WDE

I guess I'm just going to have to look into a trout fishing rig and elbow my way into Johnson now. I can't begin to tell you how frustrated I've been, wanting to just hit a quick stop after work only to see a gang of people out there. A pond that I've had moderate success in, but I also appreciate my solitude--so I'm stuck playing around in Halle(which I truly cannot stand) or Grove until people get bored with Johnson. I did notice a day or two ago that there's a pond in the back by the boardwalk shielded by trees(not the one with the fountains), if the weather is okay tomorrow I'll have to check it out. And I know it's really not my place to gripe about a public pond and people wanting to take advantage of the recent stocking of it. Just venting because I haven't had much luck lately and with this schizophrenic weather--I'm just aggravated.

If I ever needed a sign to take a break from Grove again, I think this would be it. Oh, and losing two lures to hidden discarded Christmas tr--err structure.

Yep, I just saw the signs this afternoon. They were busting and jumping out of the water like crazy. The front ponds are way up right now too.

I got out to Grove for a little while on the 29th. All I managed was a crappie. And no, I wasn't handling the fish like this, just a frame grab from the GoPro when he thrashed out from my other hand. Interesting hook set, however.

What's the deal with Johnson front pond lately? Past two times I've tried to go, there's been 7 or 8 people fishing it. Usually I have the whole area to myself.

I gotta close that day and Saturday, so no fishing for me either of those days. But we could try to figure something out in he future.

What were you throwing? I'm hoping to get out tomorrow after work, but I just saw that rain has moved into the forecast. I noticed a pond yesterday behind Covenant Church on Houston Levee. Might have to go check that one out soon.

Two new rods, Daiwa Tatula CT Type R, Spiderwire sling shoulder tackle bag, and other odds and ends. That said, what I'm most excited for is what my wife's grandfather gave me: Some very old lures(the one up top is at least 40 years old) that I intend to use. The bottom lure appears to be what could've been a buzzbait before the current buzzbait was engineered. He doesn't get to fish much anymore due to his age(mid to late 80s). Initially, I wanted to just make a shadow box display of them; however, I think I'll try my hardest in 2017 to catch a fish on each lure, snap a pic, and then give him an album or stitched photo of all the pictures. Each lure shall be retired in his legacy.

Grove is the pond on far left of this pic, right on Johnson, first left and left into the parking. (Coming from Collierville). You were probably in the right spot. I noticed today on the north end that they've either created a retention pond or perhaps they've allowed access to a small off-shoot creek from the Wolf River. I'm going to go stomping around down there soon. Late summer there were crews out there working on an overflow pipe, I should've taken pics today...but cold...I'll try to get them tomorrow.

Didn't see you, but did you have any luck(if you went)? I was out there from about 4:20-5:30. Line guides were freezing up, spinnerbait skirt froze, got a couple bites. I'm not totally sure if bank fishing in 30 degree weather is advantageous for Grove. For me anyway. Fish were still busting, but way out toward the middle. All I can ever think when I'm out there is, "it sure would be nice to take a boat right out to the middle and anchor". High is 50 degrees tomorrow, so I'll be back at it around 3. Maybe there, maybe Johnson.

It's a fairly deep pond from what I can tell(relatively speaking). But fish have been active, mostly ~30-40 yards out. I got discouraged there back in late Summer, early Fall and didn't go back until last week.

Looks like it'll be sunny, high in the mid 30s. I'll probably be back out at the Grove tomorrow afternoon. If you see me, come say "hi".

This is great information, thanks! I thought I had a good fish, but only 70 pounds shy of a world record. 14lb fluoro got him in. Was an adventure for sure.

Not the big fish I wanted, but I landed my first carp(ever) on a lipless crank at Grove.

I tried to retrieve my lure numerous times before he finally settled down long enough to get my crankbait out without fear of taking a treble to the hand. Noted on the actual handling of it. When I got him to the surface, I saw a very sharp dorsal protruding from the water. I think I'll just continue dislodging them from the water, should they want to hit a bass lure again. Is this even considered a "decent" sized carp?

Only had time for a few casts and caught my first carp. I had no idea how to handle this fish. It was much too large to mouth grip, and I wasn't going to use my pliers. Left him in the water until he calmed down and I could dislodge my lure. For future reference, how am I supposed to handle these fish?

Back at Grove today for a little bit.

Caught a nice chunk today. Also a PB.

Here's a fun comparison, a beautifully marked baby LMB from a similar pond 2 miles down the road. Caught under the same conditions, 2 days ago:

When I first started bass fishing years ago, and then recently when I picked the rods up again, I fished nothing but finesse. But over the past couple months I've been using a crankbait 99% of the time. With about an hour and a half of sunlight after work today, I decided to try out using a jig with a craw trailer(never had much experience prior). It felt way too slow and I got bored after 30 minutes or so, and ultimately began doubting my ability with a finesse presentation anymore. So I tied on the crankbait and landed one a few casts later. Crank/power has become such a reliable bait/method for me, that it's become a crutch; and I'm not really sure how I feel about it because in the long run, I feel that it's limiting my options and (potential)abilities. Is it a bad thing to prefer one method to the other? Edit: I feel should note that I'm strictly relegated to bank fishing.

I drove by Lake Page in Halle Plantation today after work. It looks nice, however there was a sign that said that it's "reserved for residents and guests of Halle Plantation". I didn't feel like getting run off, if anyone would even bother. So I went to Grove for the first time in quite a while. Bite's slow there too. Played around with a jig for a bit(I've never really used one), then tied on the lipless crankbait and pulled this small one in. While still small, it's the biggest I've ever pulled out of there.

Bank fishing, ghost shad lipless crank. Sub 50 outside temp. No clue about water temp, which brings this question--why is this fish so light in color? Is it the water temperature? This is probably the lightest colored bass I've caught in recent memory(if not ever).

Bite's gone cold at Johnson front ponds, skunked toady and a dink earlier in the week. I think the rain we got probably helped the bass spread out, now that they can move between the ponds via the drainage pipes. I guess it's time to check out other spots and play around with new presentations. And I was having so much fun with the ghost shad lipless crankbait.

Gotcha. I have been there before, and I did struggle with it. Have you(or anyone else reading) tried lake Page?

So when you guys are referencing "Halle" are you talking about the lake behind Collierville Town Hall? Or Lake Page that's in the Halle Plantation neighborhood?