Looking back at the 2022 season, what is one thing you want to brag about?

[T-Billy]

54 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I managed to fish Shearon Harris four times and get skunked every time. It’s not every bass angler that can do that. 
 

Id go out again today but I would like to get a couple hunting trips in before this leave is over.
 

In 2022, I like that I learned how to fish a shaky head. I like that I learned a lot about structure fishing, with a lot still to learn. I like that I installed an anchor trolley on my kayak. I like that I started to pursue river smallmouth and learned some about their behavior and caught some small ones. I like that I started to build my own lures. 
 

No bragging though, not because I don’t want to but because I don’t have enough to brag about. I’m not a good fisherman. 
 

 

Good is relative brother. That middle paragraph says a lot. You're learning. You're taking the necessary steps to improve your game, and learning new techniques. It's a lifelong process, enjoy the journey, and don't get down on yourself.  

[Bigassbass]

I went fishing on the hottest days of July and caught 3 bass over 5lb in the same day. Next week I caught a 6lb-7lb I could hardly hold up to take a photo, gotta work on a system to take those pics or buy a go-pro. 

[LrgmouthShad]

15 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Good is relative brother. That middle paragraph says a lot. You're learning. You're taking the necessary steps to improve your game, and learning new techniques. It's a lifelong process, enjoy the journey, and don't get down on yourself.  

Thanks. I’m all good

[Swamp Girl]

Here's my proudest moment: My last fishing trip of 2022, I caught two puny largemouth. So, why was it my proudest moment? Well, I was so excited to fish my final time that I couldn't sleep. So, I rose and launched in utter darkness. The wind was brisk and it was black. Then my flashlight stopped working. I kept being blown into the shoreline, which bristled with shrubbery while my canoe bristled with rods. If they'd met, it would have been The Last Tangle in Maine.

 

Did I mention I caught two measly bass?

 

So, why do I recall it with pride? Well, I stuck it out, but that only earns me one Livin' Life to the Fullest (LLttF) credit. What earned me 99 LLttF credits was my joy. The stars were astonishing, as in northwestern-Ontario-wilderness astonishing. And an owl was hooting and I was replying. And when the light finally arose, it was beautiful, but not like most people enjoy. It was brown and bleakly beautiful, but utterly lovely, like Labrador and the Scottish Highlands shine. Plus, with the water flora died back, I was able to paddle and poke deep into those places in the lake that had once been denied me. I wasn't catching fish, but I got to foray where summer's plushness would never permit. 

 

So, I am pleased that it took so little to please me: two pint-sized bass, my pluck, a hoot owl, stars beyond stars, a bounty of bleak beauty, and plumbing deep into the swamp. Now, I'm off to breakfast on the cool, but sunny seashore with friends, which will earn me another LLttF credit, which are redeemable for cash and valuable prizes!*

 

 

*Nah, they're just redeemable for joy.

[T-Billy]

16 minutes ago, Bigassbass said:

I went fishing on the hottest days of July and caught 3 bass over 5lb in the same day. Next week I caught a 6lb-7lb I could hardly hold up to take a photo, gotta work on a system to take those pics or buy a go-pro. 

Get a cheap cell phone tripod and use the timer on your phone camera. Works great for me, and doesn't cost much at all.

[Swamp Girl]

@T-Billy Tim, you look like an utter bad azz in your photos. You look like the God of Muskies, come down from Olympus, to best the beasts. 

[T-Billy]

1 minute ago, ol'crickety said:

@T-Billy Tim, you look like an utter bad azz in your photos. You look like the God of Muskies, come down from Olympus, to best the beasts. 

? Thanks Katie!!! LOL. I think they just bite my lures so they can come in the boat and get a better look at that awesome hat!!!

[king fisher]

2022 humbled me.  I hope to be bragging non stop in 2023

[DitchPanda]

Fishing wise I had a better year for size. Around here a 5lb bass is the start for big fish...in 21 I caught 1 fish that was 5.02lbs and it took til November to get it...this year I caught a 5.13, 5.47 and 6.15 and my first one came in early April in 45 ish degree water.

Life wise I'm in a better scenario at work- more money less hours and more importantly I'm taking control of my health and for the first time in 15+ years I started working out for overall health but namely my lower back. Both of those have helped mentally, physically and financially.

[softwateronly]

This is more about luck....

 

Drove 14hrs to TX for 5 days of some sun, warmth, and fishing in early Feb

 

-day 1, no boat, skunked

-day 2, first fish of '22 was my pb from the pier

-day 3, 20" again from pier.  Get boat, got skunked

-day 4, with boat ran into shad gettin blown up way back in 2 different creeks, 15 or so fish, cold front blows in late afternoon.

-day 5, cold front is there and the wind is rippin, main lake and creek mouths too much for the jon boat. Late afternoon it settles enough to work the structure at the creek mouth, find a dock, brush pile, and deep water break all in close proximity.  Catch new pb, after missing that fish twice on 2 different casts.  An old, small impoundment in TX gives me 2 pb's in 5 days.  Luck.

 

scott

 

[WRB]

7 hours ago, T-Billy said:

22 was also my best year ever for big LM.

 

 

??????

Woke up this morning that’s a good start!

