1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Beautiful fish, and I'd LOVE to catch a 6lb Rainbow.    Do the big ones still taste as good as the stocker sized ones?  

No idea, they all taste horrible to me ?. They male excellent cutbait for catfish though. I saved a few just for that reason. I've caught 3 over 6 from that lake, 2 of them were the same day about 15 minutes apart.

1 minute ago, Bluebasser86 said:

No idea, they all taste horrible to me ?.

Gut em, ice em, then ship em up here....I LOVE broiled rainbow.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Gut em, ice em, then ship em up here....I LOVE broiled rainbow.

I'd say they'd be a mushy mess but I can't imagine them being much more mushy than they already are. 

I was finally able to fish again on Sunday. I only got out once in February and hadn't caught anything since January. I had clear skies and a strong southerly wind.

 

The bite was tough and I drove around to a few different pits. I tried a spook, spinnerbait, swim bait, and Texas rigged craw before I finally got one on a Texas rigged trick worm on a point. About 3.5 hours work for a little 14 incher, but worth it.

12 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

It's already stupid hot here lol, 83 with occasional wind and very sunny skies.   Water temps: 66.5 main lake - 70 in the backs of coves

Must be nice! We'll have high 20s-low30s overnights until the 25th, but water temps have tilted up to 41. Things should start moving here soon regardless with the new moon on the way.

 

It's crisp out right now. Stupid NE winds won't quit. Just sucks whatever heat we accumulate right out.

 

 

2 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Must be nice! We'll have high 20s-low30s overnights until the 25th, but water temps have tilted up to 41. Things should start moving here soon regardless with the new moon on the way.

 

It's crisp out right now. Stupid NE winds won't quit. Just sucks whatever heat we accumulate right out.

 

 

I'll take that over what we got going on.

10 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I'll take that over what we got going on.

Well, you planted roots on the north pole, so...

@PhishLI, you catch big fish on Long Island, which surprises me. I would think your lakes would be pounded given their proximity to millions of people. Or are people focusing on beach combing, the city, and saltwater fishing rather than bass?

 

@Bluebasser86, whoa! Gorgeous fish!

 

@AlabamaSpothunter, your hot streak spoiled you. You're still catching quantity and quality. 

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I'll take that over what we got going on.

Been there, done that albeit a long time ago. Hard pass now but I’ll offer you high humidity and 90+ degree weather if you’re interested ?

Just now, ScottW said:

Been there, done that albeit a long time ago. Hard pass now but I’ll offer you high humidity and 90+ degree weather if you’re interested ?

That type of weather makes it just as hard for me to fish as what we got going on here now...I wilt when it gets much above 85 degrees and/or 70% humidity.

Agreed, @MN Fisher. I actually enjoy winter. Viva la difference! My mom lives in Sarasota and she doesn't have seasons. It's hot or hotter. In my 11 years in Maine, it reached 95 degrees once. The low eighties are the typical summer high, but most summer days are in the sixties and seventies. 

1 minute ago, ol'crickety said:

In my 11 years in Maine, it reached 95 degrees once.

I'm quite familiar with Maine's climate - when I lived in Mass many years ago, one of our summer vacation spots was in Maine.

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I'm quite familiar with Maine's climate - when I lived in Mass many years ago, one of our summer vacation spots was in Maine.

 

Ditto. I lived in Eau Claire for 11 years, which as you know, it's a hop and skip due east from the cities. I also lived in Mass for a couple years. 

46 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Agreed, @MN Fisher. I actually enjoy winter. Viva la difference! My mom lives in Sarasota and she doesn't have seasons. It's hot or hotter. In my 11 years in Maine, it reached 95 degrees once. The low eighties are the typical summer high, but most summer days are in the sixties and seventies. 

Sarasota gets plenty cold, it only happens when we arrive for a week long vacation tho 

4 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

 I actually enjoy winter. 

 

 

                                                       

Caught 4 fish today, but one was a 5lb class fish.    3 fish on the Shimano big swimbait, and the ole' Berkeley Slobberknocker is off the board.   

 

This Shimano bait is really something else, 3 fish total might not sound like much, but on a day when everything including a Roboworm can't catch a fish, this bait gets three quality fish, and I had at least half of dozen strikes or follows.   My budget for a lure is about $40-50 at this time, this is the most expensive bait I own.   All the tech, the action, and ultimately the results seem to merit the cost imho.  I have high hopes for this bait, it's just a big fish looking bait.  

 

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

Alex, I love the range of your lures. Of course, the number of fish you catch and their quality is impressive, as is your tenacity, but the number of lures you use to CATCH fish demonstrates your daring and creativity as a fisherman. I hope to emulate you when our ice melts. I bought a LOT of new lures suggested by BR guys. I even placed yet another order tonight. 

 

@roadwarrior, at the end of winter, I am so tired of armoring up before going outside that I often go outside without a coat. I went to the dog park today and only wore a vest and fingerless gloves and I'm not the only Mainer who's under dressing simply because we're sick of taking a couple minutes to prepare for cold.

