Latest Catch Pics Thread

[Swamp Girl]

Great video, Alex. I laughed and grinned through it. I love your excitement and I'm going to add buzzbaits to my tacklebox next year. I have NEVER caught a bass on a buzzbait. Heck, I've never even used a buzzbait for bass.

 

I have caught five fish on a buzzbait, all muskies, in a single hour, which was perhaps the greatest hour of fishing I've ever enjoyed. I was fishing a strait with a wind howling through it and I needed something that could be heard over the chop. At one point, I had two V's/muskies chasing my buzzbait. If I'm smiling at the moment of my death, it's because I'm remembering that hour. 

54 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Had a blast watching your video! I was a nervous wreck watching you work that buzz and I felt like I was in the yak with you cheering you on. Thanks so much for sharing!

 

Heck, yeah, Bob! I felt the same way!

[Aaron_H]

On 11/8/2022 at 10:12 AM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Thanks Katie!    I really thought the Spot was beautiful as well.   something about them pleases my OCD.  They are rather perfect fish in comparison to LGMs.  

 

[ScottW]

@AlabamaSpothunter that was awesome! I’ve not been able to catch anything with a buzzbait to date except a sore shoulder (old injury). Those fish were tearing yours up. 
 

I did manage to catch a decent LM this afternoon that was around 2 pounds +/-. The sun was settling behind the trees too making the scenery something to awe. I tossed a high bomber of a cast by accident due to the resident goose squawking like it saw a zombie. The fact it had sidled up close to me when it cut loose made it all the more unexpected.

 

Turned out the lure (One Knocker lipless crank in Sunset Craw) landed almost at the other end of the pond. Was halfway back with it when it must have slapped the fish and thumbed its nose at it on the way by. The LM wasn’t about to let that slide and nailed it with impunity. Needless to say he came to a ‘hook fight’ with only some fins and lips. ? Snapped his photo for posterity and sent him back on his way. Next cast was a snag so as it was getting darker I packed up after freeing up the lure.

 

[thediscochef]

Went and explored some new water today, managed to pull fish from 3 of 4 locations. I caught the only catfish in my buddy's farm pond, unhooked at the bank but looked like a very well-fed 3-4lb channel cat. Murdered my trailer. Then these two at the next small lake in the first 10 casts.

Two dinks at the next place, one of which unhooked himself as I got stuck on someone else's cut line.

Last lake was super muddy and we were running short on time, so I only fished maybe 5% of the available shoreline. Definitely a place to return.

[Swamp Girl]

Scooting from pond to pond sounds like a blast!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

10 hours ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Had a blast watching your video! I was a nervous wreck watching you work that buzz and I felt like I was in the yak with you cheering you on. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks for watching, and the kind words Bob!   It's so nice to be able to share these moments that are special for me with a community of friends.   Many of us don't have friends or family who "get it" in real life.   They want to, but you can see the boredom in their eyes when you try to share something so meaningful in your life.       

9 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Great video, Alex. I laughed and grinned through it. I love your excitement and I'm going to add buzzbaits to my tacklebox next year. I have NEVER caught a bass on a buzzbait. Heck, I've never even used a buzzbait for bass.

 

I have caught five fish on a buzzbait, all muskies, in a single hour, which was perhaps the greatest hour of fishing I've ever enjoyed. I was fishing a strait with a wind howling through it and I needed something that could be heard over the chop. At one point, I had two V's/muskies chasing my buzzbait. If I'm smiling at the moment of my death, it's because I'm remembering that hour. 

 

Heck, yeah, Bob! I felt the same way!

As always Katie, your kind words and great stories never fail to make me smile.    Unlike you I've never had a ton of luck on topwater, and when I got into them yesterday I thought about how proud Katie would be of me hammering em' on top.      You're spoiled, there's nothing more exciting than catching fish on top.      I'm slowly building my confidence after yesterday and now today.   You're gonna be buying a buzzbait while I'm gonna be buying a whopper plopper....almost bought my first the other day, but the same company makes the S Waver 168 and it was like two rows over.....the Monkey is relentless.  

 

I grew up reading Muskie stories like the one you just posted......everything about them seems epic.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, sdw215 said:

@AlabamaSpothunter that was awesome! I’ve not been able to catch anything with a buzzbait to date except a sore shoulder (old injury). Those fish were tearing yours up. 
 

