I went out to Smithville Lake today with my Grandson.  Right after sunrise I caught this 6 lb 2 oz bass off of a rocky point with grass. 

 

 

Duh . . . . . . what does this weigh?

 

The temperature today was very cool for July and barely broke 70 degrees before I left around noon to avoid lightning.  The bite was very slow so I tried to work my Grandson into the best spots to catch fish but he wasn't very happy with his productivity - one smaller bass.  The bass only seemed to want slow moving jigs today and he is still working on his jig technique.  I hooked into another good bass that looked to be similar in size but it shook my jig within a few feet of the boat.  Within a half hour of losing that bass I hooked what I believe to be a huge catfish.  I fought it for a few minutes of tough runs on the bottom of the lake but it eventually shook free as well so I never was able to see it.  I wasn't too happy with my ability to keep fish on the hook today.   I'll say this for JJ's.  I've caught or hooked a few catfish on jigs when using it so it appears to be good catfish bait as well.

 

So far it has been a good year for solid fish.  Though I haven't caught anything to challenge my PB or make my eyes bulge out of my head, 3 and 4 lb'ers have been common and my largest fish the last 3 months continues to climb.  There is still a lot of time left in July to up the ante. 

 

Largest in May:  5 lbs 6 oz

 

Largest in June:  6 lbs 0 oz

Real nice lookin fish!! Way to go!

That's a great fish for this area!

Great fish congrats!!

Nice work!

I've been to Smithville twice. That one fish is one more than I've ever caught out of there. Great looking fish!

Nice fish!

Sounds great - especially the comment "3 and 4 lb'ers have been common."   Man, I wish those fish were common in my water. The only thing common (or frequent) in my water is 11" bass...

 

Keep it up - you might have a 7 pounder coming in July!

Sounds great - especially the comment "3 and 4 lb'ers have been common."   Man, I wish those fish were common in my water. The only thing common (or frequent) in my water is 11" bass...

 

Keep it up - you might have a 7 pounder coming in July!

 

Well, Goose . . . . common is a relative term.  I'm catching at least one or more that big just about every time I am out which is better than I usually do. 

Nice pics

Good going!

I've been to Smithville twice. That one fish is one more than I've ever caught out of there. Great looking fish!

 

Blue, I have seen your pics and descriptions of your trips and it is pretty obvious you are a better stick than I.  It just takes some time to learn Smithville.  I have caught some good fish there but those days have been interspersed with days that I don't like to talk about.    I'm sending you a PM on a summer pattern that you might want to try out there.