How big was this bass?

The weird thing about fishing, is we tend to catch the biggest fish when we are fishing alone.  This particular bass was caught by one Jeremy Thornton, by himself of course.  So, there is not really a good picture to make any good comparisons to other fish.  The buoy in the background is the larger variety.  This is the only photo of the fish.  I remember hearing this fish was over 22 inches long.  So, is this fish over 6 lbs?  It isn't really very fat, so I really would have a hard time saying, but it is the largest bass caught out of that boat in Minnesota, and there have been a load of 5 plus pounders caught out of it.  Anyone else to want to speculate?

Best 2010 Fishing Moment - Lake Fork

Bass Tackle Depot Order

I think I have a problem...

Vermillion Showdown!

The trash talk has already started. I can't refute it,  armed with a crankbait and spinning gear, this Shoreview native out-fished his counterparts in both size and numbers.  (Of course he was in my boat...)  This year, it is on. We didn't do well on walleye, caught plenty of smallies, and got into a few largies, but  if you have Vermillion advice, please let me know.

This 18 + inch smallie was the largest caught during our Lake Vermillion trip.

Topwater

Caught on a Sizmic Toad

Caught on a rubber mouse

Some of my favorite fishing of the year is shallow water topwater fishing.  Having three guys in the boat watching bass slamming that bait is some of the most exciting fishing of the year.  This early season bass spot holds lots of bass before the water gets to thick.  So, whether you are creeping a rubber mouse across the pads, thumping a Buzz Frog over cover,  make sure you have the right equipment.  I like to use 30lb Powerpro braid to keep these buggers from getting tangled up  in the thick stuff.

Snowy Day Smallies

19 1/8, 4lb's 3 ounces

Well, still didn't get the monster smallmouth I was looking for but when fishing for smallies its hard not to smile with the kind of fight these fish put up.  Missed a ton of fish today, but it is always fun to fish with a partner.  Frozen fingers, and hands don't seem quite so bad when your catching fish.

18 3/4,  under 4lbs

chunky walleye

WI River - Walleye, Musky, and Northern with a lamprey attached...

No bass!  That's right none!  Okay it was fun to get into some great eater walleye's this weekend, but the catch of the weekend is the fish I don't have a picture of...this fish was about 35 inches, and missing over two inches of tail.  Seriously, The tail looked a lot like the tail of a bass after brushing off the bottom preparing for the spawn.  It was a bloody nub.  So, I figure the fish was in the middle teens weight wise.  Landing a musky in your waders is no easy task.  Luckily the hook was lodged in his lip, and he didn't break my line, but he took a couple of great runs.  I have pretty big hands and I couldn't get my hands across the back of this beast. So, I sadly secured him up by the gill.  I thought about running to the car to get my phone, to get a pic, but I didn't want to risk the fish's health, or a fine, being that this is a catch and release area.  The weirdest part of fishing this weekend though, I caught a northern with about an eight inch lamprey attached to it!  Freaky!

Walleye and Bass

Eater Size

Well, I have never eaten walleye out of the Mississippi, and I don't know if that is going to change.  But, after I caught a few of these I was thinking about it....

7 + pounder!

Okay not exactly the huge bass I was looking for, but it really had me hoping when I was reeling it in.  The  Smallmouth was the biggest of the outing...

Hungry Smallies

I had a great day on the river.  There were some serious fights put up today on the river.  I moved away from my Shimano Sahara spinning reel, to the Quantum Energy baitcaster just to get the fish in faster today, and it was the right move.  I think I spooked less fish. I had a few moments where I thought I was going to break 20 inches, but I didn't.  But, I did catch some tanks!  I caught at least 10 fish that were 3 lbs or more!  These fish were thick and strong.  I guess I would like to say that this catch was all skill, but when smallies are hungry they just bite about anything!

Sunday Smallies!

It was a fun afternoon.  I actually was happy with my catch today.  The belly on the 19 1/8 incher was ridiculous!

Big Belly!

18 plus

Fat 19 1/8

Do the big ones always get away?

18 incher

Again, the biggest bass got away...shoulders, and at least 19 inches... Unbelievable!  Well, keeps me going back I guess.  The thing that I don't understand is.  Why don't the smaller ones get away?

Fighter

Eating minnows?

There is no left eye.

Upper lip must have been damaged.

Tiger Muskie!

This is a pretty Tiger Muskie, and my first.  Hit on a perch bait.

Smallmouth feeding on crayfish!

2 

17 1/2

17 1/2, 2.79 lb, crayfish sticking out of stomoach!

I caught 5 smallies over 17 inches, but I had one that had to be 19 inches get off.  I have been using braided line, and a medium heavy rod, because these fish fight like mad!  I screwed up by not playing the fish more, and thinking that I could just handle another one with my heavy gear.  When I had it close enough to land, it took off between my legs and dislodged the hook.  Strange thing is, I have had the same thing happen before.  

There is a bleeding gash on the lower jaw with a crayfish pincher lodged next to it. Hungry for crustaceans?

Another lean one just over 17

17 inch fatty, 2.68 lb