50 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Another "looks like 8 lbs to me".

 

                                                   

Is this to me? Because I had a 3rd fish not pictured. Those two were not 8 lbs. 

Last night's storms dumped another inch and a half of rain in my area, so I was really interested to see how the ponds fared. I walked to the closest one to find out, and was surprised when I saw that water level and clarity really hadn't changed that much. That gives you an idea of just how dry we have been. We were post frontal with clearing skies and 20 mph gusts, so I started on the windblown side with a bladed jig (per @The Bassman's report) just to see what would happen...and the short answer was "nothing" - lol. So halfway around I changed back to a customized finesse jig and was able to pick off a few fish, including this four and a half plus bass. I ended on that nice fish, but plan on checking a few other spots in the area over the next few days to see if any of them stained up at all.

 

 

On 8/21/2022 at 10:19 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Nice fish, and loving the retro tackle box...I don't miss hard tackle systems though haha

Thanks lol it was my dad's, I keep a little of his old stuff on me. Some kinda luck charm or something. It's 50/50 like most luck charms.

 

Today was dumb

Great fishing weather. I kept getting pulled away from water for other things, though, against my will. Only two dinks. Oh and I also caught the largest living thing I've ever hooked. It was a very short fight, I was disappointed. Red Eye shads pack a wallop. Here I go respoolin again ?‍♂️?

Fished after work, got some on marabou jig. If anyone is missing a canoe I know where it is 

16 hours ago, Cbump said:

Is this to me? Because I had a 3rd fish not pictured. Those two were not 8 lbs. 

Don't wanna speak for the man but pretty sure he was talking to @A-Jay

Correct

I fished a swamp again this morning. The morning was turbulent. There'd be a dead calm, followed by wind out of the north, then wind out of the south, then a swirling wind, then light rain, then heavy rain, then dead calm again, and so on. I loved it. I saw multiple bald eagles and great blue herons. I also caught multiple 16-17 inch, hard-fighting bass. However, the swamp saved the best for last, as my last two fish were 19 inches and 20 inches. I hooked the 19-incher close to my canoe, so she was green and ran under the canoe, requiring me to do some yoga contortions to place my rod under the canoe too. The 20-incher jumped right beside my canoe and that was thrilling. You can see from the photo that she's a thick fish. Strong too. I use 17-pound test on my spinning reel to give me a modicum of control in the weeds and have the drag cranked way up, but she still ran like an Atlantic salmon. Fishing. is. too. much. FUN! Notice that I took care not to fuzz my photos. 

20 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

I fished a swamp again this morning. The morning was turbulent. There'd be a dead calm, followed by wind out of the north, then wind out of the south, then a swirling wind, then light rain, then heavy rain, then dead calm again, and so on. I loved it. I saw multiple bald eagles and great blue herons. I also caught multiple 16-17 inch, hard-fighting bass. However, the swamp saved the best for last, as my last two fish were 19 inches and 20 inches. I hooked the 19-incher close to my canoe, so she was green and ran under the canoe, requiring me to do some yoga contortions to place my rod under the canoe too. The 20-incher jumped right beside my canoe and that was thrilling. You can see from the photo that she's a thick fish. Strong too. I use 17-pound test on my spinning reel to give me a modicum of control in the weeds and have the drag cranked way up, but she still ran like an Atlantic salmon. Fishing. is. too. much. FUN! Notice that I took care not to fuzz my photos. 

 

 Very Nice ~

Congrats on a couple of Great Looking Bass !

A-Jay

I helped you out a little . . .

Thanks, A-Jay! I love poking around swamps. I found a new one a little farther down the road. It's five times the size of the one I've been fishing most recently and that scares me a little because swamps are mazes. It also thrills me because I'll be casting where I've never cast before. 

 

P. S. - Your latest smallmouth dropped my jaw. 

P.P.S. - How did you clean up my pics?

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

P.P.S. - How did you clean up my pics?

A simple photo editor -

You can probably do the same thing with your phone, lap top if you have one or your PC.

A-Jay

2 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Notice that I took care not to fuzz my photos. 

That bottom one is very clearly a 20 incher.  Great fish.

I did get a tail shot of the 19-incher. This is my trying to be better at documenting despite my old camera. Anyway, thanks!cher. 

The most interesting thing I've found in my time since I've joined is that this forum is majority Northern member populated, and Northerners evaluate Bass as much on length as weight.

 

Until I joined this forum, I've never heard of Bass being referred to as lengths.     A 15" Bass is going to have vastly different weights depending on when, and where it was caught.   However a 5lb Bass in Alabama translates easily to 5lb Bass in MN.   