22 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@AlabamaSpothunter

 

Alex, I love the range of your lures. Of course, the number of fish you catch and their quality is impressive, as is your tenacity, but the number of lures you use to CATCH fish demonstrates your daring and creativity as a fisherman. I hope to emulate you when our ice melts. I bought a LOT of new lures suggested by BR guys. I even placed yet another order tonight. 

 

@roadwarrior, at the end of winter, I am so tired of armoring up before going outside that I often go outside without a coat. I went to the dog park today and only wore a vest and fingerless gloves and I'm not the only Mainer who's under dressing simply because we're sick of taking a couple minutes to prepare for cold.

Thanks Katie!  We share a very similar fishing mentality I believe having re joined this amazing pursuit of green fish around the same time, and we both seem to be mentor-less sans spending as much time as possible on the water, and the internet, places like here and youtube.  Once you can, you'll be fishing like a demon possessed, I believe that was one of my first comments after seeing several posts of yours ? 

 

You've been studying for a PHD over the winter, you're dedicating serious time, and effort into this thing even when not on the water.   Your results coming soon will be spectacular, that PB in your avatar will be changing!   That goes for many other of the regular posters up north, not fishing but still staying in the game and preparing and learning is the mark of a real fisherman.   

 

I caught that nice fish 100% because of Ben Milliken video I watched of his last night.  Went to bed and said I'm going to the Dam and throwing a Big Swimbait.   Honestly the last place I thought to go.    Miss a fish, then caught that fish on the 3rd cast once at the Dam, I was like wow, the internet is realz ?

17 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

@PhishLI, you catch big fish on Long Island, which surprises me. I would think your lakes would be pounded given their proximity to millions of people. Or are people focusing on beach combing, the city, and saltwater fishing rather than bass?

My spots get pounded by casuals, but they often fizzle out quickly and leave. These fish are lure resistant after seeing their billionth lizard and 2 billionth senko. More than that the poaching pressure coming out from NYC by our "friends" from the east is relentless and merciless, so that's the real story in 25-40 acre mill ponds. They've made it tough to catch numbers for those who have a head for bass fishing, and nearly impossible for anyone else lacking that level of commitment or creativity.

 

My wading clique cuts the poacher's live lines tied to tree branches whenever we see them at night, but we can't be there 24/7. They're persistent, sneaky, and have zero regard for our county's C&R policy, or anyone or anything else. The restaurants in the city who buy the fish must pay them well. Last year some casting-net DB showed up and wiped out a shoreline of bedding gills and left huge piles of milfoil on the shoreline to rot, fester, and create a slip-down-the-slope hazard.

 

The silver lining is that my favorite spots have a few deeper offshore holes that nobody can reach, so there's sanctuary. Also, most of the shoreline doesn't suit shore-casters, and most people aren't wise to wading, or unwilling to do it. So, I wade into otherwise inaccessible areas that are loaded with growth, then grind it out. Like anyplace else, figuring out when to be there is key. The gene pool here is solid for size, so if one has learned to read these places, is patient, and is willing work, they're there. I'll never have a "Katie Day" numbers-wise locally, but I'll hook a freight train every now and then, so that anticipation drives me. At the very least, I'm never bored playing the game here because these places force me to think moment by moment. I don't get frustrated easily, so I'm built for this.

@AlabamaSpothunter and @PhishLI, your latest posts are two of my all-time favorite. They address the preparation and the cerebral aspect of fishing.

 

I love how Alex watched a  Ben Milliken video, applied what he saw, and landed a big bass. I further agree about the importance of using your time off the water to prepare for your return to the water. Alex wrote that here:

 

Quote

... not fishing but still staying in the game and preparing and learning is the mark of a real fisherman.   

 

I love this too:

 

Quote

At the very least, I'm never bored playing the game here because these places force me to think moment by moment. I don't get frustrated easily, so I'm built for this.

 

Staying calm is key. If we're frustrated, our brains' gears seize. I watch other fishers, like Great Blue Herons, and they're so calm. So patient. Watching. Waiting. More watching. Silent, stealthy, fantastic, focused fishers. 

 

@PhishLI, what you wrote under this text made me snarl and grind my teeth. I'm glad you're cutting their lines. I once took some kids to fish the famous Fox River white bass run. There's no better way to hook kids on fishing than hooking one white bass after another. It was crowded that day and a guy in a boat next to us was broadcast bragging about no one was going to tell him how many fish he could keep. I have always regretted keeping silent. Poachers are vile. 

 

7 hours ago, PhishLI said:

My wading clique cuts the poacher's live lines tied to tree branches whenever we see them at night, but we can't be there 24/7. They're persistent, sneaky, and have zero regard for our county's C&R policy, or anyone or anything else. The restaurants in the city who buy the fish must pay them well. Last year some casting-net DB showed up and wiped out a shoreline of bedding gills and left huge piles of milfoil on the shoreline to rot, fester, and create a slip-down-the-slope hazard.

