Swamp Girl

I caught nine at my pond in 1.5 hours. Four were fine fish. I lost another four fine fish. They are just so strong at my pond. One managed to rub my line on something to break it. It came up frayed for about the last two feet and I could feel it rubbing on something underwater right before it broke. Another leapt beside the boat, threw my lure, and broke my heart. More and more, I don't think I could land a 15-pound bass. I struggle with the three and four-pounders...in this: A couple of the bigger ones I managed to land, with the first one being bigger than it looks in this photo. It was 18.5" and had the head of a four-pounder: This one was solid too, as were two others: I misplaced my camera and had to use my cell phone, which is VERY difficult for me to use one-handed. I'll go looking for my camera tomorrow. I hope it's somewhere in my canoe or on the dock.

@bp_fowler: I'm glad to see those PFDs, Dad. You set a great example for your son.

Yeah, you have to take a test. My guiding technique would consist of me paddling you to a bass spot and saying, "Cast there." Then I'd net that bass and paddle you to another bass. Since I use spinning rods, I might call myself "The Spin-ster." I also like "The Paddler," but that makes me sound like a Batman villain: "Holy handle, Batman, it's The Paddler!" "Steady, Robin, steady. That paddle can really sting." Cool! Thanks!

I just talked to @Blue Raider Bob on the phone and told him I'm thinking about becoming a Maine guide. I already take people fishing for free and they always say, "I just caught the most bass of my life." Now, I understand that a lot of young bucks might not want to be guided by an old woman, but if I booked a date here and there, I'd be happy. On the other hand, I've written for fishing magazines and I HATED the pressure of catching a big fish for the article. As a guide, I'd feel similar pressure. However, I do know where the bass swim, so I could put them atop fish. At the end of the day, I think most of them would say, "I just caught the most bass of my life." My CV:

My main lure! I'll be casting it this evening. I love it. Pitch it into grass and reeds? No prob. Twitch it atop lily pads? Easy-peasy. Troll it? It excels. Low and slow? Of course! I hooked a big one with it the other morning, but couldn't keep it pinned. We'd all struggle in that situation. Well, maybe not @Bluebasser86.

Natch.

Bob-built Lake Lucy, Christiana Tennessee.

For me, it's yellow perch first, then brook trout, bluegill, and walleye.

Yep. I have caught 19-pound pike and musky, but I don't believe for a second that these catches equip me to catch a 19-pound lmb like Tom caught...or a 15-pounder. Now, if I were standing in a bass boat and had a fishing partner to operate the trolling motor and net the bass and if the fish ran to open water, then maybe, but if I'm going to stack that many if's, I might as well add that if I were a magical, flying unicorn who could talk to bass, then yeah, I could land a 15-pounder. #threepoundersabusemeinmycanoeandintheirweedsandwood

Will do. I invite all you hunters to Maine...for a manhunt!

I think @PhishLI's bass live in 100% weeds/0% water.

@king fisher: Great post. Thank you. I learned a lot.

@PhishLI: In your situation, I suggest a bunker buster bomb dropped from a B-2, followed by a finesse lure like a Ned.

Three reasons: weeds, wood, and their wile.

Not any more. As you guys predicted, they've learned that lure. I'm catching them on soft plastics nowadays. As far as Mexico bass fighting harder than Northern bass, I can barely handle Northern bass. Now I'm afraid of those Mexico bass!

I fished alone this morning, the first time in a couple weeks that I've done that. It was a little creepy because a paddleboarding woman was murdered near here a few days ago and some are thinking that New England has a serial killer, as other women have been found murdered in the woods and on the water. I go slowly in the woods, stopping a lot to listen. And I have my military-grade pepper spray and knife ready, but it's still creepy. Anyway, I caught 21 this morning, which is average for July, my hardest month. I'll start with a dink: But I mostly caught 3.0-3.5-pounders, as well as smallmouth up to 17 inches: I caught them on a Rage Bug, an underspin, a wacky worm, and a walking bait.

Wow! Bet that raised your heart rate.

I once hooked a relatively small sturgeon (48 inches) in the tail water of a dam. I'd been fishing for crappie and walleye, so I had four-pound test. There was an observation platform and people cheered for me. Then they all left as the Sun set. Then it was dark. I finally landed it and my arm was so spent I could barely pull start my outboard to go home.

Great photos, Jon!

I googled this: "are firefighters in California not allowed to use bulldozers" and didn't get a single link confirming that this is so. Then I googled "are firefighters at Lake Shasta not allowed to use bulldozers" and AI said that bulldozers are being used.

Impressive!

I like your post, @DaubsNU1. I'm just out of reactions. I wish we could buy more reactions.

I love this. So true. I think it explains my success: I listen. And it explains my young pal's success too. I'll ask, again and again, "Did you see that?" And he did and does, again and again. Yeah, I need wild things. I have a sister who loves plastic places. The shinier and faker a place, the more she loves it. Whereas I love fluttering leaves and hooting owls and bass chasing shiners. I am a swamp girl. I wither in suburbs and bloom on the water.

Hi, Filipe!