Latest Catch Pics Thread

[T-Billy]

20 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Fished in the snow this morning.

Something I haven't done in  awhile.

Paid off.

A-Jay

 

 

A-Jay... Wow... Way to go brother!!! You're off to a heckuva start!!! Congrats!!! I love fishing in the snow too. Those days just have a magical feeling about them.

[Skunkmaster-k]

21 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Fished in the snow this morning.

Something I haven't done in  awhile.

Paid off.

A-Jay

 

 

Gosh dang dude !

[Team9nine]

It was a 3 forum posts day, but I’ll save myself the trouble and wrap it up in one post here ?

 

Record cold overnight and a light NE breeze slowed the bite down, as expected. Caught 17, mostly on Ned, but dumped the only good fish hooked (Latest catch pics thread).

 

Bonus was a 10.5” hybrid gill on Ned, which this location has some bruisers (Other Species Latest Catch Pics Thread).

 

And was reminded again that I’m not the only one pressuring these fish (Found lures thread).

 

 

 

[N Florida Mike]

Got 16 this afternoon, mostly on speed worms and yum dingers. It was one of those weather days I love. Maybe 10 mph breeze, cloudy, temps in the 70s. I caught most of the fish  on the retrieve… 

 

 

 

 

[softwateronly]

Got some time walking the rocks on the big lake and got into a few fat clones.  1/4oz ball head and little ez in hammonds herring did the catching.  

 

scott

 

[Swamp Girl]

@N Florida Mike, your smiles always make me smile.

 

@softwateronly, I add two inches to each of your fish given where you're fishing. You're mountain goatish!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

18 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Got some time walking the rocks on the big lake and got into a few fat clones.  1/4oz ball head and little ez in hammonds herring did the catching.  

 

scott

 

What an epic shot that is with the city skyline in the background.    That's the only way I could live in a big city.

 

Fantastic fish as well.  

10 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@N Florida Mike, your smiles always make me smile.

 

@softwateronly, I add two inches to each of your fish given where you're fishing. You're mountain goatish!

100% Katie, when people wonder why we love to Bass fish, just show them Mike's smile.   

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Caught a fish today that really fooled me, for about 30-45 secs I thought I had the white whale.   Just last night I finally swapped over to 15lb Pline Ultimate Fluoro, had I not there is a 50/50 chance this fish broke that PLine 12lb CXX.    She exploded to the surface like a Beaver slap, and then proceeded to bulldog for half a minute. Spectacular fighting fish, but she only went 5.11, a far cry from what I thought.  It's been since Feb. that I felt that rush of fear and anxiety.   

 

Caught another 3.5-4lb fish, and then 10 other 1-2lb fish.....all on the D Bomb.  I was targeting shaded weed lines on wind-blown banks.    Big Swimbait, buzzbait, squarebill.....nothing, not a single bite.   Meanwhile this stupid T-Rigged creature bait keeps the lights on ?   This is the fourth color now that I've had really great results with, it's called bruised plum.    More evidence in my book that color just doesn't matter as much as we think it does.    The average fish size on this bait continues to impress me.   

 

[Cbump]

3.5 pounder with a 5 pound head. 
 

 

And a blue fin sand bass

 

 

[softwateronly]

41 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@N Florida Mike, your smiles always make me smile.

 

@softwateronly, I add two inches to each of your fish given where you're fishing. You're mountain goatish!

Ha Ha!!  I'm not always a fan of trekking out on the rocks, but that's the narrow breakwater entrance to the harbor full of current and deep water.  Talked with the CFD the other day when their rookie rescue diver was putting in time, the older guy said he's seen schools of giants right at the mouth of the harbor.  So for now, I'm gonna continue slo mo goating out there to get a chance.

 

38 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

What an epic shot that is with the city skyline in the background.    That's the only way I could live in a big city.

 

Fantastic fish as well.  

100% Katie, when people wonder why we love to Bass fish, just show them Mike's smile.   

It certainly helps!  April and May can get the big girls within reach. 

 

scott

[T-Billy]

4 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

That's the only way I could live in a big city.

I couldn't do it. No way, no how. I didn't like living in a city of 30k, but couldn't talk the wife into moving out in the boonies, so we settled on my childhood home town of about 350 people. We're both happy here. 

[T-Billy]

4 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Caught a fish today that really fooled me, for about 30-45 secs I thought I had the white whale.   Just last night I finally swapped over to 15lb Pline Ultimate Fluoro, had I not there is a 50/50 chance this fish broke that PLine 12lb CXX.    She exploded to the surface like a Beaver slap, and then proceeded to bulldog for half a minute. Spectacular fighting fish, but she only went 5.11, a far cry from what I thought.  It's been since Feb. that I felt that rush of fear and anxiety.   

