2024 Fishing Season Summary

[DogBone_384]

Great feedback so far.  I'm not done yet, but so far I've had a few 4+ # LMB, a fair amount of 3+ # SMB, and a handfull of 4+ # pickerel (which are OK by me if the bass aren't playing nice).

 

My numbers in Spring and Summer were average, as were their weights.  The Fall through now has been lackluster at. best.

 

I did better this year with jigs but not as well as years past with the jerkbait.

 

It's getting cold out now so blade baits will be my primary lure from here forth.

[Junk Fisherman]

4 hours ago, softwateronly said:

@Junk Fisherman my limited time in basically one spot on lake michigan has opened my eyes to dragging the little 2.5" tube.  You have to add it in or back in, it was just too effective for me this year.  

 

scott

 

Thanks.  I haven't thrown a tube that much in the last few years.  It used to be a staple for me.  I'll have to give it a shot next year.  Thanks for the tip.  

[papajoe222]

Overall, the 2024 fishing season sucked for me.  Between shoulder and heart issues, my on water time was basically cut in have from previous years. My average outing was under four hours.  Add to that, many days were fished during what I consider off hours, noon 'till four. Lastly the new club lake director decided to use chemicals to kill off the weeds. They killed everything. The loss of that valuable cover really affected the ecosystem. The water would be clear one day and muddy the next. The O2 levels fluctuated so much, air pumps were needed to prevent fish kills. The number of small bluegill, the main forage, all but disappeared as they had no place to hide.

I didn't catch any thing over 4lb. after they killed off the vegetation until the third week in October.

After a 32 year membership there, I won't be renewing next year.

[Swamp Girl]

39 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

Overall, the 2024 fishing season sucked for me.  Between shoulder and heart issues, my on water time was basically cut in have from previous years. My average outing was under four hours.  Add to that, many days were fished during what I consider off hours, noon 'till four. Lastly the new club lake director decided to use chemicals to kill off the weeds. They killed everything. The loss of that valuable cover really affected the ecosystem. The water would be clear one day and muddy the next. The O2 levels fluctuated so much, air pumps were needed to prevent fish kills. The number of small bluegill, the main forage, all but disappeared as they had no place to hide.

I didn't catch any thing over 4lb. after they killed off the vegetation until the third week in October.

After a 32 year membership there, I won't be renewing next year.

 

Gosh, that's sad. That would break my heart.

[12poundbass]

We didn’t get out as much as we would’ve liked to (do we ever though). 
 

It wasn’t a year of big bass and only a couple worth reporting. While there weren’t any big bass to record I don’t look at the season as a failure though. I rediscovered deep diving crankbaits. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had thrown one before this year. They never really produced for me over the years and I had written them off so I had zero confidence in them but they were my top producer this year and will become a go to lure in the coming seasons. Lipless cranks, weighted t-rig creature bait, and @Siebert Outdoors Fogy remain to be top producers as well. Surprisingly, the top water bite was almost nonexistent for me which was quite the bummer because who doesn’t love some top water action? 
 

We hit a smallmouth lake twice this year and struck out. One trip I had a boneheaded moment where we started off later in the morning fishing a steep drop off only to strike out. As the frustration began to grow, I began looking around for some better water only to see a couple big smallies coming out of a shallow flat heading towards the deeper water. Must be they decided to sleep in because I thought for sure by this time they’d be out in deeper water. Lesson learned!

 

We caught a few unintended pike along the way as well which, even though they’re slimy nasty critters, the big ones can be fun. All in all it wasn’t a bust. The big ones didn’t show up, but we fished and that’s all that matters. Any time I can get on the water with my wife or my son I’ll take it!

[Swamp Girl]

47 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Any time I can get on the water with my wife or my son I’ll take it!

 

[MassYak85]

A but of a down year for me. I didn't get out as much as recent years and didn't get the big ones as a result. But I feel more confident because I feel like I was still able to put things together when I was able to get out and have solid days. 

[LrgmouthShad]

On 11/21/2024 at 1:45 PM, DogBone_384 said:

What technique worked best for you?

