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I catch fish like @Team9nine, only smaller…… my wife wanted me to go down and clean up the lakehouse because she might have a friend that needs to stay there this weekend. Went straight there after work, cleaned from 5-6 and fished from 6-8 😂. @Jigfishn10 knows my habits…. Fished a row of docks for a while and only got the one bass. Was pondering if I should go out past the marina to main channel for smallies or stay put. Decided to try the crappie dock and it was loaded, got 7-8 in half an hour and paddled back home.

Pulled another limit of bass out of the mud today despite a completely blown (pun intended) wind forecast. Was supposed to be calm, and it was until 30 minutes after I launched, when SW winds kicked up 15-20 the rest of the afternoon - whitecaps everywhere. Did get one over 4 and another at 5, so it all worked out.

Second biggest bass of my life 9 lb 14 oz (a shad shy of 10) and another giant off a school in 14 feet of water today. On the 1 oz @Siebert Outdoors grass jig in 'Pats Gizzard' slow rolling deep with swimbait trailers. 😎😎😎🥵🥵🥵 Flying solo mid day during a warm front. Both fish released and swam away with vigor! Happy spring FINALLY!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🎣🎣🎣 Fish that are basically 10 lbs make me smile really really big yes indeed. 🙂🙂🙂🙂

Dang @Pat Brown , congratulations! --------------------- I just got my first of the season. I had fished a few times over the course of winter, but hadn't had any success. Then, I started having a bit less time, and I made a 3 week trip to California to visit a friend. I came back to nice weather! There was 6" of snow on the ground when I went to the airport. I had only about 30 minutes before bible study today, but I got this little guy with a Fat Albert grub. New Cherrywood rod I'm trying out, so far so good. It does much better than the $25 price tag would have you believe. I only wish it had about 3 more eyes down it's length.

Today I had only a bout 30 minutes to fish before bible study. I almost decided to not even bother, but I figured 30 minutes is better than nothing. I was able to connect with a little guy: Having only such a short time, I know the odds are against me, but I planned my lure choices beforehand and I was basically ready to go when I got there. Save 2 minutes to put the line through the guides and tie on the hook. There have been other times in the past, especially before bible study or church, that I only have 30-45 minutes to fish. The fishing hole is right next door, but having such a short time means I have to fish right next to where I park, and not do a lot of lure swaps. So what does everyone else do in this situation?

Caught these 2 the first 15 minutes and nothing the next 4 hours...... spinnerbait. Surface water temp was 48*

One of my best buddies got a new (used) boat today. 22' ProLine Walk. Took her out for sea trials on Lake Griffin. It;s very nice. Ronnnie

Thanks everybody for the kind words! The Big Fish bash for my local Lake that I qualified for back in December with the 7.35 is coming up. Not this Saturday but next Saturday and I'm really glad I'm getting my mojo working finally because I need that confidence going into this event. I'm going to be going up against some serious hammers and sticks that have been doing this event for decades. I'll be fishing out of a Jon Boat with a trolling motor! 😂 These two fish are just the juice I needed in my tank and I'm hoping I can develop some patterns between now and then and follow some fish to some places that could help me win the tournament! It's really nice seeing all the big fish here being caught - it was a really long, very educational winter with very few fish caught for me and a lot of ice on top of the water and these two fish right here were two of the best feeling fish I've ever caught.

Given the current state of affairs regarding Lynn's decline in health and the outlook that accompanies that, last week I applied for the Veteran Administrations Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). It was a tough decision for me. Admittedly the reality of it is hard to put into words. Very thankful that the VA does recognize the important role of family caregivers in supporting the health and wellness of Veterans. So far the folks we've been in contact with have made the process fairly painless, and that is most definitely a relative term. There are several steps along the way to where 'eligibility' is determined. So far we are about half way through. I am looking forward to the support and the training they offer as well as knowing that I can be the best version of me for Lynn in these trying times. Stay Healthy & Safe. A-Jay

You'll have to bring 'em. I use most of the crappie I catch for muskie bait. 😂

Just from reading your posts on this forum Katy I totally understand where you're coming from. But I would not be as generous. History has shown that people given an inch take a mile. I hope for your sake this doesn't turn into the cluster so many before you have endured. Seems it always starts out like this and NOTHING good ever comes from it. You've worked hard and earned your little piece of heaven. Sharing it is admirable but may not end up being what you thought it was going to be. Not everyone is like you - I agree with @WRB and @Jar11591 I'd tell everyone that your land is closed to the public, like all private property. Isn't that why you bought it ? btw- game cameras are your friend and you'll need signs. Good Luck. A-Jay

Skip Bible Study. There’s a reason the church was built right next to a fishing hole. God wants you to go fishing!!

