17 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

 

 

I have heard for years that fishing is bad in Indiana and Kansas.

 

And then I see this kind of stuff by you two, and I don't know what to think.

 

 

Fishing in Indiana has its ups and downs but it seems to be getting better in some areas and worse in others. It is not uncommon in the tournaments I fish  for there to be 20+ boats and about half of the people don't turn in fish. Also, if you catch two or three keepers you could finish in the money.  It use to be you always had to have five fish to have a chance. 

 

It's rare for me to go out and catch over 20 fish in 8 hours.  I might have one day a year where I get this lucky. Last weekend was good though.  I caught 6 keepers, 4 small ones, and lost a giant. 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Just gotta keep them alive or on ice, I think some people slack a little on that and have a bad experience

Agree 100%

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve never bought into the cold water fish taste better theory, our fish taste the same whether the water is 45 degrees or 75 degrees 

Agree with this also. If you're going to eat them right away, the cold water fillets will be firmer, but no difference in taste. 

Got back from a trip to Massachusetts, we've been going up there as a group camping and kayak fishing now for 15 years.

The number of fish caught this year wasn't as great as years past, but the size was the best we've had.

One day was a complete blow out with 20 to 30 kt winds and driving rain.

The following day was calm, I had 10 fish, 2@33", 1@35" and my biggest ever up there at 41" the rest were in the mid 20's

This was my first trip this year in the brine

I guess it's ok to post here, they are a kinda of bass, and it was recent ?

 

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

100% of the seasonal walleye they sell here in retail stores is from Canada too.  Its farm raised.  Says "Product of Canada" right on the label.  Not cheap either.  Last I saw it was $16.99/pound.

 

I ate so much walleye growing up that its absolutely ruined my taste for it now.  I know, walleye is good eating.  I can't argue that.  But when you eat it for 5 months straight, prepared the same way every time, it does get old.  I remember being happy about getting hot dogs for dinner several times instead of fish when I was younger.

I'm still happy about getting hot dogs!

29 minutes ago, herder said:

I guess it's ok to post here, they are a kinda of bass

 

Photo Police will let it slide since it is technically a "bass."  I am not familiar with striped bass but I have to imagine catching one of that size in a kayak is quite a thrill.

 

Rock Bass, on the other hand, do not have a spot in this thread and a citation will be issued by the Photo Police if they are shown here.

18 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I am not familiar with striped bass but I have to imagine catching one of that size in a kayak is quite a thrill.

Yes it is! Also challenging up there with all the boats on moorings, holding the rod in one hand while paddling with the other is quite interesting while getting pulled into the lines.

 

2 hours ago, herder said:

Got back from a trip to Massachusetts, we've been going up there as a group camping and kayak fishing now for 15 years.

The number of fish caught this year wasn't as great as years past, but the size was the best we've had.

One day was a complete blow out with 20 to 30 kt winds and driving rain.

The following day was calm, I had 10 fish, 2@33", 1@35" and my biggest ever up there at 41" the rest were in the mid 20's

This was my first trip this year in the brine

I guess it's ok to post here, they are a kinda of bass, and it was recent ?

 

 

W-w-wow!!!

 

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

Photo Police will let it slide since it is technically a "bass."  I am not familiar with striped bass but I have to imagine catching one of that size in a kayak is quite a thrill.

 

Rock Bass, on the other hand, do not have a spot in this thread and a citation will be issued by the Photo Police if they are shown here.

 

Post a rock bass and this is what you get:

 

Better morning. Caught four around 12-14" on the ol red eye and then one a little better on the ol monster. It's been nice to get some better bass while learning to fish bigger worms 

A couple pics from Sunday:

 

 

These feisty dinks were a welcome sight. The sun was bright and the water was hot and glass-calm. I was praying for wind. Then Idalia showed up a few days later ?. Be careful what you wish for.

3 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Agree 100%

Agree with this also. If you're going to eat them right away, the cold water fillets will be firmer, but no difference in taste. 

I would beg to differ on that. I have noticed a distinct difference in taste in fish of the same species when taken from different water temperatures. The biggest difference I have noticed in taste is with catfish and bullhead. Colder water fish taste better to me. I am guessing, but I suspect that the difference is because the forage base is different in cold water (40-45F) than in warm water (65F and up).

@you nice fish man! For the pickerel its best to not lip grip their bottom jaw, they don't have strong jaws like bass. Pickerel jaws are bony and fragile, instead clamp their upper lip, no harm done and easy to deal with.

 

@thediscochefi respect the commitment to the big worm. I bring'em, but then don't throw'em.

 

@ol'crickety  I am an outlaw at heart!

 

Go ahead, Call'em!

 

1 hour ago, Kites R4 Skyfishing said:

@you nice fish man! For the pickerel its best to not lip grip their bottom jaw, they don't have strong jaws like bass. Pickerel jaws are bony and fragile, instead clamp their upper lip, no harm done and easy to deal with.

 

@thediscochefi respect the commitment to the big worm. I bring'em, but then don't throw'em.