As far as baits go, crankbaits and poppers were better this year than in years past. Jigs and Texas rigs remained effective this year. I fished a spinnerbait a lot less this year but they still were effective. For a top “technique”, I will have to say cranking timber was my best technique this year. 

 

On 11/21/2024 at 1:45 PM, DogBone_384 said:

What technique didn't work?

Couldn’t get bit on a spook, though that is probably operator error. 

On 11/21/2024 at 1:45 PM, DogBone_384 said:

Any big news, PB, new species, great trip?

Won $1000 fishing a kayak tournament on Lake Fork back in November for a big fish as the first tournament I’ve fished in. That was on a DT-20 in disco shad cranking timber. 
 

 

In 2024 I made some new fishing friends and branched out a lot - fishing many new baits and learning new ways of catching bass. Overall a satisfying year. 

 

 

[Swamp Girl]

10 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Couldn’t get bit on a spook, though that is probably operator error. 

 

I tried and tried and tried Spooks and failed and failed and failed. Then they suddenly worked at the end of the summer. I don't think they're an everyday lure like a T-Rigged worm or a jig, but I do think they should be cast everyday...a few times...to determine if it's a Spook day. When I twitch my Spook, I've found that creating a little slack in my line before each twitch (I do this by moving the rod tip a little closer to the lure.) gives the lure more pop and that the bass like that. It's a lure for aggressive bass, so fishing it aggressively works for me. 

 

I think you had a fine year, Mr. Shad. Your big bass is a beast. Look at the muscle in front of its tail. So thick. 

 

And I love that you fished with other BR anglers!

[LrgmouthShad]

Just now, Swamp Girl said:

 

I tried and tried and tried Spooks and failed and failed and failed. Then they suddenly worked at the end of the summer. I don't think they're an everyday lure like a T-Rigged worm or a jig, but I do think they should be cast everyday...a few times...to determine if it's a Spook day. When I twitch my Spook, I've found that creating a little slack in my line before each twitch (I do this by moving the rod tip a little closer to the lure.) gives the lure more pop and that the bass like that. It's a lure for aggressive bass, so fishing it aggressively works for me. 

 

I think you had a fine year, Mr. Shad. Your big bass is a beast. Look at the muscle in front of its tail. So thick. 

 

And I love that you fished with other BR anglers!

Jake and I broke the skunk yesterday 🤙🏻

[Tackleholic]

On 11/23/2024 at 6:13 PM, papajoe222 said:

Overall, the 2024 fishing season sucked for me.  Between shoulder and heart issues, my on water time was basically cut in have from previous years. My average outing was under four hours.  Add to that, many days were fished during what I consider off hours, noon 'till four. Lastly the new club lake director decided to use chemicals to kill off the weeds. They killed everything. The loss of that valuable cover really affected the ecosystem. The water would be clear one day and muddy the next. The O2 levels fluctuated so much, air pumps were needed to prevent fish kills. The number of small bluegill, the main forage, all but disappeared as they had no place to hide.

I didn't catch any thing over 4lb. after they killed off the vegetation until the third week in October.

After a 32 year membership there, I won't be renewing next year.

 

On 11/23/2024 at 6:13 PM, papajoe222 said:

Overall, the 2024 fishing season sucked for me.  Between shoulder and heart issues, my on water time was basically cut in have from previous years. My average outing was under four hours.  Add to that, many days were fished during what I consider off hours, noon 'till four. Lastly the new club lake director decided to use chemicals to kill off the weeds. They killed everything. The loss of that valuable cover really affected the ecosystem. The water would be clear one day and muddy the next. The O2 levels fluctuated so much, air pumps were needed to prevent fish kills. The number of small bluegill, the main forage, all but disappeared as they had no place to hide.

I didn't catch any thing over 4lb. after they killed off the vegetation until the third week in October.

After a 32 year membership there, I won't be renewing next year.

I'm originally from your general area;  which lake is that?

[Tackleholic]

I had improved results with wake baits and jerk baits this year;  I also went out about 50% more often than last year, but only 2-4 hours at a time.  I can be choosy, because my house is less than 5 minutes from the marina and my rented slip.