A pair of pileated woodpeckers doing their thing in the side yard. These guys are one of the few year round residents up here. Pretty hearty birds. A-Jay

I saw the talking frogs once too, it was right after a Grateful Dead concert,,,,I don't remember a TV being on though

it would have to be a letter to mono. to braid, you email that message

@Pat Brown is back at it. Wow, man. Awesome fish!

Thinking about you both man. Never feel like needing a break is failure. None of us are made of stone and packed with energizer batteries. Take what you need because it will only make you better for her overall. Something I had to watch my father learn the hard way over years of caring for my grandmother.

The distant call of a lonely loon in the fog. The caw-caw cry of a bald eagle. The initial cold start of the ProXS. The swishy sound of the Pro-V Bass coming off plane. And finally, the sound of drag on my wife's reel slipping just a little bit on the hookset. A-Jay

We're ALL looking forward to seeing those pics!!! Oh, I will. These... Eat these... Like they're tater chips. 😉

When is our next club meeting ? 😂 There better be fried crappie

Lol. There's a bunch of us in that club. 😂

Then we will just have to talk about the Ray Scott musical.

It takes me a half hour to decide if I want to use a Junebug colored worm, or a Greenpumkin worm.

I've landed tons of fish with ten pound stren on a zebco 33 with beetlespins, roostertails, and bobbers and hooks. Why is it fishing was so much simpler when I was a kid? All I needed was my little Junior bassmaster tacklebox(That's what my dad who is a crappie guy called it lol) , and my Zebco 33 classic I mowed yards all summer for, and a bank.

^^ It's worth reposting^^ but I left out this: I used to watch the Hank Parker show all the time. I taped every episode. I remember telling myself, "Wouldn't it be great to be on his show one day?" And then it happened... I still pinch myself about it.

Girls gone wild? Nah. It's southern boys gone crazy! Way to go, @Team9nine, you crazy guy, you. And thanks again for the water pic!

Started out with mono just like everyone else back in the day. Tried everything else but went back to all mono, all the time. More specifically, BPS Excel mono.

I prefer to call it Nylon Superline. It sounds newer and cooler and yeah I like it. Only downside is you don't get that extra confidence boost that comes from paying $50 for spool of fluorocarbon. 😆

Thank you ~ Life's the ultimate challenge and I can only imagine what that's like for you both. So glad to hear you're getting what sounds like effective & most welcome support. This is how we both role my friend. Remember when we took a day on the water for granted ? Not any more. Be well Sir. A-Jay

Found one! Now I just need a free afternoon...

No Sir, not that. This is a program that helps me support her. As an eligible primary caregiver, I may receive: Access to health care insurance through Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mental health counseling. (and we all know I need all of this I can get) Certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments. At least 30 days of respite care per year, for the Veteran. Respite is short term relief for someone else to care for the Veteran while I take a break. A monthly stipend (paid directly to the caregiver.) A-Jay

If the Rapala digital reads 5.95, can we just call it a 6 pounder and assume it reads a few hundredths of a pound light 😆

Let me start by saying that I realize I am late to the game... But wow, where has mono been all my fishing life? Like most, I fished a little bit when I was a kid with unmemorable gear and mostly a hook, worm, and bobber. I imagine at that time that my dad, or grandpa, or whoever was there with me didn't think to question the line, or the reel, or anything but the weather for that matter. It was all about the fun we were having. Fast forward to my older self (I was born in '87 for reference) wanting to get into fishing and later wanting to expose my kids to another activity they could enjoy outside - we're now in the age of information abundance, marketing patterns have been well established, and gear has (I imagine) come a long way. I've spent far longer than is necessary thinking about all the nuances of my setup, but more specifically, my line choice. I've tried various braids, numerous iterations of fluorocarbon, but the lone holdout for me had been mono... Which leads me to say, I love monofilament! (And d**n could I have saved a lot of money over the years.) Over the winter (I fish through the winter) I switched all of my casting rigs to Sunline Supernatural and I will never go back. In my search for the "best line" it was rare, almost nonexistent, for anyone to mention mono. It's like the older child that was great as a kid, grew up, succeeded, continues to live a happy and fulfilling life, but doesn't come with the drama of the younger ones, and thus, get's less attention. Is it the price? Maybe. I think a lot of fishing equipment is sold simply because of the perception that more cost = more better, but maybe that's not it. My experience with it has been nothing but stellar. It casts easier than braid, pulls them in like no other, costs less. It’s the best. How many of you have had great experiences with mono, or use it exclusively? Long live mono!

