One Year and One Thousand Bass - My Thanks to All !

[Goose52]

I registered on this board one year ago today. I haven't posted as much as many folks do, just tried to absorb the posts and articles. The 2010 fishing season was my first full season of fishing since I was a teenager. Work and life events prevented anything other than just occasional fishing in fresh and salt water from the late 1960s until this year. I retired in 2009 and am now able to fish nearly every day.

My thanks to Glen, the Mods, article authors, and to the board members for the information that I have tried to absorb and translate to practical use. My knowledge of things like analysis of structure and cover, then bait selection and utilization, and all of the other technical details of bass angling I mostly attribute to this board.

The results? I set a goal of catching 1,000 bass this year. As of today, I've caught 1049 largemouth bass this season (plus another 105 miscellaneous fish like trout, crappie, brim, perch, etc.). Now, that 1049 bass number includes everything from 6" dinks on up to a 4.73lb LMB and includes about 75 bass over 2 pounds. There are not a lot of large bass in my local lakes and the 4.73 fish was as big as anything caught in the local bass club's tournaments this year. So, not bad results for the year. Last year, I lucked onto a 7.75lb LMB (my PB), so there are some bigger fish in the lakes. A future goal is to beat that 7.75lb number.

Although not a bass, my biggest angling success of the year was landing a 37.1 pound grass carp on a 7'm BC rod w/10lb test line - a great 35 minute fish fight (I already reported that catch in a post in the Other Species forum.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for all the knowledge sharing and camaraderie that we have on this board. We are all fortunate that so many experienced anglers choose to share their knowledge in this fine venue.

Now, if folks would just quit bashing my use of BPS reels and rods, life would be good! (I did go over to the dark side and bought a couple of Loomis GLX rods this year...but I'm still using my trusty BPS PQs and Carbonlite BC reels!) ;D

I can't wait for next season !

[Goose52]

I registered on this board one year ago today. I haven't posted as much as many folks do, just tried to absorb the posts and articles. The 2010 fishing season was my first full season of fishing since I was a teenager. Work and life events prevented anything other than just occasional fishing in fresh and salt water from the late 1960s until this year. I retired in 2009 and am now able to fish nearly every day.

My thanks to Glen, the Mods, article authors, and to the board members for the information that I have tried to absorb and translate to practical use. My knowledge of things like analysis of structure and cover, then bait selection and utilization, and all of the other technical details of bass angling I mostly attribute to this board.

The results? I set a goal of catching 1,000 bass this year. As of today, I've caught 1049 largemouth bass this season (plus another 105 miscellaneous fish like trout, crappie, brim, perch, etc.). Now, that 1049 bass number includes everything from 6" dinks on up to a 4.73lb LMB and includes about 75 bass over 2 pounds. There are not a lot of large bass in my local lakes and the 4.73 fish was as big as anything caught in the local bass club's tournaments this year. So, not bad results for the year. Last year, I lucked onto a 7.75lb LMB (my PB), so there are some bigger fish in the lakes. A future goal is to beat that 7.75lb number.

Although not a bass, my biggest angling success of the year was landing a 37.1 pound grass carp on a 7'm BC rod w/10lb test line - a great 35 minute fish fight (I already reported that catch in a post in the Other Species forum.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for all the knowledge sharing and camaraderie that we have on this board. We are all fortunate that so many experienced anglers choose to share their knowledge in this fine venue.

Now, if folks would just quit bashing my use of BPS reels and rods, life would be good! (I did go over to the dark side and bought a couple of Loomis GLX rods this year...but I'm still using my trusty BPS PQs and Carbonlite BC reels!) ;D

I can't wait for next season !

[Goose52]

I registered on this board one year ago today. I haven't posted as much as many folks do, just tried to absorb the posts and articles. The 2010 fishing season was my first full season of fishing since I was a teenager. Work and life events prevented anything other than just occasional fishing in fresh and salt water from the late 1960s until this year. I retired in 2009 and am now able to fish nearly every day.