 

Finally, when I finally do get to fish again, I've got @PhishLI and @AlabamaSpothunter in my tackle box. One time Phish suggested some lures and I went and bought every suggested lure. Another time, Alex had success with a 6th Sense lure and I bought five of them. And it's not just you two. I'm forever googling lures that BR fishers mention and then watching YouTube videos of guys fishing those lures to see how they working the rod and cranking and the reel's handle. I don't think I'm earning my PhD, as Alex suggested, but perhaps an Associate's degree! One of the lures I ordered last night is a Bill Lewis StutterStep. It looks so different than my other lures that I'm excited to try it. 

11 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@AlabamaSpothunter and @PhishLI, your latest posts are two of my all-time favorite. They address the preparation and the cerebral aspect of fishing.

 

I love how Alex watched a  Ben Milliken video, applied what he saw, and landed a big bass. I further agree about the importance of using your time off the water to prepare for your return to the water. Alex wrote that here:

 

 

I love this too:

 

 

Staying calm is key. If we're frustrated, our brains' gears seize. I watch other fishers, like Great Blue Herons, and they're so calm. So patient. Watching. Waiting. More watching. Silent, stealthy, fantastic, focused fishers. 

 

@PhishLI, what you wrote under this text made me snarl and grind my teeth. I'm glad you're cutting their lines. I once took some kids to fish the famous Fox River white bass run. There's no better way to hook kids on fishing than hooking one white bass after another. It was crowded that day and a guy in a boat next to us was broadcast bragging about no one was going to tell him how many fish he could keep. I have always regretted keeping silent. Poachers are vile. 

 

 

Finally, when I finally do get to fish again, I've got @PhishLI and @AlabamaSpothunter in my tackle box. One time Phish suggested some lures and I went and bought every suggested lure. Another time, Alex had success with a 6th Sense lure and I bought five of them. And it's not just you two. I'm forever googling lures that BR fishers mention and then watching YouTube videos of guys fishing those lures to see how they working the rod and cranking and the reel's handle. I don't think I'm earning my PhD, as Alex suggested, but perhaps an Associate's degree! One of the lures I ordered last night is a Bill Lewis StutterStep. It looks so different than my other lures that I'm excited to try it. 

Love it Katie, and you are earning PHD, not an Associate's degree ?

7 hours ago, PhishLI said:

My spots get pounded by casuals, but they often fizzle out quickly and leave. These fish are lure resistant after seeing their billionth lizard and 2 billionth senko. More than that the poaching pressure coming out from NYC by our "friends" from the east is relentless and merciless, so that's the real story in 25-40 acre mill ponds. They've made it tough to catch numbers for those who have a head for bass fishing, and nearly impossible for anyone else lacking that level of commitment or creativity.

 

My wading clique cuts the poacher's live lines tied to tree branches whenever we see them at night, but we can't be there 24/7. They're persistent, sneaky, and have zero regard for our county's C&R policy, or anyone or anything else. The restaurants in the city who buy the fish must pay them well. Last year some casting-net DB showed up and wiped out a shoreline of bedding gills and left huge piles of milfoil on the shoreline to rot, fester, and create a slip-down-the-slope hazard.

 

The silver lining is that my favorite spots have a few deeper offshore holes that nobody can reach, so there's sanctuary. Also, most of the shoreline doesn't suit shore-casters, and most people aren't wise to wading, or unwilling to do it. So, I wade into otherwise inaccessible areas that are loaded with growth, then grind it out. Like anyplace else, figuring out when to be there is key. The gene pool here is solid for size, so if one has learned to read these places, is patient, and is willing work, they're there. I'll never have a "Katie Day" numbers-wise locally, but I'll hook a freight train every now and then, so that anticipation drives me. At the very least, I'm never bored playing the game here because these places force me to think moment by moment. I don't get frustrated easily, so I'm built for this.

There is a special place for poachers and trespassers.

 

A Bald Eagle was recently killed and eaten and made major news....sickening.  Our Nation's symbol poached and eaten, ironic, sad, frustrating, infuriating.   I like my membership I'll end it there.  

 

One of the things that attracts me most to the big Swimbaits is that I know nobody is really taking the time, money, etc. to chunk and wind them on my lake and hopefully they fool big fish.    Ben Milliken thinks some big fish will only eat a big swimbait.   I'd believe it based on how well he's at reading fish behavior on the scope.   

Caught 17 Spots and 2 LM today

Just now, GreenPig said:

Caught 17 Spots and 2 LM today

GeorgiaSpothunter is a more appropriate screenname I say ?

Well fished, Green!*

 

 

 

*I know it's presumptuous for me to call you by your first name, but I simply can't address you as Mr. Pig. 

Been slower here the past few days, but getting a handful each day; Neds in the calm areas and jerkbaits in the wind. Seasonal cold on tap for the next week, so things probably won’t pick up a lot.