BigmouthForever23

Funny I just came across this post coming back from a morning fishing trip where I caught my first bass on a 'swim jig,' which I never heard of before. I reconnected with my old real estate agent who reps for Lew's. The way he talks, he seems like a 'semi' pro. I was telling him how I struggle catching bass once fall arrives. This one lake I fish I had a lot of luck frog fishing all summer but all the sudden I couldn't catch any bass. He told me you have to try a 'swim jig.' I didn't know what he was talking about. So I took him out on the very lake where I couldn't catch any bass for the past few trips, and he caught several within 10 minutes....all on the swim jig. I was using a frog and got nothing up to that point. Finally he gave me one to try, an all white one with a white trailer. I ended up catching 3 bass, he caught over a dozen I think.

Thanks WRB. Haven't posted here in a while but I was hoping you'd see this. You were helpful years ago when I posted about a different lake in my neighborhood (stunted bass, very shallow flat bottom, no vegetation/lack of structure etc.) I will try what you mentioned. Never really use crankbaits but I think it's worth a shot here. Also, forgot to mention this lake's water quality is very good. Much clearer than I'm used to fishing. Maybe I should downsize my line? I typically use 14 lb mono for topwater and 17 lb flouro for worm/senkos. LOL, possibly but not in this case. The background is definitely this lake.

Hey fellas, I signed up to fish a new lake this year. It's a former gravel pit and I've never really fished a lake quite like it. I was intrigued last year when I found a picture online someone posted of a giant bass he caught out of the lake. Check out the pic, I wasn't aware bass get that big near me (northern burbs of Chicago). Anyway, although I've caught plenty of bass, I haven't caught one even over 2 pounds. If anyone is interested, here's a summary report on the lake: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14164/2015-Lake-Minear-Report-PDF Could this be an instance where a lake has very few big bass and mainly small stunted bass? I wouldn't consider myself an expert bass fisherman by any means, but I've caught my fair share of 3-5 pound bass. A lake I grew up fishing near this one, I've caught plenty that size. But I've gotten frustrated over the years due to the crazy ski boats that dominate the lake. This new lake however has very low traffic and 10 hp max. Unfortuently, I just haven't been able to find any decent size bass. Any tips on where I could try? I also attached a map of the lake. Unfortunately, the west side shore of the lake is not open to fishing as it's private to the homeowners but everywhere else is fair game. One thing I noticed about the lake is the massive amount of structure. 5 feet out from shore and it drops like a rock. There's practically no surface vegetation. No docks but decent amount of fallen wood. There's a few raised islands throughout the lake. Any help would be much appreciated.

One time I was fishing topwater with a zara spook. I had a hit and as I landed the fish, to my amazement it wasn't a bass, or even a pike...it was a catfish.

Spam & Ramen (chicken flavor).

Thanks for those who recommended Major League Fishing. I watching one clip on youtube. Very exciting indeed!

I like to fish alone. I've gone with a friend before but don't enjoy it as much. Now, I am more of a "loner" so to speak. But I just enjoy being out on the lake listening to the birds and watching a beautiful sunset. It's so peaceful. It's a great way to deal with stress and just clear your mind. Can't really do that with other people with you, I can't at least.

I wouldn't be surpised if there is a lack of interest in fishing with the younger generation. Now a day's you have little kids glued to their cell phones, IPads, video games, etc. So much is out there that wasn't available back in the day.

^I agree man. I find it funny how their boats are covered in sponsors along with their attire. It's like the show is one long commercial.

It's too bad if all the fishing programs are on a special sports channel. I already pay almost $100 for the Comcast package I have now... But is it just me or were the fishing shows back in the day much better? My dad has a lot that he recorded on VHS and watching them, they actually taught you something. The ones you see on TV now are all marketing. You got guys reeling in monster bass and then they go on for five minutes trying to persuade you to buy the lure they are using and that will catch you bass. Example, it HAS to be a Zoom purple worm or a Kevin Van Dam spinnerbait. What happened with actually teaching the viewer something important, you know, like how to find bass.

I remember growing up as a kid my dad would show me some really good fishing shows. My favorite was the B.A.S.S Masters Classic on the ESPN network. Along with some others like Bill Dance, Field & Streams had a show too. What happened to those good shows? Do I just have a crappy cable package that doesn't air them anymore? Or did they just not get very good ratings? Perhaps Youtube/Internet is to blame? I have a decent cable package, but I never see any fishing programs. Any common channels I can look for that might air some?

Nice thread, I've always wondered about this as I live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. 0-.5 LB - FML 1-2 LB - Average 2-3 LB - Above Average 4-5 LB - One of the best days of the year 6-7 LB - My year is made 7+ LB - Who's your daddy?

Yeah I have a problem. I like to keep and fillet a lot of fish that I catch. One of the lakes I fish is loaded with small bass and they're very tasty! Problem is I don't know what to do with them after filleting. I tried throwing them in multiple bags but it stinks of the trash like there's no tomorrow. I just moved to this neighborhood last year so I don't want to tick off my neighbors (so soon anyway haha). I never had this problem before because growing up with my parents we lived right across from railroad tracks. So after my dad would fillet our fish we caught for the day, he'd just walk across the street and throw them as far as he could over the tracks. The sun would take care of any smell that was produced. Can't do that any more. What do you guys do with fish carcasses after filleting? Someone on another forum said he burns them. Sorry, not doing that. Another one mentioned to freeze them until garbage pick-up. Again, no thanks. What are some other options?

Look up Bigmouth and Bigmouth Forever. These contain some amazing underwater footage that captured bass in their natural habitat. Here's a clip from the latter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znc0wCeUACc

Man what I would give to have a chance to fish one of these lakes...oh my. I hope one day when I retire I'll have the chance to settle down in an area with a well-known bass lake like one of these. My early thoughts are somewhere in Texas because of the vast number of lakes and I love horses too so it's a win/win.