NoBassPro

It used to be trying to figure the fish out and always going for that next bigger one. Now I just enjoy being able to get out and don't really care what or how big I catch. What I've really enjoyed this summer is being able to take my boy out, I forgot how big 10" bass used to look until I tried to get him to hold one. We're working on it lol

Pretty much what everyone else said, bass are few and far between on musky baits. Some of that may have to do with the fact there are few large bass in musky lakes, as I do know the giant tubes are a bit of a crossover bait. When it comes to incidental catches for me, it goes 1. Pike, 2. Walleye, and 3. Bass on average.

Well as usual you all read way too much into this. I am not looking for compliments from my boss, however his way of always coming up with more work is making it dang had to get my projects completed in a timely fashion, and is adding more hours to my week than I want. So, yes, I still think there should be a time when he says good enough a little sooner than he does, He's not a bad guy or anything like that, but wanting perfection and knowing what works are sometimes a little different. Its also the primary reason our turnover rate is well over 100% annually, it would make my life much easier if he'd be able to keep good people around. As far as my comment about Chicago union guys, I was just referencing his general attitude. As a rule the people I know that actually have are far more decent than the people I know that think they have.

Thats an answer i can respect

We were fishing in 1-2 foot chop, far from the worst I've been in, and pretty much standard for musky surface lures.

I disagree, people should have the balls to complain. My boss happnes to be the owner.

Yea I understand that, it his way of going out of his way to find problems that causes problems on many levels. I know life is short and all, I'm just annoyed for the moment,

He'd pay better.. And I have had to wait for my check once or twice.. FWIW if your boss isn't satisfied with your work he still has to sign your check. I've been through tis a time or two this year with people we have fired. And one last thing, quit being an idiot and talking on matters beyond your understanding. I do know you are from Chicago and a union, I also know the people that run your area far better then you.

That there should be a time when your boss admits he's satisfied with your work. Now I'll admit my job is demanding and our work has its fair share of headaches, but when a client who happens to be well respected in our field gushes about my work it should mean something. He is far from the first. Now I'm well aware that the job market sucks right now, but I am getting tired of putting in the hours for a wholly ungrateful employer. I hate changing jobs, and have only done so when my previous employer went under, but this is pushing me.

What I would like to know is what fishing opportunities are in eastern Montana or Nebraska. Because, honestly, I have seen more water in the desert areas of our country than I remember seeing in those two places.

One or two is nothing, but even the CO that patrols my areas said he's scared to get out on summer weekends due to the number of drunken boaters. Its his job, so he has to, but it is that bad on some of the lakes around here on weekends.

How much did that bigger dolphin go? And when you inviting everyone over for dinner? I am glad to see I'm not the only one who put different species of fish on their bucket list. Heck, I took a trip to AK to catch a chum, and when I told another guy in camp he looked at me like I was nuts. Which may be true, but isn't the point. I was able to get all 5 species of Pacific salmon, and got an Atlantic by accident here. When I am able to travel again, I hope to work on a new one.

JMO but some selective memory and a liberal definition of large can be quite helpful in that pursuit. Inaccurate scales as well. Beyond that, just time on the water. All the BS aside, I know I have consistently done better in the times I have been able to get out fishing the most. I may not be correct, but I believe some of catching big fish, or just any fish, is being at the right place at the right time. I've had a number of larger bass and pike eat 1/8 oz beetle spins, but its not really a pattern for them. On those days when they won't hit whatever you put within 10 feet of them, thats when experience counts.

Hard to fish doesn't mean unproductive, fish can key in on baits much better than we give them credit for imo Using that day as an example, I took my boy to a place that is loaded with small (10-18") bass that also has a couple musky. Well, two that use that bay. When they didn't show after a couple passes I decided to join my boy in catching some bass. He was picking up a few dragging a finesse worm around, but in the full list of baits I went through, a torpedo produced the most consistent bite. What may be true most of the time is not going to be true all of the time.

My suggestion would be, if you are going to be fishing aways away form the scales, bring a cooler and wagon to drag it around. Otherwise, go with the sack, keep it filled with water and get to the scales as soon as you can after you get a fish you are comfortable weighing. A decent sized bass won't fit in a 5 gallon bucket without its tail being in its face, on top of which water weighs around 8lbs per gallon. 30-40 lbs isn't much, buts its not fun to lug any distance. For those reasons I would not recommend a bucket.

Who is Steve P?

I haven't tried this, but I do know the larger panfish around here are often suspended out over the main basins where pretty much nothing else is during the summer, while the smaller ones will be in shallow cover and other places scattered around the lake. That being said, the bitsy minnows and some beetle spin type baits should keep you busy. Another lure I've had some decent luck with for some larger gills is a small little mirrolure jointed crankbait.

If I am ripping cranks out of weeds, and I will do it wiht both lipless and shallow cranks, what I am doing is trying to keep the crank just above the level of most of the weeds, then when I hit one rip it off that one. Or, and this something I see more with some cabbage patches, where the weeds are very thin, I won't pay as much attention to depth, but when I hit the occasional weed i then rip it. I hope that makes sense, but at least for me, I am never just letting a crank fall or dive until I hit weeds, then trying to yank it free. I have a little bit of a plan before I cast.

Well, it might be "just friends" to one, but the other is always at least hoping for more ime.

Was out today with my boy in winds that went up to about 30 mph, and just wondered what surface lures you guys prefer when it gets some decent chop on the water, its a little harder to see and work the baits, but it sure doesn't keep the fish from biting. Anyway, my surface lure collection is pretty minimal, so just looking for some ideas. Oh, and my boy caught his first legal sized bass today. Took a little help to get him in, and he got so excited he tried reeling the thing through the rod tip, but man it sure is fun to take a kid fishing and see the excitement again.

a 15" pike isn't going to eat any bass worth catching, but it may well outcompete them for food.

We had meet the soccer coach day today. My boy's coach is female, which kind of surprised me. Beyond that, I won't comment.

Yes I am well aware that there a few lakes where people get 20 lb stringers from time to time, including one right around the corner from me. I don't put much time on it other htan fall or spring due to pleasure boat traffic, but the average bass on that one runs about 3 lbs. I still wouldn't call 4 lb fish common on any of the inland lakes here, and most of the reports of 5 + lb fish are greatly exaggerated. I've fished with a few tournament guys that couldn't seem to tell the difference between a three and a five lb fish.. I have caught bass well over 6 lbs from lakes around here, but I am not going to expect that every trip, or even every year.

Well I can answer part of that question. I do not know if the local meat market has a scale that goes to 70 lbs, but I do know the grocery store closest to me will let anglers weigh fish to be certified there during business hours. I've done it before, its no big deal.

You probably aren't going to catch lots of big bass in any lake in MI. If you ever look at DNR surveys, the size structure tends to go like this, <10 in 195 fish, 10-16 in 75 fish, 16-20 in 5 fish, 20 or greater inch 1 fish. This isn't to say you can't do better than you have been, but don't get your sights set too high.