T-Billy

If @A-Jay did take you along to Menderchuck, that's likely where you'd have to ride anyway, with a burlap sack over your head. No peeking allowed!!! 😂

We're just a couple degrees above you here. Water's 74 in the main basin, and 71 up toward the creeks. We'll be back in the 80's here by Wed, but nights will be in the 50's so that'll temper the heat a bit. Hopefully enough to at least keep the water temp from climbing again. I have to work 6 days this week as I transition into my new schedule. I'll be off Sun, Mon, Tue going forward. My next trip will be next Sat night, right as we're coming into the full moon. It'll likely be the last hurrah for my 2024 night fishing.

ALMOST doubled up today. Tammy got it done, but I couldn't seal the deal. I had a 40ish fish come in hot into the 8. Just as I was coming through the first turn, she said "fish on"! Mine chased my crank around three full laps before it peeled off, and I grabbed the net. Oh well, at least we got hers in the bag. 37.5" That was the only catch of the day. I missed three nippers, and we moved another three. They were chasing aggressively, but were shy about biting, just nipping at the rear hook.

The alternative is the only reason we have any lakes in my neck of the woods. They're all man made reservoirs built for flood control by the Corps of Engineers.

Ya gotta admire this little bass's ambition. 5" Tuff Shad. He even got the front hook. The tough muskie bite continues, but I did break my three trip slump with this 38" this morning, on a 22 Short, burned over deep coontail. Water temps are on the way down again, and the forecast looks good other than continued drought. The bite should be picking up shortly. 🤞

I would be THRILLED to catch any one of @WRB's sows. Same goes for those monster brownies that @A-Jay and @Dwight Hottle catch.

Nah. You're already in better shape than me. I have tendinitis in both elbows, and both my wrists have been broken, and sound like a bowl of rice crispies when I roll 'em around. Ya just gotta ignore the pain and keep chuckin and windin. 😉

Thanks for everything you've done for us here @roadwarrior. I hope you'll still be hanging out here on a regular basis. I'm sure @TnRiver46 will be along soon to post a big drum in your honor. 😁

Congrats @gimruis!!! Those tigers sure are beautiful fish. I wish we had 'em around here. ☝️I'm 100% in agreement with this.

Tubes work well. They seem to have a hard time letting go of them. Once they grab it, just put a little pressure on them and they'll roll, wrapping their mouth shut on it. You'll lose a few feet of line per fish.

You and me both brother. That heat wave totally wrecked a hot bite here. You're doing much better than me. Two skunkings on muskie the last couple days, and I could only manage a couple dink bass and a dink saugeye this morning. The forecast is looking better for this week though, and hopefully some rain come Friday. 🤞

I worked 10.5 hrs yesterday. Home at 4:30. Fed, showered, and in bed at 6:00. Back up at 9:30. On the lake at 11:00. Chucked a double 10 until 6:00, then alternated between double 8's, a single 6, and a 5" tuff shad until I called it quits at 10:00. All just to catch this little fella. 😂 Oh well, I was on a roll for a couple weeks there. This heat wave really messed up the bite. Water temp is up 6 degrees in the last 5 days. I was on fish, but they wouldn't react to baits at all. I had one lazy follow in 11hrs of grinding.

That's awesome.

Here ya go @Eric 26 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/paw-paw-fruit#:~:text=Pawpaws are the fruit of the Asimina triloba,green fruits that have large%2C black%2C lima-bean-shaped seeds.

Roger that. My guide buddy took a 3/0 clear through a finger a while back. He had the knipex right there and it wasn't too big a deal. It sure would have been without them though. I tried a cheaper brand first and wasn't impressed. The knipex are worth every penny. The 8" mini bolt cutters.

Mandatory tool to have when muskie fishing. They'll cut through a 5/0 4X strong VMC with ease. They're always within my reach when unhooking a fish.

Oooooh. That sounds delicious!!!

I just noticed my neighbors trees are loaded. I get a few from it each year. I'm not really big on the texture, but they are tasty. Like a banana with a citrus kick.

Mostly the baits I make with a "Sweet Craw" 3.5" mold from Ultra Molds. I also use the 3.5" Yo Momma from Big Bite Baits. Edit to add: @ol'crickety Unless I'm using them as a jig trailer, I fish them on a snelled straight shank flipping rig.

When it comes to bass, I could get by just fine with a beaver, a worm, and a chatterbait.

I'll be keeping y'all in my prayers. God bless you both.

Rut Ro Raggy... Here lies T-Billy, cause of death... infected case of muskie knuckle. 😂 Joking aside, I hope ya heal up soon Pat. Some nice fishes ya been catching. Congrats.

At least you were having fun when you tore it. I tore my right one falling over some piping at work. 😂 That's what it takes to get 'em bit when the water's warm IME. Still one of the best baits going when conditions are right. The muskie killer has been putting them in the net for me lately during daylight hours, when all they'll do is follow bigger spinners in the clear water. Double 10's have been the ticket in the dark.

If you're willing to make the drive, I know a guy over in Michigan who has an intense old guy work out routine. I'm sure he'd be happy to run you through his boot camp. Strength training in the morning, then he'll put cheeseburgers in your pockets and turn a couple dogs loose after ya for afternoon cardio. 😂

Momma always told me I was "special". 😂