So I've been a little MIA here lately; between work and the weather I haven't been able to get out nearly as often as I usually do, and when I did manage to get out the bite has been awful. Some okay numbers days but (and I've complained about it before so sorry for beating that dead horse) this has been my worst year ever for size so far.

 

Although it's "fishing and not catching" honestly I admit I let it get me down a bit, frustration with patterns not holding up and switching things up wasn't doing the trick either.

 

We've had a few cooler nights in a row and the water temp is dropping a bit, so I had high hopes to get in a little fishing figuring they'll start the fall transition an begin honing in on shad schools in some shallower water. Got out today for ~3.5 hours before dark and it started about like every other trip this year, strugglebus. Took 2 hours for my first bass, a healthy 2lber on a spinnerbait. About 45 mins later there was a big blowup to my left, and I saw a big shad come up out of the water, then another big boil on it as soon as it hit the water. Dropped the spinnerbait and picked up the jerkbait, pitched it right in the boil and gave it a few twitches and BOOM, I was loaded up on a much better fish than anything else I've caught this year.

 

Ended up weighing 5lb 11oz, not a giant but a huge weight off my back after so many dinkfest trips. And I found a Fishlab BBZ Rat on the bank shortly before, so no complaints there.

11 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

So I've been a little MIA here lately; between work and the weather I haven't been able to get out nearly as often as I usually do, and when I did manage to get out the bite has been awful. Some okay numbers days but (and I've complained about it before so sorry for beating that dead horse) this has been my worst year ever for size so far.

 

Although it's "fishing and not catching" honestly I admit I let it get me down a bit, frustration with patterns not holding up and switching things up wasn't doing the trick either.

 

We've had a few cooler nights in a row and the water temp is dropping a bit, so I had high hopes to get in a little fishing figuring they'll start the fall transition an begin honing in on shad schools in some shallower water. Got out today for ~3.5 hours before dark and it started about like every other trip this year, strugglebus. Took 2 hours for my first bass, a healthy 2lber on a spinnerbait. About 45 mins later there was a big blowup to my left, and I saw a big shad come up out of the water, then another big boil on it as soon as it hit the water. Dropped the spinnerbait and picked up the jerkbait, pitched it right in the boil and gave it a few twitches and BOOM, I was loaded up on a much better fish than anything else I've caught this year.

 

Ended up weighing 5lb 11oz, not a giant but a huge weight off my back after so many dinkfest trips. And I found a Fishlab BBZ Rat on the bank shortly before, so no complaints there.

 

Gosh, ^this^ is a giant to me!

 

Jimmy Buffet was right: Changes in latitude, changes in attitude. j

Fall fishing in full effect. I went out late last night after some gaming (WoW). I was so hyped up, I could not sleep. So I took my trusty mini swimbait out for a evening jaunt. I got a little dinker, about a 1lbs and got this guy, was 3lbs on the nose. 

 

Also, second picture is the first fish on the Yamatanuki from Yamomoto. I just got them in the mail and happy to say, they do catch fish, even small ones. Only thing, they are not very durable. Even though its a thick heavy bait (5/8oz), it ripped up on 2 bites and 1 fish. Very slow presentation, almost like a texas rig (not swimming worm)....let it sink (slow sink btw, about a ft every 2s or so), pop it up and let it sink again. Eachtime they would bite it on the fall. I had 2 nice bites and 1 I got, the first one was a bite, but when i set the hook, was already out of his mouth. 

 

On 9/18/2023 at 4:42 AM, ol'crickety said:

 

Heck, yeah, it is. So is that last bass! Wow, Dom! That's two giants in one trip. 

 

Headwaters is going off in the right spots. The Spillway is off, even though there were a dozen or so people there. I am going back next weekend, bringing the new baits and see how we do. I want to go fish a tournament on Okeechobee with a friend of mine, really excited about that. Been practicing my technics and getting gear rigged up. 

I went this morning and caught 9 before the wind pretty much blew me off the lake.   All spots between 13" and 15".   The weather was OK for an hour or so then the wind got up.  I don't know what the wind speeds were but the lake was REALLY white capping.   I don't use the remote for my trolling motor, but after the wind got up I put my remote around my neck and left my life jacket on.   I've got plenty of trolling motor to hold against the wind but it was impossible to make accurate cast.   I got out in the middle of the channel, let my boat drift and was going 9 mph per gps just drifting.   The first and last bass caught are pictured.  A note for the haircut police.   Mrs B couldn't cut my hair due to her recent health problems.  I paid for a hair cut this afternoon.   The haircut police will have to hope I catch some bass tomorrow to see my haircut.  Since I had to pay for a haircut I'm expecting to be reimbursed for the doughnuts I sent as a bribe for a delay in prosecution.   

