BooyahMan

Not the most most recent as I got this one a couple of trips ago but definitely the most memorable of the year for me so far.

Have you ever had that one SPECIFIC lure that just produces for you day in and day out, and one day you just decide to retire it because you don't want to destroy or lose it? If you do, how long does it usually take until a lure has reached its "retirement" stage for you?

Have faith. Even the best anglers go on cold streaks every so often. You know you're more than capable of catching the big ones so try not to sweat it. Besides, better to be skunked now than during the tournament, am I right?

At least you landed a bunch of fish! You will get the "one that got away", have faith.

I actually did buy a scale after my PB last year...however I didn't bring it with me. Kicking myself now.

I came very close to hooking what I believe to be a Pumpkinseed on a Rebel Buzz Frog the other night. However, this Cutthroat taken on a Norman Squarebill takes the cake for me:

Went out the other night and got the smallest Bass I've ever caught on a topwater frog, maybe 10-11 inches at most. Didn't know a fish that size would even try to fit a frog in its mouth! Moved over a couple of spots and nailed my biggest fish of the year so far and the first fish to touch the 20" mark. Very possibly could be my PB as it is very similar in size to my PB I got last year. However, I did not get a true measurement of last year's fish (only a rough estimation of the length) and thus I will never know. I guess this can be my "official" PB. Here's a question: how accurate is the weight calculator on the Bass Resource website? This fish measured 20" with a 15" girth and the calculator on this site gave me 5.88lbs. However, on other sites the calculations vary and I've seen it anywhere from 5.88 down to 4.2lbs. How much does this fish weigh in your opinion and would an average of 5.5lbs be accurate enough? It certainly felt over 5 when holding it. I love bass fishing.

About 8 inches haha. I was still happy though as up to that point I had always wanted to catch a Bass.

The river I frequent for Steelhead is closing for us gear guys on May 1st. There's still a chance of catching some Steel in other systems but I am going to be focusing on Bass and the early Coho Salmon that will be coming in in May.

Last trip of the season for me and got another little hatchery runt. Not complaining though!

Now there's a chunky one. Nice job!

Yep, it's the black with cork handle (no split grip). I really like it although I haven't caught any bass on it yet! To add to this thread, just picked up a Snag Proof Harry's Round Frog and Snag Proof Weed Demon. Can't wait to try them out! Also picked up a cheap Daiwa Sweepfire MH 6'6" baitcasting rod for a beater rod in heavier weeds.

See...I wouldn't mind catching suckers that size, even if that meant not catching any Steelhead. Then again, I fish for almost anything and everything haha.

How big are these suckers? Even if there weren't any Steelhead I wouldn't mind hooking other fish. We have Bull Trout and Mountain Whitefish but for whatever reason I don't come across them that often and 9/10 whatever is on the end of the line is usually a Steelhead. From the sounds of it the suckers are a bit of a nuisance?

Nice fish! I always live by the rule that a small fish is better than no fish, and no fish is better than staying home. I'd take those fish any day over being skunked! Also, if they're males they could possibly be getting frisky even at that size I believe. I caught one not much bigger than the ones in your pics the other day. It was cast after I had landed a chunky little female from the exact same spot, and I've been thinking maybe it was the male even though it was on the small side.

Pleasant bunch, by the sounds of it.

Not as big as the hogs already posted but I also got my PB while bank fishing:

Wow. And I thought the Sockeye run here was crowded. Nice fish! Glad to hear you're nailing them.

Not exactly a conversation, but a one-liner that always gets me when I'm fishing. "Are there fish here?" I try so hard not to be a smart ass. Also recently had a funny conversation with a one of the typical Salmon/Steelheaders out here while bass fishing. He came over to say hi: Him: Are you fishing for bass? Me: Yes. Him: What are you using? Me: Just a crankbait (Norman Squarebill). Him: That's too big for bass. Me: Not really. Him: *gives me funny look* I wish he had still been there when a tiny 10 inch Cutthroat slammed it.

It amazes me how different the gear we use here in BC is from what you guys use out East. Everyone here has 15-20lb main, 12lb leader. Some go down to 8lb leader when the water is really low and clear, but 4lb for Steelhead here is pretty much unheard of. I can imagine fighting a Steelie with line that light must get the heart pounding!

Just bought a Cabelas Pro Guide 7' heavy action casting rod and paired it with a Daiwa Lexa 100HS. Love it. Must attest to the sensitivity of this rod as even though it's a heavy action, I felt a 10 inch Cutthroat Trout take a crankbait. At the same time I don't feel like I would have to question the rod's strength if it comes down to pulling a hog out of heavy weeds.

I like it. However I frequently fish white water pockets and for that it's a little on the soft side. For slower water though it's more than enough, and for smaller rivers/creeks I could imagine it would be fantastic.

Absolutely nothing wrong with Okuma pins. I put mine through a lot of abuse for salmon fishing and it holds up nicely. Even paired it with my 13' Shimano Clarus last season and didn't miss my 3106/Islander combo at all.

Should have been better? Man, I would kill to have a day like you had! I understand how you feel about losing those big ones, but don't sweat it too much. You've already proven to be more than competent in getting them to bite so it's only a matter of time! Could be on the very next trip. Sounds like a great day on the water. Thanks for the awesome read!

Awesome day! Nothing better than a great day out on the water with your partner. Fingers crossed I can replicate your success today.