I launched at 2:15 p.m. and fished for three hours. It was double digit windy and sunny at first, but I'm developing the confidence to fish both sunny days and the tactics to fish windy days. The challenge is that my canoe is always moving, not just in a straight line, but slowly spinning. And right now, the bass are tight to cover and if I don't drop my T-Rigged craw within six inches of cover, I likely won't get a hit. As you can see in this photo, clouds arrived and it was a gray day when I quit, but I love fishing northern lakes on gray days:

I only caught 15 bass, giving me 146 for 2026, but gosh, they were meaty. I photographed a couple on the bump board to showcase their thickness. They were all thick. My pond produces healthy bass. The first one was nearly 19 inches at 18.75 inches, but as thick and muscular as a seal. The second one wasn't as thick, but lengthwise was pretty typical of the bass I caught today:

Here are some more and you can see a few footballs in the bunch:

I loved the brooding gray as much as the bass. I'm going to fish my pond again tomorrow morning for three hours. I'm trying on some surface lures, hoping the water is finally warm enough for bass to smack my surface lures.

I've caught 146 bass in 2026.

Pretty bass and Nice Net ~

A-Jay

4 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Pretty bass and Nice Net ~

A-Jay

I like the net because it's so big and long. Sure, it gets in the way in the canoe because of its size, but it's great for bringing bass into the boat.

“I only caught 15 bass”

Go cry me a bog 😂

What's your total now? I had a good day last week with 10 Alabama bass.

10 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

What's your total now? I had a good day last week with 10 Alabama bass.

327 bass, Alex. I have never caught an Alabama bass. Dang it! But I'm glad you're catching them!

8 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

327 bass, Alex. I have never caught an Alabama bass. Dang it! But I'm glad you're catching them!

That’s impressive. Any tips for approaching lakes on kayak/ canoe?

4 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

That’s impressive. Any tips for approaching lakes on kayak/ canoe?

Leverage a small boat's natural advantage. Small boats are naturally quieter than bass boats. They can be close to silent. Strive for silence. Whenever I set a rod in my canoe or kayak, I lay it ever so gently on the hull or gunnels. Sometimes my bow bumps into a bass because they didn't hear me coming. Seeing that swirl is as exciting as catching a bass because it confirms that I'm quiet.

Plus, fish the water that the bass boats can't reach. They can't fish water without ramps. They can't float in 12" of water. Canoes and kayaks can and bass live in 12" of water. If you have to walk through the woods to reach the water, fishing can be nearly unbelievably good.

My preferred style is run and gun. I cover a lot of water when I launch. It's miles of paddling and I troll two rods when I'm paddling from one spot to another. I don't linger on a spot. I'm searching for the most active bass.

19 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

Leverage a small boat's natural advantage. Small boats are naturally quieter than bass boats. They can be close to silent. Strive for silence. Whenever I set a rod in my canoe or kayak, I lay it ever so gently on the hull or gunnels. Sometimes my bow bumps into a bass because they didn't hear me coming. Seeing that swirl is as exciting as catching a bass because it confirms that I'm quiet.

Plus, fish the water that the bass boats can't reach. They can't fish water without ramps. They can't float in 12" of water. Canoes and kayaks can and bass live in 12" of water. If you have to walk through the woods to reach the water, fishing can be nearly unbelievably good.

My preferred style is run and gun. I cover a lot of water when I launch. It's miles of paddling and I troll two rods when I'm paddling from one spot to another. I don't linger on a spot. I'm searching for the most active bass.

Yeah, I feel like I do need to cover more water. I went out Monday and caught 3 on a popper but felt like I could have got more if I continued covering water instead of slowing down with a worm at historically good spots for me, with no luck. I tried covering water more on Wednesday with a frog, popper, and bladed jig but only left with 1 bluegill. These were 1 hour kayak trips before work, so maybe I just need to spend more time on the water. I was actually planning on buying the paddle holder I see on your setup. It looks like it would help reduce the noise when setting down your paddle.

42 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

These were 1 hour kayak trips

There's the rub. It's hard to find bass in just an hour. I begin the first hour of many fishing trips with none or one bass.

I PMed you.

43 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

It looks like it would help reduce the noise when setting down your paddle.

What helps me reduce noise is going slowly and being thoughtful when I'm moving equipment in my boats.

4 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

What helps me reduce noise is going slowly and being thoughtful when I'm moving equipment in my boats.

After reading messages on here I have definitely become much more mindful, but I still strive to be more stealthy like you describe. The time crunch is definitely hindering me finding fish, but if it allows me to spend more time on the water it’s worth it to me. It amazes me how day by day the fish in my home pond/lake seem to always utilize a new bank. What are your go to lures to cover water?

5 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

It amazes me how day by day the fish in my home pond/lake seem to always utilize a new bank.

ME TOO! The bass in the two ponds I fish are always moving. It can take time to find them. Of course, there are times I launch and catch one on my first cast too.

6 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

What are your go to lures to cover water?

My two favorites are a VMC 5/0 heavy duty underspin with a paddletail or craw and a T-rigged craw. Both can be fished in cover or structure, shallow or deep. And both can be trolled.

Another slew of huge tanks! You are really smashing them.big time!