How'd you do this year?

[CM-fisher]

Unlike in 2021, I did not start out too well. I think I was only able to go fishing twice in May and caught about 3 per trip. But I really dedicated myself to start fishing deeper as the season wore on, and I found that getting out on the water by 5:00 made for some good mornings. I also got the hang of jig fishing and got a little bit addicted to it. So I ended up catching most of my big fish in July, which is unusual for me. And I caught my PB smallmouth while camping (but did not get a picture because I didn't bring my phone or a camera) Here are some of the best catches:

[12poundbass]

Terrible! I never got the boat out once. Work, life, and a new house killed the dream of trying new lakes in my area. 
 

5-6 long months to wait and have regrets about this year. ?

[N Florida Mike]

On 11/9/2022 at 2:56 PM, Aaron_H said:

 

 

That's awesome! I know the first one I saw was with that speed craw trailer, did you stick with that or did you find something else that worked for you?

Yes, I caught all the fish with it as a trailer 

I was thinking about it today and caught one out back  on it between storm bands…?

[Junk Fisherman]

My fishing year in a grade was a D+.

 

The year started off great for me.  I recovered from a broken wrist in early February with a fantastic March.  I finished 4th in a very competitive club tournament on a local lake in which I had big bass jump off just a couple feet from the net.  That fish would have given me a 2nd place finish and some cash but I was still happy with my performance.  I then took my annual late March southern Illinois trip by catching my PB largemouth and a bunch of other real quality fish.  Followed up my March success with a 2nd place finish in a local club tournament with a big bass (5.7) on a heavily pressured body of water.  Once again, I had a big fish get off but this time it cost me the W.  At least I got the cash and the prestige of catching a great fish.

 

So my spring was a solid A and then my motor blew up.  20 days out of warranty with 191 hours and my starter or flywheel went (techs didn’t know which went first) and the resulting damage caused the block to need to be REPLACED.  Techs said it was a 1-in-a-million malfunction and they had never seen it before.  I contemplated trading in the boat rather than pay for the repair.  This happened on the first day of my summer vacation (I’m a teacher).  This malfunction effectively ruined my summer.  Needless to say, I fish a lot over the summer taking multiple trips up north to premier smallmouth waters.  These trips are the highlights of my year.  I still took a June family vacation trip to Grand Traverse Bay using my 9.9 kicker motor to limp around but it wasn’t the same.  The whole uncertainty of whether Yamaha was going to offer me any support for an 11K+ repair was a constant negative.  It took away my motivation to fish and was a source of depression.  Plus, I couldn't get an answer and was checking my phone constantly to see if the marine shop or Yamaha called.  Last summer, I lost 2 months to pneumonia and Covid and this summer my motor broke down on the first day of my summer vacation and it wasn’t repaired until early August.  I was only able to get out twice before I had to return to work.

 

So not only did my motor issues take away the heart of my fishing season and sap my motivation to fish but my trip to Grand Traverse Bay resulted in the worst fishing I’ve ever had there.  I was SKUNKED 2 of the 5 days I fished.  I have an area that is my favorite place on Earth to fish and something was wrong.  I have been going there over 10 years and am dialed in during June.  There was a major alewife die-off which I suspect was the culprit.  I talked to other fishermen and locals said they had never seen anything like it.  I had a day with a 22 lb bag and caught a couple over 4 but the trip was a major disappointment overall.

 

So eventually Yamaha came through after a lot of negotiating and they agreed to supply the head and I only had to pay for the labor.  But even once I got my boat back, I’ve only had one real good day since.  Lake Michigan in August has been great for me the last few years but this year it was a bunch of small fish with only a few quality fish mixed in.

 

After writing this it reminded me how depressed I was over my motor.  I would tell myself that not having my boat was a First World problem and that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself but I just lost my motivation to fish.  Then our 8-year old beloved dog died suddenly in a painful episode of what we suspect was a brain tumor.  I also had to go wrap up my father’s home that we had been holding onto since he passed away in 2020.  That was a painful reminder of the loss.  So yeah, my summer pretty much sucked and my fall fishing has been disappointing.  But I’m getting out tomorrow hoping that the big ones turn on with the cold front!!

