Swamp Girl

@IcatchDinks, if your PB really is less than two pounds, I'm serious that you would break it five or six times in a day. I'd take you to a numbers pond the first day and you'd catch a 2-lber., then 2.2-lber., and so on. The next day, we'd go to a big fish bog and hope for a five-pounder, but beware, they are powerful and there are weeds everywhere. As I fished today, I kept being blown into lily pads and I thought that if I did catch a big fish, I would likely be in trouble. When I'm casting for big fish, I like to set up with open water beneath my canoe.

I launched at 4:10 this morning. Conditions were tough: fog, rain, and wind. I had a hard time seeing the lily pads and other weeds for the first hour. I caught 22 fish, but mostly bitsy butterballs. I did catch one fat 17.5-incher, but didn't get a pic. Near the end, I caught a 19.5-incher. I was targeting big fish with big lures: a 130 Whopper Plopper, 7" Senko, and a hinged-swimbait. However, the little bass were happy to hit my big lures. I am so spoiled by my four recent 21"+ bass. I looked at the 19.5-incher, who has a fine, stocky frame and thick tail and she just didn't look as big as 19" fish once did simply because I've recently caught 21-inchers. Sigh. Spoiled so soon.

I just fish water that doesn't get pounded. I also go early. I think that helps. This morning, I launched at 4:10 a.m. in the rain, fog, and wind. I've had good luck catching bass when it's wet. I'm glad you like the title! They do look like twins!

I know this wallowing. Perfect description. Sorry you lost the big gal.

You did the right thing. I'm surprised an old fish tasted so good, but given your wonderful prep, I shouldn't be.

@T-Billy: Thanks, Tim. I have two area ponds that I've never fished that both have newly restored alewife runs. Local folks built ladders so the alewives can reach those ponds. I should really go fish those ponds and see if they're fatter there. I also have to get back to the two bogs where I've caught my fat bass this year. It's just that the wind won't stop blowing here. I bought a little anchor, but I'm afraid to drop it in the window, afraid I'll tip when it comes time to pull it free. When I fish without my anchor, I've got the paddle in my hand almost as much as the rod. Maybe I should just troll.

@T-Billy: I saw NocalBassin is catching long, lean fish. Me too. When do you think the bass will fatten again? I'd love to have more than Tim weigh in.

The Appalachian Mountains used to be higher than the Himalayas. Wouldn't you love to see that? I sure would.

@Way north bass guy: You're froggin'??? Already? Heck, then I can go froggin' too. We're at the same latitude, so if froggin' is working for you, it should work for me too. Please keep posting. We northern bassers have to represent! @T-Billy: WHOA! That's a buck. Heck, that's a buck-fifty! @NorcalBassin: Your two bass look long and skinny. I've caught a few like yours recently. Mine sure were strong. How about yours?

It really makes you wonder doesn't it? This has to be a tough time for OSU fans. In 1997, the last time Michigan won a national championship in football, your bass wasn't born. Neither was your bass's mama. Neither was your buck nor your buck's mama. The Internet was two years old and people accessed it by going to Internet cafes. Blockbuster Video was booming. Drivers navigated with maps. BTW, if you ever take "1-8" for under "Regretful Records" for $200, the answer is: "What is Michigan's record in its last nine bowl games?"

I kid you not: My grandfather went to OSU. So did my parents. And my six siblings. Cut one arm and I bleed the normal scarlet. Cut the other arm and I bleed gray. I'm confused: After years of losing, how did you guys finally remember how to play football again?

And to think that I was going to take you to a lake where you'd best your personal best five times in a morning. Now, if you ever come to Maine, I'm going to suggest you fish in a puddle. A muddy puddle. Real muddy. "Oh, yeah, big bass in there. Just. Keep. Casting. Never. Stop."

My first teaching job was in Hocking Hills. And I loved visiting Athens. OH-

I fished farm ponds both north (Delaware area) and south of Columbus (Canal Winchester, Lithopolis, and even Lancaster). Yeah, we'd ride our bikes through all of Columbus to go fishing. For those southern towns, we'd take a leaky tent and camp beside them. Those towns, which used to be rural, are highways and strip malls today. Sigh. I looked at your lakes online. I like how Tappan has protected shoreline. Tim, don't forget that in my mind, you already caught a 7-10 bass!

Columbus. North side. My brothers and I would tie our fishing outfits to our bikes with string and pedal to farm ponds. Like @PhishLI, we'd wade, casting Mann's Jelly Worms and Creek Chub Plunkers. AND we NEVER caught a three-pounder, much less a five-pounder. Ohio fishes hard. Lotta people. In my head, I add and deduct for the catches in the Latest Catch Pics Thread. For example, I multiply my total catches by 0.25 to compare my catches to total bass caught in more fished places. For big southern bass, I deduct a pound since they grow year-round. And for five-pound bass caught in Ohio where millions of people live, well, you caught yourself a six-pounder, Tim. Congrats.

@T-Billy, that's a beauty, Tim. As you might recall, I was raised in Ohio. Ohio is where I caught my first bass. And I NEVER caught a bass like that. Cool story, @IcatchDinks! Keep streaking, @Dominat0r! I mean, uh, er, never mind. That is a fat one, @Jmurphy87.

Did some evening fishing. Three hours. Launched in the rain. Then some Sun. Then mist. Finally fog. I caught 25 and the biggest was 19.75" and I photographed her twice, the last two photos. Some fish are clearly post-spawn. Others are chunky. The bass were so strong this evening. Lots of leaping too. And the long girl just clobbered my bone-colored Whopper Plopper. I caught bass on a wacky Senko, a paddletail, and the Whopper Plopper. I was going to big fish hunt tomorrow morning, but I'm just too tired. I shoveled a lot of dirt today.

Is that the church pond again, @N Florida Mike? If so, that's some fish factory.

Specific and generous advice. Mighty neighborly of you, Cap'n Phil!

@N Florida Mike: Exciting! @Team9nine: I used a popper the other morning too. In my youth, poppers were my main lure. It was fun to use one again and great to cast a lure than alights on the water rather than plops on it like a Whopper Plopper. @Dominat0r: Keep up that streak! @Cbump: I like your pre-tournament photos and I admire your dedication. Sleeping on your boat is hardcore. @GreenPig, I can barely look at your bass when you wear your bloody mummy gloves!

What brand of 10" worm? And do you weight it?

I'm guessing that deflated you.

"Bulldogging" is the word that made my heart race. They're magnificent when they bulldog through the grass, aren't they? I marvel how a five-pound animal can pull so hard. Your smile, of course, conveys all ^this^! Speaking of marveling, I marvel at the consistency of Woody B and Team9Nine. I've expressed this in the past and I'm saying it again, dang it. If any of you don't like it, well, come through the Intertubes and it'll be on like Kong. Of course, instead of fighting, we could simply go bassin'. ?

I once had a pair of back-to-back 200+ days. I fished hard, pretty much from four in the morning to ten in the evening with four hours off mid-day to nap and eat. The most fish I caught on consecutive casts was seven, but I had several four and five caught in four or five casts and many two or three in a row. On the third day, the feeding frenzy continued, but mostly without me. I was worn to a nub and I was young then. They averaged a thick, hard-fighting 16". A few hours into the first day, I stopped bringing them into the canoe. I'd simply grab the shaft of the Mepps treble hook, aim the points at the water, and the bass would shake free.

I've found Pemethrin to be effective. I remember sitting around a campfire in Ontario and my clothing was sprayed and sealed in a plastic bag for 24 hours. A tick was headed to me, got a whiff, and turned to my dad who wasn't protected.