Leaderboard

This is why I'm reluctant to switch to baitcasting outfits. My spinning reels heave like Josh Allen and I have caught so many bass at the very ends of my longest casts. I wince whenever I bump my canoe. I try to be slow and deliberate in my little boat. I soooo agree. I am a consistent bass angler because I am quiet and paddle well. I launch from a pal's camp at the pond I fished yesterday morning. His family has owned the camp for five or six generations and he said that he's never heard of anyone catching what I catch there. "To be frank," he admitted, "when you told me what you caught, I didn't believe you. Then my son and grandson went fishing with you and they came back saying, 'Yeah, she really did catch 40.'" And I put my pal's grandson on his biggest bass ever, all from this past June, three PBs, one after the other. I put the kid in the bow and ease him up a choice spot (good paddling) and tell him to "Wait for it. Wait for it." until he has the perfect position to cast and then I whisper, "Now." And then the water erupts. And that all came from being sneaky...and patient.

It wasn’t bad up here. We didn’t lose power. Helene had worse winds for us. The lake didn’t even get above my catwalk, which it did during a rainstorm a couple months ago. It looks like no damage, and very little tree debris, because Helene already blew most of it down… After a while I may ride up to local creeks and the river and see if there’s any tidal flooding…

Slow day with cold front moving in, blue skies, cloud arrival delayed, and light winds. Just stuck a few long skinny guys along with 8-10 crappie. Wind blows today, but hoping for a change of scenery on Friday.

Here are my bass totals for my last four trips: 25, 20, 22, and 19 this morning. A significant drop from my 35/45/55 totals in late May, June, and early July, but still plenty of fun. Yeah, I'm consistent. I am amazed at the thickness of the 16 to 17 inch bass. That class of bass is feeding so heavily. See? She looks like she'll explode if she eats another shiner, but that's what she was trying to do in eating my popper. I caught 17 of the bass on a Yo-Zuri popper, to which I'd added red trebles and an extra split ring. I caught the other two on spinnerbaits. I hooked a lot of the Yo-Zuri bass in four to five feet of water abutting shallow water. My landing percentage is MUCH improved from earlier in the year thanks to three changes: 5/0 instead of 3/0 underspins Not flipping my rod right to left or left to right in mid-fight. I keep it on the side where I hooked my bass. A focus on my mechanics as I'm fighting the fish. I land at least 80% of my bass now and many mornings, 90%. And I land pretty much every four-plus-pounder I hook. I cant remember the last time I lost a big gal. Here are some of my longer fish: I caught my biggest bass about a foot from a shady shore on a sunny morning. It was a rocky bottom, so I was expecting a smallie. According to my length to weight chart, it was a 16.31 five-bass bag. And here's my pretty pic! It's calm in this pic, but the wind sure picked up and gave me quite a workout. However, the bass still kept hitting my little popper in the chop. As always, thanks for going fishing with me!

Eight years ago, I began fishing an old rock quarry lake. It's become my favorite place to fish. The water is very clear in this lake. Prior to this I fished a much larger lake with plenty of boat traffic and noise. It took me two seasons of trial and error( mostly error), to learn to fish this clear water. Here's my observations: 1. Make longer cast, and stay back from the fish. 2. Try not to approach close enough to flip or pitch to any shallow fish here, you'll probably put them down. 3. Avoid putting a shadow over these fish, at any depth. 4. Generally, smaller baits and lighter lines work best. I've watched bass turn away from large flashy spinnerbaits here. 5. Try to avoid loud talking, or dropping things in the boat. 6. Topwater baits, especially moving top waters, can be great at times. The Zara Spook is my favorite, a white buzzbait second. To sum up here, I've learned that clear water bass can be caught consistently, but, they can be unforgiving at times. They become very tuned in to they're surroundings, and a stealthy approach is always needed. I'm still learning how to best fish the gin clear water. If you fish clear water, what are some things that have worked well for you?

I am as stealthy as a bull in a China shop wearing bells.

Most of what you mention I do all the time, the only difference being I try harder at being stealthy spring and late fall when the weeds die back and the water even clearer then summer.

