Fishlegs

Jumping in the boat! That blowup on the popper around 13:30 was mighty sweet too. Thanks for sharing.

We took a spur of the moment trip that had us crossing most of the rivers in Alabama...but no time to fish. When we got home yesterday my wife asked me run to the store to get some milk. I was itching to fish so I heard, "You have about 30 minutes of daylight left. Do you want to go fishing? Grab a gallon of milk on your way home." ? I hit a fishing spot "on the way" to the store. I caught a couple on a red bug worm before dark. I did remember to get milk on the way home so all is well. ?

HaHa! I can't explain it, but my drum numbers are definitely down this year.

Yes, sir! I'm hoping to pass my total from last year before 2021 is over. I'm just not there yet.

2021 fishing has been good for me. My total number of fish is down slightly from last year, but that's because I fished a lot more in 2020 with COVID shutting down many other activities. My total number of fish may be down, but I have caught more bass this year. 2021 brought me more bass, better bass, fewer drum, and fewer skipjack. ? A few 2021 highlights are catching a PB smallmouth (thanks to @roadwarrior), had one trip where my friend and I caught over 40 bass, caught my first spotted bass, caught a bass in January and February for the first time ever, fished quite a few new (to me) spots, and developed some fishing friendships that I'm thankful for. It's not over yet, but I already count 2021 as a successful fishing trip.

Regardless of how rusty your tape measure is...that's a nice fish brother! Tough crowd! ?

My dad didn't enjoy bass fishing. I wanted him to like it, but he said it was too much work. One day I talked him into going bass fishing with me. I planned to show him how it's done. I was explaining how we were going to fish a particular spot when he started laughing and said, "here's how I'm going to do it". He did a no look cast behind his head. As soon as his lure hit the water his rod almost got ripped out of his hand. He caught a 5 lb bass on a no look, behind the head cast. It was one of the dumbest things I've ever experienced in fishing. I was furious that he caught the biggest bass of his life being goofy instead of doing what I suggested. He passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, and I cherish that memory now. I tell that story every chance I get. I'd love to have another chance to be out fished by my goofy dad. My point is that fishing is not always about catching the most or the biggest fish. Sometimes fishing isn't even about fishing at all. Try to keep a good thought, and thank you for your service.

Hang in there, and don't quit fishing. There may be a new PB waiting for you the next time you go out.

Those marshes can be tricky in full sun. I’m sure pre-dawn they’re even trickier. I’ve never fished in a marsh, but I did some ecological studies in a marsh in college where pretty much everyone got stuck or fell at some point. Hope you’re not too sore later.

The small ones flying across the screen like they’re making the jump to hyperspace were pretty entertaining too!

My heart tried to tell that to my mind, but we all know that drum stay on the line intentionally because they like to laugh at us when they see our faces when we realize our big catch is a drum. when we realize we caught a drum -> the drum ->

I usually take three 3600 size boxes for lures plus a box for terminal tackle. Narrowing it down to two would be tough for me. I think the posts above covered the most important lures, but don't forget to allow space in the bag for things like pliers, clippers/cutter/knife, tape/scale, extra line, gripper, etc. If you get out there without those things it makes the day much tougher.

Yesterday @roadwarrior took me fishing on a stretch of the Tennessee River that I've never fished before. As usual, it rained 6 inches (for real) in the two days before we went. Seems like all we need to do to get a flood in my area is to schedule a fishing trip. We got a late start due to extremely dense fog, but a late start is better than not fishing. The fishing action was a slower than we'd hoped, but we managed to catch 6 smallmouth and 1 largemouth. Roadwarrior beat me 4-3...if we count largemouth. ?? We talked to a couple other fishermen who caught nothing so 7 is better than nothing. I wish this part was different, but I missed a big one. I was dragging a rage tail menace, and felt a tug on the line. I set the hook, turned to RW & said, "I'm hung up", but my snag started swimming so I started reeling. He said, "I think that's a good one". I knew he was right, but then it turned and swam straight at me. I reeled as fast as I could, but I couldn't keep up. My lure popped out of the water, and my heart sank. I know I have a lot to learn, but I don't know what I could've done differently. Sometimes the fish just wins, I guess. We know where she lives so we might just pay her another visit. Thanks again, RW. It was a good day. It's not a big fish, but here my best one on the day.

You have six fingers on your right hand. I know someone who is looking for you. ?

Congrats! Hopefully the first of many.

Could it mean that your wife is about to discover what the bait monkey is and your fishing life is about to change? She's on to you!

That sounds like an upper level limnology paper, my friend.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I know that's true. My mom was a teacher too, but it was elementary so I was free from that by high school.

Nice fish. Congrats!

From the time I found this forum I believed that there were a lot of great people on here, but a group of fisherman saying they didn't skip school to go fishing?!? I'm past the statute of limitations on my school years so I'll go ahead and admit that I did it...but only once. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ??

Beautiful smallie!

I always notice the pictures with the bright blue jigs because it looks so unusual. We don't have to understand why they bite it. We just have to keep throwing it as long as they do, right? You should name that one the "blue flame" bladed jig because it's HOT!

This doesn't sound crazy to me. It sounds brilliant!

They always seem to choke on that blue bladed jig. That thing is