Latest Catch Pics Thread

[AlabamaSpothunter]

5 hours ago, Fishlegs said:

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I had a family gathering on Thanksgiving day where the family lives on the water, so I took a couple of rods in case I had an opportunity to fish. I'm glad I did. Once we had eaten all we could stand, played some games, watched some football, and most folks were ready to take the obligatory nap I decided to head down to the water.

 

It was just after dark, but my ears told me that there was a lot of activity. I heard splashing all around. I guess the fish were feasting too. I had a spinnerbait tied on one rod so I threw it in the direction that my ears told me to. I couldn't see much so I mainly threw to deeper water. No luck on the spinnerbait so I grabbed a black & blue jig. I was just throwing randomly into the deeper water until I heard a large splash behind me in the shallow area. I threw the jig in the direction of the splash, let it settle. I felt a thump, but I thought it was just the jig hitting the rocky bottom so I didn't react. After letting it sit for a second I started to reel, but I felt the line move so I set the hook. It pulled hard so I knew it was a decent fish, but it was so dark that I couldn't see it until I pulled it up onto the dock. Happy Thanksgiving indeed!

 

This was a picture worthy fish so I ran to the house, turned on the porch light, and got a quick measurement, and photo. It was 21 inches, and quite healthy so I'd say around 5.25 lbs. After that I ran back down to the water (as fast as I could in the dark), put her back in the water, and she swam away. Nice way to end a great Thanksgiving day.

 

Another SINK FISH ?

 

Nice one brother!   

6 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

Made it back home yesterday . I worked today but the lake was calling so I answered and got out in late afternoon…

Perfect conditions- low 70s and a slight breeze, partly cloudy.

Ended up with 12- all caught on the black/grape with blue tail 7.5 inch culprit worm. I used nearly the whole pack, because of all the fish that bit the tails off.

 

Mike, did you realize you were having so much fun catching those beautiful fish you smiled in the pics ?

[N Florida Mike]

The main reason I do “selfies “ at all is to give a reference for how big the fish is.

Im so busy trying to get all the fish in I don’t smile sometimes! 

But it’s in there !

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Caught 12-15 fish this afternoon.     All but one came off a big Shimano Flashboost jerkbait.   

 

3 high quality Spots with one going close to 3.5.      One nice Spot inhaled a DD crankbait, and while it didn't gullet hook or gill hook it, it got it somewhere right at the back of the mouth and the fish was bleeding quite a bit.    Inevitably this ate me up the whole fishing session.   I can't help but constantly think if that fish is going to make it, if I could have done something for it......I know the Mtn Dew is debunked, but after today I'm going to research finding a product to help with this.     Thankfully this is the first fish since I started back fishing that was a bleeder.      One too many though, kind of makes me sick....oddly I have more empathy for Bass than most humans ?

One eyed willy, but proof catch N release works 

[Swamp Girl]

Alex, you use soooo many different lures to catch your fish. I admire that. I also admire your caring for a bleeder. I'm the same way. I don't hurt many fish, but when I do, it eats at me. 

[ScottW]

13 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Caught 12-15 fish this afternoon.     All but one came off a big Shimano Flashboost jerkbait.   

 

3 high quality Spots with one going close to 3.5.      One nice Spot inhaled a DD crankbait, and while it didn't gullet hook or gill hook it, it got it somewhere right at the back of the mouth and the fish was bleeding quite a bit.    Inevitably this ate me up the whole fishing session.   I can't help but constantly think if that fish is going to make it, if I could have done something for it......I know the Mtn Dew is debunked, but after today I'm going to research finding a product to help with this.     Thankfully this is the first fish since I started back fishing that was a bleeder.      One too many though, kind of makes me sick....oddly I have more empathy for Bass than most humans ?

One eyed willy, but proof catch N release works 

That’s a purty lure ya got there! I’d mount that sucker over the fireplace if I had one. ?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

11 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Alex, you use soooo many different lures to catch your fish. I admire that. I also admire your caring for a bleeder. I'm the same way. I don't hurt many fish, but when I do, it eats at me. 

Thanks Katie!   Being absent from the sport for so long, and now as an adult without a mentor I'm getting to start over in a way.    Being a novice has it's benefits ?

 

I knew you'd get the bleeder feeling, we share a deep respect and admiration for these special fish....big and small alike.    Hard not to take it personal when you want these fish to return in as good of shape as possible.   

16 minutes ago, ScottW said:

That’s a purty lure ya got there! I’d mount that sucker over the fireplace if I had one. ?

The Flashboost on these Shimano baits is really neat.   They cast like a bullet and suspend very nicely.       $5 cheaper than the gold standard MegaBass jerkbaits as well.  

 

A dozen Spots didn't tear up the finish that badly, but the nice ones bent the hooks a bit.    Something to think about given its size and the size fish it will catch.    Typical insane sticky sharp Japanese hooks.     

 

$20 for a bait is a lot, but this one imho is worth it if you need a high quality jerkbait  

[Swamp Girl]

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

We're in the same shoes, Alex. As a kid, I fished largemouth.

