tough year

coldfront · July 19, 2011, 04:16:41 PM

personally, i've had better years when it comes to 'larger' bass.

Normally, on my home waters I would expect to have at least a couple 4-5 pounders at this point (20 inch or better fish)

this year, the best I've caught has run 19...and only 2 of those... probably more 17 and 18 inch fish than ever...just not 'the next level up'...

Now I know these aren't 'big fish' by most of you folks standards...but around here, a '20' usually wins big fish awards.

that I've taken big fish honors a couple times in tournies here with 17 and 18 inch fish...is 'unexpected'...

so for those of you who routinely hammer the big girls, are you seeing 'the numbers' off slightly?

Mike Cork · July 19, 2011, 06:45:22 PM

Actually my numbers down here in Louisiana are up. But I'd have to bounce that against our Bass Life program and see if over all sampling of lakes is up or down. I could have just learn a thing or two or got lucky.

If I were to guess I'd say that are size is up but this is due to lack of water and the fish are more accessible. Here in Louisiana there are miles of acres of flooded cypress trees and swamp that is only 1-3 ft deep. Take 2 ft out of the lake and that brings the over all size of the lake down. Now we as anglers don't notice this smaller lake because to us it appears the same but the fish don't have as many places to hide. Our average lake depth is about 6ft so when we complain that our lakes are extremely low we are only talking 18-24 inches

DBrooke · July 19, 2011, 07:31:54 PM

Same here, my numbers for quality fish (in this area) are up enough to where I am actually having my best season in a loooong time. Maybe it's Illinois' going away present for me?

-Shawn- · July 19, 2011, 09:00:57 PM

I have to go with Cork and Dave, I have been able to stay on some big fis this year. Three fish over 9 lbs in the boat and several over seven.

BUT.... I have spent Alot more time targeting Big fish and have sacrificed numbers.

Camden · July 19, 2011, 09:33:30 PM

im with you cf. My big numbers are way down this year. Course with all this high water i can see why in our area. Weather has been brutal

catt · July 20, 2011, 07:07:28 AM

With Toledo Bend @ 162.55 the numbers & size are up but I just can't seem to break into the double digits, had several over 7 & one slightly break 8.

Had 9 bass this week that weighed 51.003 lbs but not a single kicker in the bunch, they were all clones.

easternshore · July 20, 2011, 07:14:30 AM

I'm from Delaware and have seen my numbers of big fish increase this year. Actually have caught more bigger fish this year than ever. Something to do with the weather patterns maybe, also attribuite most of it to my new favorite flipping bait!

My worst year came last year, my first year with the new boat...glad thats over!

coldfront · July 20, 2011, 12:55:25 PM

Quote from: Camden on July 19, 2011, 09:33:30 PM
im with you cf. My big numbers are way down this year. Course with all this high water i can see why in our area. Weather has been brutal

I love fishing dry years with lower water levels...does tend to concentrate the fish a bit more.

I'm thinking our long spring and somewhat erratic weather is playing a part as well in this general area. Cam, we too have higher waters...and water temps are still a bit 'lower' than expected...although with recent heat, that's being fixed rather quickly...

I'm not 'bummin' for the year I've had...plenty of fish and good fish have been available...just musing out loud regarding my observations of the local scene...

thanks all!

it ain't over yet; not even close!

bass1cpr · July 20, 2011, 03:09:22 PM

Size and numbers have been good here too this year. We have two anglers sitting less than 2 pounds from hitting the hundred pound mark, one is just shy by less than half a pound. This is after 8 events with four left to go. There are two other anglers with 78 pounds, one with 69 pounds and one with 65 pounds so we have a chance of possibly having six anglers breaking the hundred pound mark in a single season and that would be a record. Having only four of them make it would be a new record also. I think were also on schedule to break the single season total weight for the club which was set last year at over 2000 pounds. Seems like fishing has been pretty good this year around the Bi-State area of Illinois and Missouri, and one Kentucky Lake event.