My thanks to Glen, the Mods, article authors, and to the board members for the information that I have tried to absorb and translate to practical use. My knowledge of things like analysis of structure and cover, then bait selection and utilization, and all of the other technical details of bass angling I mostly attribute to this board.

The results? I set a goal of catching 1,000 bass this year. As of today, I've caught 1049 largemouth bass this season (plus another 105 miscellaneous fish like trout, crappie, brim, perch, etc.). Now, that 1049 bass number includes everything from 6" dinks on up to a 4.73lb LMB and includes about 75 bass over 2 pounds. There are not a lot of large bass in my local lakes and the 4.73 fish was as big as anything caught in the local bass club's tournaments this year. So, not bad results for the year. Last year, I lucked onto a 7.75lb LMB (my PB), so there are some bigger fish in the lakes. A future goal is to beat that 7.75lb number.

Although not a bass, my biggest angling success of the year was landing a 37.1 pound grass carp on a 7'm BC rod w/10lb test line - a great 35 minute fish fight (I already reported that catch in a post in the Other Species forum.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for all the knowledge sharing and camaraderie that we have on this board. We are all fortunate that so many experienced anglers choose to share their knowledge in this fine venue.

Now, if folks would just quit bashing my use of BPS reels and rods, life would be good! (I did go over to the dark side and bought a couple of Loomis GLX rods this year...but I'm still using my trusty BPS PQs and Carbonlite BC reels!) ;D

I can't wait for next season !

[Lund Explorer]

Great Job Goose!   

Setting a goal and attaining it is always a good thing. 

What was your top producing baits?

[Lund Explorer]

Great Job Goose!   

Setting a goal and attaining it is always a good thing. 

What was your top producing baits?

[Lund Explorer]

Great Job Goose!   

Setting a goal and attaining it is always a good thing. 

What was your top producing baits?

[Goose52]

Thanks!

On the baits, the lowly 5" grub was, by far, the biggest producer - you catch dinks on them, but I also caught bass up to 3 pounds on them. I fished the grubs on the fall, dragging them back, swimming them back, and as a topwater. Anytime I thought the fish were in 5 feet of water or less, I would always start with the grub. If no action, or if I thought the fish were deeper, I went with Plan B. I also love the lipless cranks to cover a lot of water, fast. Here's the totals:

761      5" single-tail grubs (Zoom, Gander Mountain)

120      lipless cranks (SK RES and Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe)

90      plastic worms - 4" to 10.5" (Zoom, BPS, Culprit)

34      crankbaits (Bomber, Norman, Luhr Jensen, Storm, Berkley)

30      buzzbaits (Strike King)

7      spinnerbaits (H&H and Walmart!)

7      misc topwater (Jitterbug, Tiny Torpedo)

Now that I know my 11 lakes much better, the mix-up will change for next season and I hope to get in more topwater action (what a rush) and cranking. BUT, when conditions are right, I'm still gonna start with the lowly grub... ;D

[Goose52]

Thanks!

On the baits, the lowly 5" grub was, by far, the biggest producer - you catch dinks on them, but I also caught bass up to 3 pounds on them. I fished the grubs on the fall, dragging them back, swimming them back, and as a topwater. Anytime I thought the fish were in 5 feet of water or less, I would always start with the grub. If no action, or if I thought the fish were deeper, I went with Plan B. I also love the lipless cranks to cover a lot of water, fast. Here's the totals:

761      5" single-tail grubs (Zoom, Gander Mountain)

120      lipless cranks (SK RES and Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe)

90      plastic worms - 4" to 10.5" (Zoom, BPS, Culprit)

34      crankbaits (Bomber, Norman, Luhr Jensen, Storm, Berkley)

30      buzzbaits (Strike King)

7      spinnerbaits (H&H and Walmart!)