My buddy Josh and his sister Nina have hosted the annual Rockport kayak, um, bacchanal for this many years. Through the evening's firepit haze, I got the sense Josh was foreboding the 13 Omen. Nothing could have been further from realized - everyone had a wonderful time. Eight to a dozen kayakers turn out at their extended family digs on Copano Bay. The historic property on Live Oak Point is the highest elevation on the TX coast (sorry, only had winter-trip photos for the gazebo and firepit). There's no way to do this trip justice, but can show off a few photos and talk about a couple of days on the water. Some folks will come and go through the week, may show up early or stay late. We haul kayaks to different grass flats and mud marshes covering about 100 mi of the coast, typical paddle trail for a morning fishing is 8 to 10 mi. We cook or go out for an evening meal, and end the evening at the the firepit with cigars and libations, planning the next day's travel around tides, wind, and a binder of embossed Google Earth charts. Normally, the first organized trip is Wednesday, and the last organized meal is Saturday night shrimp boil. While wind was stiff on the back of the week, Wednesday's light wind was wonderful for sight-fishing. We launched at Cavasso (salt) Creek. Though only 10 minutes from Copano digs, Josh had never fished this spot, and the last time Steve and I fished it was 30 years ago. Parks & Wildlife release gators here they snag in Goose Is SP. Great hard-pack launch, and paddle into the sunrise. I was behind Josh along the grass, sight-fishing his rejects. Prop-tail topwater shrimp cast into the grass caught my first and best red. After doing the math, I caught 5 redfish each morning, though not all in the slot. Great photos of Josh with a fly rod red. My day ended with a small wind knot in my braid, and the knot breaking an over-slot spec right at the boat. All part of the fun, and a great day. Josh's special Cioppino with cod, crab, shrimp, and mussels hit the spot for the evening kick-off dinner - Josh and Nina competing in the kitchen always exceeds our imaginations. Thursday brought us back to my favorite Estes Flats, and a reliable NNE wind for drifting down Trout Bayou. Launching at Palm Harbor, a mile to the turn up Talley Island, and 2 miles to the top of Trout Bayou. My morning began in Aransas Bay, drifting back into the tide pass. Plenty of small trout were slashing. I brought a nice big spec to the boat, but she tore the hook out with a head shake. Began my drifts down Trout Bayou, and landed 3 absolutely 19" reds. I was happy to get one more that measured 20" for my stringer. I ended bringing an over-slot red to the boat. Thought I had him set with 3 solid pulls. But the little slack I had to give him while pulling in drift sock was enough for him to shake the hook. Again, all part of the fun. The group meat haul from Estes. Friday, we took our boats across Port Aransas ferry to fish East Flats on Mustang Is. It was our longest paddle and toughest wind, though with some shelter, and everyone brought home fish. GPS trail for the day. Saturday, another big wind day, we fished Marker 1 trail on Lighthouse Lakes. Josh traveled farther upwind than everybody, and sight-fished a banner day in the mangroves - he deserved his results facing the wind and currents to get that far. The rest of us stayed close in the first 3 lakes, and Andy pulled a couple out of the mangroves. Caught this photo of Stevo crossing back Aransas Channel. Josh's trip-fish 27" red. Josh's shrimp boil gets better every year, decided to spend some electrons on the master at work. Another feast, and easy clean up - we were hungry, not much for leftovers. We also made a good showing sampling the single cask bottles into the last evening, before packing out Sunday morning.

I use spot lock in my canoe sometimes, costs less than a whopper plopper. it’s only about 3 lbs but you need lots of rope if the current is strong

The biggest brown bass I catch, quantify my level of stealth. IMO, stealth comes in many forms. But fish size is often directly related to my own version of it. I will always take the long hard road, because everyone else I see, does not. YMMV A-Jay

If you're in a boat, back off with the main outboard further away. Don't just cruise up to the spot you intend to fish. I learned my lesson doing that one spring crappie fishing shallow water. I could see all the fish scatter.

It’s funny @Team9nine, we get all the weather you describe yesterday. “Have your people call my people” 😂

Still raining and blowing. 91 mph winds recorded in Daytona Beach so we probably had 100 here. Water in our backyard is 4” up the side of the house. Looks like a river between our homes. Thankfully we still have power…for now. 2.9 mil without power in the state. Lots of tornadoes to the east and south. My buddy in Loxahatchee had one come through his back yard, missing his 36’ Contender by feet.

