I fished for an hour and 45 minutes at my pond this evening. It was only 60 degrees and the wind speed was eight mph, but I still caught 17 with most of them in the 17-inch range. All were caught on a T-rigged blue craw.

I've caught 344 bass in 2026 so far.

Been struggling to get out on the water this year. Seemed like whenever I could, the weather would not cooperate. I just don’t bother when wind is 10+ mph. Then I broke a bunk on my bass boat trailer so I lost some more time I could’ve been out. Just 3 trips in the bass boat and 3 in the Jon. Lots of 30-45 minutes bank session at the local pond with a few caught each time so I can’t complain. This was the best so far this year caught last Sunday.

8 hours ago, T.J. said:

This was the best so far this year caught last Sunday.

Is that your PB, T.J.? It's a great photo of a great bass.

11 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

I fished for an hour and 45 minutes at my pond this evening. It was only 60 degrees and the wind speed was eight mph, but I still caught 17 with most of them in the 17-inch range. All were caught on a T-rigged blue craw.

I've caught 344 bass in 2026 so far.

344? Well, compared to me, that’s 344, divided by, umm, carry the one, multiply by, umm…it’s a LOT more!

5 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

344? Well, compared to me, that’s 344, divided by, umm, carry the one, multiply by, umm…it’s a LOT more!

I'm big bass fishing this afternoon, but Monday morning, I'll be quantity fishing at my pond and I'm thinking, based upon last night's steady fishing at my pond, that I might have my first 40/50 bass session in 2026. It'll be calm Monday morning, which hasn't happened much this year, and boat control will be easy-peasy. It's harder to catch bass when the wind is bullying me as I spend as much time paddling as I do fishing. It will be windy today, but I have a plan. We'll see how my best laid plan goes.

5 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

Is that your PB, T.J.?

Not PB but best this year.

I finally got on the board as if earlier this month as April led to a complete beating as far as my fishing went. Although they’re nothing to write home about they are about the average in this retention pond and a good deal of fun on a light powered outfit. I will also add I went yesterday after work and was throwing a small lipless when I thought I was hallucinating after seeing a 18-24 inch musky following my lure but not committing. I honestly thought I must be seeing things but after seeing him/her 3 times cruising the shoreline with me following along trying to get a decent photo but never did I’m realizing someone intentionally put the fish in this pond which honestly makes me a bit disappointed in them regardless of the outcome of the fish surviving and causing damage to the pond’s natural balance or the more likely outcome of a beautiful fish dying as it’s not in a very conducive environment. If I’m lucky enough to catch the fish I’ll photograph it as evidence I’m not nuts and if anyone has suggestions on how to carefully transport it from New Lenox to the closest body of water that may support the fish I’d appreciate hearing them.

Took my friend, Hannah, today. She caught some good ones!

Sad part is she hooked 4 over 5 on a frog but all pulled off. She said the frog rod I gave her was "too stiff", so she used her wimp rod cause it "casted easier".

But what does an old man know?

I caught 21 this afternoon fishing in a shifting wind, which limited where I could fish. Still, it was fun. I only took pics of the first three.

I've caught 365 in 2026.

I'm glad Hannah fished with you again, Al. Please tell her that Ol' Swampy says, "LISTEN TO Al!"

@Eric 26, you may be aware of this, but in some places it’s not legal to transport fish to other public waters, even though your intentions are good. You might want to check before you try to move it.

Was the second one out on the lake today. Got there and in the water at 5:45. First cast caught a dink on the buzzbait. Worked the weed line and pockets down one side of the lake. Lost count and caught some really nice fish in the 2.5-4 pound range. They destroyed a buzzbait for the first 2 hours. I need to get more of this model bass pro buzzbait. Missed one that hit it like a missle coming out of the water. That would have been a good fish. Left early at about 9 place was packed out. When you are counting 20 something boats on a 270 acre lake it’s a lot lol. Only one bass fishing as far as I could tell all crappie guys.

9 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

Lost count and caught some really nice fish in the 2.5-4 pound range.

Your boat is really producing, Joe!

Only one bass from the forebay this morning, but it was a solid chunk.

14 hours ago, Fishlegs said:

@Eric 26, you may be aware of this, but in some places it’s not legal to transport fish to other public waters, even though your intentions are good. You might want to check before you try to move it.

Thanks for the reminder and yes I am aware of the rules on this. In all honesty this is one the reasons I’m a bit confused as to who would have put the fish in the pond in the first place as I know for a fact almost all of the people who live with the pond view don’t fish. Also this subdivision has 2 separate ponds with the second one being a bit larger and therefore more conducive to releasing the fish in the first place. I do realize it’s not my place to judge or to alter the natural outcome of the musky and honestly I wouldn’t want to pay the penalty for trying to move it.

Got this purdy one on a baby brush hog.

Happy Sunday to all. This chunky shad queen was a lesson in patience. Our forecast called for over an inch of rain to fall in the course of about 90 minutes this morning. I was geared up to head to the lake the second it quit raining. Unfortunately, it didn't rain a drop. Instead I was left with overcast skies, a bottomed-out barometer, and a north wind.

It was slow going to start with just four or five smallish bass. I was about to head home when I threw into some shallow brush and my t-rigged worm slipped over a small branch. I jiggled it a little bit to free it which caused a 3 1/2 to bite. I let that one go and decided to throw into the thickest stuff I could find. I skipped that Trick Worm into a pile of "I'm not getting my lure back" under a fallen tree and this 4lb 9oz bit it like she hated it. That was the one I was looking for. That was my last cast and I went back home to spend the rest of the day with my perfect wife. Another blessed weekend.

@BigAngus752 Oh my goodness your comments of “I’m not getting my lure back” & “She hit it like she hated it” just made me laugh out loud😆Congratulations on that beauty 👊🏻

9 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

Your boat is really producing, Joe!

Thanks! Yeah it’s doing a pretty good job for sure.

Got 9 more before dark. I caught them all on yum dingers and senkos.

Caught these last week while the forum was down. Also had boat in the shop so I fished a pond on the golf course I work at.

Got a few in the Wacky Worm

Quit at noon after 24 on a frog. My shoulders couldn't take any more!

LOVE bass fishin'!

That bottom one looks huge, Al! I love that you caught salad with the meat.

First day back on the water in a little over nine months. Spent a few hours fishing and caught three. One 16" er and a couple tiny ones on a shaky head. I decided to check out the area around Cedar Gap boat ramp on Stillhouse. There is a lot of debris back there currently.

Got a good one today on the dark sleeper before losing it to a snag