How did you do this year?

[T-Billy]

7 hours ago, ElijahH said:

I'm also in Ohio and really start to struggle around October when the temps start dropping, what's some strategies? 

Rocks, wood, and docks once the weeds die off. TRD Bug on rock is where I generally start.   Jerks and swimbaits over rock and weed stubble. Tubes, jigs, and T rigs if they're on wood. Tough right now, but the surface temp was 68 at Leesville yesterday. Better days are just around the corner. Afternoons are best once it cools into the 50's and the lakes turn over.

[N Florida Mike]

Ive had the lowest numbers and big fish in the last 14 years. The fish have not been biting . I honestly have tried nearly everything in my bag of tools and nothing is paying off.

Whats strange is that last year was one of my best numbers years.  I think the best numbers day I had this year was 20, and I had a friend along. But most days we caught no more than 10 or so.

Fishing alone more this year. Didnt have many days when I caught more than 10.

Big fish have been nearly non existent. Last year’s biggest was 4.15, which is way off normal. I dont think Ive caught but one that was just over 4 this year. I think Ive been  spoiled a little because the fishing around here had been SO good up until this year…

It just doesn’t make sense… Hoping fall will perk things up - it usually does.

[Koz]

The time I spent fishing this year decreased about 90% compared to the last five years or so. Part of that was due to work, but most of it was due to location. I know that's hard to believe since I actually run a hotel on a big lake.

 

But in the past I lived where there were thousands of lagoons holding bass. I could drive, bike, or walk from lagoon to lagoon and bank fish at any time in thousands of productive spots. Now I have to haul the kayak down to the lake and then pedal for a few miles to get to semi productive spots. 

 

As for production, I caught very little this year and only one five pounder and one six pounder for decent sized fish. I used to catch 5 pounders almost every week fishing the banks.

 

Contending with pleasure boaters is also a hassle. I'd rather deal with the occasional alligator while bank fishing. That being said, I think once I get a new vehicle that can haul my kayak to other launches and lakes I'll get my motivation back.

[Spankey]

I’m not ready to pull the plug quite yet. If I’m gonna catch a real nice one it is in this time period. 
 

I’m not gonna brag about my season. I actually took myself away from bigger fish to fish at home on the river. I had to see if it was rebounding and on its way to some kind of recovery. I had to do it for my mind and soul as corny as that sounds. It was good for both. 30 fish outings a couple of times, with a lot of dinks and runts but managed an nice size handful of 16 & 17” fish. 
 

I’ve been back on the lake for awhile now, hurricane destroyed a couple of my ramps. Water has been looking beautiful there though. Probably just finish my season there. I’m going to check out another river ramp I’ve never used before or fished that section. Could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Never know. 

[huZZah]

I do better numbers summer through fall, but I do better size winter through spring. And I’ve come to enjoy cold fishing cause no one else is out there. 
 

So numbers wise I’ve done fine, size wise I’m past it. 

[Spankey]

10 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I still feel like I am nowhere close to figuring out this sport. That being said, every year I look back at what I did the past year and think "wow, I was really dumb." Happens without fail. I expect every year to be better for me at least for a little while. It's been a great year so far. Catching something over 3lbs used to be an absolute anomaly for me

I would say keep doing what you are doing. Reflecting on past outing can only help. 
 

I had to do something like that with fishing squarebills. Crankbait fishing is a huge part of my fishing. This year I threw a lot of SB’s, nothing caught to brag about but have no reservations about tying one on or throwing it in certain situations now. 
 

I’m older I’m sure than you. Never to old to try and learn something new. You have your whole life to progress. 

[scaleface]

I''ve been clobbering 2 and 3 lbers . Lots of limits with that size fish . Only 2 over 5 but my big fish often come this time of year .

[Lucas G.]