I have caught fish on red up here in New England but I haven’t noticed a difference in bites. It’s not crazy good bites like oh red is definitely a factor. A fish here or there. I could be getting them on a jig then try a red jackhammer pick off fish or 2. Not the other way around where I’m crushing fish on the red jackhammer then pick up a jig and pick off 2 more

Duluth Trading Company makes close-to-lifetime hoodies. Thick too. And their sales are great.

What a difference a few days can make ~ With a recent lack of snowfall and stupid warm/mild temperatures, we have seen quite a bit of snow disappear. We are (roughly) down to maybe 12 inches. Snow is deeper in some parts and lower/gone in other parts of the property. But after this weekend, forecasted to be even warmer with Big Fat Rain, most if not all snow could be, dare I say it - gone. Of course we'll be dealing with a rather robust Mud Season, but we gotta take the good with the bad I suppose. btw - my poor truck is a total disaster of salt & road groad. 30 Days and a wake up - could it be ? A-Jay

I’ve never seen a Rayburn red colored crawfish in my lake, but that color sure catches fish for me. Try it and see. It might work.

That's a great Bass ~ Congrats Now Enter that beast in the 2025 State vs State deal . . . A-Jay

@Pat Brown Way to go Pat, what an awesome fish, congrats!

Sage Advice my friend. Thank You. Sharing is caring. Sounds sappy but it's true. A-Jay

Yeah, I caught that on a live mosquitofish when I was 8 and trying for bluegill. I'd be happy with a 7 or 8 pounder this year because I got a 5 last year.

!!!!!!

Im purchasing a used pond prowler this weekend. Thought it would be fun for me and my son to get out and fish on. Plus, I convinced my wife that the reason I’m such a bad fisherman is only because I don’t have a boat

Latest project - still in process. What's left to do is build the steering assembly, mount the handle, route controls and electrical and build the coupler ball support...but at least it's recognizable as a dolly now - or what will become one.

I’ve been thinking about getting another fippin/pitchin setup for months but just couldn’t pull the trigger on anything. I had an opportunity to get the new St Croix GXR 7’4” Heavy combo and did. It falls into the range I wanted for a “lighter” punch setup as I spooled it with 65# Smackdown. My Ex Heavy that I use for 1 1/2 to 2oz with 80# isn’t used as frequently. The only “concern” I had was the reel even as smooth as it was, only had a magnetic brake system which I hate. But since no brake system at all is used for flipping, pitching or punching it doesn’t matter. I rigged a 1 1/2 oz with a Rage Bug and started in on the thickest cover I could find and put it through its paces. It’s rated as a fast action and it is, but with just a little softer tip which I kinda like especially compared to the other. I felt everything I should have, even when I had to coast it down through some hyacinth flower buds. (Yeah, they’re starting to come out) The reel was smooth with no flat spots and tho a little smaller than I usually use, fits perfectly in my hand. All in all I really like it and will be used at every outing with confidence Mike

I'm about to find out!

Having moderated FB groups and Use-Net groups in the ancient past, I know how far down some people can go. That I've actually made friends here - even if only Virtual - speaks highly of the class of people we have here. The wealth of knowledge freely shared is also an eye opener. BR Members Rock That is all.

well at least it looks cool. Spotted bass on Hartwell have some of the most vivid coloring of all spots.

I've struggled fishing from the bank so far this year so I was excited about my first trip of 2025 in a boat. The air temp started out in the upper 30s, but warmed up to a perfect 70 degrees. Bluebird skies, 50 degree water temp. It started immediately. I hooked up on the first cast! I was pumped...until it turned out to be a drum. Sorry, no picture @TnRiver46.🤣 That was the last bite for over an hour, and the next bite was just a dink smallmouth. After the dink we got nothing for about two hours. The wind was blowing hard against the current which made it tough to manage the boat. We were getting frustrated, but things finally started improving. After only catching two fish for the first three hours, we got 8 in the next two hours. The best two are pictured below. It slowed down again after that burst of activity. We only managed 2 more over the final two hours, but these two fish are enough to make it a good day. 4 lb 9 oz smallmouth 4 lb 13 oz largemouth

It's been a really long winter in Maine. 😀