This morning was like fishing in a cloud. Thickest fog I’ve seen in a long time.

 

Really weird bite today. So weird that the fish decided they weren’t going to hit anything below the surface. Every fish came on either a popper or weedless frog. Nothing of any size today either. Biggest went around 2lb. This is one of the ones that fell for the weedless frog:

Other than a huge missed strike on a spinnerbait, everything was about topwater. Once the sun came out, the lake was completely dead calm and not a cloud to be seen. 
 

It was the most serene morning on my mountain lake, just wish the big fish were in a more accommodating mood.

@Jar11591  What a beautiful lake, looks incredibly fishy.   That island makes the inner Huck Finn in me smile.    

 

6 hours ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

It counts as a catch! Tough fishing at the Duck river on Father's Day but I did do the trifecta, Spot, LM, and Smallie. Problem was out of five bass, the biggest was shy of 12". As Katie would exclaim....sigh!

 

Wanted to go to the Tennessee River but there is a yearly, weeklong music festival called Bonnaroo in Manchester TN between here and there. Not taking a chance in getting caught in that traffic. Hippies look weird now that I'm not one of them anymore!

The Duck River is special.  Caught my first bass out of it a long time ago. I haven’t fished it in decades even though I own land on it.

Nasty storm here, but got about 20mins of drizzle to test out a new lure. Since my son got me the Rapala Shadow Rap Shad, I went ahead and got the brother, the Shadow Rap. Basically, one sinks (Shadow Rap) and the other floats (Shadow Rap Shad). 

 

STREAK CONTINUES! Ill be going out after dinner and a movie with my lady to see what else I can grab for the day. 

 

Warm temps, but cloudy skies, an east breeze - even a few sprinkles. Hit a numbers spot and caught two dozen on finesse spin gear. Fun trip, with no expectations for a big bite. Takes all the pressure off ?

 

 

Was up in the Adirondacks camping, what a beautiful place.

My best fish was this Largemouth, we only fished for 1 and a half days due to rain and thunderstorms.

Largemouths, Smallmouths, Pike and a Sunfish were caught.

We had a camp Mallard hanging around to keep us company.

On the thunderstorm day there just happened to be a local brewery we had to visit.

 

 

I got out on Father’s Day evening with the family for 2 hours or less. It was the wife’s birthday on the 17th so I bought her a pack of stick baits of her choice, she loves throwing a wacky rig. She chose quite cove baby bass with gold flake, interesting choice. She caught 5 dinks, my daughter caught one dink, I caught 3 dinks. I am struggling at this lake this year. I have caught some big fish out of it, although looking back it’s mostly smaller ones with a couple 2-3lb fish regularly and then a couple right around 5lbs. This year I have not broken 3lbs.

 

There is so much going on in my life right now though, bills are more than my income. Housing is up in the air at this point and I am working 40 hours a week. It’s a struggle to even get out of bed in the morning, I get out of work and want to fish but don’t have the motivation or energy for it. I have a great wife and family who tell me that I am doing the best I can and that they are proud of me, although I still feel like a failure. I am thinking about getting a part time job on top of my full time one, shooting for 16 hours of work a day just to stay afloat.

 

sorry for the rant and no pics of the fish, I just needed to vent. I hope that everyone has a good night.

36 minutes ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I got out on Father’s Day evening with the family for 2 hours or less. It was the wife’s birthday on the 17th so I bought her a pack of stick baits of her choice, she loves throwing a wacky rig. She chose quite cove baby bass with gold flake, interesting choice. She caught 5 dinks, my daughter caught one dink, I caught 3 dinks. I am struggling at this lake this year. I have caught some big fish out of it, although looking back it’s mostly smaller ones with a couple 2-3lb fish regularly and then a couple right around 5lbs. This year I have not broken 3lbs.

 

There is so much going on in my life right now though, bills are more than my income. Housing is up in the air at this point and I am working 40 hours a week. It’s a struggle to even get out of bed in the morning, I get out of work and want to fish but don’t have the motivation or energy for it. I have a great wife and family who tell me that I am doing the best I can and that they are proud of me, although I still feel like a failure. I am thinking about getting a part time job on top of my full time one, shooting for 16 hours of work a day just to stay afloat.

 

sorry for the rant and no pics of the fish, I just needed to vent. I hope that everyone has a good night.

Like fishing life is funny, you simply never know when things are going to turn around, or when that fish of a lifetime will bite your lure.   The only way to lose at either is quit playing, and the way to win is keep playing.   Law of averages, and stats eventually catch up.   

 

Keep working hard and doing the right thing, the universe will make life easier for you I promise, just got to hang in there and don't succumb to the mental demons.  

Some late night fishing, couple of dinks....but the streak goes on. This counts for today (tuesday). 

 

@herder: Beautiful bass, trip, campsite, boat, smile, and brewery!

 

@Jmurphy87: What Alex said times two. 

 

Quote

5 hours ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I have a great wife and family who tell me that I am doing the best I can and that they are proud of me,

 

 

Believe them. 