 

Caught another 3.5-4lb fish, and then 10 other 1-2lb fish.....all on the D Bomb.  I was targeting shaded weed lines on wind-blown banks.    Big Swimbait, buzzbait, squarebill.....nothing, not a single bite.   Meanwhile this stupid T-Rigged creature bait keeps the lights on ?   This is the fourth color now that I've had really great results with, it's called bruised plum.    More evidence in my book that color just doesn't matter as much as we think it does.    The average fish size on this bait continues to impress me.   

 

Man, I love the looks of that shoreline Alex. You dropping that bomb into the middle of those weedbeds on 15#?

[Swamp Girl]

Alex, I love hard-fighting fish. L-O-V-E them! If fishing is just about weight and length, that's akin to buying a house simply because it keeps you warm and dry. Sure, warm and dry is enough for some home buyers, but whereas some home buyers also want energy efficiency, beauty, and privacy, some fishers also lean into the fight, the weather challenges, the wildlife, tenacity, and solving the puzzle. 

 

Speaking of leaning into something, I could see her straining against your rod, like a dog that's digging into the soil with four sets of claws and leaning way back.

 

You might want to upgrade your net. Of the many purchases I made this winter, I love my new net the most. It has an aluminum handle, is so long that I never worry about reaching a fish or breaking it (I broke two plastic-handled nets in 2023.), and the netting is 100% rubber, so lures don't get caught in it, unlike rubberized string, which is better than plain string, but lures still get tangled. I tried to find my site of purchase so that I could link to it, but couldn't. The only drawback is its weight, but for now, I can manage it. 

[PhishLI]

It was chilly enough last night to where the smell of firewood was in the air again. It's a strange thing to say, but I'm happy about it. Hopefully the cold will knock back this unusually early algae bloom we're seeing. Heavy rainfall on Sunday night helped to wash a dash of it over the dams, but heavy rain rarely helps the bite in super shallow water, and that's just how it played out last night. They wanted to eat, but not aggressively. Lots of nips on the bottom, and light swipes and slurps at treble baits up top. Had a few barely-hooked topwater eaters shake off but got me a few in the end. A Whopper Plopper 75 in Perch cranked so slowly it was barely ploppin' was the shizzle.

 

[Swamp Girl]

@PhishLI: You caught a bass on a Whopper Plopper! I'm so jelly you might as well call me Mrs. Smuckers.

 

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

7 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Man, I love the looks of that shoreline Alex. You dropping that bomb into the middle of those weedbeds on 15#?

Yeah that CXX was getting so abraded when it would wrap over a branch.  This stuff is right up your alley, pretty sure the guy who caught a 12+ did so flipping and pitching

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

Alex, I love hard-fighting fish. L-O-V-E them! If fishing is just about weight and length, that's akin to buying a house simply because it keeps you warm and dry. Sure, warm and dry is enough for some home buyers, but whereas some home buyers also want energy efficiency, beauty, and privacy, some fishers also lean into the fight, the weather challenges, the wildlife, tenacity, and solving the puzzle. 

 

Speaking of leaning into something, I could see her straining against your rod, like a dog that's digging into the soil with four sets of claws and leaning way back.

 

You might want to upgrade your net. Of the many purchases I made this winter, I love my new net the most. It has an aluminum handle, is so long that I never worry about reaching a fish or breaking it (I broke two plastic-handled nets in 2023.), and the netting is 100% rubber, so lures don't get caught in it, unlike rubberized string, which is better than plain string, but lures still get tangled. I tried to find my site of purchase so that I could link to it, but couldn't. The only drawback is its weight, but for now, I can manage it. 

Awesome stuff Katie, and thanks for the suggestion on the net.   I agree for sure on the rubber idea, I've wanted to make the switch for some time.    I'm sure the rubber netting is much better for them as well.    A-Jay really has a fantastic process and tools for post catch.   It's always a priority and balancing job of getting enough time with your fish all the while making sure you release as quickly as possible.  

 

That was my Grandfather's net he used fishing in Canada, thing is super old, but oddly very light weight.   I have to think he's smiling every time a toad gets netted.  He was a Walleye man though. 

 

I was watching the Elite derby this past weekend, and its funny how many times a Bass fools even the best pros in terms of size.   

[AlabamaSpothunter]

8 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I couldn't do it. No way, no how. I didn't like living in a city of 30k, but couldn't talk the wife into moving out in the boonies, so we settled on my childhood home town of about 350 people. We're both happy here. 

Amen brother, and I could deal with 350 no problem, sounds like heaven....bet their are more dogs and cats than people.....a sure recipe for a happy place ?

 

I live about 20 minutes from downtown Birmingham, and that place could be the North Pole for all I'm concerned.    Not gonna end up on the First 48 ?