I did manage to catch a decent LM this afternoon that was around 2 pounds +/-. The sun was settling behind the trees too making the scenery something to awe. I tossed a high bomber of a cast by accident due to the resident goose squawking like it saw a zombie. The fact it had sidled up close to me when it cut loose made it all the more unexpected.

 

Turned out the lure (One Knocker lipless crank in Sunset Craw) landed almost at the other end of the pond. Was halfway back with it when it must have slapped the fish and thumbed its nose at it on the way by. The LM wasn’t about to let that slide and nailed it with impunity. Needless to say he came to a ‘hook fight’ with only some fins and lips. ? Snapped his photo for posterity and sent him back on his way. Next cast was a snag so as it was getting darker I packed up after freeing up the lure.

 

Great looking fish Scott and appreciate the kind words.      That cart is killer. 

First time seeing your pond.......beautiful!     Nothing better than having your own pond

[TnRiver46]

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Didn't catch the numbers like I've been this last week, but a 3.5lb Spot made the day on the buzzbait, and for about 10mins I was treated by a truly epic show put on by a pack of dozens of big Spots.    I was lucky enough to get it on camera.    I've never seen anything like it.     Imagine flying carp but flying 2-4lb Spotted Bass.    

 

 

[Swamp Girl]

Chunky bass, Mr. 46.

 

Alex, you're pulling the Bass Resource wagon. It's as big as a Budweiser wagon because it's chock full of a million lures and there used to be a herd of Yankee horses in harness with you, but we northern horses are all growing fat in our feed bags and barns. You and a few others keep these threads alive because you keep pulling and thank goodness for that. Seeing you catch fish is the next best thing to catching fish and especially when you're catching them on the surface. 

 

 

Alex, I just watched that school video. It's. Your, Best. One. Yet! Too exciting. I love seeing bass on the surface and casting to them. 

[ScottW]

27 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Great looking fish Scott and appreciate the kind words.      That cart is killer. 

First time seeing your pond.......beautiful!     Nothing better than having your own pond

Thanks! A milk crate, some pvc, zip ties and voila! Instant gear toter. Can’t take credit for the pond. It’s part of the property my daughter and son in law bought a year or so ago. I just fish the heck out of it as often as I can. ?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

51 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Chunky bass, Mr. 46.

 

Alex, you're pulling the Bass Resource wagon. It's as big as a Budweiser wagon because it's chock full of a million lures and there used to be a herd of Yankee horses in harness with you, but we northern horses are all growing fat in our feed bags and barns. You and a few others keep these threads alive because you keep pulling and thank goodness for that. Seeing you catch fish is the next best thing to catching fish and especially when you're catching them on the surface. 

 

 

Alex, I just watched that school video. It's. Your, Best. One. Yet! Too exciting. I love seeing bass on the surface and casting to them. 

You're too kind friend!    This is most certainly the type of fishing you're accustomed to, there is just nothing like watching these fish on the surface, or the anticipation of waiting for that blowup.   

 

One of these days I'll catch half as many as you do on a good day.....around 25 or so up top, and at that point my excitement fuse will no doubt blow ?

 

[Swamp Girl]

Alex, I've been in Canada when the smallmouth were surface feeding. They'd snatch something from the surface and then you had ten seconds or less to land a surface Rapala within a three or four foot circle of where they hit. If you were quick enough and accurate enough, it was FISH ON! It was the best kind of nervous, wondering if you could meet the two criteria of speed and precision casting. 

 

White bass, on the other hand, are much less demanding. When they're chasing shad to the surface, "general direction" catches fish. 

[Blue Raider Bob]

Watched AlabamaSpothunters video about buzzbaits yesterday morning and go so tore up I had to leave work and head for the Big T! It was either work or fish buzzbaits! Easy choice. Started out using a small 1/8 that Chris Catignani used one day to hook a whale but all I could get were little dinks. Went to a size up and the bites slowed but the size increased. I couldn't set hooks because I hurt my wrist the other day but most of the little spots hooked themselves. Finally couldn't stand the pain any longer and went to trolling cranks. The were eating like sharks. Ended with 48 in four hours but big fish was only 16". Had a blast regardless. Had to show a photo of one of the small spots. His belly is so big I'm sure we was eating the rip-rap! 

13 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Didn't catch the numbers like I've been this last week, but a 3.5lb Spot made the day on the buzzbait, and for about 10mins I was treated by a truly epic show put on by a pack of dozens of big Spots.    I was lucky enough to get it on camera.    I've never seen anything like it.     Imagine flying carp but flying 2-4lb Spotted Bass.    

