Each year since '84 I have went home to fish on Good Friday and on Saturday. It's become a tradition with some years great and others OK. 

 

This year, as every other year was filled with great expectations, and while no big fish were caught it was a good/great numbers day(s) and the fish were feisty! They didn't appear to be chasing the bait and well placed casts were a must. The water weeds held few and It didn't take long to figure out that wood was the key and wood near a spawning area was almost a guarantee!

 

We boated 37 bass in 10 hours over two days inbetween 1-2 lbs. There are big fish In this pond but we never had so much as a bite from any. I have no clue where they were. lol I caught mine on R.I. Skinny Dipper, ( I only caught one fish swimming the bait color: Bullfrog) A Yamamotto Senko tx rigged weightless,(red shad) and my first bladed jig fish(Thanks Mike from Siebert outdoors color: bluegill) when I pitched into a pocket and made two turns of the reel and a nice fish slammed it! My brother caught his on a Berkley Power worm, (Black) a Zoom 6" big dead ringer, (red shad) and a Zoom lizard, (pumkin seed).

 

The one surprise of the trip was a 12" black crappie of a weightless Senko. It's my largest crappie to date and it was a great fight, at least momentarily. Not Included in the numbers were the crappie and 3 large(3-5 lbs) black fish. I despise those toothy critters but I begrudgingly admit they are great fighting fish. 

 

As I get older the trips are more special but not so much about the fishing but more about being thankful for getting out on the water, appreciating this semi-private paradise, and most Important Is the time I get to spend with my brother out on the water. He's a self-described old hippie and whatever the differences In our approach to life(he's incredibley laid back and goes with the flow) the opportunity to fish with him means the world to me. It's great family time and the stories with share with my legally blind mama are what make this trip more special with each passing year!

 

I will post some pictures after a while as there's a problem with the size.........

 

 

Update with a few pictures....

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds like a great tradition and opportunity to get back home.

Thanks for sharing.  Looks like a great time.

dude that's what it's all about.  you and you're hippie brother look like y'all were really smokin' out there.  the fish i mean.     great job bro.

Good deal.Looks like a nice pond.

Nice catching, and nice looking water.

Love fishing with my brother. Keep it up!

Really Nice.

 

Congrats

 

A-Jay

Great tradition to uphold.  Glad you had a good time & caught some fish. Just getting out on the water & wetting a line is nirvana.