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

It was chilly enough last night to where the smell of firewood was in the air again. It's a strange thing to say, but I'm happy about it. Hopefully the cold will knock back this unusually early algae bloom we're seeing. Heavy rainfall on Sunday night helped to wash a dash of it over the dams, but heavy rain rarely helps the bite in super shallow water, and that's just how it played out last night. They wanted to eat, but not aggressively. Lots of nips on the bottom, and light swipes and slurps at treble baits up top. Had a few barely-hooked topwater eaters shake off but got me a few in the end. A Whopper Plopper 75 in Perch cranked so slowly it was barely ploppin' was the shizzle.

 

Great stuff, and you work so hard for your fish.   Ain't nothing soft about the way for fish ?

[gim]

20 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

That was my Grandfather's net he used fishing in Canada, thing is super old, but oddly very light weight.   I have to think he's smiling every time a toad gets netted.  He was a Walleye man though. 

My Grandfather gave me his muskie net in 2012 before he died of cancer.  He asked me if there was anything he owned that I wanted to inherit and I told him 1) his turkey blind, or 2) his muskie net.  I ended up with both.  The muskie net is a Beckman.

 

He was a die hard walleye angler too, especially later in his life.  He used to muskie fish a lot but as he aged, he did less of that because he couldn't physically do it anymore. 

 

Every spring when I turkey hunt in that blind and every time I use that net on a muskie, I am reminded of him.  Ironically, I'll be turkey hunting tomorrow morning.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

My Grandfather gave me his muskie net in 2012 before he died of cancer.  He asked me if there was anything he owned that I wanted to inherit and I told him 1) his turkey blind, or 2) his muskie net.  I ended up with both.

 

He was a die hard walleye angler too, especially later in his life.  He used to muskie fish a lot but as he aged, he did less of that because he couldn't physically do it anymore. 

 

Every spring when I turkey hunt in that blind and every time I use that net on a muskie, I am reminded of him.  Ironically, I'll be turkey hunting tomorrow morning.

That's awesome!   Hope you score a gobbler tomorrow as well buddy!  

[thediscochef]

That's a peach, hon! Oh golly I'm hot today ????

[Team9nine]

Got out while the cloud cover and sprinkles were still around. Could have used more wind, and some rain to raise the water level a bit would be greatly appreciated - lol. Fish are really wanting to hang shallow in this lake due to the water primrose, but the dropping water level is making that tougher. Still had a fun afternoon catching 15 bass on a mix of swimbaits and swim jigs in just a foot or three of water.

 

 

[GreenPig]

Caught 2 LM and 11 Spots today. The new 4.25" Nikko Hellgrammite in Green Pumpkin works.

[Swamp Girl]

@GreenPig: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not another lure to buy!!!!

7 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

That was my Grandfather's net he used fishing in Canada, thing is super old, but oddly very light weight.   I have to think he's smiling every time a toad gets netted.  He was a Walleye man though. 

 

Ahh, you already have the perfect net. 

[T-Billy]

7 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Yeah that CXX was getting so abraded when it would wrap over a branch.  This stuff is right up your alley,

My favorite way to catch 'em for sure. Better get yourself a dedicated braid setup before the White Whale breaks your line and your heart in that jungle. I experienced that twice in two years with fluoro, went back to heavy mono for a year, then went to braid and never looked back.

7 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Amen brother, and I could deal with 350 no problem, sounds like heaven....bet their are more dogs and cats than people.....a sure recipe for a happy place ?

It's kinda like we moved back to 1980 in some ways. We just had dinner and ice cream at the dairy a half block over. Have a small, but well stocked hardware store with a knowledgable and friendly owner. Dollar General, lake a half block down the street, launch ramp one mile away, small family park. It's Mayberry pretty much. All in all... a pretty great place to live.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

My favorite way to catch 'em for sure. Better get yourself a dedicated braid setup before the White Whale breaks your line and your heart in that jungle. I experienced that twice in two years with fluoro, went back to heavy mono for a year, then went to braid and never looked back.

It's kinda like we moved back to 1980 in some ways. We just had dinner and ice cream at the dairy a half block over. Have a small, but well stocked hardware store with a knowledgable and friendly owner. Dollar General, lake a half block down the street, launch ramp one mile away, small family park. It's Mayberry pretty much. All in all... a pretty great place to live.

Yeah a new T-Rig/Jig setup is at the top of the list, and I think it's time to revisit braid.....wow I just said that, and slapped myself at the same time ?

 

Your locale sounds fantastic, and there is a perfect balance between rural and suburban living which it sounds like you found.    Without the female species, I'm pretty sure we'd still be living in huts in the sticks with $100k Bass rigs parked outside ?