To quote the immortal Bill Dance: Wet lines catch more fish. Which I take to mean you can't catch fish if your line is not in the water...so go fishing whenever you can.

Use WD-40

I was in my early twenties. Now I'm 67. A guy who owned a tackle shop told me to slow down. He said if you want to catch more bass, slow down. It's been true all these years.

If you want to learn more about the value of stealth in bass fishing, read anything by Doug Hannon. He pretty much invented it.

Hard to be stealthy in a jet! I can hear them coming from at least 4 river bends away

Another tough morning yesterday of missed strikes, I blew it on all of the nicer fish. I still caught 8 and provided a mild show for the other anglers around, but I had barbs in a few really solid feeling fish. Thankfully I never saw them. Sooner or later I will get them stuck stuck. The common denominator with the lost fish is the vmc trebles I'm using, I got some of those finesse trebles with the slick coating. While they are very sticky, they slip out way too easily. I want to like them but for distance hooking they're just too slick. Back to the gamakatsu short shank ewg trebles I love so much. Off to the panhandle tomorrow to play a show and fish lake Meredith for smallmouths

It’s stronger than the skin on my fingers, can confirm

@Swamp Girl - One thing I don't often see mentioned in these threads about stealth is actually making quiet casts - this is an area that I think that baitcasters beat spinning rods every time. I am able to consciously slow the bait down as it's entering the water with my thumb and the tip of the rod and essentially eliminate all noise and splash from presentations that are close by. Oftentimes I get bigger fish making short pitches and flips and close range casts to targets that basically don't make any noise when they enter the water. Sometimes distance is the deal but sometimes gentle presentations nearby work just as well or even better and oftentimes. You'll catch more big fish out of an area if you pick the area apart with little quiet casts because you'll catch each big fish that would have been scared by the one at the end of the long cast as you fought the fish in. There are times of year where a quiet and close to zero splash presentation 15 or 20 ft from my boat or where I'm standing is the most important thing and I feel like the splash of the bait regardless of how far I'm making the cast is more what alerts them. I'm not saying that this cannot be achieved with a spinning rod. I'm just saying that I can be much more accurate and consistent with a baitcaster when I'm doing this kind of fishing.

ALF has some more deals up to 50% off on select products. The old vanfords are on there. 3000xgf and 4000 xgf models are 30+% off with stock at the time of this post. Some zodias models are also on sale but limited options. Few other brands as shown below.

My takeaway: mono is strong

I left Florida on Tuesday afternoon. I-95 northbound was packed, and southbound was all National Guard vehicles. Pretty much all the hotels below the NC state line were packed. University was closed Wednesday and Thursday; I haven’t heard anything about closures on Friday, so I don’t think it hit North Florida too bad.

I've learned that the wisest bass in the clearest water will always hit a frog once in a while. 🐸🐸🐸🐸 But basically - everything you say - I completely agree with. Distance and not making any shadow or noise or vibrations is huge. In the stillness of the morning I have even yawned and seen big fish swim away just from the sound of me exhaling. People don't get how quiet and still you gotta actually be if you want a big one.

I have an old friend who lives in Ft. Meyers Florida. He's in Missouri now for a week visiting family. I hope everyone is safe, and can recover. Best luck to everyone in Florida.

With the current hooks and rod actions, stretch is a non issue.

Usually when I launch, I'll find the lure that works best that trip, but this time, I wanted to catch them on my popper and only cast that. I caught my two spinnerbait bass paddling to a new location and trolling them because I can't troll a popper. When the clouds cleared and the Sun was high, I stuck with the popper even though I knew it wasn't my best choice, but it still caught bass, even the 19.25-incher. It's a little lure and it was weird seeing its tiny hooks in that big girl's thick jaw.

If you aren't already, you may wanna get on the mailing list.

The small lake yesterday morning.

