2011 didnt bring in any monstrous fish (but i did get my pb). What i love is all the great experiences to be had, i dont have to catch alot and they dont have to be big. fishing is always fun. So my 2011 highlights area as follows. The wisconsin opening weekend was a pretty d**n good weekend, I caught about 45+ bass in the first two days, almost all were above 14 inches and that is when i caught my new personal best on a spinnerbait which was 3lbs 9oz. What really made it unique was that i caught all these fish on lures i had never had confidence in before- spinnerbaits and lipless cranks. ( lots of fish and big fish never hurt )

Later i was fishing from my boat on a little lake that I didnt know too well, I had pitched a T-rigged tube to a dock and felt a tap-tap, so i slammed back the rod and i missed so i started to quickly reel in my lure. I watched it twist itsway quickly back to the boat and a small 12in bass followed it. I stopped my lure dead and he nailed it feet from the boat! .. again didnt catch alot and he definately wasnt big, big an awesome experience none the less.

My last cool moment happened in late fall as fishing was slowing down, I was fishing with a spinnerbait- A new confidence lure - and nothing was goin for me. everything seemed dead. I saw a water bug buzzing on the surface a far ways out so i casted my lure past it. I waked the spinnerbait as to imitate a fish about to hit the bug. I jerked my rod and the blade popped out of the water just as it reached the bug. and.. BOOM as if it was rehearsed a bass crushed my spinnerbait! it ended up being an average bass for the lake 14in or so.

I didnt get out half as much as id hoped to in 2011 but either way i consider it a great success, This year i will make it a priority to fish more so I can experience more of these wonderful moments!

stuff that happens while fishing never fails to amaze me. its like im always seeing or discovering something new. and when your normal favorite baits dont work one day, or you just decide to try something new or different, and you start catching fish and gain confidence that you didnt have before in a lure or technique that is new to you, well thats a great feeling. you've expanded your arsenal. i went years without catching a fish on a spinnerbait, when i finally did, they came in numbers. same for lipless cranks, except i still dont get bit on them often, but when i find that bite its killer and a blast. Your positivity should help lead you to a successful 2012 season...