Bankbeater

There are a lot of good points mentioned above. Many of the clear lakes I fish around here have matted vegetation growing in them, or are partially choked on the surface. If the mats are large enough, and I'm in a boat, I will cut the motor as I'm approaching the mat and try to get on top of it, so it helps hide me from the fish below. Sometimes a paddle or a good set of oars will be crucial to get back out into the open water. If the mat is thick enough and I'm fishing a weedless bait, I'll cast the bait on top, let it sit for a few seconds, and then drag the bait slowly off the mat so it falls over the side.

The small lake yesterday morning.

Prayers sent. Everyone keep your head down and stay safe.

Wonderful news!!

Nice catching and Congrats!

Maybe, maybe not. You've said that this is a "very local lake". Does that mean that it is just close to your place, or does that mean that the lake is open to the public and sees a lot of fishing pressure? If it sees a lot of fishing pressure then the larger bass may have learned to spot a bait or technique and know to scram. The smaller bass may not have figured out what a bait is yet.

Tenkiller will be interesting, especially if the air temps are up in the 90's.

I don't use 4# line unless I'm specifically targeting panfish. Either Trilene XL or BPS line. A 250 yard spool will last me all season.

I grew up fishing with mono. When braid and fluoro came out I tried those for a few years. I never noticed any difference when fishing with fluoro and I found braid to have it's own issues. I started fishing with Big Game line, and I haven't looked back.

I like to throw a white jig with a little bit of blue or black in the skirt with a salt and pepper or white pearl Fat Albert trailer. I have my best luck fishing parallel to rocks or rip-rap. Even better when the wind is blowing into where I am fishing.

Good tip about the frogs.

Hopefully in October the bites will pick up. The last 3 trips I have caught 1 bass, 3 bass, and 1 bass. They haven't wanted to chase past dawn all month long. The only thing that seems to work is a jig and craw pitched into the weeds growing up around the bank.

I fish with a lot of different spinnerbaits. Some are better quality than others, but there is no way I'm paying that much for a spinnerbait.

Welcome!

My late father in law was the same way, He could never understand why I go fishing if I release everything I catch.

I've caught musky in three of the stocked lakes here in Missouri. Nothing trophy size, just big enough to put up a good fight. The larger ones give me that look like they thinking "how big of a bite could I take out of that guy".

Over the past few years spinnerbaits have outproduced bladed jigs. I have better luck with Indiana or Colorado blades, The only time I really have good luck with a willow leaf blade is when it is a large willow leaf blade.

If doing something weird is needed to catch bass when conventional means will not work, then do it.

Those are some good looking baits.

Congratulations! Those are nice looking bass.

Chrome / Black

I fish alone 99% of the time. A lot of the hard core anglers I know also fish by themselves.

Did you have it sitting near something hot? Being made of plastic, I would think the thumb bar would have broken off if it took a hit.

Dang, that is a lot of bass. Nice job!

There is no sabbatical, if the bait doesn't catch anything it gets retired. The only time I stop using a bait that works is when I only have one left and the manufacturer has stopped making it.