season so far

[kt]

How has everyones season started? For me I have really struggled to find the big ones these first two weeks. I've put two in the boat at 4 lbs 11 oz. but nothing bigger. I did lose one last weekend that was likely in the 5.5 range and i lost another one that was likely between 4.5 and 5 lbs a few minutes apart (lipless cranks!) Other than a couple lakes where they have really been snapping the bite has been as inconsistent as the weather (coincidence ) I have been fishing for both pre and post spawn fish. I hadn't even looked for a bed until yesterday. I found 25 or so in a short stretch of shoreline and 17-18 had males on them. Water temps were 69 on this lake yesterday morning. I caught several post spawners with beat up tails on the inside weedline, but no pigs. A couple of lakes that i really had high hopes of getting a prespawn pig out of have been duds for big fish so far. My theory is the weather was so inconsistent that the window to get those big prespawners was very small, kind of a here today gone tomorrow deal. On the other hand i have had one lake that despite the weather has been kicking fish out like crazy. (mostly 2-3 lbers but the occational 3.5-4.5 thrown in) i've fished it 4 times and everytime we have hammered them. Go figure. I'm very interested to here some other observations/experiences in this crazy first couple weeks of the season. (speaking of crazy, how bout a 45 degree temperature shift without a thunderstorm coming through!)

[eyeguy 54]

so far all i can say is

[kaine]

so far all i can say is

AGREED

[Tator2k]

PB 3rd day of season...now I want more.

[Gardiner14]

All i can say is

[Meat-Run]

I've only been out once and I can't complain.

mr

[SledNeck]

majority of bass Ive caught have been over 17" wont be long before the baitstealers start biting

caught an unusual amount of 20" fish with not as many over 21" as usual.. then again the largemouth bite didnt crank up till last weekend.

[TonkaBass]

I haven't yet fished up in your neck of the woods kt, but I haven't really been out enough to tell down here either. The weather is for sure goofy right now. Have you done any smallie fishing? My biggest this year so far is a 5 1/4 pounder largemouth. Maybe I will get out this weekend up there and have a report

[grab the net]

Same boat as you are KT. Do have 5 over five so far, but 5-10 is the biggest. Last weekend was a struggle. Caught numbers but only one four. Weather is crazy, water temps crazy, saw some actively spawning fish last weekend. Water temps on that lake were 68-70. I have not seen any crappies on beds on the lakes I have been fishing which is does not seem right. Have not been Smallie fishing yet. Hope to catch up to you on the lake some weekend, compare notes.

[jalberg]

THis year has pretty much sucked for me so far. I'm not sure what it is. I've gotten 3 over 19". I usually have a few over 21" by now.

[eyeguy 54]

Just under 100 but no 20's yet. ( all smallies )

[river rat316]

haven't even been out yet

[kt]

Tonka,

I have been out for smallies twice and both times were ok. Ended up with around 20 in the boat each time but really had to work for them. No big ones either lots of 2's and 3's. Biggest was 3 lbs 10 oz Didn't do any bed fishing (water was too dirty anyway). Jerkbait bite wasn't very strong either time out which was really weird, the walleyes seemed more interested in the jerkbait than the smallies. I haven't been out for them in a week though so things could have changed by now.

Grab the net,

I've fished the lake by your place twice and both times were ok. first time i caught around 10 in the 3-4.5 lb range but they were not aggressive at all. Second time we did better on overall numbers but the size wasn't as big, other than the two nice ones i dropped at the boat (frickin lipless cranks). Again the bigger ones were not very aggressive. Have you been able to get the big ones to go out there yet? We fished it on opener weekend sunday for about 3 hours and then last sunday for 4 hours. I might make a trip out there this weekend, i need to get a 5+ soon, I'm getting the shakes just thinking about it. I'm hoping to get a big one tomorrow on a big fish lake i haven't fished yet this year. I talked to your buddy chris (i think) several times throughout this spring. He seems like a really nice guy, and definitely knows his stuff. He said you were nuts for not going after the smallies more with the good lakes you have up in your neck of the woods .

[eyeguy 54]

haven't even been out yet

dude, get your can out there!!

[Gardiner14]

What are some of the water temps you guys are fishing? The warmest iv found is 61 that was 3weeks ago and last weekend i was on a lake that was about 57ish.

[Juan Grande]

The lake I was on last weekend was 68 by mid morning. Probably cooled off some with this recent weather though.

Fishing has been okay for me so far. I've caught a couple nice 19"+ fish, but not really a lot for numbers.

I think I need to get out earlier. I'm not getting up early enough and I get on the water by 6:30 or 7 and the bit dies off pretty quickly. With no deeper weed line yet where do you guys look for fish when the sun gets higher and the shallow bite stops? None of the lakes I fish have deep rocks, that I know of. I'm always kind of stuck in a "what next?" funk by 8 AM.

[Griggs]

Who are you people? Only a few in the 4-5 range? I've had a few over 3 lbs but thats it. I'll pay $$ if you can show me how catch a 4+ on a lipless crank! =)

[kaine]

for the last week the water has been around 75 or so and up to 80 in some spots.

[Jayber]

First time out was last weekend, caught a few small ones and managed a 19". Otherwise, they weren't biting where or how I thought they would, but then again it's fishing. Hoping to try my 'old faithful' lake this weekend. Good luck everyone!

[Tator2k]

+1 for Griggs. My PB was 19.5 otherwise everything else has been 14-16 range.

[thatoneguy]

Who are you people? Only a few in the 4-5 range? I've had a few over 3 lbs but thats it. I'll pay $$ if you can show me how catch a 4+ on a lipless crank! =)

When reading fishing reports online (at least where photos and measurements are not present), it's useful to remember this simple formula:

A=S-(S x .25)

A= actual weight

S= Stated weight

So, a bass of "five pounds" would be 5-(5 x .25), or 3.75 pounds.

Disclaimer: This post was made in good fun and is not designed to imply that anyone is lying or that any fisherman would ever embellish the size of fish caught. Void where prohibited. Your mileage may vary. Do not remove this tag under penalty of law.

[NTW]

[RumRiverRat]

LOL@Thatoneguy!

Well Played!

[RumRiverRat]

+1 for Griggs. My PB was 19.5 otherwise everything else has been 14-16 range.

Sent you a PM.

[kt]

Got the first 5 in the boat today (not by me though). 5 lbs 2 oz. to be exact and right at 20 inches. Also caught a 4.6, a 4.52, and a 4.5. Bigger fish were still a little sluggish. Topped off a five fish limit with a 3.75. By far best outing so far for quality fish. Hopefully its a sign of things to come.