BassObsessed

Hit up my top gem pond in the pouring rain and started throwing a Stanley TopToad. Couple lazy blow ups from some of the smaller bass that didn't connect. Switched to my tried and true swimbait that caught one over 10 in Florida. Threw it in the area where I caught the upper 5'er the other day. Second cast it got SLAMMED. Was hoping like mad I had a good hookset as it was a long retreive. When she got about 6ft away from me her head came out of the water a little and I knew it was def. over 6. Reached down to lip her with a soaked slippery hand as she thrashed her head around. When I got her securely in my grip I had a hunch it was over 7 and it was . Scale was going up to 7lbs 6oz but it settled on 7lbs 4oz. After my hands stopped shaking I made a few tosses with Stanley again as I'm getting soaked. A 5plus'er blew up and missed the frog not far from me. I had to stay a lil longer after that. Eventually my reel started acting up from being soaked and I packed it up. Big girl woulda been 8 plus in pre-spawn. Maybe I can find her again.

Hit one of my holes the other day to hunt down the giants that lurk in there. Threw a frog for a bit with no takers then switched to a swimjig. About 100ft out I felt it get crunched. Kept the rod tip low to try to keep her from jumping as she was full of energy. She made a last ditch effort near the bank to burrow under some laydowns but I denied it. Was the only fish from there but it was one of the better ones. 5lbs 12oz

Susquehanna River

Thanks. Yeah they have no stop in them peeling drag like crazy.

Finally got it figured out thanks to my wife.

I take it photobucket wants to charge you for hosting pics now?

Iv'e been trying to find some lakes to fish to catch smb, lmb and spots in the same bow. BTW thanks for all who replied. I think I'm going to just target spots whenever I get to that time frame so in the meantime I got my smallie fix yesterday and today for two 4 hour trips. For mid July I'm not complaining about the results. Combined 60 or so bass up to 4.4lbs and some of you know how hard those river smallies pull. I could get used to this.

I'll probably target lakes with bigger spots and save the smallies for another time ( which will be soon).

Iv'e been hitting one of my little gem ponds recently trying to get the 6-8lb'ers that lurk in this small bow. It gets mucky in the summer and sometimes you're limited to what you can throw. Yesterday I caught a 3lber on a frog and found an open pocket of water near the bank and threw a swimbait and a 5lber crushed it. Today I made a quick stop and threw the frog again and another 5lber hammered it thru the muck. Only one bass from there today but I'll take it.

Thanks for all the input. I'm hearing good reviews on Lake Lanier like mentioned above and Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama.

Thanks for all the responses. Keep em coming . Lanier sounds good but didn't find any info that it holds smb.

Does anyone know or have first hand experience of any lakes in the southeast that have decent size spotted bass and smallmouth in the same bow?

I received an email from trophy catch yesterday regarding this catch.. I agree the angle doesn't fair well for a 16.75 but if they verified it then congrats on that beast. Some of those smaller ponds in Fl hold some monsters.

I fished Dixon in October and shook my head how small it was and still put out the likes of Dottie. I only caught a few bass but talked to the ranger and was told a 13-14 was caught earlier in the year.

Thanks. Yeah that shoreline is worth a stop everytime on this lake.

The weather here has still been 40's one day 70's the next. Went out and threw cranks and swimbaits. Had 3 or 4 fish come unbuttoned on both lures but did manage to land 8. Biggest was a chunky 5 and a half lb girl.

If this pond keeps putting them out I'll take them. Threw a crank and spinner with no takers. Tied on a chatterbait and caught two from the same area. One 2lber and the other was just shy of 5.

Today the weather here was 35 with 20mph winds. I had to give it a shot where I caught the chunky ones yesterday. After 30 minutes my fingers lost function even with light gloves. Managed to catch a 4lb 4oz girl who hammered a white custom spinnerbait. Warmer weather is headed our way.

My home state LMB record was broken twice in the last few years.

The weather here has been up and down lately. 70's one day and 30's today with wind. Threw spinnerbaits, swimbaits , chatterbaits and cranks. Only bites came on a crank. One 3lber and one pushing 6lbs. Gotta get out there for those pre-spawn big bites.

If you're in position to hire a guide there are numerous lakes in Orlando. Pm me if you need some info.

A few days ago another decent size pickerel ripped the split ring and treble off the lure. They are wound up in this lake.

Hope you can get out on the water sooner than expected. Its unusual for me to have bass thumb this early in the year but not complaining.

Thanks. Gotta get out there when water temps are 55-58 in February where I live.

I sent you a PM.