I have had one hell of a year so far. This is my first year seriously getting into fishing. I only have kayaks and a 14 foot jon boat with no graphs or nothing. The spring was slow and I got a late start cause I barely knew a lot about bass fishing but as the summer started creeping in I managed to catch a lot of good ones. Just as July was coming near I was able to get away with a 16 pounder 29 inch PB as well as a 15 pounder and a 13 pounder within June. I knew the summer pattern and was able to really stick with it. I put in countless hours on the lake I was fishing which were at least 4-8 hours ever single time. The summer was a great time for me and I knew my local pattern so well I could go anywhere and dominate them. Now getting into fall for me and lakes are starting to turnover in the shallow parts it is getting tougher. Although I have still been able to get at least a 3 or 4 pounder maybe 5 pounder every week  on crankbaits on ledges and shade lines, things have been changing and the this is my first fall that I will be heavily seriously fishing so it will be a test of my knowledge. Only time will tell since I do not have a graph or fish finder if I will be able to keep up with this rapidly changing fall transition. Hopefully I can still get away with at least another 8 pounder before this season ends because for the last couple months since June I have caught at least an 8+ pounder every month.

[N Florida Mike]

2 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

I have had one hell of a year so far. This is my first year seriously getting into fishing. I only have kayaks and a 14 foot jon boat with no graphs or nothing. The spring was slow and I got a late start cause I barely knew a lot about bass fishing but as the summer started creeping in I managed to catch a lot of good ones. Just as July was coming near I was able to get away with a 16 pounder 29 inch PB as well as a 15 pounder and a 13 pounder within June. I knew the summer pattern and was able to really stick with it. I put in countless hours on the lake I was fishing which were at least 4-8 hours ever single time. The summer was a great time for me and I knew my local pattern so well I could go anywhere and dominate them. Now getting into fall for me and lakes are starting to turnover in the shallow parts it is getting tougher. Although I have still been able to get at least a 3 or 4 pounder maybe 5 pounder every week  on crankbaits on ledges and shade lines, things have been changing and the this is my first fall that I will be heavily seriously fishing so it will be a test of my knowledge. Only time will tell since I do not have a graph or fish finder if I will be able to keep up with this rapidly changing fall transition. Hopefully I can still get away with at least another 8 pounder before this season ends because for the last couple months since June I have caught at least an 8+ pounder every month.

Where are you fishing? mexico?

[Lucas G.]

Just now, N Florida Mike said:

Where are you fishing? mexico?

Lemme just say this...Georgia lakes and summers can bring some crazy things.

[TnRiver46]

This year? Just getting started. December is always best 

[DogBone_384]

Meh, numbers were consistent, but nothing of any size.  So far the highlight was my wife catching her first SMB that came in at 3.62 pounds. 
 

I’m not done yet. I fish as long as there’s open water.

 

Congrats to those with new personal bests this year.

[Dwight Hottle]

38 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

I have had one hell of a year so far. This is my first year seriously getting into fishing. I only have kayaks and a 14 foot jon boat with no graphs or nothing. The spring was slow and I got a late start cause I barely knew a lot about bass fishing but as the summer started creeping in I managed to catch a lot of good ones. Just as July was coming near I was able to get away with a 16 pounder 29 inch PB as well as a 15 pounder and a 13 pounder within June. I knew the summer pattern and was able to really stick with it. I put in countless hours on the lake I was fishing which were at least 4-8 hours ever single time. The summer was a great time for me and I knew my local pattern so well I could go anywhere and dominate them. Now getting into fall for me and lakes are starting to turnover in the shallow parts it is getting tougher. Although I have still been able to get at least a 3 or 4 pounder maybe 5 pounder every week  on crankbaits on ledges and shade lines, things have been changing and the this is my first fall that I will be heavily seriously fishing so it will be a test of my knowledge. Only time will tell since I do not have a graph or fish finder if I will be able to keep up with this rapidly changing fall transition. Hopefully I can still get away with at least another 8 pounder before this season ends because for the last couple months since June I have caught at least an 8+ pounder every month.

 

Welcome to BR. Why don't you share a picture of that new PB with us. I'm sure everyone would love to see it. 

