N Florida Mike

Caught this guy today…

@Swamp Girl Mine was 22.5 , not 24 . The longest bass I ever caught was 26 inch, and it only weighed 7 pounds 6 oz. It was rough looking, like maybe it was in its last days or something.

Yeah it was a long fish for the weight-22.5 inches !

Went out back to feed the bream and saw a good size swirl. Cast the watermelon seed uv speed worm and had it back about 10 feet from the dock. Then I saw the bass swimming in a way that would be in a direct path with my worm retrieve. I reeled it up to him , dropped it right in front of him, and he took it. 4.7 pounder. I nearly lost him because he was gut hooked, but I got it out with no blood or gill damage. It took me awhile to revive him, but he swam off finally!

Caught 5 the last hour before sunset. I think it was 3 on the june bug fluke, and 2 on the junebug speed worm… Fished the pockets in the grass/algae near home again with no success at first. I made it to the closest deeper hole down the lake, caught 3 there and 2 in pockets close by.

@Swamp Girl My fish was exactly 4 pounds and it was 20 3/4 inch long . So a little long in the tooth…🤠

Got a 4 pounder and his little brother in the church pond…

Yeah, I never made it to the far end that I like to fish in the mornings. If I go this evening, I’ll fish down there.

First time out since memorial day on the home lake . Fished from daybreak til 10:30. Calm and warm conditions. When I fish mornings here I usually start towards the other end of the lake and fish back. Today I just started at home and fished holes in the eel grass and algae pockets. Started out with a top water frog but no action . Caught the most on watermelon red speed worms, june bug magnum speed worms , watermelon red horny toads, and junebug flukes, in that order. Had a couple on the pumpkin swimming senko but couldn’t hook them. I caught nearly every fish with a slow retrieve. Ended up with 13 . Planning to go again this afternoon, so we’ll see what happens…

Got a few at the church pond. These were the best ones…

I keep track in my head still. I can remember my top 10 biggest in my life and what I caught them on . Also have caught 79 bass over 4 pounds in my lake since 2007. I don’t keep track of all the fish caught elsewhere, unless they break into the top 10. But I do it all from memory…

I grew up saltwater fishing, living 15 miles from the ocean. I always enjoy it. That being said, if I had to give up all kinds of fishing and could keep one, I’d keep bass fishing.

B. 😉 It’s one of the ponds at my church. I haven’t been out on my lake since Memorial day. I got 20 that day- a good way to end the spring.

This has really settled into a siege. The church pond siege… Some of you may recall the ongoing battle I’ve had with a fish I’ve lost several times in the last couple years. I’m thinking it’s at DD fish. I have not missed many Saturday daybreaks at the pond this year. Last week, it was slow. I had cast and my son called. I set the rod down and noticed line peeling off . I set the hook sitting down ( which I rarely do), and a large fish came completely out of the water and threw the hook. She was big, but I don’t think it was “ the fish “. Today was slow again, but I at least got this one… I don’t plan on giving up until I win or pass on …!

You at your Old house off plainfield ?

I’ll take the Ribeye !

I’d add something I used to do a lot when younger. Now the heat gets to me too much. If you know of the deepest hole in a smaller lake, fish it SLOW with a big curly tailed worm. I actually used Mann’s Jelly worms back in the day. I also start skipping plastics under docks in mid morning, and stay on that technique until I can’t stand the heat anymore. Usually noon or so.

I caught an 8 pounder in a murky golf course lake on one.

This is sad news. I felt a kinship with Tommy that I’m sure many of us did. I appreciate the insights, humor , and faith he showed. Looking forward to meeting him in person someday … thoughts and prayers to his family…

Got a couple at the church pond this morning. This fish fought so hard I thought I’d hooked big mama at first… I haven’t really fished much since memorial day, other than the church pond and a little in the backyard…Busy on all fronts + it’s been miserably hot 🥵. I hope to make up for it soon..

I’m staying home in the AC. Thought about going fishing early this morning, but I am wore out from work because we have been real busy. Trying to regroup, relax and get refreshed. Happy 4th everyone!

I probably lost the biggest bass I ever hooked in there. All I know is that the Ocklawaha river south and east of the dam is FULL of fish of all kinds.

Mine was shallow for sure. Probably already on a bed, although I didn’t see it . Caught on Dec. 31st. Many would say that’s too early. Not in a warm winter in Florida. I caught another 1 off a bed on Christmas day that was 6.3.

@Swamp Girl, sorry you’re ailing. I have a little pain in my wrists from time but rest always helps. Too bad you may miss most of the summer. If it’s any consolation, I don’t fish much ( comparatively) in the summer. I do plan to go early on July 4th. I guess we are partly selfish about you recovering asap because we enjoy your input and stories. Maine just seems so interesting. I never knew you had that kind of bass fishing that far north…

Got this 6 pound,14 oz , 23 inch fish in the church pond . The hook just fell out as I started to unhook her !!😅