[TnRiver46]

20 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

My fishing year in a grade was a D+.

 

The year started off great for me.  I recovered from a broken wrist in early February with a fantastic March.  I finished 4th in a very competitive club tournament on a local lake in which I had big bass jump off just a couple feet from the net.  That fish would have given me a 2nd place finish and some cash but I was still happy with my performance.  I then took my annual late March southern Illinois trip by catching my PB largemouth and a bunch of other real quality fish.  Followed up my March success with a 2nd place finish in a local club tournament with a big bass (5.7) on a heavily pressured body of water.  Once again, I had a big fish get off but this time it cost me the W.  At least I got the cash and the prestige of catching a great fish.

 

So my spring was a solid A and then my motor blew up.  20 days out of warranty with 191 hours and my starter or flywheel went (techs didn’t know which went first) and the resulting damage caused the block to need to be REPLACED.  Techs said it was a 1-in-a-million malfunction and they had never seen it before.  I contemplated trading in the boat rather than pay for the repair.  This happened on the first day of my summer vacation (I’m a teacher).  This malfunction effectively ruined my summer.  Needless to say, I fish a lot over the summer taking multiple trips up north to premier smallmouth waters.  These trips are the highlights of my year.  I still took a June family vacation trip to Grand Traverse Bay using my 9.9 kicker motor to limp around but it wasn’t the same.  The whole uncertainty of whether Yamaha was going to offer me any support for an 11K+ repair was a constant negative.  It took away my motivation to fish and was a source of depression.  Plus, I couldn't get an answer and was checking my phone constantly to see if the marine shop or Yamaha called.  Last summer, I lost 2 months to pneumonia and Covid and this summer my motor broke down on the first day of my summer vacation and it wasn’t repaired until early August.  I was only able to get out twice before I had to return to work.

 

So not only did my motor issues take away the heart of my fishing season and sap my motivation to fish but my trip to Grand Traverse Bay resulted in the worst fishing I’ve ever had there.  I was SKUNKED 2 of the 5 days I fished.  I have an area that is my favorite place on Earth to fish and something was wrong.  I have been going there over 10 years and am dialed in during June.  There was a major alewife die-off which I suspect was the culprit.  I talked to other fishermen and locals said they had never seen anything like it.  I had a day with a 22 lb bag and caught a couple over 4 but the trip was a major disappointment overall.

 

So eventually Yamaha came through after a lot of negotiating and they agreed to supply the head and I only had to pay for the labor.  But even once I got my boat back, I’ve only had one real good day since.  Lake Michigan in August has been great for me the last few years but this year it was a bunch of small fish with only a few quality fish mixed in.

 

After writing this it reminded me how depressed I was over my motor.  I would tell myself that not having my boat was a First World problem and that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself but I just lost my motivation to fish.  Then our 8-year old beloved dog died suddenly in a painful episode of what we suspect was a brain tumor.  I also had to go wrap up my father’s home that we had been holding onto since he passed away in 2020.  That was a painful reminder of the loss.  So yeah, my summer pretty much sucked and my fall fishing has been disappointing.  But I’m getting out tomorrow hoping that the big ones turn on with the cold front!!

You deserve a banner day, buddy! Go get em 

[TriStateBassin106]

This season was definitely a slight regression from the amazing season I had last year. 2022 I started off hot with a great spring/spawn bite in April and May but as the summer began it got tough and I had to slow down/finesse them 70% of the time with worms jigs texas rigs etc, it was the same way heading into to the fall. One thing I can't complain about though is I caught a bunch of nice size fish this year, In my neck of the woods that's 3 to 5lbers. but yeah I just couldn't get on that good reaction bite like I always seem to do years before, especially during the spring and fall which was non existent this year. I probably only caught a handful of fish on moving baits this fall. 

 

New Jersey also suffered a pretty bad drought this summer which probably had some effect on the fish. I guess overall I had high expectations going into the season based on last year but one thing I learned over the years is that in bass fishing nothing ever really goes to plan and you have to fall back on what you know works. if I had to count I probably caught 35 fish less than my final number from last year, which was close to 180 bass, it's not a lot compared to some other anglers on here but I mostly fish public ponds and lakes that are extremely pressured.

