DitchPanda

Back to basics type of fishing is always a good way to get your mind right. Its hard not to get spun out having 10 rods laying there cycling thru technique after technique. Lately I've spent a bunch of time throwing a fluke,a popper and a senko...catching alot of fish and having a good easy going time doing it.

So my definition of a big bass around here is 5lbs and up. Last year I put some serious focus on big bass...I only got one and it took until November. This year I'm focusing on just fishing and enjoying the experience...I've caught a 5, 5.5 and a 6 plus lost one that would have been close to 5. Sorry I'm no help.. At one time I thought I knew what I was doing but clearly I was wrong.

I don't throw them often but when I do its always sans swivel

Whoa that sucks

I also like the Mr twister phenoms in motor oil...I agree they are amber in color with a greenish sheen.

Overpopulated lakes = small stunted bass. As mentioned above some selective harvest could help over time. I've got a county pond 10 minutes from my house...not sure actual size maybe 8-10 acres. Over the past 10 years I've caught dozens of nice bass in the 5-6lb range...even got an 8 a few years back.

Trick worm

Here's another thing I'd add...even if somebody figures out what it is how likely are they to know to fish it? Just playing the odds here but I'd venture to say most guys that don't run a fish finder probably aren't super knowledgeable on fishing offshore structure\cover.

If I saw tape marking trees in that scenario I'd assume if was done by the conservation dept. Maybe thinking trees they plan to remove or maybe a layout of some kind.

Ralph Wiggum said it best...Me fail English? That's unpossible

Oh don't get me wrong there have been many times when a drum saved the day...just fools ya sometimes. I also prefer saltwater fish and sushi but I also enjoy freshwater fish. Although I haven't eaten it near as much the past few years. I'm mostly a C&R guy now days.

I've only ever hired a guide on a few ice fishing trips..same guy twice and I tipped him well because he deserved it. One year we killed em the next year I'm not sure if we even brought any home after our fish fry cuz the bite sucked. Tipped him the same both times. For me the fish catching part while nice is indeed unimportant as long as the guide does everything he can and I still enjoy the experience. Buddy told me a story about a guy he hired once...said he absolutely smashed the fish. Said oh sounds like a good time...he said no the guy was a pissy unpersonable jackass the entire time. Needless to say even with the success there was no tip.

My best colors the past few years are mud minnow, green pumpkin and Mud bug so I honestly think they all work about the same.

Oysters are about the only seafood I don't like..raw or cooked. A texture thing for me...kind of a slimy bag of sand. Flavor wise I like them.

Was gonna say I remember you saying you don't like fish so somebody got a prime bag of fillets! One thing I like most about your videos and posts is your appreciation for other species. I've got buddies who get ticked catching accidental crappie, white bass or walleye when bass fishing..my response is just enjoy the fight. Although a stinky old drum can get me going sometimes.

Losing a big one but it can also be a great learning tool..think back on what you did and gain something from it. About a month back I had a solid fish on a spinning rod...4-5lb range. Fought her for a long time, had her tired right next to the jetty and then she dove and cut my line on a piece of metal. Also today I had 3 solid fish in the span of 15 minutes pull off on a Ned rig. Same rod, bait, line and head I've caught fish on for several years. Checked my drag...set to my liking...checked my hook point..sticky. Came to the determination that sometimes it just happens.

I'm sorry for your loss. I do appreciate your advice at the end...I agree its to easy to get busy and let things go by the wayside. Hang in there buddy.

That's kinda where I'm at with him. In the past few weeks he told all of us we suck at catching bass in the morning, don't know how to fish a frog, can't run a trolling motor, can't hold a spinning reel right, can't hold a baitcaster right and can't even judge the distance between lure and rodtip to cast correctly. I'm just glad my local bass don't watch him because they would know how much of an angling failure I am and stop biting.

I like raw fish...sushi or ceviche. That said I probably won't make any with a white bass caught in a county pit.

I just watched a Randy Blaukat video where he said a blade bait is one of the worst baits in July. So despite your success your doing it wrong.

Makes sense..all fish are in my experience

I've been accused of camping on a spot and being too thorough. Of course I'm fishing from shore so that limits your access to productive areas.

No plan on freezing any just gonna keep enough for a fry up. Really hankering for some Baja style beer battered tacos. As soon as I posted this I actually thought of you...seen you post several pictures and responses talking about how much you live white bass. If I actually find some ill let you know how I like em!

Have to watch em a million times to learn to appreciate it? I don't have that kind if time...I've got a job...oh and bass to catch!

Been catching a few nice ones lately and plan to keep a couple for blackened fish tacos. Haven't had white bass in a long time but have heard mixed things about their fishiness. Anybody a fan of eating white bass? Do anything extra to draw out the fishy flavor or just eat em as is?