I don't claim to be an expert fisherman ... just a guy who loves to fish and has been blessed for his efforts. I learned a long time ago that in fishing, and in much of life, you get out of it what you put into it. I work hard when fishing, I study a lot, and always try to learn something on every outing. I hope you can use the information I post on this blog to learn something as well. Thanks for following along!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
That's a Biggin'
Finally caught the fish I've been busting my hump for all spring. She was a shade under 22" and I would guess a solid 6.5 lbs. Got a few quick pics and let her go back to drop the eggs she was still carrying! She sucked in a 1/4 ounce swim jig about 5 minutes after I started this afternoon. She was so pretty I was really tempted to put her on the wall. If she wasn't full of eggs ... I would have.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Transition Time
The bass appear to be entering post spawn mode ... males are overly aggressive and female are lock jawed. Picked up a few in the heavier winds last night. Had a little excitement from this small muskie. It hit a Chatterbait just before I lifted it out of the water. Young fish, but beautifully marked and very healthy!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Quite the Sight
Got to fish with my son last night for the first time this year. I sure hope he appreciated the lesson I gave him! :)
The water was so clear that everything was spooky until the sun started going down. We noticed a lot of minnows on the weed flats. They were shallow early ... then seemed to move out to 2-3' of water just before sundown. About 8:00 the bass started chasing them on the flat. It was an amazing sight! All we had to do was .... throw to the swirl!
We picked up 15 bass and a couple of smaller pike. Had a lot of fun ... and discovered I need a new pair of lightweight waders for the summer!
The water was so clear that everything was spooky until the sun started going down. We noticed a lot of minnows on the weed flats. They were shallow early ... then seemed to move out to 2-3' of water just before sundown. About 8:00 the bass started chasing them on the flat. It was an amazing sight! All we had to do was .... throw to the swirl!
We picked up 15 bass and a couple of smaller pike. Had a lot of fun ... and discovered I need a new pair of lightweight waders for the summer!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Little Slower, But Not Bad!
Got out for a couple of hours tonight and picked up 13 largemouth and a handful of pike. Largest bass was 17". Water temp cooled off and the fish moved off of the beds for the time being. Hopefully they're back for Tuesday nights outing!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Red Hot Cold Front
Had one of those magic days today. Started at 7:00 a.m. ... temp around 45 with a STRONG north wind. I fished the north end and the trees blocked the wind very well. Took about 3 hours to find them, but ... the bass were bedding in about a foot of water. Caught 21 before noon when I stopped for a few hours. Every fish was caught on a white/green Banjo minnow. Got back out about 4:00 and fished until 8:00. Caught 38 more, all on a green.brown chatterbait with a chigger craw trailer. Ended up with 59 for the day, beating my previous personal record of 54. Got a few smaller females but the majority were males. Biggest fish was 18" ... had one in arms length that was about 20".
Friday, May 13, 2011
They're on the beds ... or at least close to it!
Got in about 5 hours of fishing last night and caught 20 largemouth and a handful of runtie, toothy, slimey, hammerhandle pike that chewed my baits up! The bass were all males exept for 2 that were 16" plump females. Lost a female of about 5 lbs that shook her head as I reached to grab and spit the hook back in my face ... literally. I think I heard her laughing as she swam away.
Fought 25 mph winds in the late afternoon the pushed some small shiner onto the shoreline. The male bass followed. Just about everything I caught was in less than 2' of water. The wind diesd down about 6:30 and the mayfly hatch kicked in ... killing the bite. Got a few fish after that but it really slowed down. Caught 19 of the bass on a chatterbait with a 4" gulp minnow trailer. The other came on a 4" Banjo. This guy was hungry!!!!!!!
Hope to get out as sunrise tomorrow to beat the bluegill fisherman to my shoreline. Those guys can really irritate em when they motor in the shallows and then drop anchors on the bass bed. Well, I guess I can't say much until I save enough to buy that lake. Then they better watch out! :)
Fought 25 mph winds in the late afternoon the pushed some small shiner onto the shoreline. The male bass followed. Just about everything I caught was in less than 2' of water. The wind diesd down about 6:30 and the mayfly hatch kicked in ... killing the bite. Got a few fish after that but it really slowed down. Caught 19 of the bass on a chatterbait with a 4" gulp minnow trailer. The other came on a 4" Banjo. This guy was hungry!!!!!!!
Hope to get out as sunrise tomorrow to beat the bluegill fisherman to my shoreline. Those guys can really irritate em when they motor in the shallows and then drop anchors on the bass bed. Well, I guess I can't say much until I save enough to buy that lake. Then they better watch out! :)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Hello Froggie!
I picked up one of the new Dahlberg Diver frogs at the Milwaukee Sport Show this winter and I'll be trying it the next time I'm out ... which may be tonight. Here's a pic to get an idea of what it is. Weedless, diving, very lifelike. Oh, and expensive! That's why I only bought one.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Brrrrr....
Got out for an hour and a half tonight after work. The highlight of the night was the fact that I threw an extra hoodie on before I went out. Cold east wind followed afternoon showers. More rain coming later tonight. Fish we not active at all but I managed two small bass and a northern ... all on a chatterbait with a gulp pearl minnow trailer. We need HEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Things I Learned Today ...
First day of bass fishing for the year. Waters still pretty cold and weed growth is minimal. None the less I picked up a few males and had another few bites/fish lost. I threw everything but the kitchen sink at them. Started with DT-1's trying to find some active fish and get an idea of where they might be. Changed to a Trigger X Frog and ad one real nice bit in about 2' of water. Had another nice bite and almost hook set on a pearl Banjo. Eventually threw an X Rap and a spinner bait as well. Ended up with 2 pike and 2 largemouth ... both males about 15" and both came on a fire tiger DT-1.
I also learned Trokar hooks are REALLY sharp ... especially when you stick one in your finger. AND .... snapping turtles are on the prowl right now as well. That always concerns me a little as I'm wading, especially on days like today when I spend most of my time in crotch deep water.
Warmer weather and a good warm rain are both in the forecast. The females should be moving in by next weekend!
I also learned Trokar hooks are REALLY sharp ... especially when you stick one in your finger. AND .... snapping turtles are on the prowl right now as well. That always concerns me a little as I'm wading, especially on days like today when I spend most of my time in crotch deep water.
Warmer weather and a good warm rain are both in the forecast. The females should be moving in by next weekend!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
If you fish bass ...
... you really need to try these new Berkely Power Bait 7" Thump Worms. Attach them to a swim jig or a weighted EWG hook and fish them with a stead retrieve. I saw them in action in a test tank last night That thumping tail is going to drive bass NUTS!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Six Days to Largemouth Time!
The Wisconsin opener is 6 days away and I can't wait to start fishing the grass flats off the spawning grounds on my favorite bass lake. It really helps that its only 5 blocks from my house with gas going to $4.09 a gallon today. That's crazy.
Between now and next Saturday I need to stock-up on Ribbit frogs, the new Berkley Thumper worms, and a few weedless jigs. Pick those up and I'm all set. All that's left then is pumping air into my float tube and bottling my "Huskie Muskie Scotch Ale". I think I've settled on that name. :)
Here's a few fish from early in the season last year:
Between now and next Saturday I need to stock-up on Ribbit frogs, the new Berkley Thumper worms, and a few weedless jigs. Pick those up and I'm all set. All that's left then is pumping air into my float tube and bottling my "Huskie Muskie Scotch Ale". I think I've settled on that name. :)
Here's a few fish from early in the season last year:
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