 

 

Oh my goodness! Don't panic! Just gittum!

 

I love it!!!!!

[Chris Catignani]

@Blue Raider Bob Looks like weights in that one Kentucky. Headed to Priest in a few...holler if your out.

[Blue Raider Bob]

11 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

@Blue Raider Bob Looks like weights in that one Kentucky. Headed to Priest in a few...holler if your out.

Thanks Chris but I really need to stay at work after playing hookey yesterday afternoon. Besides my wrist hurts so badly, I can't hold a rod. But let me know if they're biting and maybe I can down some Tylenol and man up!

[Chris Catignani]

16 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Thanks Chris but I really need to stay at work after playing hookey yesterday afternoon. Besides my wrist hurts so badly, I can't hold a rod. But let me know if they're biting and maybe I can down some Tylenol and man up!

I just need a net man...?

[hokiehunter373]

Been absent on here for a while because earlier sunsets and hunting season means I unfortunately don't have time for fishing.  Made some time before the time change to take the kids out on a warm day for a little bit after a morning hunt.

 

Had a buzzbait still tied on from this summer so I tried it out.  Only took a few casts and I was bringing in a decent ~2 pounder.

 

 

Let the kids try to find some bluegills with no luck.

 

 

 

Switched to a spinnerbait and caught this fish for like the 4th time this year.  HIs tail is finally looking better.

 

 

Had a fox come in to get a drink of water across the pond from us that both kids got to see and a bald eagle fly overhead as combines picked the corn.  Just can't beat this place, fish or no fish.

 

 

 

[Blue Raider Bob]

29 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

I just need a net man...?

Guys he's telling the truth! But why he wants me after I messed him up last time is hard to figure. He hooked a big smallie on the Cumberland and once, maybe twice I missed him before he went airborne and, Adios! He just took it in stride as he mumbled something under his breath!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Watched AlabamaSpothunters video about buzzbaits yesterday morning and go so tore up I had to leave work and head for the Big T! It was either work or fish buzzbaits! Easy choice. Started out using a small 1/8 that Chris Catignani used one day to hook a whale but all I could get were little dinks. Went to a size up and the bites slowed but the size increased. I couldn't set hooks because I hurt my wrist the other day but most of the little spots hooked themselves. Finally couldn't stand the pain any longer and went to trolling cranks. The were eating like sharks. Ended with 48 in four hours but big fish was only 16". Had a blast regardless. Had to show a photo of one of the small spots. His belly is so big I'm sure we was eating the rip-rap! 

Oh my goodness! Don't panic! Just gittum!

 

I love it!!!!!

Bob that's epic.......that one FAT fish makes me so happy, imagine how much that fish is eating ?

 

I don't care what size they are, 48 fish up top is incredible fishing.   

49 minutes ago, hokiehunter373 said:

Been absent on here for a while because earlier sunsets and hunting season means I unfortunately don't have time for fishing.  Made some time before the time change to take the kids out on a warm day for a little bit after a morning hunt.

 

Had a buzzbait still tied on from this summer so I tried it out.  Only took a few casts and I was bringing in a decent ~2 pounder.

 

 

Let the kids try to find some bluegills with no luck.

 

 

 

Switched to a spinnerbait and caught this fish for like the 4th time this year.  HIs tail is finally looking better.

 

 

Had a fox come in to get a drink of water across the pond from us that both kids got to see and a bald eagle fly overhead as combines picked the corn.  Just can't beat this place, fish or no fish.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful kids, and pics!   Great job Dad!  

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Alex, I've been in Canada when the smallmouth were surface feeding. They'd snatch something from the surface and then you had ten seconds or less to land a surface Rapala within a three or four foot circle of where they hit. If you were quick enough and accurate enough, it was FISH ON! It was the best kind of nervous, wondering if you could meet the two criteria of speed and precision casting. 

 

White bass, on the other hand, are much less demanding. When they're chasing shad to the surface, "general direction" catches fish. 

It surely ruins you to some degree to other types of baits.    I started back fishing this year being a 90% bottom contact guy, but incredibly that's flipped to 90% moving baits.   

 

I'm already thinking about how hard it's going to be to transition back to the bottom, and slow fishing.    Fishing is already exciting, but topwater takes it over the edge.  