 

I heard something the other day about Kayak tourneys doing length "weigh ins"......perhaps this has had a spillover effect on some kayak fisherman.  This isn't really like metric/imperial where both end up with generally the same answer.    Bass fisherman imho should use weight not length to evaluate Bass

 

   

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

I fished a swamp again this morning. The morning was turbulent. There'd be a dead calm, followed by wind out of the north, then wind out of the south, then a swirling wind, then light rain, then heavy rain, then dead calm again, and so on. I loved it. I saw multiple bald eagles and great blue herons. I also caught multiple 16-17 inch, hard-fighting bass. However, the swamp saved the best for last, as my last two fish were 19 inches and 20 inches. I hooked the 19-incher close to my canoe, so she was green and ran under the canoe, requiring me to do some yoga contortions to place my rod under the canoe too. The 20-incher jumped right beside my canoe and that was thrilling. You can see from the photo that she's a thick fish. Strong too. I use 17-pound test on my spinning reel to give me a modicum of control in the weeds and have the drag cranked way up, but she still ran like an Atlantic salmon. Fishing. is. too. much. FUN! Notice that I took care not to fuzz my photos. 

Good job. Sounds like a enjoyable day 

15 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

The most interesting thing I've found in my time since I've joined is that this forum is majority Northern member populated, and Northerners evaluate Bass as much on length as weight.

 

Until I joined this forum, I've never heard of Bass being referred to as lengths.     A 15" Bass is going to have vastly different weights depending on when, and where it was caught.   However a 5lb Bass in Alabama translates easily to 5lb Bass in MN.   

 

I heard something the other day about Kayak tourneys doing length "weigh ins"......perhaps this has had a spillover effect on some kayak fisherman.  This isn't really like metric/imperial where both end up with generally the same answer.    Bass fisherman imho should use weight not length to evaluate Bass

 

   

I’d have to disagree there, every single limit is based on total length. A 5 lb bass can also vary in length so what’s the difference? We always refer to smallmouth by length, 20” is the benchmark. Scales don’t work if you fish as hard as we do 

Spothunter, I think plenty of northern bass fishers use scales. I'm 66 and unloading and carrying a canoe on uneven ground in the near dark, often bumping into branches. Then I have to go back for my gear. I just don't want to carry more gear. My inch-measuring comes from my personal failings. 

 

However, I get your point. Weight is universal. 

5 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

 

 

However, I get your point. Weight is universal. 

So is length 

30 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

The most interesting thing I've found in my time since I've joined is that this forum is majority Northern member populated, and Northerners evaluate Bass as much on length as weight.

 

Until I joined this forum, I've never heard of Bass being referred to as lengths.     A 15" Bass is going to have vastly different weights depending on when, and where it was caught.   However a 5lb Bass in Alabama translates easily to 5lb Bass in MN.   

 

I heard something the other day about Kayak tourneys doing length "weigh ins"......perhaps this has had a spillover effect on some kayak fisherman.  This isn't really like metric/imperial where both end up with generally the same answer.    Bass fisherman imho should use weight not length to evaluate Bass

 

   

Tomato/Tamato 

Caught a nice chunk this morning on the big bites green pumpkin craw. I was doing a steady retrieve across the top.

Disregard the “ I just swallowed a lemon whole” look on my face.?

1 hour ago, N Florida Mike said:

Disregard the “ I just swallowed a lemon whole” look on my face.?

Looks more like a "Caught a whiff of a nasty fart" look on your face" ?

We discovered the joys of rigging a fluke on a shroom head today. All dinks, mostly under 10", but 10 fish between 12 and 2 on a partly sunny August day is more than I expected. Now I'm fine tuning my finesse gear lmao

50 minutes ago, thediscochef said:

We discovered the joys of rigging a fluke on a shroom head today. All dinks, mostly under 10", but 10 fish between 12 and 2 on a partly sunny August day is more than I expected. Now I'm fine tuning my finesse gear lmao

Beautiful Spot!    How do you fish the flukes on the mushroom head jigs?   

Made the 50 min drive down to my second favorite lake in the wee hours this morning. It's been tough at my two closest lakes lately. Glad I made the trip. My new Chatterbait rod got a workout, and I couldn't be happier with it. First stop was a little cut about 100yds long with a weed flat in front of it. The weeds have died back to a stuble field but there were LM roaming on it. Caught 9 with the best being about 3#.

Next stop was a little secondary point that has a bunch of old sandstone foundation stones scattered across it, also covered with weed stubble. Collided with a big school of smallies on top of it. All 1-2 pounders, but they were chewing. Not sure exactly how many, but it was fast and furious for over an hour. Couple dozen anyhow. First light shut 'em down like someone flipped a switch. This is one of the better ones.

That Ark  Invoker 7'4" H MF composite is one heck of a chatterbait rod. Plenty of tip, with enough power in the mid section for really positive hooksets. Loads up great. Only had one smallie jump off, but it also helps a bit when the vast majority of them are eating the bait like this.

Picked up the flippin stick after daybreak and managed another 6 LM before heading home. Biggest was about 2.5#. Best outing I've had in awhile, and I got to catch 'em the way I wanted to. Twas a good morning.

On 8/31/2022 at 3:04 PM, TnRiver46 said:

So is length 

Weight and length I realize always pull it together. But, it might be somewhat of a yankee thing but, we (a lot of guys up here) are always ready to talk length first. Trout, bass, musky. Never even get into the weight. Regional thing I guess. 

Little guys were slamming some 3.3” paddletails on 1/8oz jig heads with 2/0 hooks today. Not bad for a bright, no-wind day in the stained water.

Caught a few white bass too on the flats. Baitfish all over the place.