soflabasser

+1 In 2010 we lost a lot of our exotic fish because of extreme low temperatures (for South Florida ).Since then the exotics have greatly increased in size and numbers, but even now a 5 pound or better Butterfly Peacock Bass is a Trophy sized fish. Maybe the OP is talking about another variety of Peacock Bass ( Speckled).I doubt that Peacock Bass can thrive that far north,unless the pond owner finds a way to keep the pond above 60 degrees or more 24/7.

Time is better spent working out or fishing than smoking or vaping.

Very well made!

The jigs came out good!

Like others have said those lures are most likely cheap knock-offs of poor quality.Many people buy them in bulk online for $1-2 each (or less),paint them,and try to sell them to anyone that will fall for it. I would stay away from these inferior knock-offs and avoid buying any "custom painted" megabass lures.

I agree with you that 4-5 combos should be more than enough,this is the max number of combos I bring with me when bass fishing.Most of the times I only really need 1 rod/reel to have a good fishing trip.

Solid Crappie!

Yes we have Sunshine Bass (Hybrid Striped Bass),Striped Bass,and White Bass in the State of Florida. There's also another Hybrid Striped Bass called the Palmetto Bass.

Those are some since Hybrid Striped Bass,we have them down here as well and they are much stronger than a Largemouth Bass.The first one you posted looks like the Hybrid Striped Bass I catch down here.The only way to truly know is to have a Biologist examine it.If it's a White Bass it's a monster!

That fish is a Wiper Bass aka Hybrid Striped Bass.

Solid bass!

Solid bass!

I agree with you that he should get a multi-piece rod instead of a telescopic rod as a travel rod. A 2-3 piece rod that has at least medium action should be good for light inshore fishing.

Awesome Northern Pike! I would enjoy making a trip up there to catch a couple of those!We have Barracuda down here which are somewhat similar fish in terms of how aggressive they are when hitting lures.

I use the Rapala Knot for Frogs.

Send some Northern Pike down here!I will appreciate catching them since I enjoy targeting several species of fish.

Thank you for posting your report!

Bass fishing has been great for me this whole year so far with a couple bass over 5 pounds in January. February has been good as well and I am looking towards the weekend to go bass fishing.

You can invite her to join you fishing and offer to make a picnic so both of you can enjoy the outdoors.

I usually bring a couple protein bars,whole wheat sandwiches,and a couple water bottles with me when I plan to fish for several hours.

Same here!Flukes work very good down here for bass.Have caught many +5 pound bass on flukes,they are great lures for both numbers and quality sized bass.

Good post Tom,I agree with you that trophy bass can suffer from post release mortality,regardless if the bass was caught on a live bait or lure.I read some post that you said you used crawfish and waterdogs with good success to get bass, but the biggest bass you caught was on a lure.

I have noticed that those who do well in saltwater fishing(both bait and lures) tend to be more accepting of using livebait in freshwater,at least here in Florida.Many of these saltwater fishermen also use lures and bait in freshwater and tend to do very well.What matters most in fishing is what you catch,not how you catch it.Ask someone who doesn't fish and they will tell you that a successful fishing trip is one where you catch lots of fish, especially big ones.

In the end what matters most is that you are having a good time catching bass. Live bait fishing is an art in itself and I have had several trips where lures out fished live bait for me since the bass were swiping the bait,yet getting hooked on the lure.