[Swamp Girl]

Alex, I agree that surface fishing is tops, literally and figuratively. I'd rather catch one musky/largemouth/smallmouth on the surface than two beneath the surface. Then there's froggin', which is Surface Fishing 2.0 Ultra XXXL, since they're hunkered under the lily pads a couple feet from you and whereas they want to eat a Whopper Plopper, they want to obliterate a frog. Like muskies on the surface sometimes do, I've seen bass make those V's in their haste to clobber my frog and if they could talk, they'd say, "Bass smash puny frog!"

 

hokiehunter lives in Heaven. This is me looking at hokiehunters' photos:

 

[ScottW]

4 hours ago, hokiehunter373 said:

Been absent on here for a while because earlier sunsets and hunting season means I unfortunately don't have time for fishing.  Made some time before the time change to take the kids out on a warm day for a little bit after a morning hunt.

 

Had a buzzbait still tied on from this summer so I tried it out.  Only took a few casts and I was bringing in a decent ~2 pounder.

 

 

Let the kids try to find some bluegills with no luck.

 

 

 

Switched to a spinnerbait and caught this fish for like the 4th time this year.  HIs tail is finally looking better.

 

 

Had a fox come in to get a drink of water across the pond from us that both kids got to see and a bald eagle fly overhead as combines picked the corn.  Just can't beat this place, fish or no fish.

 

 

 

 

Those are some awesome pictures! My daughter used to use bread, string and a hook to fish with back when she was around your kids age. She’d make us look bad with how many she’d catch. Beautiful scenery too. Can’t beat that at all!

[Blue Raider Bob]

3 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Bob that's epic.......that one FAT fish makes me so happy, imagine how much that fish is eating ?

 

I don't care what size they are, 48 fish up top is incredible fishing.   

Beautiful kids, and pics!   Great job Dad!  

It surely ruins you to some degree to other types of baits.    I started back fishing this year being a 90% bottom contact guy, but incredibly that's flipped to 90% moving baits.   

 

I'm already thinking about how hard it's going to be to transition back to the bottom, and slow fishing.    Fishing is already exciting, but topwater takes it over the edge.  

One crazy thing about yesterday was I hung a good fish while trolling a Shad Rap. While fighting the heavy fish against the current my line got hung up and the current started pulling drag. I got the boat turned around with the trolling motor and headed upriver to try to retrieve my Shad Rap. All of a sudden there was a big fish leap by the boat and I could see him down in the clear water. There was my Shad Rap in the mouth of a large Spotted Bass at least ten feet away from where my line was wrapped around submerged timber. I was not about to break off and leave this fish with a crank bait stuck in it's mouth If I could help it. I reached down with my net as far as I could go while fighting the current with the trolling motor. Twice I had him in the net but when I lifted the net the tangled line pulled him out of the net before I could get my fingers on him. It was getting dark and I was in panic mode. I got soaked trying to reach him with my arms but finally he pulled free and I netted my Shad Rap and cut the line. Drove home with wet clothes and lost my probable PB Spot but was more than happy to see him go!

[Swamp Girl]

Thanks for working so hard to free that bass, Bob. You lost the fish, but caught a heckuva yarn. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

2 hours ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

One crazy thing about yesterday was I hung a good fish while trolling a Shad Rap. While fighting the heavy fish against the current my line got hung up and the current started pulling drag. I got the boat turned around with the trolling motor and headed upriver to try to retrieve my Shad Rap. All of a sudden there was a big fish leap by the boat and I could see him down in the clear water. There was my Shad Rap in the mouth of a large Spotted Bass at least ten feet away from where my line was wrapped around submerged timber. I was not about to break off and leave this fish with a crank bait stuck in it's mouth If I could help it. I reached down with my net as far as I could go while fighting the current with the trolling motor. Twice I had him in the net but when I lifted the net the tangled line pulled him out of the net before I could get my fingers on him. It was getting dark and I was in panic mode. I got soaked trying to reach him with my arms but finally he pulled free and I netted my Shad Rap and cut the line. Drove home with wet clothes and lost my probable PB Spot but was more than happy to see him go!

Hate to hear about the PB aspect, but you collected lots of karma on that deal.    

 

Considering that you recently got a new Spot PB, I'd bet heavily on you topping that one soon enough Bob.    The universe might just reward you with this same fish but only in a year when it's a 4-5lb fish