T-Billy

Frogs. Just not great producers in my local lakes.

I got out for about 4.5 hours this afternoon. This cold front has 'em eat'n. I ended up going 2 for 4. Caught two on crappie, and lost two on the A-rig. I'm 1 for four on the rig lately, so I switched back to a 9' HF rod. I have been throwing it on a 9'5" XH Prorex, and while I really like the way it fishes on that rod, I think it's moderate action leaves it a little lacking in power for good hooksets with the heavy wire 5/0 hooks I'm making my jigs with. Anyhoo... The first fish today was a nice thick 42" and it was #80 over 30" for the year. The second fish today was this beautifully colored 37". I didn't get to see the first A-rig fish I lost, but it didn't feel that big. 30 something I'd guess. The second was a pretty nice fish about 40"-42". I got a good look at it when it shot 4' out of the water and did a backflip about 10' from the boat. That's not something you see a lot in 53 degree water. That fish was fired up! It knocked a few feet of slack in my line when it hit. So... I'm sit'n at 81 muskie with six weeks left in the year and the rig bite is getting underway. I'm off the next four days and still have a week of vacation I'm taking the first week of Dec. + 15 more regular off days. There's no guarantee that I'll get to fish all of December though. Even so, I'm feeling pretty good about my chances of getting to the century mark. 🤞

Nah. I buy what I want all through the year.

Simply a matter of preference. My 5'5" wife has no issues with using a 9.5' muskie rod.

His uppercut is absolutely terrifying!!!

Rode the skunk for about 8hrs today. I thought I was gonna ride it home, then I ended up picking up two on a main lake point with a steep break into 30'. Both were right on top of the ledge in about 12'. 32" and 45". Only took a pic with the 45. Raised four others with the A rig, but they wouldn't commit. Crappie rig saved the day again. Guide buddy and his bunch got three today, all on crappie for them also. It's tough out there right now, but I saw some BIG shad schools out deep today. It won't be long now if the forecast holds. 🤞

Actually, I'm not . I should get that taken care of. Thanks for the reminder.

I won't be watching, but I hope Mike sleeps him in the first. I'm the same age as you @Eric 26, and also got to watch Tyson wreck everyone in the HW division back in the day.

I feel EXACTLY the same way. It's the main reason there's five dozen bass rods out in the garage. I've really found my groove with ARK rods though. I like the seats/grips, and the tapers and powers have proven to be spot on for my taste. They've proven to be both sensitive and durable too. I've been giving the others away to friends and family.

Different strokes for different folks... I'd rather to keep the barbs and land more fish. I've only been hooked a few times over the decades and haven't had any real trouble removing them. The braid method is pretty painless. Pushing them through sucks but is effective, if it's not too deep. I misjudged it this time and shouldn't have cut the hook where I did, but even pulling it out with pliers really wasn't too bad. Just gotta grit yer teeth and go for it.

With the end of daylight savings time, our Saturday after work trips have been shortened up and there aren't many left this year. We only got to muskie fish for about 2.5 hrs today, but Tammy got to put a 37.5" in the net with the crappie rig. That's #12 for her this year. Her first year getting into double digits on 'em. Then the Muskie managed to catch a sucker when it buried a #1 4x strong treble in my index finger clear up to the bend, then it proceeded to go ape while we were hooked together. That was fun!!!🤬 😂 I'm here to tell ya'll, those Knipex cutters are worth every penny. I screwed up by cutting the point that was in my finger at the shank, thinking I'd just push it through. WRONG!!! It was too deep and I almost lost the whole thing under the skin. I ended up having to apply pressure away from the barb and rip it out with pliers. Lesson learned. I'll be cutting them at the eye every time going forward. Then I can pop 'em out with braid. Anyway, It was a good trip. I'm always happy when I can put my girl on fish.

Prayers continue... and I hope you two have a wonderful anniversary.

We used to catch a handful of 10-13 inchers on a stretch of my local river every year @TnRiver46. Then one year the city cut all the overhanging brush off the bank and the big's disappeared.

The Mepps Muskie Killer put several quality fish in the net for me this year. The best was this chunky 45.5". When they're chasing bigger blades but don't want to commit, downsizing to the Muskie Killer will often seal the deal.

I'm ideal + 15#. 😂 I gave up smoking, drinking, drugging, and fast women. The bacon and donuts ain't going nowhere!!! A man has to draw the line at some point.

😂 Thanks, the pics will continue. I've slowed down on 'em recently. I figure y'all get tired of looking at 30 something inchers. Probably just post some of the better ones going forward, along with a short report.

In those water temps I've caught many smallies on shallow rock, wood, and weed remnants on warm sunny days. If it's cloudy and cold, I do better out on deeper structure.

It occurred to me while reading this thread that it's been a couple years since I've watched a bass tournament. Just like the NFL, I haven't missed it a bit.

Fur hat season is just around the corner. Those big slimy beasts would be wise to head for deep waters!!! 😂

I keep my ripped physique covered up with a layer of blubber. I'm not a show off like @A-Jay. 😂

I think my peak as a fisherman has yet to come. My peak as a bass fisherman has likely past. I've largely moved on to a bigger and meaner fish. 😉

Y'all have some silly laws up there. I'm sure glad OH isn't nearly as restrictive. We can use any native fish that doesn't have a size or creel limit for bait. Gotta be careful with that as we do have some lake specific limits. We are also allowed three rods per angler.

😂 I'm with ya if soaking live bait was all I was doing. I'm usually casting too. Keeps me occupied, and also pulls fish in to the crappie. Yesterday's 46.5" is a good example of that paying off.

I picked up a pair of Daiwa Lexa HD 400's last year for $200 each. They're normally $319.

I Agree. Muskie don't take mishandling well, and big ones are not an easily or quickly replaced resource. That said, this applies to most species to some degree. Unfortunately, we see lots of dirty bass in the pic thread.