fishing reports

Had a couple grandsons over last night, it was Eli’s first fishing experience.
The perch were hungry but the minnow bucket was the big draw for them…just like their Dad was when he was small. I would be catching bass like it was my job and he would be elbow deep in the minnow bucket.

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That's some great stuff H2O!
 
Had a couple grandsons over last night, it was Eli’s first fishing experience.
The perch were hungry but the minnow bucket was the big draw for them…just like their Dad was when he was small. I would be catching bass like it was my job and he would be elbow deep in the minnow bucket.

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I was always taking sticklebacks outta the minnow bucket and putting them in my Aquarium.
 
When I was a kid I spent all my time picking through what we caught while seining. Would have much rather'd sort all the cool stuff in the net than stick it on a hook and wait for a bite.
 
Got out ice fishing this past Sunday afternoon up in northern MN. It was really windy, snowing and pretty crappy out. I found about 10-12 decent inches of ice on the lake I was on. Its a small lake that I know well and it has no public access. I drilled about 65-70 holes in the first 2 hours and I did not catch anything. I made one final move before I was going to quit. In that last patch of holes I found the fish STACKED in 15-16 feet of water. There was nothing deeper and nothing shallower. I quickly proceeded to catch about 8 bass with nearly a 3lb average. Also caught 1 northern about 7lb with a massively full belly on it.


The highlight of the afternoon however was the bluegills. I got into a batch of MASSIVE hogs. The big one laying on the ice was pushing 12". I felt it probably weighed at least 1lb 6oz or better. It was a true freak. Had to be my PB bluegill. I laid her on the ice long enough to snap a quick picture and video and then I sent her back. A true trophy. I released several other bluegills pushing 11". I have 8" holes for reference. Think I had 6 that were over 1lb. I sorted through them and kept the smaller ones for a nice meal. Ended up being a wonderful afternoon on a small body of water that I have very fond memories on. My PB crappie and PB bluegill both came from this little gem.

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Babysitting today, in between thunderstorms we ran out to play with the perch. They are biting like crazy.
I think he caught a new pond record, he said it was a “super jumbo”. It gave him a heck of a fight, looked about the size of his leg.

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Babysitting today, in between thunderstorms we ran out to play with the perch. They are biting like crazy.
I think he caught a new pond record, he said it was a “super jumbo”. It gave him a heck of a fight, looked about the size of his leg.

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Awesome!
 
Buck glad you released the big ones its about an inch per year of growth. It's great fighting big gills on the ice. Here's a northern in the hole. I never took the spear this year on the ice. Saw over 30 pike in the hole and they keep swimming.
 

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Thought you guys might want to see a smelt with sweeddish hook rig direct tie with fluorocarbon for stealth rig
 

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Oldest son had a couple of his buddies with kids over the other night, and my daughter stopped over with her son.
The kids had a hoot catching fish and frogs/toads.
They kept at it for a couple hours with fish hitting pretty much non stop. Mostly perch and walleye a couple redears bit and an smallie now and then. A lot of firsts for the little kids….business as usual for my grandsons.
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And the new pond record smallie!
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A kid I used to teach and coach asked if he and his dad could fish our place for today's local tournament. Their 2 biggest were 7 and 7.1. They won overall and biggest fish. They're super happy! We've worked extensively the last couple of yrs adding habiat and removing a goal of 400lbs of bass a yr. Everything over 3lbs to be thrown back. These 2 bass look incredibly healthy to me. I hope our efforts are paying off!
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A kid I used to teach and coach asked if he and his dad could fish our place for today's local tournament. Their 2 biggest were 7 and 7.1. They won overall and biggest fish. They're super happy! We've worked extensively the last couple of yrs adding habiat and removing a goal of 400lbs of bass a yr. Everything over 3lbs to be thrown back. These 2 bass look incredibly healthy to me. I hope our efforts are paying off!
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How big is your pond?
 
A kid I used to teach and coach asked if he and his dad could fish our place for today's local tournament. Their 2 biggest were 7 and 7.1. They won overall and biggest fish. They're super happy! We've worked extensively the last couple of yrs adding habiat and removing a goal of 400lbs of bass a yr. Everything over 3lbs to be thrown back. These 2 bass look incredibly healthy to me. I hope our efforts are paying off!
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I have a very hard time removing enough bass. So my question is, are you removing that 400 pounds of bass with rods and reels or with other means? If from other means, then how?
 
I have a very hard time removing enough bass. So my question is, are you removing that 400 pounds of bass with rods and reels or with other means? If from other means, then how?

It's great Swampcat!

Rod and reel KY. I keep a lot for our annual fish fry at the church, and we let some guys fish whenever they want. They take a ton out for us.
 
A kid I used to teach and coach asked if he and his dad could fish our place for today's local tournament. Their 2 biggest were 7 and 7.1. They won overall and biggest fish. They're super happy! We've worked extensively the last couple of yrs adding habiat and removing a goal of 400lbs of bass a yr. Everything over 3lbs to be thrown back. These 2 bass look incredibly healthy to me. I hope our efforts are paying off!
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After noticing that fellows jeans, I wondered if he caught them on artificial lures or was "hogging" em. Just joking ... plus, those folks know how to fish. Great pond/lake maintenance!

A recent issue of Texas Monthly magazine carried a story about private lakes in TX where the fishery is being managed to produce 10+ lb bass. Apparently, proper/sufficient nutrients, good genetics, and predator control (think river otters or cormorants) are some key ingredients that favor the development of large bass. They are like deer, they need to get older in order to get bigger. The surprising part included the revelation that some bass-fishing fanatics in TX, and elsewhere, will pay as much as $1,000 / day for the chance to catch a fish 10 lbs+. Way out of my league ... heck, I'm happy catching big catfish or slab crappie! However, I don't eat large bottom-feeders (cats) caught in rivers/lakes in IL/IA ... way too many chemicals.
😉
 
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After noticing that fellows jeans, I wondered if he caught them on artificial lures or was "hogging" em. Just joking ... plus, those folks know how to fish. Great pond/lake maintenance!

A recent issue of Texas Monthly magazine carried a story about private lakes in TX where the fishery is being managed to produce 10+ lb bass. Apparently, proper/sufficient nutrients, good genetics, and predator control (think river otters or cormorants) are some key ingredients that favor the development of large bass. They are like deer, they need to get older in order to get bigger. The surprising part included the revelation that some bass-fishing fanatics in TX, and elsewhere, will pay as much as $1,000 / day for the chance to catch a fish 10 lbs+. Way out of my league ... heck, I'm happy catching big catfish or slab crappie! However, I don't eat large bottom-feeders (cats) caught in rivers/lakes in IL/IA ... way too many chemicals.
😉
The kid is a worker. Him and his dad were out at daybreak throwing topwater in the rain. Not sure what they caught the big ones on but I know it never stopped raining on them.



I'm member of a couple of pond and fish forums. Just like this one but for water stuff. Don't contribute much but certainly read what the pro's have to say. Lots of knowledge out there!

TX has a few things going for them. They can grow Florida genetics, threadfin shad, and tilapia. I'm to far north for pure Florida bass to excell, they might survive but wouldn't produce fast growth rates. I've seriously considered F1 crosses, but haven't found a source yet. 10lb bass are very rare in KS, but I think I have a chance at that mark. I've caught some 26 and 27 inch fish. I believe at least one went 9+ by measurements. Also have caught a 19 inch crappie. May have been a state record? Put it back.
 
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A gaggle of kids showed up for fishing and basketball this evening. Of course it was one of the girls who caught the biggest crappie (14 inch) and put the boys in their place.
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