Hey man, I am a local tournament angler out of Plattsburgh New York. Finished 3rd in angler of the year race in 2021, finished 2nd in 2022,2023 and I just finished second for the 2024 season as well for points. I’m consistent and I can help you get in big Fish and using the right baits for the right time of year. If you are launching from st Albans bay and you have a bass boat then you have the ability to chase both big smallmouth and big largemouth within a 15-20 minute ride. Give me a shout I’ll help you locate some target fish. I’ll even give you some of my hot spots as long as you are catch and release only and you steer clear of them from Thursday - Sundays during the summer lol. Those spots make money for me. But I have no problem letting you enjoy the fun as long as you don’t burn them up.

Soft jerk baits are weedless go anywhere. Hard jerk baits have treble hooks open water lures. Tom

For most things I like my line to stretch. Better than my line snapping!

Footage of A-Jay, not a dramatization. Stable with some wins is always excellent. Glad to hear it.

08 Oct 2024 ~ Update Past couple of weeks have been mostly uneventful health wise for Lynn. This is most often a good thing. She continues to have Chemo once every two weeks, and dialysis twice a week while having her blood drawn & tested prior to both of those procedures. Also waiting in the wings is her eye surgery scheduled for next week. And so like I said, none of that is really new. But what is new and quite the phenomenal turn of events, Lynn's last two kidney function blood test results indicate that Lynn NO LONGER REQUIRED DIAYSIS ! I dropped her off for her scheduled procedure this morning and not 5 minutes later, she called the truck and said "come pick me up, I'm coming home." After almost putting my rig in the woods banging a U-ey, I may have fractured a few posted speed limits getting there. Either way, we're both walking around in a daze, while counting our blessings. Clearly we don't how long this will last, but it's a sign of slightly better health and that can never be taken for granted. Stay healthy & Safe. Thank again A-Jay

Someone needs to change the sign to this: "Please keep and eat five bass under 12". They are delicious!"

i work a hard jerk bait usually a little slower . i also want it to always be darting side to side with very little just straight forward motion. you need to work it like a walk the dog topwater always throwing slack back toward the bait at the end of every jerk. so that when you jerk the next time you are actually pulling slack before you pull the bait.

As has been mentioned, this technique requires a certain mind set. What hasn't been is that it, similar to drop-shotting, is one you use in high percentage areas. For me, that means one of the few spots on a lake that I have caught larger than average fish as the only time I've used it is when targeting the big girls. If you can find those areas on your lake, or one you plan to try, forget about numbers and plan on getting only one to three bites in an outing. If you can commit to being content with that, the results (big ones) could very well hook you on to the stitching train. Almost every Bass I've caught over 6lbs. has been caught using my variation of this technique.

No spin zone. Enjoy your plastic kayak and Lithium* powered sonar Peace! Tom * Cobalt Red, Kara

Same as me! East and West are tied.

If the guides are rusty, damaged or wraps are compromised replacement makes sense. No need to replace good guides to get a match. Especially since your wraps won’t likely be aesthetically appealing first few tries. There are cases where a rod can be brought alive by updating the guide train but you need rod building experience or advice to make that determination.

Flatside and Lipless crankbaits

So close!

I have a KLX with the Loomis blank and recently bought a Helium ML/fast 7’spinning rod. I’ve bought 3 GLX rods and 1 IMX crank bait rod in the 7 power which is a heavy/ moderate fast. The helium rod is on par with my GLX sensitivity. Totally impressed with it. Trey gives a military / veteran discount as well. (Kistler)

I have accidentally ordered tackle from time to time, I am lucky I have never accidentally returned any tackle.

Little guy and a three pounder both on spinnerbaits. Buddy of mine pulled up a largemouth a bit bigger than mine and a handful of perch on a beautiful fall day.

Some bargains. I picked up the envy 3 Cranker...a steal. Sierra requires an $89 purchase for free shipping. https://www.sierra.com/s~13-fishing/

Got a tip from a friend there were some fish schooling, my goodness were they ever. They were so violent, I was even able to feed one a spinnerbait. Got surrounded and even splashed by fish crashing thru shad. I took some video of far away fish schooling after I had already gotten several, should have ran some video when I was sitting in the middle of the blitz but I couldn’t stop casting long enough