 

As an adult, for a couple years, I was musky obsessed, but other than that, I was fishing for smallmouth in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Wisconsin River, the Mississippi River, and a dozen or so lakes in northwestern Ontario. Total finesse fishing.

 

Then, this past summer, for the first time in 50 years and after five years of caregiving without fishing, I started fishing for largemouth again. It was like running into a high school sweetheart at your high school class's 50-year reunion and being smitten again IF my high school sweetheart had become an enormously complex person in that half century. Bass fishing has become enormously complex, as you know. There isn't a day at Bass Resource where I don't google a lure or technique that someone mentions. 

 

I'm slowly adapting to catching largemouth with modern techniques, but I've got my decades of finesse fishing for smallmouth always nudging me. I'm an old dog, but I'm slowly learning some new tricks.  

[TnRiver46]

2 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

 

I've got my decades of finesse fishing for smallmouth always nudging me. 

Me too!!! ? 

 

There are largemouth where I fish but I don’t encounter them nearly as often 

[Aaron_H]

1 hour ago, N Florida Mike said:

Made it back home yesterday . I worked today but the lake was calling so I answered and got out in late afternoon…

Perfect conditions- low 70s and a slight breeze, partly cloudy.

Ended up with 12- all caught on the black/grape with blue tail 7.5 inch culprit worm. I used nearly the whole pack, because of all the fish that bit the tails off.

 

 

Weather was so nice today. You did better than me, brother! I managed 10 bass, a bluegill, and a 6lb tilapia but none of my bass were worth a picture. Nice job.

[Swamp Girl]

36 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Me too!!! ? 

 

There are largemouth where I fish but I don’t encounter them nearly as often 

 

 

Finesse family, that is.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

58 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

We're in the same shoes, Alex. As a kid, I fished largemouth.

 

As an adult, for a couple years, I was musky obsessed, but other than that, I was fishing for smallmouth in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Wisconsin River, the Mississippi River, and a dozen or so lakes in northwestern Ontario. Total finesse fishing.

 

Then, this past summer, for the first time in 50 years and after five years of caregiving without fishing, I started fishing for largemouth again. It was like running into a high school sweetheart at your high school class's 50-year reunion and being smitten again IF my high school sweetheart had become an enormously complex person in that half century. Bass fishing has become enormously complex, as you know. There isn't a day at Bass Resource where I don't google a lure or technique that someone mentions. 

 

I'm slowly adapting to catching largemouth with modern techniques, but I've got my decades of finesse fishing for smallmouth always nudging me. I'm an old dog, but I'm slowly learning some new tricks.  

I would have assumed you'd have been Power fishing your whole life given the results you've achieved with it.    I love it, talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.    

 

It's a bit overwhelming at times, but after several months I've started to get my sea legs under me to some degree.   I had to google Whopper Plopper for the first time because of you earlier this year, now I own one......I'll send you the bill ?

[Swamp Girl]

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

I bought half a dozen 6th Sense Crushes because of you, but you'll get no bill. I expect them to hook lots of bass in the prespawn. They're gorgeous lures. I expect the lure to be a:

 

 

This past year, I missed the prespawn and spawn. I missed June and most of July. So, I am super exited about 2023 because I'll get to fish all these periods. I'm up to 21 new bodies of water to fish. The planning is almost as much fun as the fishing.  

[AlabamaSpothunter]

14 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

I bought half a dozen 6th Sense Crushes because of you, but you'll get no bill. I expect them to hook lots of bass in the prespawn. They're gorgeous lures. I expect the lure to be a:

 

 

This past year, I missed the prespawn and spawn. I missed June and most of July. So, I am super exited about 2023 because I'll get to fish all these periods. I'm up to 21 new bodies of water to fish. The planning is almost as much fun as the fishing.  

Haha, and I feel exactly the same way.    I've been looking forward to fishing pre spawn and the spawn since I started back mid summer.   

 

Like with most great crankbaits, there is just something unique about those Crush baits especially when it comes to quality fish.    Really great hardware too, they seem to have oversized very stout, and super sticky hooks.    I have no fear horsing a fish on these hooks, whereas that Shimano WM Flashboost Jerkbait today was getting its hooks slightly bent out by 2-3lb Spots.    

 

Before I never took any of this stuff into account, now I'm really trying to pay attention to line diameter, hook size, drag setting.....and how you must calculate that specific 3 part formula every time you tie on a new bait if you want the best chances for landing success.   I can't imagine the sick feeling I'd have if I lost my White Whale horsing her in on heavy Fluorocarbon and thin wire hooks which I would have tried to do as recently as a few months ago.     

 

If you don't appreciate being humbled, and learning......Bass fishing isn't the pursuit for you.

[Bluebasser86]

I got out this past Saturday. Numbers were crazy, well over 50 fish. No monsters, 17.75" was biggest. Pretty wild to have the non-stop action in the kayak like that this time of year.

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

19 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I got out this past Saturday. Numbers were crazy, well over 50 fish. No monsters, 17.75" was biggest. Pretty wild to have the non-stop action in the kayak like that this time of year.

 

Well that was fun......like Bream fishing but with Bass instead ?

