Hey guys, thought I'd start a thread about those other fish we catch from time to time while bass fishing. Up here in the North, fall is in full swing, so I have been out there searching for a new PB smallmouth. My goal is a 6lb bronzeback, from waters not including the great lakes, or the St.Lawrence River.

I have thus far failed in my efforts, but have landed some really nice trout in the lake I usually fish. So, I thought I'd share some pics and ask, whats your most memorable or surprising bonus fish? Mine is this gorgeous bull rainbow trout. Yes, he hit a pointer 78 (baitfish silver)...actually he CRUSHED it, and I thought I was into a decent smallie. This fish was shallow, near a downed tree, I didnt know trout related to cover in lakes.

Enjoy, now lets hear some stories!

Trout do actually like cover, especially if there's current. At night, they actually nestle in tight to anything they can get under. This time of year, as the shallows cool, trout will follow bait-fish in shallow, and feed on them, and a pointer is an excellent bait for targeting them.

This was a real bonus for me, not only a great fish but a financial success as well. 1975 in Key West, Florida fishing on a drift boat that was targeting margate snapper I hook into this cobia, I actually landed it on 7' mh freshwater spinning rod, I didn't know any better at the time, lol. Won the pool of about $125.00 and sold the fish to chef waiting at the docks for $2.00lb.......yeh I remember I much I got.

Here's a bonus fish from last week, also caught chasing smallies. Waiting by the ramp for my partner, just fan casting, hooked this 28" steelhead hen. She ran about 9 lbs.

This was a real bonus for me, not only a great fish but a financial success as well. 1975 in Key West, Florida fishing on a drift boat that was targeting margate snapper I hook into this cobia, I actually landed it on 7' mh freshwater spinning rod, I didn't know any better at the time, lol. Won the pool of about $125.00 and sold the fish to chef waiting at the docks for $2.00lb.......yeh I remember I much I got.

I dont have much saltwater experience, but I'll bet that cobia gave you everything you wanted on a MH freshwater rod! Nice fish, any idea what it weighed??

Trout do actually like cover, especially if there's current. At night, they actually nestle in tight to anything they can get under. This time of year, as the shallows cool, trout will follow bait-fish in shallow, and feed on them, and a pointer is an excellent bait for targeting them.

Interesting info, I woulda never thought that as we have always caught them suspended over 50 or 60 feet of water all other times of the year, this is the first time I left the motor on my fishing raft for the fall, so I'mjust learning the fall patterns here, so far so good, but no footballs....yet.

Here's a bonus fish from last week, also caught chasing smallies. Waiting by the ramp for my partner, just fan casting, hooked this 28" steelhead hen. She ran about 9 lbs.

And that is one nice steelie! What'd she fall for??

Caught on a lc pointer last fall while fishing for smallies.

And that is one nice steelie! What'd she fall for??

Longnose gar in the 4' range..towed the canoe around for awhile.

Caught on 7' 1" MH rod with 14lb test and a 1/2oz jig flipping docks. Was very obvious when it bit that it was not a bass.

My buddy kanasbassfisher08's Missouri muskie that trashed a buzzbait for him.

These guys are always a fun surprise when they crush my swimbait during the winter months.

@ Bluebasser, that cat is impressive.

I could never land that Cobia on lighter tackle now, I had youth on my side at the time. My bonus fish because I made quite a bit of money on it.

Beautiful fish and great pics.

Heres my bonus fish, not much of a giant, it's a 5lbs 3oz Cusk...... It was early spring and won me $125... (there was a pool for biggest fish on a big full day charter)

Nice fish jitterburg...........even a 5 lb fish is gonna put you thru your paces offshore.

Bonus brown while chasing brown fish.....

Nice brownie J. I like that reel handle too!

From a couple of seasons ago ~

A-Jay

A-Jay I would like to catch that pike when she hits 50".

A-Jay I would like to catch that pike when she hits 50".

I hear that !

She came from a lake loaded with big fat trout (and bass) so she eats well. In the spring (before the season opens here), there are some real bruises sunning themselves in the shallow bays - I drives me CRAZY !

A-Jay

From a couple of seasons ago ~

A-Jay

Wow that's a fat pike! They're fun to catch but at the same time I'm glad they aren't in the lakes I bass fish, I like keeping my baits

Wow that's a fat pike! They're fun to catch but at the same time I'm glad they aren't in the lakes I bass fish, I like keeping my baits

You ought to fish with me, lol. I don't think I have a lure, spoon or jig that lasts a couple of days, except when there are no fish around, then some just rust. I get cut off, lures bitten rendering them uselss, jigs pulled apart, gill plates cutting leaders......nature of the game, can be pricey but wouldn't want to do anything else.

You ought to fish with me, lol. I don't think I have a lure, spoon or jig that lasts a couple of days, except when there are no fish around, then some just rust. I get cut off, lures bitten rendering them uselss, jigs pulled apart, gill plates cutting leaders......nature of the game, can be pricey but wouldn't want to do anything else.

I'd love to have the problem you have, getting that variety of fish that you get in the saltwater. At least the baits you normally use in saltwater seem to run a little cheaper. I've never really gotten to do any real saltwater fishing, just going out on the charter boats and dropping pieces of squid straight down and cranking like mad when you feel a bite. I wouldn't be tossing any Megabass or Lucky Crafts into the salt though

Wow that's a fat pike! They're fun to catch but at the same time I'm glad they aren't in the lakes I bass fish, I like keeping my baits

There are very few waters up here that don't have at least a few pike. Most have a very healthy population.

The times I don't rig with wire, I often get bit off. (especially jig fishing spring / fall)

The times I do use wire, I rarely catch a pike.

It's like a bad joke.

A-Jay

It's like a bad joke.

A REALLY bad joke. Same problems here, especially in fall and spring when everything seems to intersect the same habitat.