Last day in June 2023 the bass were active

 

The bass were very active yesterday.  It was 92 degrees out around 4pm here in the Heartland.  The water in the pond was noticeably warm.  I think the water temps were above 80 degrees.  That being said the bass were aggressive!  I could only stand being out there sweating for an hour and fifteen minutes, but during that time I caught around fifteen bass.  Above are a few pictures of some of the bass I caught and also some of the baits I was using.

Mepps Agila Dressed Spinner

The pond has noticeable algae blooms this year.  The water is stained green with algae, but the visibility still seems to be 2 feet.  That being said, I think the Orange feather tail of this inline spinner, and the chartruese colored blade is a great combo during these conditions.  I was right!  Caught several on this inline spinner during this outing.  I was slow rolling the spinner and they were hitting it closer to the bank.

Zoom Trick Worm

The trusty trick worm got it done as well.  I was using a motor oil with a chartreuse tail which again thought would look good to the bass.  I was right about that as well.  The bass wanted it bad, and I caught most of the bass on this day with the trick worm.  

Retrieve tactic

One thing that I have been experimenting with is the retrieve.  I've caught a ton of fish over the years on trick worms in more of a traditional slow worm retrieve.  On this day, they did not want the traditional retrieve.  Because the fish were so active they were reacting to stuff that was moving.  So, I was slow retrieving the trick worm with some twitches and they were hammering it.  That was a fun bite and it is always exciting to figure out a pattern.

I hope you are all doing great out there.  If you are in the United States, have a great Independence Day weekend.

Biting on Flukes in June 2023

The fish were biting yesterday on Flukes. They didn't want anything else! I tried worms, crankbaits, and even a punch rig. But they were definitely in the mood to eat Flukes. I was casting to the edges of the grass mats and they were hitting it immediately, or not at all. I'd say most of the fish are in post spawn in the lake. The weather was nice, sunny, and not too humid compared to other years. Tight lines to all of you.

Discovering more in more in my Dad's neighborhood pond

It was my dad's birthday last week. I dropped my son off at baseball practice which is not far from my mom and dad's neighborhood.  I hit up their pond in between his practice...Everytime I visit this pond, I learn something new. It wasn't until this year that I started to fish this pond. I have driven by this pond so many times, but never had a reason to stop and fish.

I had success catching some Bluegill and Bass on a Mepps spinner, and specifically at about ten feet out from the bank. I had a big bass gulp my Mepps spinner...I got it all the way to the bank and then it came off ☹️.

But always look at what you learned...I then put on a black trick worm in a Texas Rig scenario...I tried going slow and just dragging the bottom...no luck.

So then I started to throw my worm out and worked it back a bit faster...almost swimming the worm back to the bank. Bam!!! I caught two nice ones right in a row! 

What a great day. I think God gave me some fun on my Dad's birthday...he let me fight with two nice ones. I hope you are all doing great today. 👊🏽🤙🏽

Beginning of June 2023 fishing, Two Poles Two Baits, Big Results

 

The neighborhood pond is fire right now.  It is that time of year when some of the fish are still on beds but most are already in post-spawn. I am catching them deep and also on the banks of this specific pond.  I had two rods with me and only two baits...Zoom Flukes and Zoom Trick Worms. 

Definitely a ton of fun and the weather was nicer than the day before. The day before we hit 95 degrees so it was surely hot and sunny.  Today, it was mostly overcast with the highs in the upper 80s. Some of my additional thoughts on this day:

-I played around with several retrieves...I did catch some nice bass that were deep specifically dragging a trick worm on the bottom.  Had a few takers on that.  I also moved my worm a bit faster when closer to the banks. The idea was to disrupt any fish on beds, and it worked!  I did catch some bass on the banks using this method.

-I don't think the pond was treated this year (yet).  The algae blooms are happening, and there is definitely more vegetation near the banks on this pond this year.

-Zoom Flukes are still working in the pond.  There is a specific color the bass are looking for right now. I have a couple different kinds and it was the Arkansas shiner that was getting it done.

Hope you all are having a great summer.  Tight Lines to You!

Memorial Day 2023 Fishing Fun

Today, we honor not only the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who gave their lives on distant battlefields but also the countless individuals who served alongside them, whose lives were forever altered by the horrors of war. We acknowledge the immense sacrifice made by those who served and who continue to serve, safeguarding our freedoms and preserving peace.

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom is not free. It comes at a tremendous cost, paid by the courageous souls who put their lives on the line to protect ours. We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and simply put...This picture above is just an example and reflection of a father and son enjoying the freedom to do something together in a nation that provides this type of freedom. I hope all of you who celebrate Memorial Day had a great day too!