[TheBasslayer]

I broke my PB bass twice, caught my PB smallmouth, caught more 3 pounders than ever  and gained a ton of knowledge about how to fish and where to fish. So I can safely say that I have the best fishing year out of the last 4 years of fishing.

[LrgmouthShad]

42 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

This year? Just getting started. December is always best 

??. People in here talking about how great fall is. I’m out of my mind excited for winter! Well… winter break in NC anyway….

[Spankey]

Even though I’m still winding it down long about now, it gets me to thinking about needs for next season. I really need nothing. For this season I wanted to mount a hands free type spotlight. I’ve used it more the last few weeks than I did this whole season. For over the winter I need to repair a burnt out led on my pointer of my trolling motor and 1 half out the head body has developed a crack so I’ll do that at the same time. I’d like to get my hands on one of those Ike delay rods and maybe have someone to get it for me for Christmas. But would like to touch one first. 

8 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

??. People in here talking about how great fall is. I’m out of my mind excited for winter! Well… winter break in NC anyway….

Nice!

[RichF]

My fishing days have been few and far between over the last few years but covid and telework has allowed for a little more time back home in upstate NY.  I was able to get out 2 days early in the spring and beat up on the pre-spawn smallies.  50+ fish day with a 27-28lb 5 fish limit.  Stayed a month up in NY over the summer and was able to fish 4 team tournaments with my dad.  Ended up with a 1st, 2 2nds, and a 3rd.  Overall, pretty good year, just wish I had more days on the water!

[Lucas G.]

I did not hold the bass outwards. I held it towards my body so it is an accurate scale to my body. It was 29 inches and had a giant belly. 

[TnRiver46]

5 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

I did not hold the bass outwards. I held it towards my body so it is an accurate scale to my body. It was 29 inches and had a giant belly. 

Holy moly!!!! Congrats 

[gim]

Overall, this season has not been very good.  Considering that last season was the best I've ever had in 22 years of fishing here, it was a bit of a let down.   August was by far the best time period as we actually had consistent weather changes and low pressure fronts that triggered fish to bite.

 

We are in the worst drought since 1988 here and I am positive that is playing a role.  Low water levels, hot/dry/sunny weather all the time, and high pressure make for some tough fishing.

 

I've got about a month left to fish here.  Its still very unseasonably warm.  Water temps are almost 70 here and its gonna 85 degrees (air temp) later this afternoon.

 

I set out to set a new PB in the largemouth category and I'm not confident that is going to happen lol.

[Lucas G.]

10 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Holy moly!!!! Congrats 

Thank you! 

[Bass_Fanatic]

Looking back through our logs we have caught close to 6000 crappie and 8000 bass this year.   Biggest bass being 10.17lbs. 

[LrgmouthShad]

14 minutes ago, Bass_Fanatic said:

Looking back through our logs we have caught close to 6000 crappie and 8000 bass this year.   Biggest bass being 10.17lbs. 

That's insane

[ElijahH]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

This year? Just getting started. December is always best 

I know I really need to work on fishing deeper into the season, but I usually start to get distracted by bow season. And here in SE Ohio we've seen temps in the 40s already. 

14 minutes ago, Bass_Fanatic said:

Looking back through our logs we have caught close to 6000 crappie and 8000 bass this year.   Biggest bass being 10.17lbs. 

That's crazy!

[Black Hawk Basser]

Had a great spring with several very nice river smallmouth.  Didn't so well on largemouth, mainly due to my main lake getting a terrible algae bloom and even more pleasure boaters than normal.  Didn't fish for largemouth as much as other years..in fact, I didn't fish as much in general this year.  I did get 1 Iowa master angler qualifying largemouth in August.

 

Through late June and July, my son and I had several amazing evenings trolling cranks for big crappies.  Seeing his satisfaction was the most rewarding.

 

I have 4 Fridays off in October/November and I hope to hit the bucket mouths hard on those days before the snow flies.