Bird

We had a very hot and dry summer and fish were lethargic. As the water temps started dropping with cool rains this month, fish activity increased. I've been out a lot in October and catching better fish. April-May-October....my favorite months to Fish for quality around these parts.

Smallmouth are legendarily beautiful fish.

Worms always bail me out when fish aren't hitting......maybe try drop shot. Braid is great stuff, casts, sensitive, but if the water you fish is clear than you may want to consider a fluorocarbon leader. I like 15lb powerpro to 8lb Sunline snyper with Alberto knot, works great for the clear water lakes I fish for slow moving baits. Keep casting.

Ok.....I do pull and stretch on a Z-MAN ElazTech but it's not out of hand.

I have 2 feelfree boats, Moken 10 and Jonny boat with motor pod.....both well made.

Beautiful fish....thanks for sharing.

I don't particularly care to do anything outside in high winds, especially at my age. Sold the bass boat and went to a fishing Yak and let me tell you.....that things is a kite on the water. Little rain is good.

50's - 60's here in VA and been catching LM on spinnerbaits, jigs, buzzbaits and drop shots. In the lakes that I fish a lot they're holding on points leading to coves. Smallies are smashing baits on the river as well.

I catch more and better fish in October than any summer month.

I've caught bass at night on jitterbug, buzzbait and Colorado blade spinnerbait......lots of fun and big fish can be had. I don't night fish any longer as I'm an evening drinker, the two don't mix.

Lol, I actually prefer the characteristics of braid over anything. Clear water, I'll use a FC leader.

VA is a great fishing state. Start simple by throwing top water early " I like buzzbaits " and throw spinnerbaits around stumps and blow downs. Plastic worms always puts fish in the boat anytime.....natural colors in clear water , dark colors in stained water. If your local lake is clear than consider a fluorocarbon leader.

Glad you found comfort in something you love doing. Troubles come and go and fishing is always an excellent way to recoup.

I've heard many " frost " inquiries over the years. Deer won't eat acorns until a frost. Chiggers won't go away until a frost. Squirrels have warbles until a frost. But haven't heard frost in relation to fish bite but it's relationship to dropping water temps does make sense. Remember though......dads always right.

Most SOT kayaks are self draining and with a little practice, can be remounted in deep water. The wife and I canoed for many years in a 14ft Madriver and finally sold it this year. We simply are to old to load and unload the beast, mainly flipping it on the roof. And yes we did flip it 3 times on a river float and let me tell you, it scoops a ton of water. I'd opt for his and her SOT kayaks which would allow you to outfit your boat for fishing and easier to handle when solo. During the summer months, I simply drag the wife behind me on a float tube while I'm fishing......hand her a book and she's good. I have a Jonny Bass 100 with trolling motor.

With all that said, which I 100% agree, Threw most of that today and ended up catching every single fish "9" on drop shot Roboworm.....2 good fish of 4 1/2 lbs. So finesse works year round also.

Wow ! Now that's 30 minutes of action. Plus , you can catch them upside down. Lol

Braid + sunline sniper + Alberto = fish.

Snakeheads are an invasive species, Introduced by aquraist who found them to aggressive for they're tank mates. Rather than kill them, simply introduce them into local waters. I've actually heard they spawn 3 times per year, who knows.

Fat cow

Had a WS pungo sit in accessorized for fishing, fast well built but sit to low compared to my Feelfree sot......SOT hands down for fishing. Huge market for sot fishing yaks for good reason. Also had the intex inflatable for camping. It was actually durable but no comparison to a plastic boat and took quite a while to inflate. My current is a Jonny boats bass 100 with motor pod....a fisherman's dream. Good luck.

The only time I ever use my MH is flipping in heavy vegetation. I much prefer M-ML for everything. A bent rod will hold a dancing bass.

Temps here went from steady upper 90's to mid 60's but water temps are still in the 80's. I managed a 2lb pickerel this morning at daylight, nothing after. Better days ahead.

Hoping for a long fall myself for bigger window of opportunity......love fall fishing.

October in general is a great month for fishing but a HOT September has slowed the aggression here in VA........I'm thinking that'll just extend fishing season. Lol