7 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Like fishing life is funny, you simply never know when things are going to turn around, or when that fish of a lifetime will bite your lure.   The only way to lose at either is quit playing, and the way to win is keep playing.   Law of averages, and stats eventually catch up.   

 

Keep working hard and doing the right thing, the universe will make life easier for you I promise, just got to hang in there and don't succumb to the mental demons.  

Thank you, I just keep pushing myself through. On Saturday I lost a decent one, felt the strike and set the hook and felt it. Then a little ways into the fight he jumps out of the water, kept pressure on him and when he landed he charged and made a run straight at me. He was on but my poor 6.2 ratio reel was child’s play and he came off. I am assuming that on the jump he shifted the hook position and then when he pantsed me on the run towards me he got the hook out. That’s fishing though if it was easy why would we do it.

@herder nice adirondack bass and awesome looking campsite. I do most of my fishing and all my camping in the ‘Dacks. 

10 hours ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I got out on Father’s Day evening with the family for 2 hours or less. It was the wife’s birthday on the 17th so I bought her a pack of stick baits of her choice, she loves throwing a wacky rig. She chose quite cove baby bass with gold flake, interesting choice. She caught 5 dinks, my daughter caught one dink, I caught 3 dinks. I am struggling at this lake this year. I have caught some big fish out of it, although looking back it’s mostly smaller ones with a couple 2-3lb fish regularly and then a couple right around 5lbs. This year I have not broken 3lbs.

 

There is so much going on in my life right now though, bills are more than my income. Housing is up in the air at this point and I am working 40 hours a week. It’s a struggle to even get out of bed in the morning, I get out of work and want to fish but don’t have the motivation or energy for it. I have a great wife and family who tell me that I am doing the best I can and that they are proud of me, although I still feel like a failure. I am thinking about getting a part time job on top of my full time one, shooting for 16 hours of work a day just to stay afloat.

 

sorry for the rant and no pics of the fish, I just needed to vent. I hope that everyone has a good night.

I’m right there with ya buddy, I’ve worked every day since I got back from my annual trip, will be 21 days straight on Sunday. Looking like I’ll be doing 7 days a week til about Halloween with the exception of another trip that I couldn’t afford, luckily my wife paid for that one. But yes it’s good to have side gigs!. Hang in there man, the fish will be around for ya after work. And when all the retired people  have to wait 5 extra minutes and say “nobody wants to work anymore” just keep walking on by haha. 

17 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

The Duck River is special.  Caught my first bass out of it a long time ago. I haven’t fished it in decades even though I own land on it.

I agree. It is a priceless piece of America. I am also a landowner there. The problem is there is such a small window to fish each year. It floods all spring long. When the water subsides it takes weeks for it to clear. When the water clears the jet boats muddy it up again and then when fall arrives, it gets totally covered in leaves, making it unfishable. With all that said, it is one of America's scenic rivers with a diverse fish population that is purported to contain more species than the entire continent of Europe. Holler one day when you want to re-visit and we'll give a shot! I'm 2mi downriver from the State Park.

11 hours ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I got out on Father’s Day evening with the family for 2 hours or less. It was the wife’s birthday on the 17th so I bought her a pack of stick baits of her choice, she loves throwing a wacky rig. She chose quite cove baby bass with gold flake, interesting choice. She caught 5 dinks, my daughter caught one dink, I caught 3 dinks. I am struggling at this lake this year. I have caught some big fish out of it, although looking back it’s mostly smaller ones with a couple 2-3lb fish regularly and then a couple right around 5lbs. This year I have not broken 3lbs.

 

There is so much going on in my life right now though, bills are more than my income. Housing is up in the air at this point and I am working 40 hours a week. It’s a struggle to even get out of bed in the morning, I get out of work and want to fish but don’t have the motivation or energy for it. I have a great wife and family who tell me that I am doing the best I can and that they are proud of me, although I still feel like a failure. I am thinking about getting a part time job on top of my full time one, shooting for 16 hours of work a day just to stay afloat.

 

sorry for the rant and no pics of the fish, I just needed to vent. I hope that everyone has a good night.

     Hang in there Murph! I can tell you one thing.......no, two things. Your wife is durn lucky! She has a man with a backbone....AND....she gets fishing lures for her birthday! You guys will work through this. That I can promise from experience! The harder life pushes, the stronger you push back!

     One other thing.....no one with a heart is a failure....EVER!

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’m right there with ya buddy, I’ve worked every day since I got back from my annual trip, will be 21 days straight on Sunday. Looking like I’ll be doing 7 days a week til about Halloween with the exception of another trip that I couldn’t afford, luckily my wife paid for that one. But yes it’s good to have side gigs!. Hang in there man, the fish will be around for ya after work. And when all the retired people  have to wait 5 extra minutes and say “nobody wants to work anymore” just keep walking on by haha. 

