In short, 2025 was oh-so-fine. However, compared to 2024, when I caught my PB, 2044 bass, multiple five, six, and seven-pounders, 2025 was a bust.

 

It just doesn't feel that way.

 

I still caught 1,451 bass and more 19-inchers than I caught in 2024. My decision to focus on my pond and my pal's pond and not fish the hard-to-reach bogs likely explains why I caught fewer giants because the bogs grow the bigger beasts, but I caught at least one 19-incher many times I fished my pal's pond (and caught three or four 19-21-inchers a few mornings) and I finally cracked the code to land 19-inchers at my pond (They're in the gnarliest places you can imagine, places with more weeds and wood than water.). 

 

I was just so happy on my pond. I still haven't acclimated to owning waterfront. I never imagined it was possible. I remain stunned that I could afford it. It's not the sort of waterfront that rich people buy, as my nearly 500 ft. of shoreline is all wetland, but a couple buddies and I built a primitive boardwalk to reach open water and I keep two canoes there. It's five minutes from my home, so I sometimes only fish for an hour. It's one of the cleanest ponds in Maine because three sides are deep wetlands, which filter the water, and there's only one old camp on the shoreline. The other nine homes are set 250' back. Most of the time, it's just me out there. Heaven.

 

I could show you fish pics, but you've already seen them. I'll just post these pics again:

 

 

Hear the loons sing and the geese wings and now you understand why I've loved 2025. 

 

 

I had a year that would make most anglers including me blush - but like you I feel differently - I’m fairly certain I lost the biggest fish that bit consistently all year and for me - that isn’t a good feeling.  Make no mistake I landed plenty of trophies and I’m proud of the success I had - I just know in my heart of hearts - the biggest fish all got off this year.

 

For the both of us (and anyone else who feels this way): that’s just how it goes when you’re at a level where the biggest and smartest fish in your pond are the ones we want to catch - and that just means we are getting closer to our next winning streak.  They can’t unhook themselves forever and they keep biting so I’m gonna keep fishing for em.  😎👍

Nice recap swamp girl.  I'm going to put one of these together in a week myself. 

 

Us northerners are nearing the end.

My '25 isn't over yet, but to date, it's been a big disappointment.  To date, I've caught only 72 bass and drew a goose-egg 32% of my trips.  If it weren't for white and yellow perch, that number would probably double.  It seems the bass disappeared from my waters, and no matter what I tried, I really couldn't find them or a bait they liked.  Other anglers I talked to shared similar experiences.  We agree that something was 'OFF' this year.

 

I fished NH and VT more this year, which was no better.  I had a lot of help from better anglers with experience up there, but nothing came of it.  

 

I'm still on track to catch fish in open water every month of this year, but to grade 2025, I'd give it a D.

4 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

My '25 isn't over yet, but to date, it's been a big disappointment.  I drew a goose-egg 32% of my trips.  If it weren't for white and yellow perch, that number would probably double.  It seems the bass disappeared from my waters, and no matter what I tried, I really couldn't find them or a bait they liked.  Other anglers I talked to shared similar experiences.  We agree that something was 'OFF' this year.

 

I fished NH and VT more this year, which was no better.  I had a lot of help from better anglers with experience up there, but nothing came of it.  

 

I'm still on track to catch fish in open water every month of this year, but to grade 2025, I'd give it a D.

 

Hmm. You're fishing quite close to me. Makes me wonder if I caught fewer bass and fewer big bass because it was simply a Different sort of year.

4 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

if I caught fewer bass

 

1,400+ is fewer?  Catching 1,400 bass around here would take me seven or eight years, easily.

 

I fish mostly from Boston to Cape Cod.

 

We don't fish anywhere near each other. 

5 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

We don't fish anywhere near each other. 

 

New Hampshire is our nearest neighbor.

2 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

New Hampshire is our nearest neighbor.

 

I don't count NH because I only fished it a few times and don't know the waters.  I know going in I'm not likely to catch much of anything at new waters until I get a lot of time at each.

1 minute ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

I don't count NH because I only fished it a few times and don't know the waters.  I know going in I'm not likely to catch much of anything at new waters until I get a lot of time at each.

 

Consider fishing Maine. The area around Augusta teems with water. I'd launch at a smaller pond right by the road with no ramp that most people drive past. You might be surprised at how many you'd catch right away. 

19 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

Consider fishing Maine.

 

Maybe next year.  I'm going to stick to smaller waters I'm familiar with for the rest of this year.

2 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

Consider fishing Maine.

Many years ago a relative had a home by the river in Maine. Fishing was great. Caught the biggest smallmouth bass there. We called them "paddle fish" because they were as big as our paddle!

You live in a beautiful place and know how to fish there.  Being that successful must bring you much satisfaction.

We’re all done for 2025, just pulled all the gear out of the boat on Sunday.  Our last couple trips were disappointing and it’s been too windy to try again.  We were so excited about the year with the brand new boat, but it was a horrible cold, wet spring so our early season was a bust.  Our regular season was mediocre with just a few good outings.  We love the new boat and have got a little experience under our belts with these Lake Ontario smallmouth, but hopefully next year will be better.🤞🏻

 

Now we pray for a short, easy winter… because I ain’t got any more long ones in me. 😒

4 minutes ago, The Baron said:

I ain’t got any more long ones in me.

 

I hear ya. It does get a little easier when you retire and don't have to sally forth everyday. I just cozy up in my warm home and look outside at the glittering, pretty snow.

 

6 minutes ago, The Baron said:

hopefully next year will be better

 

I wouldn't bet against you. 

 

9 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

You live in a beautiful place and know how to fish there.

 

Thank you, Alex. I do pretty well at fishing, but very well at enjoying. 

 

Great year and beautiful pics! I love seeing the nature shots from your slice of heaven!

 

Last year may have been better but it doesn't stop this year from being great.

Your trips are always described so throroughly, and thoughtfully it makes me feel like I'm right there with you. You're an excellent writer, wonderful photographer, and quite the impressive angler. Thank you for taking us along for the ride, Katie.

Here's another photo from my 2025 season:

 

Great year and great pictures! Just beautiful! Your pond looks and sounds like heaven on earth. 

2 hours ago, pdxfisher said:

Your pond looks and sounds like heaven on earth. 

 

It is. A couple local guys were here yesterday and they'd both fished it back in its glory days, when it produced a couple 8-pounders. I think it's on the rebound since I caught my first three 19-inchers there this fall. Next year will tell. C'mon, winter, whoosh on by!!!

Lamenting about catching "only" 1,451 bass. 😀

 

You're my fricking hero!

8 hours ago, Kayak Koz said:

Lamenting about catching "only" 1,451 bass. 😀

 

You're my fricking hero!

 

You're a glass half-full guy.

 

I'm a glass half-empty gal, for here's how I see it: I caught 593 fewer bass than I did in 2024. If I keep dropping at this rate, I might as well paint a white stripe down my back. However, I fear I'd attract unwanted attention: