@herder - depends on the direction. If it is coming parallel to the long direction of the lake it’s going to be a long day. Perpendicular to that and you are okay. But there isn’t much of anywhere to get out of it.

@A-Jay - funny you say that, I was just thinking about it this week. I was thinking about finding one that fits between my seats and this is just going to accelerate that.

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

And that's why that A-Jay guy uses a silicone mat while unhooking fish. It catches whatever and that goes over the side. Helps keep the front deck from looking like a murder scene

Or ditch the carpet completely.

@casts_by_fly if you don't have one yet, a jaw spreader will greatly assist you in those situations. I keep two in my boat: one standard size and one magnum (for larger pike and muskies). They are very cheap, effective tools and hold the mouth open while you remove hooks with a pliers.

45 minutes ago, herder said:

Great call on the move, nice catching on a cool variety.

I second ^this.^ I miss catching mixed bags.

6 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Good Friday was good to me. Took a last minute day of work when I saw the wind forecast. Went to the big lake figuring for some topwater smallies, but of course the water was 43 degrees when I launched and the wind was blowing 5-10 (not the 2 mph forecast). I made a go of it, but after 90 minutes I was cold and so were the fish. Packed up and went to the other lake nearby that’s 15’ low and it was 52 degrees and zero wind which was much better. I motored to a finger and as soon as I slowed down the Xplore lit up with fish and bait everywhere. Did the jig and minnow thing for a bit and managed a couple 2# crappie so left those fish and started cranking the rock banks. First cast was a 3# largemouth. I picked and poked my way around the lake with crankbaits, lipless, and a spinnerbait (there was some wood around) and caught 3 largemouth and 2 nice pike. I decided to go back where the bait was and see if anything on the FF was bass. Didn’t catch a bass but did manage a few more 2# crappie (they were everywhere) and a 7# hybrid. A dozen fish after the start I had was more than enough for a nice day.

Spring weather and fish moving shallow makes this time of year extra special.

I throw quite a few baits but it's almost impossible to beat a wacky senko this time of year.

Pops ran into his best spot of the year so far.

This eagle is becoming one of my favorite things at the lake.

Cold day today. 38 but feels like 20 with the 20 mph winds and 30 mph gusts. I was bored and antsy so I went to the neighborhood pond. Brought one rod and a bladed jig with a crush city freeloader trailer. Caught 3 of them 1-1.5 pounds. Rained all week and windy and the waters muddy. Hooked into one and it stayed nosed down o thought I hooked a catfish I’ve caught them when the waters like this here. It flashed at the surface and was a bass! I landed her and called my wife. I had no scale or tape measures with me. Yelling grab this and that and get here! She was getting ready for the day but was nice enough to come find me lol. I stood in the water holding her by the lip waiting till she arrived moving her back and forth but holding tight on her lip! She came in at 6.50 pound official on the scale and 21 inches!!!

Some pics

Some pics

“So not only did he slime everything, he bled everywhere on my basically new carpet.” @casts_by_fly you can remove that any blood stains on the carpet whether they are fresh or old with Hydrogen Peroxide. It’ll bubble up in seconds and won’t damage or discolor the carpet.

@Joedodge: No boat. No FFS. No warmth. NO PROBLEM for Joe. What a beautiful, fat fish, Joe. Big head and a big belly! I'm so proud of you, so happy for you.

2 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

@Joedodge: No boat. No FFS. No warmth. NO PROBLEM for Joe. What a beautiful, fat fish, Joe. Big head and a big belly! I'm so proud of you, so happy for you.

Thank you so much! Was a big surprise lol. I’d caught a few small fish. Didn’t expect that one at all. And yeah I didn’t have a thing with me lol.

Just now, Joedodge said:

Thank you so much! Was a big surprise lol. I’d caught a few small fish. Didn’t expect that one at all. And yeah I didn’t have a thing with me lol.

That's your new PB, right? You need to change that for your "MY PB." What's amazing is that it's bigger than any bass you caught in Florida, right? It's a @Lottabass-sized bass!

3 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

That's your new PB, right? You need to change that for your "MY PB." What's amazing is that it's bigger than any bass you caught in Florida, right? It's a @Lottabass-sized bass!

Oh yeah I should change that lol. Correct I’ve caught bigger bass in Iowa than I ever do in Florida. Last year my PB was in August. Got one early this year lol. Yeah @Lottabass is a hammer though he catches them on the regular.

Nice to have this one officially weighed.

@Joedodge That's a fine fish. The big girls just love coming out of nowhere to shock us.

Yeah, that’s a beautiful chunk of a fish. And the best part? Now you know she exists in that pond…

25 fish day. Mostly striper but this lil guy popped on the Karashi 80.

Went back out after dropping my daughter off at a friends. Different pond but got 4 more. And this chunky lil gal. They are loving the overcast windy nasty day.

knew it was gonna happen Joe. That’s why if the water is wet - we fish in the spring. 👍😎

I am super excited for you because I KNOW - this is just the beginning for you. 🙂

Thanks so much everyone. I appreciate the positive comments. Was certainly a great day.

Wonderful bass, Joe!!!!! Keep it up! Congratulations! @Joedodge

1 hour ago, Lottabass said:

Wonderful bass, Joe!!!!! Keep it up! Congratulations! @Joedodge

Thank you so much!

Been crazy weather here. 50 and drizzle than the next day 82 back to 50 and rain. Been very hard to get on anything. Unless you’re dropping it on their head

Great weather and willing fish made for a great morning.

First one on a micro citizen

Spots on a BFS setup with a 1/8oz underspin and 2.5" mayor is something I could never get tired of.

The markings on that spot are beautiful!

Windy as you know what and cloudy today. Snuck in a quick pre-easter-feast Jon boat session. Ended up losing the 6" Swag LT to a huge pickeral, but got a good bass on it first. The 5" Bullshad did the rest of the work. Time for mama's lasagna with the fam.

12 fish today. 9 striper 3 bass, but 2 of the right bass.

Absolute grinder of a bank session. It rained most of the day but fish were chewing. I had shots at fish in the 5-6lb range but couldn’t get them to stick.