Thank you, it’s rough but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Yeah my job use to be 12 days on and 2 days off if not mandated on your weekend off. Then it went to 12 on 2 off 12 on 2 off and then followed by 2 five day weeks. Now it is crazy and they only have one person who works the weekend in my position, instead of 2. I just need to stick it out and hopefully get promoted to supervisor and get some experience with that and then money should not be too much of a issue. I don’t mind working a lot of hours, heck around the holidays last year I pulled 41-42 hours in 3 days.

31 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

     Hang in there Murph! I can tell you one thing.......no, two things. Your wife is durn lucky! She has a man with a backbone....AND....she gets fishing lures for her birthday! You guys will work through this. That I can promise from experience! The harder life pushes, the stronger you push back!

     One other thing.....no one with a heart is a failure....EVER!

Thanks it means a lot, I try to do my best for my family. A household of 5 with one income is tough and then we have our 2 dogs. I try my best to give them what they need, with wants here and there when I can afford it. I just don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t due enough. I will run myself ragged for my family to help them get by. The wife loves her baits and to me that’s priceless. It will get better for sure just like the weather sometimes life has storms and we have to endure and push through and not give up, you don’t get anywhere by giving up. You have to fight for it.

Been gone on vacation this past week, got some pictures and stories to share, but I was prefishing for an upcoming tournament yesterday and had my first double in a pretty good while on the RAD squarebill. The largemouth was actually hooked first, the smallmouth tried to take it away from him.

 

 

Caught my fish for the day late last night or early this morning, whichever type you are....

 

Storming bad here the past few days, got a chance to go out right before it started to hail. 

 

Got it on a sinking Rat-L-Trap. 

 

We’re stuck between pressure systems here, with highs in the mid eighties, partly cloudy skies, and an ENE wind at 15 mph, gusting to 25 mph. Given the conditions, I decided to head back to the numbers lake with a small swimbait setup. Worked out pretty well as I was able to cast and control my bait in those winds, keeping it just above the Chara that covers the bottom in many areas. Ended up with 26 post spawners in about 2’ish hours of fishing, mostly ‘cookie cutters.’ You know what they say,  “Wind from the east, fish will feast” ?

 

 

 

 

@Team9nine, you and I fish much the same way, switching between quantity and quality. I love numbers lakes. I call it staying "busy." Of course, I love the quality lakes too, even though I should start carrying a defibrillator in my canoe cause they half stop my heart. 

Weds, covered. Had to wait for the rain to slow down enough. Keeping the streak alive, both off the whopper plopper. 

 

We cut our camping trip a day short due to weather.   We did get some good fishing in and managed to grill out one night.   My bilge pump earned it's keep on this trip.   17 Bass Monday, 21 Bass and 1 Crappie Tuesday and 6 Bass this morning. Mrs B only fished a couple hours between rain showers but managed to catch 5 of the total number, including a nice 3.5 pounder pictured.   My biggest was a 5.2 pound skinny, 22 inch long Largemouth, in the pouring rain(pictures).  I also caught a really fat Largemouth that appeared to be pre spawn(pictured).  I texted Mrs B a picture of it, and said that's a fat one.  She texted back and said "the fish looks healthy too"   LOL

 

 

 

Went on a camping/fishing/hiking trip with my son this past weekend.  Murphy seemed to be an uninvited guest as I had all sorts of equipment issues, hangups and ended up skunked.  However my boy caught his PB of 2lbs 2oz so it was totally worth it.

 

The last couple days here we’ve been dealing with crappy weather so I’ve been stuck inside listening to him talk smack about landing the biggest fish so far this year. 
 

Today however we were able to get on the water and reminded him that ‘ol dad can still walk the walk with my biggest fish this year at 2lbs 6oz.

 

Now I’m looking forward to hearing about how I only beat his fish by 4oz.  ?

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

Mrs B only fished a couple hours between rain showers but managed to catch 5 of the total number, including a nice 3.5 pounder pictured.

 

Way to go, Mrs. B.!

 

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

My biggest was a 5.2 pound skinny, 22 inch long Largemouth, in the pouring rain(pictures). 

 

22 inches and 5.2 pounds??? Somebody buy that bass a bluegill burger! With perch fries!!! Or overnight that bass to Maine and I'll drop him in a bog, where he'll feast on the Maine Butterball Diet (TM). I'll send him back in two months at 22" and 7 pounds.

 

26 minutes ago, bp_fowler said:

reminded him that ‘ol dad can still walk

 

Dad thunders back!

Got on a little roll last night with the Livingston Bullnose working it through high weeds. Had a feeling things were about to really get going but then I caught a treble to the bird during the crazy shake, fully buried through the bend and connected to an angry bass. Too dumb to use my fish grippers, but wise enough to always carry sidecutters, so I didn't end up driving home with a bass riding shotgun mocking me all the way. Had about a 1/16" of the point popping through and was able to cut around it with an Xacto blade, then grab it. I nearly quit a few times but gave myself one final pep talk, bit down, grunted Raaaaa!, then twisted that sucka out. My dog covered her eyes. It's remarkable how much force it took. Very unpleasant. Yeesh. I hope I've finally learned my lesson.