Ahh, to be young again! Way to go Matt and for hanging in there and getting a few. Back when I was your age, felt the same way. As you get older, it gets tougher. Drove out to my home lake with the wife to just check it out and go for a walk. When you drive into the launch ramp and see only three boats in the parking lot, you know it is slow and tough to get enthused. So I just drive an extra hour to at least have a chance to get some fish these days. "Never, not this guy"...................well maybe. Keep the lines tight buddy, I always enjoying watching you catch fish

Well guys, Ben and I went out early today. Got on the river little after 0600.
Started trollin and missed a couple hits within the first 15 min. Kept trollin and bout 10 min later we double up. Both were a little short and it's not even 0630.
We go on out to the fishin grounds and hook a few in our slough and 1 was a keeper. Now we've caught 7 fish and it's just a little after 0700.
Catch a few more castin and I hook a NICE one but I thought my reel's drag was too LOOSE because I hooked one that was just screamin line off the reel. So I cup my hand around the spool to slow it down and point my rod at the fish. Well, it slowed it down but put too much pressure on it and I pulled the hook. Bent it pretty badly I must say.
I checked my drag and it was set just right so I lost a big fish by doin something stupid. OH WELL.
We started trollin again and started catchin right away but most were shoret. We finally put another one in the box so we have 2 keepers, both about 20 inches.
We see a boat down river workin their way towards us so we troll on by them and fish further away from them.
We get down river and start catchin big fish and we are releasing fish in the 23+ inch range. Those are the ones we're holdin up in the boat.
Finally after we have caught 6 or 7 nice keepers this other boat moves just down river from us and starts workin right towards us. Well, Ben and I double on 2 nice fish and we keep 1 of them so we have 3. Now this boat is right on us and I catch another keeper so we put it in the well and we're limited out.
This other boat gets bout 30 yards from us and the guy starts talkin to me like he knows me.
I'm thinkin "Who the heck is this."
Well it turns out to be Brad. He and his wife were suppose to go out at Black Point on the Pet today. That's the only reason Ben and I went to the Napa.
They were havin a good morning as well. They only caught 15 fish but several were in the 5 to 6 pound range and 1 was an 8 pounder.
Ben and I caught 21 . Several were in the 4 pound range but the ones we kept were mostly smaller.
We kept one 19+, two 20 + and a 24 incher. We were limited out by 0930.
Back to the dock by 1000 and at bens house by 1115.
I was home by 1215. What a great morning. Thanks Ben for a wonderful day.

Well, I have reached a milestone in my boat. Today I brought over the rail, fish # 1,000. Doesn’t sound like a major accomplishment, as a few people here on the stage catch that many in a couple of weeks or months and they have told us so. I pretty much only target LMB’s. Went to San Vincente reservoir with my wife this morning looking for 3 fish. At my first stop, got slammed by a monster, and had it on for about three minutes. Then it took a major run (dive) right at the motor, and poof, goodbye. Lost a couple more then started landing them. Caught my third fish about 9:30 am and my Magic Number was accomplished. Caught a few more and it was starting to push 100* and the little lady said it was time to go.

At the ripe old age of 71, I caught my first LMB about 8 ½ years ago, and as most of you know I was an ocean fisherman first. Spent over 50 years out there on open waters. When we moved inland, and my body told me I couldn’t handle the big boys anymore decided to try bass fishing. I will hit that magic age of 79 in about a month and I can still launch and take my boat out of the water by myself.

Started out shore fishing for a year and graduated to rental boats for the next two years. Five and a half years ago, bought my first bass boat and absolutely love it. I believe I have turned into a decent fisherman and have landed my share of quality bass. Only one task remains………The Great DD!

The Highlights:
Average trips per year: 35
Best day ever: 36 LMB’s
Best Five fish in one day: 23.5lbs
Total LMB’s caught in the boat: 934: By me 698
Personal Best: LMB 8.8lbs, SMB 5.2lbs
Skunks: 22
Favorite people to fish with: My grandkids of course!

I am so thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to do something I love. Hopefully it will last another few years, or at least until I get that DD!!