8/14/23 Crazy Morning: 8/14/23 I was catching a few bass with the 7.5" Grape Worm until the damn pickerel moved in. Every cast I would hook one but couldn't land them because of the...

andys Loc: Federalsburg Md

8/14/23 I was catching a few bass with the 7.5" Grape Worm until the damn pickerel moved in. Every cast I would hook one but couldn't land them because of the weeds along the shore line. They would get hung up in the weed and I couldn't left them out. Had to break my line and start over. Must have hooked and lost six or eight of them. The one in the picture is a small one. the ones I lost were large ones. All on the Grape worm.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

andys wrote:

8/14/23 I was catching a few bass with the 7.5" Grape Worm until the damn pickerel moved in. Every cast I would hook one but couldn't land them because of the weeds along the shore line. They would get hung up in the weed and I couldn't left them out. Had to break my line and start over. Must have hooked and lost six or eight of them. The one in the picture is a small one. the ones I lost were large ones. All on the Grape worm.

You definitely had some action, andy. Thanks, for sharing.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

andys wrote:

8/14/23 I was catching a few bass with the 7.5" Grape Worm until the damn pickerel moved in. Every cast I would hook one but couldn't land them because of the weeds along the shore line. They would get hung up in the weed and I couldn't left them out. Had to break my line and start over. Must have hooked and lost six or eight of them. The one in the picture is a small one. the ones I lost were large ones. All on the Grape worm.

They can really get you tied up in the slop

orion72 Loc: Southern Maryland

Sounds like time to re-spool with 20 or 30 lb. braid, and add a 20 lb. Fluorocarbon leader. If they’re pilling you into the weeds…pull back…hard!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

andys wrote:

8/14/23 I was catching a few bass with the 7.5" Grape Worm until the damn pickerel moved in. Every cast I would hook one but couldn't land them because of the weeds along the shore line. They would get hung up in the weed and I couldn't left them out. Had to break my line and start over. Must have hooked and lost six or eight of them. The one in the picture is a small one. the ones I lost were large ones. All on the Grape worm.

Nice catching Andy. Heavier gear is the answer for the weeds.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍

andys Loc: Federalsburg Md

orion72 wrote:

Sounds like time to re-spool with 20 or 30 lb. braid, and add a 20 lb. Fluorocarbon leader. If they’re pilling you into the weeds…pull back…hard!

LOL! It's not like you think. I'm OK with 10# braid and 20# leader. No problem catching fish with that setup. It is the weeds along the shore line not weeds in the water. I can't lift the large fish out with my rod, and I can't pull them on shore. No I don't want to carry a long handle net with me. I would rather loose fish then carry a net with me. I might have to take a picture of shore line so you will know what I'm talking about. Thanks!

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

andys wrote:

LOL! It's not like you think. I'm OK with 10# braid and 20# leader. No problem catching fish with that setup. It is the weeds along the shore line not weeds in the water. I can't lift the large fish out with my rod, and I can't pull them on shore. No I don't want to carry a long handle net with me. I would rather loose fish then carry a net with me. I might have to take a picture of shore line so you will know what I'm talking about. Thanks!

I understand what you're talking about. The brush and weeds are the waters edge just get in the way and a lighter rid flexes too much.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

andys wrote:

LOL! It's not like you think. I'm OK with 10# braid and 20# leader. No problem catching fish with that setup. It is the weeds along the shore line not weeds in the water. I can't lift the large fish out with my rod, and I can't pull them on shore. No I don't want to carry a long handle net with me. I would rather loose fish then carry a net with me. I might have to take a picture of shore line so you will know what I'm talking about. Thanks!

Ok, I understand your situation now. That's the problem with limited access points. Sometimes you CAN fish, but what happens if you DO catch a nice one?

Fishdadd Loc: NE Ohio

Since they’re hitting readily, I’m with Orion. 30 pound braid, no leader, bust em crosseyed and winch them in with big rod. I’d go in if I had to. 😬

scaledown72 Loc: North Georgia

1) Do you do Anything besides fish ? LOL)
2) Don't complain: those pickerel are good to eat !

andys Loc: Federalsburg Md

scaledown72 wrote:

1) Do you do Anything besides fish ? LOL)
2) Don't complain: those pickerel are good to eat !

LOL! Not anymore. I use to be a coppersmith for 30 years at Sparrows Point Bethlehem Steel Ship Yard. Retired and don't know anything else to do. Also put some time in USAF. Here is the copper shop crew I spent many years with. I took the picture. I'm a picture freak. LOL!

scaledown72 Loc: North Georgia

Hey Andy - Thanks for the reply. I enjoy your photos. I lived in MD during the 70's and enjoyed catching white and yellow perch and pickerel. Those fish are also available around here, in limited areas, but I mainly have caught other types of fish lately. There are a lot of yellow bass in TN/N GA and they are of the same family as white perch, and are very similar except for their coloration, and stripes.

Commander Bell Loc: Lafayette Indiana

andys wrote:

LOL! Not anymore. I use to be a coppersmith for 30 years at Sparrows Point Bethlehem Steel Ship Yard. Retired and don't know anything else to do. Also put some time in USAF. Here is the copper shop crew I spent many years with. I took the picture. I'm a picture freak. LOL!

Hey andys, another stager told me to look up this post.
I'm wanting to melt down scrap copper and pour it into moulds and make jewelry.
With your reference to being a copper Smith, I was wondering if you could give me any tips or advice
Commander Bell out of

andys Loc: Federalsburg Md

scaledown72 wrote:

Hey Andy - Thanks for the reply. I enjoy your photos. I lived in MD during the 70's and enjoyed catching white and yellow perch and pickerel. Those fish are also available around here, in limited areas, but I mainly have caught other types of fish lately. There are a lot of yellow bass in TN/N GA and they are of the same family as white perch, and are very similar except for their coloration, and stripes.

Can you take some pictures? I would like to see them yellow bass.