 

Few casts in before the rain storm, testing out the other color Yamatunki. Can not wait to try this at Headwaters. 

 

7 minutes ago, Dominat0r said:

Few casts in before the rain storm, testing out the other color Yamatunki. Can not wait to try this at Headwaters. 

 

 

Is that the 3.5 Yamatanuki? What hook are you using?

 

 

20 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

...5lb 11oz, not a giant

Caught 6 yesterday. Glad they're finally done fasting.?

17 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

 

Is that the 3.5 Yamatanuki? What hook are you using?

 

Yes, 3.5 in Black/blue flake and green with red flake. I used 2 different ones, VMC screw lock 5/0 and Gama EWG 5/0. The Gama seems just a tad bigger, but both worked. The screw lock does not hold very well on the heavy bait. So trying the EWG now. 

22 hours ago, Aaron_H said:

frustration with patterns not holding up

Story of my year right there. Everything is running late this year, and once a pattern does setup, it doesn't last long. I've had a good year, but it's been a challenge staying on 'em.

 That said, things are setting up for some mayhem over the next couple months. Mostly muskie, but hopefully I'll manage to put a few more big bass and eyes in the boat too.

After frying the voltage regulator on my motor last weekend, I replaced it with a $30 piece of Chinesium from Amazon and used the money I saved to buy a new cranking battery (battery was 5yo and tested ok for cranking, but low reserve).  Seems all good now.  I snuck out to “test” the new bits one day last week.  Had a decent outing with about 8 lmb and a few small pike.  I’m really loving the paddle tail swimbait/underspin combo and the fish were hammering it that day. 
 

My son and I went out on Lake Ontario today, looking for some big smallmouth.  I bought some Dark Sleepers I thought would work great, but couldn’t find any fish in the rocky flat I had in mind.  I ended up catching one just off the sea wall of a marina in 25ft. of water on a dropshot.  Not at all the day I was hoping for.  I’m really starting to believe the old saying about wind from the east fish bite the least, wind from the north don’t venture forth… etc.  Winds were E and changed to NE today and the fishing was very poor - must be the weekend. ☹️?.  I did grab a photo of my hardcore fishing buddy though, during a lull in the non-existent action. lol

 

 

6 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

 

Florida has its downsides, but the fishing isn't one of them lol.

Winds are getting a little dangerous so I am getting off the water sooner than I’d like, but caught one bass @6.67lbs (highest reading) on a spinnerbait in the dark. This is the biggest I’ve caught on Stillhouse so far. I had the spinnerbait hookset of the century. I could hardly get the hook out of the roof of her mouth. Fantastic fighting fish. 

3 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Winds are getting a little dangerous so I am getting off the water sooner than I’d like, but caught one bass @6.67lbs (highest reading) on a spinnerbait in the dark. This is the biggest I’ve caught on Stillhouse so far. I had the spinnerbait hookset of the century. I could hardly get the hook out of the roof of her mouth. Fantastic fighting fish. 

 

Way to go! On a howling night in a little boat too. Whoa and whew! 

 

9 hours ago, T-Billy said:

That said, things are setting up for some mayhem over the next couple months.

 

I am excited to see the coming beasts you'll boat, Tim. 

2 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

I am excited to see the coming beasts you'll boat, Tim. 

ME TOO!!! Lol. Here's a little preview teaser. ?

7 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Winds are getting a little dangerous so I am getting off the water sooner than I’d like, but caught one bass @6.67lbs (highest reading) on a spinnerbait in the dark. This is the biggest I’ve caught on Stillhouse so far. I had the spinnerbait hookset of the century. I could hardly get the hook out of the roof of her mouth. Fantastic fighting fish. 

 

Tank!

 

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

ME TOO!!! Lol. Here's a little preview teaser. ?

 

I just like that the musky instinctively knew to bend so as not to block the view of The Hat™.

3 hours ago, T-Billy said:

ME TOO!!! Lol. Here's a little preview teaser. ?

 

With the stripped trees in the background, those stained jeans, THE hat, and the beast, you make Paul Bunyan look like a sissy. 