 

So I'll take it but I am glad the season is over, I also got better at new techniques like jerkbaits and drop shots. Plan on restocking my arsenal this winter for 2023! 

 

 

[TcRoc]

On 11/10/2022 at 5:24 PM, 12poundbass said:

Terrible! I never got the boat out once. Work, life, and a new house killed the dream of trying new lakes in my area. 
 

5-6 long months to wait and have regrets about this year. ?

I feel your pain 100% ..  

[PressuredFishing]

Pretty good, no big fish like last season, but good fishing none the less. Learning every trip,

 

have pretty much gotten to that point where generally) I have been learning more based on personal experience rather than the internet, and have been getting much more creative and outside the box.

[Carpenater]

I am relatively new to bass fishing.  Bass fished with my dad some growing up, but that was it.  Bought a boat and hit it hard summer of 2021.  It was like a fire hose of information on learning techniques and terminology.  I spent pretty much all summer consistently getting skunked.  Frustrated and wondering what I got myself into, in early fall I decided to hire a local guide.  That was a game changer, as after going out with the guide my luck started to change, slowly, with being able to catch at least 2 to 3 on each trip out.  Was able to keep that pattern going into winter (2021) for the most part.  2022 was a much better year, increased my outing limit to around 5 to 8 bass a trip with a couple trips of 20 plus bass being boated.  Decent amount of keepers, but most were not.  PB's were couple a 4lber's a SMB, and a LMB.  Not targeting them, but I also hooked into a couple big Drums and Cats.  I entered a couple tournaments and ended up winning some cash in a bass big tournament, which was cool.  Looking back I definitely l have earned a lot, but have an equal a lot to still to learn and perfect what I have learned thus far.  Hoping to become more efficient with different techniques I normally do not use along with fishing different locations on the lake(s) I normally do not fish.  Goal is to break my PB and hope to hook into a 5 to 6lber and also increase my outing catch numbers as well.  Tight lines!

[detroit1]

Not thrilled to say the least. Got out about 15 times less than normal, and my numbers were way down. Nothing over 18" and only 4 over 17. About the only thing i learned was that i now find it difficult to stay out on the water for more than 6 hrs.  I'm glad my season is done, but can't wait till next year...

[SpinLight]

Lots and lots of spots, almost all on soft plastics, all under 4 pounds.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, SpinLight said:

Lots and lots of spots, almost all on soft plastics, all under 4 pounds.

Hi fellow Alabamian!   I fished a ton down in your area when I was going to Auburn.   

 

Thurlow Dam is a really fun place for big stripers if you don't mind the drive.   So many pigs in all those golf course and small ponds area the area.   Conway Acres always makes me laugh....that dude must have kicked out thousands of Bass fisherman lol.  

 

ETA:   I caught my PB in Auburn.   

[Log Catcher]

I had a decent year considering I didn't get to fish a lot. It was definitely better than the last two years. Got skunked twice this year. Gave up fishing for quite a while this summer with temps up in the 90s. Hope to do better next year.

 

Addition: I finally caught two bass out of a lake I had fished 4 or 5 times before without catching anything. Ended up there by accident when the place we were going to fish emergency vehicles had the road closed and this was the next closest place. Caught both of them on a 4.25" Stiko in Bubble Gum color.

 

[geo g]

I have been fishing almost 300 days this year, and doing OK this season fishing more trips from the bank, then in my boat.  Because the everglades have had high water levels, and a lot of the bass are way back in the sawgrass flats and untouchable without an airboat, my bass count is down, but the peacock count has been increasing.   I have caught peas almost everyday even from the bank and they have been tight to cover.  I have caught them using flukes, senkos, and centipedes jerked quickly.  A guide I know has been killing Peas on jerkbaits, and propbaits from his  boat.  Since we haven't had a cold water kill off in a few years, their numbers are climbing.  With global warming the Pea's numbers will continue to go up.  We are so fortunate to have them, they are fun to catch, and act like a largemouth on steroids.  It has been fun!