Wisconsin Bass

I managed to get outside this weekend at a lake near the cabin, to do some jig fishing.  The water temp. was just below 50 degrees on this lake, so I decided to stick with the jig for the entire afternoon.  I think it may have warmed to 52.  If I could do it over, I would have gone to a deeper local lake, that would have had warmer water.   I wouldn't consider this to be my favorite type of bass fishing, but it may have been the only option to put fish in the boat today.  The two fish I posted pictures of were the best ones of the afternoon.  I didn't bother to measure them, because I knew they were under 20".  This lake has boasted some piggies, and I really thought I was going to put a bigger one in the boat.  I am starting to realize that I am a total optimist, when it comes to fishing.  I always seem to see the possibility in a lake.  I haven't caught one in this lake more than 5 lbs, but I talked to a guy that caught two approaching 7!  So, I figure eventually, I will get into one of those beasts if I put in my time.  Lots of healthy fish in this lake, but it is proving to be a spring, and fall lake for me.

River Smallies with the Brothers

 So there were plenty of nice fish, on an even nicer day.  Would
you believe me if I said the fishing was slow?  Well, it was...  We
managed to put together a nice enough bag.  I caught 2 - 20 "
inchers, and a busty 19".  And I know that Jer put up a couple
over 19" too.  So, on a 60 degree day in October with brilliant fall
colors and the sun shining, there was nothing to complain about.
Plus, I didn't have to endure 3 hours of the Vikings.  Putting
together 5 or 6 fish over 19" inches with family is about as good
as it gets.

20 incher

Another 20"

Pig Move!

19" hunchback on Grass pig first cast

18 3/4 on Grass pig

Believer in the PIG

Still hitting the jerkbait...FAT!

Since this isn't a typical year.  I haven't been able to fish the way I did last year.  The weather, new baby, new job...the list goes on.  So, I took one out of someone else's book, and decided to finally give THE PIG a fair shake. The Grass Pig has been nailing them.  It holds up pretty well too to many fish attacking it too. I noticed that the fish wanted something moving.  Going to a local catch and release bass lake.  I caught two fish around 19" in my first seven casts.  I tried another lake  the next night and caught tons of fish shallow on the PIG.  Fun to fish.  Maybe I will finally get a 20" this year for the derby... I sure hope so.

Pelican Lake Trip

Drew with a 2 1/2 plus pounder

So, the weather wasn't the best.  But Pelican lake will likely get another visit.  The bass were fat, and prespawn, which isn't what we were going for choosing this weekend in June far in advance of the late ice-out.  The ice had only been out for a couple of weeks.  We were on a reaction bite the majority of the time.  I had fun fishing a jerkbait some when it was calm enough, but mostly threw a spinnerbait. There was one night that we found a spot that the smallies were stacked on, and really hammered them.  Jeremy (Bass Chronicles)  caught over a 20 lb bag that night.  I caught 2 over 4 lb's too.   The conditions were just right.  But, the best part was, we looked at the map, found the spot, and caught fish.  I wish I could do that more often.  Other times, it was cold windy, and did not feel at all like June.  Water temps dropped many times, causing the fishing to slow, and the conditions were not favorable most of the time.  But, despite that there were quality fish caught!  I would say it was an upgrade from our Vermillion trips, even though we never cracked the 5 lb mark for big fish.  Next time....

19 1/2 or so, prespawner

19 1/2 Spinnerbait

Crankbait - 18 - 19+

Crankbait - 18 - 19+

Crankbait - 18 - 19+

Crankbait - 18 1/2

On FIRE with the Crankbait - 18 - 19+

Crankbait - 18 - 19

13 1/2 crappie

Huge crayfish

Dad with a 17 3/4 smallie

Jerkbait - Fat prespawner - 18 3/4

19 1/2 Fatty - Spinnerbait

Fatty

Fun when the fish are biting!

Only 18 1/4 - but this was the thickest  I caught. - Spinnerbait

Bonus Jerkbait Crappies

18 1/2 - Spinnerbait

19", 4 lbs 10 ounces

Fattest of the trip, only 17 3/4 inches though - Spinnerbait

Biggie smallies

More Crankbait magic

Spring Trip to Texas...Forked!!!

Okay.  So, there is something really exciting when you are fishing on a lake that has had so many huge largemouth caught.  (The Texas state record, over 18 lbs!)  Every Spring the spawn is on, and it appeared that my brother in law and I were hitting the lake at the perfect time.  We checked the forums, (I seriously doubt some of the reports that were made)  the water temperature was rising into the 60's during the day,  (Wrong!!!)  If you fish in the midwest, you need to know, we are spoiled.  Because I fish in mostly WI and MN my expectations for catching bass, have risen to an unrealistic level.  So, when I go to Lake Fork and fish for Florida strain largemouth bass, and the weather turns them sour,  (I guess they are a fickle fish in comparison to their smaller northern cousins.)  I just about want to cry.  We fished for three days, and I think that I learned some things, but I left Fork dejected, again.  I will post some pics, but in the end the water temp dropped, it rained most of the day, the forecast was not accurate,  (it was colder) and the wind, limited the fishing opportunities at times, and the water is very low, and prevented us from fishing some areas.  Don't get me wrong, there were fish caught everyday. In the end, seven fish over 19 1/2 inches and up to 21 3/4 inches long.  It was fun to toss at timber, there was excitement heading into everyday.  There is something exciting about wondering if the next cast would be the one that gave up a ten pounder but, the big one eluded us again...

MEA Smallies

Takes a lickin and Keeps on tickin

Nice Colors

Every year, I head to the river over MEA.  The smallies cooperate most of the time, and sometimes you get a big one too.  The biggest I caught was 20", but literally every fish is exciting.  I caught a 28 " cat fish that had me thinking it was a Giant smallie.  It ripped out drag, up and down stream.  I know I caught a few over 19" too.  Occasionally, I will think I have a giant on, and it turns out to be an 18 1/2 that just happens to fight like a six pounder!  This time of year is great, and if you like catching smallies, the river is a nice place to get some 4 plus pounders, and their fight is unmatched!  I don't even take picture of most of the fish.  If it is over 19"  I try to take a picture, but sometimes I just want to get my line back in the water, because when they are biting they are ferocious!

Nice Belly

Big Cat