period, Casitas and Cachuma were older lakes with good populations of northern LMB. The big bass population flourished in Castaic and Castias, did poorly at Cachuma, all 3 lakes were regularity stocked with hatchary raised rainbow trout during the colder period months. 2010 a law suit stopped sticked hatchary trout into Castias, 2012 the hatchary stocking stop in most SoCal lakes. The big bass in Castias lost their primary food source overnight and didn't adjust, they starved rather then target Shad. Now it looks like the new generation has adjusted to eating Shad and whatever they can eat. Hopeful but we need rain! Tom

Check the Florida TrophyCatch program, several people caught +14 pounders in Florida this year,many more caught +13 pounders just this year alone.Hundreds of +10 pound or better bass are caught every year in Florida, which makes sense since Florida strain bass are native to Florida and do great here without stocked trout to eat. Not everyone submits every trophy bass they catch so more people catch trophy bass in Florida than is reported.From my understanding you can use waterdogs, crayfish, and other well known live baits for bass in California.Texas is doing great with many +10 pounders caught every year as well. Texas has the sharelunker program which helps create more bass with trophy bass genetics.It is only a matter of time before the serious old school live bait bass fishermen start catching some trophies in Lake Casita with live bait. Yes the drought and other factors are big problems for many Southern California lakes but the lower water level might also make those trophy bass easier to catch for land based bass fishermen.

I'm not brand loyal at all, both my rods and reels are a hodgepodge. I tend to use whatever the best deal I can at the time to get the most bang for my buck, but mostly there's so many good brands out there I like trying different things. Otherwise how would I ever know if I like it better. To me a lot of the fun of fishing is trying new baits / techniques, and also new equipment. Rods - mix of loomis, dobyns, st croix and alpha angler Reels - mix of Abu, shimano, lews and a ***

This is going to sound really stupid. But totally true. I fish a pond out here in the Chi-burbs a lot because it’s got some nice size fish in it. There’s Largemouth, Carp, Big bulleads, and blugils in there, like the one mentioned by the OP. I was using every lure under the sun to catch the bass in there for a couple days. Nothing, not a bite. So I gave up on the bass and began fishing for the nice sized bullheads in there. My go to for bulleheads is raw hickory smoked bacon on a Jig Head. But on this day, to my suprise, I caught a 2.5 Largemouth on it! I couldn’t believe it. I never thought that would happen. After several more that day, and a few the next, it was no longer a coincidence. They wanted that bacon. My only theory is that they just loved the salt content in the bacon. Hey, and if they don’t want it on a particular day, I get to eat the rest! Its a Win Win. ?