Tom

[PressuredFishing]

I've learned two really fun skillets

 

1: Catching lots of panfish and trout on hand tied flies like this one,  

 

2. Realizing that @Bass_Fishing_SoCal thinks I'm a deep fake shapeshifter.... ? ?  (I love you even though you don't tend to reciprocate, God bless you in 2023 friend!)

 

 

[Aaron_H]

10 hours ago, Darnold335 said:

I can’t honestly say I have anything to brag about. I didn’t do anything “wow”. I did stay safe though. To me that’s the most important. 

 

That's always a good mindset. Had my closest call with a big male gator this year early into their mating season. Hoping he doesn't make a return visit this season.

 

7 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I managed to fish Shearon Harris four times and get skunked every time. It’s not every bass angler that can do that. 
 

Id go out again today but I would like to get a couple hunting trips in before this leave is over.
 

In 2022, I like that I learned how to fish a shaky head. I like that I learned a lot about structure fishing, with a lot still to learn. I like that I installed an anchor trolley on my kayak. I like that I started to pursue river smallmouth and learned some about their behavior and caught some small ones. I like that I started to build my own lures. 
 

No bragging though, not because I don’t want to but because I don’t have enough to brag about. I’m not a good fisherman. 
 

 

 

I've seen some of the bass you post, man. "Not a good fisherman" my butt!

 

6 hours ago, Bigassbass said:

I went fishing on the hottest days of July and caught 3 bass over 5lb in the same day. Next week I caught a 6lb-7lb I could hardly hold up to take a photo, gotta work on a system to take those pics or buy a go-pro. 

 

Great fish! The selfies can be tough once they get big like that. I find it easiest to hold the fish as close to me as I can, and hold my phone as far to my side as possible instead of straight out in front, gives you as much distance as possible to get the fish in frame.

 

Example:

 

Like @T-Billy said, tripod is another great option, @A-Jay has suggested it to me as well but I haven't got around to it yet, one more thing to lug around the bank.

[Susky River Rat]

6 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

Had my closest call with a big male gator this year early into their mating season. Hoping he doesn't make a return visit this season.

Man that would drive me insane living down there. I just have to dodge rocks and  gravel bars.

[Skunkmaster-k]

My greatest fishing achievement for 2022 was putting my Dad and younger brother on some nice fish. I love it when a plan comes together. 

[gim]

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Finally, but no less memorable for me, I was able to help a fellow basshead

document his new PB Smallie. 

I'm fairly positive that if the individual you helped were here, he would say that fish was the highlight of his 2022 season.

[Log Catcher]

I caught two LMB from a lake I had fished three or four times before and never caught anything. Got them both on a bubble gum colored 4.25" Stik O.

[Aaron_H]

9 hours ago, Darnold335 said:

Man that would drive me insane living down there. I just have to dodge rocks and  gravel bars.

 

It's not so bad, you leave them alone and they leave you alone for the most part. But during their mating season they can get a little...uptight about you being in their space when they're all hopped up on hormones.

[Susky River Rat]

4 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

you leave them alone and they leave you alone for the most part

It’s that most part that scares me haha. I’ve seen videos of people reeling in fish and then coming after them. I don’t know how often that happens but, I’d rather it not. I guess the bright side is they are all eyes on the fish at that point.

[Bankbeater]

The only thing I can think of to brag about was that I didn't break any rods or reels.  I didn't drop anything or fall on top of anything last year.

[Aaron_H]

Ran out of likes yesterday, love hearing about all of y'all's accomplishments over the last year! Whether you think it's big or small, any success in our sport is worth celebrating IMO.

 

On 1/1/2023 at 10:36 AM, king fisher said:

2022 humbled me.  I hope to be bragging non stop in 2023

 

You caught a 10lber this year! If that's a humble year I can't wait to see a brag-worthy year ?

 

9 hours ago, Darnold335 said:

It’s that most part that scares me haha. I’ve seen videos of people reeling in fish and then coming after them. I don’t know how often that happens but, I’d rather it not. I guess the bright side is they are all eyes on the fish at that point.

 

Yeah I've had a few 4 footers get a little squirrelly with me over a fish I've got up to the bank, but they're easy to spook off. That big male last year was a whole other beast, though.

[N Florida Mike]

I can’t think of anything to brag about involving fishing ?… Fewer numbers and less big fish than normal…

I believe I’m better physically and spiritually after this year,  the wife seems happy … and we somehow have our bills paid so there’s that !

[Bluebasser86]

Nothing too crazy for me. Didn't catch any real monsters or win a bunch of tournaments. 

 

I did win a couple tournaments and I was really consistent in those. Managed to win on the lake that is super tough and did consistently well enough to get 2nd for AOY, barely missing first place.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

2022 was tough.  my rookie season was better.  

 

i guess i can brag i still had a GREAT TIME.  

[Aaron_H]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Nothing too crazy for me. Didn't catch any real monsters or win a bunch of tournaments. 

 

I did win a couple tournaments and I was really consistent in those. Managed to win on the lake that is super tough and did consistently well enough to get 2nd for AOY, barely missing first place.

 

 

That's awesome! You've had a ton of success this year and I've enjoyed your videos a lot. Hope that success keeps up for you this year, too.

 

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

2022 was tough.  my rookie season was better.  

 

i guess i can brag i still had a GREAT TIME.  

 

I mean, that's why we play the game! All of my goals in this hobby are second to having a good time. Frustration happens, but if I'm well and truly no longer having fun with this sport, then why am I doing it?