saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Nice hearin about all the different species of fish everyone likes to fish for.
Thanks for the response. Merry Christmas.

Apollo Loc: Grand Lake, Ok

Hello runandgun! Interesting observations you made about the size of LMB in your local lakes, and your commitment to improve the situation!

I moved from Oregon to Oklahoma three years ago, and was so looking forward to catching some big bass when I got here. I fish on Grand Lake in North Eastern Oklahoma and it too has many large bass tournaments throughout the year, in addition to a lot of local tournaments. What I discovered, was that bigger bass are probably caught more often in Oregon and Northern California.

On Grand Lake you can catch a lot of LMB most of the time, but all of them seem to be in the one to five pound range. I am still looking for my first 6+ pounder. The Oklahoma Fish and Wildlife changed the rules for Grand Lake this year, allowing anglers that keep bass to take smaller bass and more of them in their quest to try to get the overall population of LMB larger. Not sure if that is the answer, as most of the anglers I know are catch and release. I have seen some photos and mounts of bass that were taken 20+ years ago, and they were truly impressive. Don’t know if the lake can get back to those days in my lifetime, but I remain optimistic for my grandkids.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

I know what you mean about "catch and release". That concept has been promoted in the past, but I think the concept needs to be reviewed. I think Oklahoma is going in the right direction by promoting keeping more of the smaller bass. Texas has a slot limit; fish smaller than 16 inches may be kept (only 5), and only one greater than 24 inches per day. So 16 to 24 cannot be kept. Most of the tournaments here are based on how heavy the 16 inch or less bass weigh. And top money for one over 24 inches.

I was adopting TG&F rules to help on local ponds for ranchers. Catching a lot of the small ones to make room for the larger ones. Just modified it to keep 12 inches and larger in ponds of 1 to 5 acres or larger. Thanks for the comment and I look at Oklahoma as an extension of Texas. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

bobcat Loc: Goodland Florida

1) 250 times per year 2)Redfish then Snook and finally Tarpon 3) Fall then Spring 4) Wife then "Make a wish" kid then longtime,skilled and focused fishing buds

kdawtry Loc: Hobbs, NM

I try to fish at least once a month, since my closest big lake is 2.5 hours away.
12-15,20
I like to fish for Crappie and Catfish, and if they're not biting, I'll fish for Bass.
Early spring and late fall
I mostly fish alone since I'm on medical leave from work. My wife works full time and possibly more, so she doesn't get much free time. I'd like to find someone that loves to fish as much as I do, and also has the time like I do during the week.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Man, I looked on a map to see where Hobbs NM is and it is right on the Texas/New Mexico state line in the middle of just about "nowhere". So just curious, where do you fish when you have the opportunity?

Anyway, y'all have a wonderful and Merry Christmas.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Wow Bobcat that's impressive. 250 times a year is great. That's bout 5 days a week.
Hopefully when we finally get settled in a new home in Brentwood and I get another boat I'll be able to get back to at least 3 times a week.

Jeremy Loc: America

Yeah I was thinking I would be fishing that much or half if lucky when retired but it hasn’t seemed to happen yet.

kdawtry Loc: Hobbs, NM

Run

I take a two and a half hour drive to lake Alan Henry. If I’m adventurous, I make the 4 hour drive to Breckenridge, TX and stay a few days. The closest lake is Brantley in Carlsbad, NM but there’s no trees anywhere. I always keep a Texas and Oklahoma fishing license as I have a son that lives in Shawnee, OK so we go to Konawa. That’s an 8 hour drive for me

Brutay Loc: NoDak

My absolute favorite fishing is trout in a mountain stream… mostly alone but 1 or 2 buddies is sometimes good… anytime is good and every day would be optimal but I have to travel now so I’ll settle for a couple days a year. I went to western Montana last year for 11 days, by myself… best vacation ever. But for the record, I love hunting and fishing, normally in that order. Since I retired, I’m out doing something 3-5 days a week. Yes I’m blessed!

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Ya man, I looked on the map for your lakes; long way to go. Her in East Texas, within half hour I can be at 5 or 6 different lakes. Take care and Merry Christman

kdawtry Loc: Hobbs, NM

We are moving back to the Ft Worth area mid 2024 so I’ll have more access to lakes then