7      misc topwater (Jitterbug, Tiny Torpedo)

Now that I know my 11 lakes much better, the mix-up will change for next season and I hope to get in more topwater action (what a rush) and cranking. BUT, when conditions are right, I'm still gonna start with the lowly grub... ;D

[Goose52]

Thanks!

On the baits, the lowly 5" grub was, by far, the biggest producer - you catch dinks on them, but I also caught bass up to 3 pounds on them. I fished the grubs on the fall, dragging them back, swimming them back, and as a topwater. Anytime I thought the fish were in 5 feet of water or less, I would always start with the grub. If no action, or if I thought the fish were deeper, I went with Plan B. I also love the lipless cranks to cover a lot of water, fast. Here's the totals:

761      5" single-tail grubs (Zoom, Gander Mountain)

120      lipless cranks (SK RES and Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe)

90      plastic worms - 4" to 10.5" (Zoom, BPS, Culprit)

34      crankbaits (Bomber, Norman, Luhr Jensen, Storm, Berkley)

30      buzzbaits (Strike King)

7      spinnerbaits (H&H and Walmart!)

7      misc topwater (Jitterbug, Tiny Torpedo)

Now that I know my 11 lakes much better, the mix-up will change for next season and I hope to get in more topwater action (what a rush) and cranking. BUT, when conditions are right, I'm still gonna start with the lowly grub... ;D

[aceman387]

Congrats on your fish totals for the year Wayne.I about dropped my pancakes on the floor this morning when i saw you bass count on the grubs which for me is one of those seldom used soft plastics i have tucked away on the shelf in the garage.I bought a few bags of some 5" kalin grubs earlier in the year and basically forgot about them, After seeing the success you had with them i wish i would have tried them.

[aceman387]

Congrats on your fish totals for the year Wayne.I about dropped my pancakes on the floor this morning when i saw you bass count on the grubs which for me is one of those seldom used soft plastics i have tucked away on the shelf in the garage.I bought a few bags of some 5" kalin grubs earlier in the year and basically forgot about them, After seeing the success you had with them i wish i would have tried them.

[aceman387]

Congrats on your fish totals for the year Wayne.I about dropped my pancakes on the floor this morning when i saw you bass count on the grubs which for me is one of those seldom used soft plastics i have tucked away on the shelf in the garage.I bought a few bags of some 5" kalin grubs earlier in the year and basically forgot about them, After seeing the success you had with them i wish i would have tried them.

[Goose52]

Yep, the grubs are obviously my confidence bait Including "other species" I caught 791 fish on grubs this year.

BTW - I don't fish them on a jighead as most folks do - I fish them weightless and weedless on a 1/0 EWG.

[Goose52]

Yep, the grubs are obviously my confidence bait Including "other species" I caught 791 fish on grubs this year.

BTW - I don't fish them on a jighead as most folks do - I fish them weightless and weedless on a 1/0 EWG.

[Goose52]

Yep, the grubs are obviously my confidence bait Including "other species" I caught 791 fish on grubs this year.

BTW - I don't fish them on a jighead as most folks do - I fish them weightless and weedless on a 1/0 EWG.

[Grey Wolf]

Congrats , an excellent year !!!!!!!!!!!

[Grey Wolf]

Congrats , an excellent year !!!!!!!!!!!

[Grey Wolf]

Congrats , an excellent year !!!!!!!!!!!

[firefightn15]

That's great Goose, glad to hear of your stellar year; keep up the good work!  8-)

[firefightn15]

That's great Goose, glad to hear of your stellar year; keep up the good work!  8-)

[firefightn15]

That's great Goose, glad to hear of your stellar year; keep up the good work!  8-)

[Goose52]

Thanks guys...it's been fun! And there's still more catching that can be done this season here in TN - the water isn't hard yet !

[Goose52]

Thanks guys...it's been fun! And there's still more catching that can be done this season here in TN - the water isn't hard yet !

[Goose52]

Thanks guys...it's been fun! And there's still more catching that can be done this season here in TN - the water isn't hard yet !

[bassfisherjk]

Congrat's Goose.