 

@ol'crickety  I am an outlaw at heart!

 

Go ahead, Call'em!

 

Many around this forum throw big worms this time of year and catch big bass...the search feature of this website was an MVP for learning about the Ol Monster 

54 minutes ago, thediscochef said:

Many around this forum throw big worms this time of year and catch big bass...the search feature of this website was an MVP for learning about the Ol Monster 

 

I have some 12" worms and have thrown them, but not caught anything yet. How long do you wait to set the hook on a 12" worm?

 

Kites:

 

 

Robocop meant to add: And keep rock bass off the Latest Catch thread!

Set the hook as soon as you detect a bite. It's not like fishing a frog.

4 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Set the hook as soon as you detect a bite. It's not like fishing a frog.

 

They can take a foot of soft plastic into their mouths that quickly, huh, Kent? 

Generally, the bass is expelling the worm when you feel the bite. 

Tap-tap = in and out.

10 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

 

They can take a foot of soft plastic into their mouths that quickly, huh, Kent? 

 

20 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

 

I have some 12" worms and have thrown them, but not caught anything yet. How long do you wait to set the hook on a 12" worm?

 

Kites:

 

 

Robocop meant to add: And keep rock bass off the Latest Catch thread!

as they have all said, i've done best when I set the hook immediately. i would also add that I felt the smaller fish more than the larger ones, I didn't feel the 5lb pick up the worm at all I just lifted my rod and it was heavy. Same with today's little chunk. but not the smaller fish I've caught with it. that plastic is soft ☁️?️

Thanks, guys!

Soft plastics and heavier faster rods are like peanut butter and jelly.

 

I like lighter wire hooks.  Offset worm or straight shank are great.

 

I don't use huge hooks.

 

In my experience small fish (8-12 inch) and huge fish (24 inch +) are both generally gonna inhale that thing all at once.  I've caught more dinks than giants on big worms and in the summer you can't keep the sunfish off of them in the brush piles!  ????

 

When a bass hits it I set hard and fast on plastics.  They gut hook themselves far too quickly.

Expected a brutal bite and pretty much got it. High pressure was centered over the state today. Highs in the mid 70s, blue-blue skies due to dewpoint readings in the 40s, and an E/NE breeze between 8-12 mph. Combine that with shallow, clear water, and not much was active. Went with the light line finesse outfit again and managed to catch a dozen. The first 11 came on the exact same Roboworm as my two previous trips, so that made 29 bass on a single little Robo - kinda hated to see it go (got flung off), but there wasn’t much solid body left to it ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short evening trip turned out quite eventful…….

 

We got some supplies and the dogs to the lake house for the holiday weekend, won’t have my boat down here

til tomorrow. Got everything squared away by 6:30 and figured I’d try some kayak fishin. Got a largemouth right away with a tiny fluke on jighead , then got it stuck and rendered it nearly useless. Tried a finesse worm and smallies were chewing it , got 4-5 in a hurry. I was getting swamped by big yachts coming and going and thinking about heading home…….. then striper started blowing up! Or at least I think that’s what it was. Big explosions. All I had was 6 lb line and one spinning rod , tried some paddle tails but I think they were gone before I switched baits. Got to paddling swiftly on the way in with the $20 kayak and spooked a gar when I almost ran it over, it jumped way up right next to me in the dark, ? 

 

46 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Highs in the mid 70s, blue-blue skies due to dewpoint readings in the 40s, and an E/NE breeze between 8-12 mph.

At least you had a stunning day out there.  It was lovely here too.  Sure beats scalding heat and tropical dew points.

Well, storm was here and gone, back and forth...still went out and on the really bad times, I took some time to upgrade some of my gear. I got a great deal locally on a Shimano Metanium and 2 SLX DCs. I have to admit, I think I am a Shimano fan. Lews is good, really good for the money, but Shimano, especially the Metanium is a step above for sure. I may have to upgrade all my gear to Shimano now, arrgg....Only downside is the drag, will have to see how it pans out, but 3 Shimano's in a couple of days should tell you all you need to know. I did get a nice one with the first run of one of the SLX DC, tighten the drag all the way down pretty much, maybe a few clicks out just for fun haha. I really think, just by pulling on it, its more than 11lbs, it seems more like 13-14-15 maybe. Just judging from my Lews reels, which are all 20. I do have another St Croix coming, a Legend Extreme 7'1 MHXF coming for the Metanium. Its just tied up to my Texas rig rod to test. I have to admit, the Metanium casts a lot farther than the DC, even with a lighter lure (1/8th tung and zoom 6" speed worm). I like them both, but I think I am leaning towards the Metanium a little more. 

 

I got these the past couple of days, one off a zoom speed and a Keitech swimbait on a VMC jig head. 

 

Not much topwater love today, but a white 3.75” Strike King Rage Swimmer on an Owner Flashy Swimmer hook put four 2-3#ers in the boat for me this morning.?  All were in the shade, tucked up close to a blast rock/sparse weed shorelines in 1-3ft. of water.  Sunny, little wind and it was a cool 50F overnight.