I went for 3 hours this morning  Mrs B is doing good but was by herself so I didn't want to leave her for long.   I caught 16 spots between 13" to 15" and one 13" Largemouth.   Tim talked earlier about not having a pattern stick for long.  To me the 2 main parts of a pattern are location and technique.   I've been on the same technique for a couple weeks, but the location keeps changing.   

Technique, once I find bass watch them ignore all of my lures on sonar.   Run a buzz bait over their heads, then catch them on whatever I throw.   Not one single bass hit a buzz bait.  Per Pat I removed the trailer hook to see if that was stopping them.  Still no hits.  I even tried a Devils Horse.  It worked to "wake them up" but they wouldn't hit it either.   I went back to a buzz bait since it's a quicker easier wake up than a devils horse.   I caught them on a DT6, OG4, Texas Rig and Bladed jig.   After I figured out they'd hit......anything after the buzz bait I settled on a bladed jig.  It was faster than a t-rig and I didn't have to deal with treble hooks.   I also had a Bowfin break, or bite me off, right at the boat.   It fought like a Spot.  When I got it to the boat I was fumbling to get my net instead of lipping it.   It turned away and my line went limp.  It looked like it have been cut with a knife.  I don't know if Bowfin teeth can do that, or if there was already a nick in my line.  It had been 3 or 4 bass since I retied.   

 

Yesterday they were on flats 4 to 8 feet deep.   There was no activity today on the flats.  Yesterday was (really) windy with some rain.  Today it's dead calm with bluebird skies.   Also, Duke Energy has the hydro units shut down 3 lakes up the river for maintenance.   I suspect this is affecting inflow, as well as increasing the demand for power.  The Catawba river lake levels are usually pretty constant.  The lake is a foot lower today compared to yesterday.   It's 1 1/2 feet lower than "normal".    The 4 to 8 feet deep flats are shallower.  I found the bass on ledges and points near these flats.   I don't know whether them moving overnight was due to weather, lake level or both.   

 

Pictured is a 15" Spot and the lone Largemouth of the day.   Water temp is down to 78.   Haircut police, notice my new haircut.   

 

11 minutes ago, Woody B said:

Haircut police, notice my new haircut.   

Noted.  Lookin' good and proven to increase your catch rate by 33%.

Got out this morning late for an hour & 1/2 with my goal being 1 fish on each of 4 rods (2) spinning (2) bait casters, caught 5 fish on 3 of the setups with the exception being 1 casting rod with a mini max chatterbait. Posted 1 of my bluegill in other species section. 

Had a good chatterbait bite midday today. Caught 16 in about three hours. Bladed jigs tend to catch quality fish for me. I had several over two lb. This was my biggest.

7 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

those stained jeans

You've been there, done that Katie. Blood stained jeans are just part of the muskie fishing game. Teeth have only rarely got me, but those gill rakers draw blood on a regular basis. Gloves are for wussies and children. ? ?

3 hours ago, Woody B said:

It looked like it have been cut with a knife.  I don't know if Bowfin teeth can do that, or if there was already a nick in my line.

Bowfin teeth will absolutely do that Woody. A bowfins mouth would be a terrible place to get a finger stuck.  They have jaws like a vice, and once they bite down on something they're not big on letting go. 

I fished for two hours this evening and caught 29. No giants, but lots of healthy, hard-fighting bass. All the rain Maine has received has raised the water level over the tops of the bog plants, which makes for incredible fishing, as I don't have to hit the pockets. I can drag a surface lure over the submerged lily pads and the rest of the weeds. However, I can't fish anything subsurface as the weeds are mere inches under the water.

 

In a total of five hours of fishing, I caught 56 bass today and with this morning's giant, I caught quality to go with the crazy quantity. The last two bass are the best. No more fishing for me until Friday when I return to the alewife pond. 

I took some advice from @LrgmouthShad and threw a spinnerbait at night. Good things happened. I had four hard bites, landed three. First bite got away, it happens. I haven't thrown a spinnerbait in months, mistakes were gonna be made. Biggest ran 3-14 so nothing huge but not bad for about 40 minutes of fishing. Best catch rate I've had in a while. Eventually storms started percolating just south of the dam and I started hearing thunder from the lightning so it was time to leave. It's a good Sunday night. 

7 hours ago, thediscochef said:

I took some advice from @LrgmouthShad and threw a spinnerbait at night. Good things happened.

 

I love when we help each other. 

 

7 hours ago, thediscochef said:

Biggest ran 3-14 so nothing huge

 

You are spoiled, my bassin' buddy!

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

 

You are spoiled, my bassin' buddy!

I'm not sure I feel spoiled lol