 

Not sure I could transition as easily as you do from a Bass boat to kayak.  Never kayak fished, but it seems to add a whole another level of difficulty to the process.   I also bet it connects you with the elements and nature better.  

[gim]

15 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Shimano WM Flashboost Jerkbait

I'm thinkin' of getting one of these this winter to add to my jerk bait aresenal.  They seem to have a lot more "flash" than any other jerk bait.

[ScottW]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I got out this past Saturday. Numbers were crazy, well over 50 fish. No monsters, 17.75" was biggest. Pretty wild to have the non-stop action in the kayak like that this time of year.

 

Nice work there! I caught myself settling the hook with you! ?

[Blue Raider Bob]

19 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Caught 12-15 fish this afternoon.     All but one came off a big Shimano Flashboost jerkbait.   

 

3 high quality Spots with one going close to 3.5.      One nice Spot inhaled a DD crankbait, and while it didn't gullet hook or gill hook it, it got it somewhere right at the back of the mouth and the fish was bleeding quite a bit.    Inevitably this ate me up the whole fishing session.   I can't help but constantly think if that fish is going to make it, if I could have done something for it......I know the Mtn Dew is debunked, but after today I'm going to research finding a product to help with this.     Thankfully this is the first fish since I started back fishing that was a bleeder.      One too many though, kind of makes me sick....oddly I have more empathy for Bass than most humans ?

One eyed willy, but proof catch N release works 

Know how you feel! I have way more empathy for Bass than lots of humans. I won't get political by mentioning any. Always hate to have a bleeder. That is one of the reasons I no longer use live bait. The other is that I'm not trying to catch them all......just the ones I can fool with a lure. Besides, like most of us, it's not always the fish we are after when we go fishing!

Hate I couldn't go this past four day weekend but I was catching up on honey-do's! Building the little woman a new fence up by the road. I'll bet Ol Crickety wants to see it so I'll have to take pictures. Maybe I'll get invited to sausage and tatters!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

5 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Know how you feel! I have way more empathy for Bass than lots of humans. I won't get political by mentioning any. Always hate to have a bleeder. That is one of the reasons I no longer use live bait. The other is that I'm not trying to catch them all......just the ones I can fool with a lure. Besides, like most of us, it's not always the fish we are after when we go fishing!

Hate I couldn't go this past four day weekend but I was catching up on honey-do's! Building the little woman a new fence up by the road. I'll bet Ol Crickety wants to see it so I'll have to take pictures. Maybe I'll get invited to sausage and tatters!

You're a good man Bob!   I'm sure that woman appreciates it.   The universe will provide you with a monster Spot in due time ?

 

 

[Blue Raider Bob]

10 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

You're a good man Bob!   I'm sure that woman appreciates it.   The universe will provide you with a monster Spot in due time ?

 

 

You are very kind! She does appreciate it. She says it's my one redeeming value. She just doesn't understand my other.......fishing! I'd better get away from yours and Bluebasser86's videos and get my butt back to work! BTW you guys do a great job and crush my job productivity but after all, I got to watch you catch just one more! Going after that Spot Sunday Lord willin'! It's raining here in the mid-state....Thank God for that!

[Swamp Girl]

@Blue Raider Bob

 

I do want to see those pics! Sausage and taters are you due.

 

@Bluebasser86

 

What a day! 

 

I think I'm going to change my name to Blue Crickety. Given what the two Blues produce, I want in on the blue action!  

[Team9nine]

Still catching them from the boat and the bank. Water temps running 44 deg or less on most all bodies of water. Small jigs, jerkbaits and blade baits depending on water conditions. Hoping we can keep throwing at open water for a few more weeks - or that I run into a big one before it all ends.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

Got out after work, caught two smallies, two white bass, saw two eagles, then saw two lightning bolts. Ran away 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

9 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Got out after work, caught two smallies, two white bass, saw two eagles, then saw two lightning bolts. Ran away 

How many thrusts is that Minn paddle up front? ?

 

Beautiful creatures as always, you are blessed in that TN is an amazing state for wildlife.

 

ETA:   This is the second ridiculously close call with lightning, and ironically enough both have been while I wasn't fishing.    This one happened within meters, and I smelled the electrified air and saw the bolt along with sparks.   Crazy it was on film.  

 

[T-Billy]

On 11/28/2022 at 7:58 PM, ol'crickety said:

Bass fishing has become enormously complex, as you know.

 It's only as complex as we choose to make it Katie. A T-Rig or jig, and a handful of moving baits are all that are really required. Lord knows I've had a tendency to over complicate it over the years, but that's coming full circle.

 As I analyze what's worked for me and what hasn't, my fishing is getting more simplified, and I'm a better angler for it. Instead of rotating through a bunch of baits and constantly second guessing myself, I pick up a bait or two I have confidence in, and grind all day or night with 'em. 

 That said, it seems there's always something new coming out that I just gotta try. Sometimes those new baits pay off big and become a confidence bait. The Slugo, Senko, Chatterbait, and A-Rig come to mind. Boy has that A-rig been paying off big lately, just not with the bass. LOL. That bait's still a work in progress for me, but already it's become a bait I have a ton of confidence in when the water's below 50 degrees.