Swamp Girl

I changed my approach this morning because I felt I wasn't enjoying my trips enough when I lost a big fish. Instead of targeting big fish with big lures, I reverted to my comfort lures and decided I'd set out to have fun. I caught 34. They were Maine butterballs up to 17". I also caught, just using my comfort lures, two big bass. The first one is as pretty as a bass can be: healthy, dark, and plump. I photographed her on the bump board and with my holding her too because she's a perfect fish. The second one is plump too, but missing a rectangle of her tail. I hope she'll regrow it this summer. Her tail wasn't tattered as if she'd just finished spawning. I caught the first on a wakebait and the second on a bone-colored Whopper Plopper. I weighed the first and she was 4.48 lbs. I assume the second is about the same since she's been spending her summer days in the feed bag too. I also caught bass on Senkos and paddletails. And, yes, I had fun!

I was a little cool this morning for the first couple hours of fishing, but I don't like bringing a jacket and then having it get wet in the canoe when I remove it, so I went with my t-shirt. As @gimruis noted, Maine has been temperate this summer, but it's that way most summers. It's never reached 100 degrees in my town in its history.

Heck, yeah, those are beauts!

Say, I was just thinkin' that you're the man to undertake this reno. I've already done the demo and feel to go fishing again when you get it done:

I'm thinking a good thought for you, bass buddy.

C'mon, man! Stiff-as-a-board Evel is forever worth some tears! Shoot for this:

I had my third frustrating session in a row. For a few months, I was hooking AND netting fine fish (for me). Now, for the third straight trip, I lost a big bass. I did catch ten fish, but I was fishing a quality bog hoping for a big, ol' gal and I hooked her and lost her. I set the hook (T-Rigged 7" Green Pumpkin Senko) with both arms and immediately knew she was a slab, because it was like setting a hook into wood. She jumped right by the boat and I saw her gorgeous length. Then she plowed through some reeds and peeled free. Argh! From time to time, I weigh lesser bass to get an idea of what they weigh. The last bass was 2.88 pounds.

You underestimate your catches. We've seen what you catch. #bumpboarddon'tlie

I'm glad to read that you're taking good care of yourself, Bob. You grew up. You grew wise. There's a guy in my hometown who still thinks he's 17. He's lost hair, but he still wears it long. Wears a baseball cap backwards. No shirt. Rides his big-tired bike around and around and around town even though he must be 50, listening to his buds and banging his head. Maine needs the Hair Cop! @gimruis, bring scissors! And an extra shirt!

I love that umbrella, Bob! Sorry you lost some big ones. I hate when that happens.

I am so proud of you, @pdxfisher. What a bag! What a day! What a fisher!

Yeah, I avoid places with ramps. In a year or three, I might have to start using wheels and ramps if I'm to keep fishing.

You can do it.

Agreed...and I think they're steadily wising up.

@Bluebasser86: With three 19" fish, I like your chances, plus and 18 and a 17.

Well, you da man. You're a heckuva fisherman Bluebasser86, but I have yet to provoke a hit this year on a walking bait. Weird, huh? What works in Kansas doesn't in Maine and vice-versa.

Thanks, @Functional and @PourMyOwn. When I placed my most recent order, I bought some swim jigs and super flukes and both are tied onto my rods and in my tackle box. Fingers crossed!

My rod has been shipped!

@Pat Brown is a heckuva fisherman. If you have the time, Pat, please tell us about the fight.

I'm thinking you lost your mojo when your hair was cut. May I call you Sampson?

Thanks for the report!

Well-fished, D-B!

It's a shame that the Internet makes it so easy to besmirch someone's reputation. And when you leave a one-star review without justification, it's there forever. I've seen people leave one-star reviews for restaurants simply because the restaurants were busy and couldn't seat them. Well, duh! They're busy because their food is great, but still, that whiner's one-star is eternal.

Math doesn't lie! You: One fish one time. Me: One fish FIVE times. P. S. - I'm glad you've had a swingin' year of dancin' with bass.

I'm halfway through the summer of 2023 and have yet to catch two bass at once on a WP. I did that four times in 2022, although I didn't start fishing until late August. I think this is because of me casting a WP so many times. So, I do think they learn pretty quickly not to hit them, but I've still caught some of my biggest bass this year on WPs: I don't think there's a better lure for finding active bass. It's so noisy that I think it draws them to it and it's so big (I mostly cast the 130.) that I can throw it a long ways. Plus, it's great for trolling (Thanks, @Dwight Hottle.) when I paddle from one spot to another. However, at lakes where it's been cast a thousand times, I think I'd throw something else.