Got out again this morning, caught a 10” perch, small pickerel , and this two pounder in the first 20 minutes. Then the wind picked up and it wasn’t much fun after that.

Got one of those. Tried it once on a big pickerel, but couldn't get a secure grip. Bottom of pickerel's jaw wasn't substantial enough - gripper seemed to tear it, especially with all the twisting the big guys do and their weight. Works fine with a big largemouth.

Good question! I don't usually take pictures of perch (or crappie) unless they're giants. The big pickerel were definitely photo-worthy, but haven't figured out how to hold one of those big boys (about 21") with one hand while snapping a pic with my phone in the other.

Weather looked great, nothing special going on in the city, so headed up to the lake this morning for the first time this year. Took a while to get organized, but was out on the water by 3:30, back for dinner by 7. Lots of action, but no bass - 10 pickerel, with 4 in the 19-21" range, and 5 perch, all 8-10". Caught everything on squarebills - no luck with anything else. Also got hung up in a couple of trees, lost a squarebill to one of the big pickerel (broke off with it in his mouth at the boat), and came back to the dock with two rats nests that are still waiting to be untangled. Par for the course for the first day out. But still in all, a great day!

What are you throwing those small frogs with? My frogging tackle is a 7'2" H with 65# braid. Not sure I could cast one of those 1/4 oz. Booyah Jrs. very far with it. I think I remember from one of your earlier posts you go a little shorter and lighter on the rod, but I'd be concerned about getting fish out of the heavy vegetation I'm typically casting into and around.

And how is this topic in any way related to why most of us visit this site? I fish to get away from "discussions" (I use the term loosely) like this. Bass don't care whether you're a Republican or Democrat, Nancy Pelosi or Lauren Boebert fan, urban liberal or MAGA hat wearer. Please take this conversation/argument that's not going anywhere someplace else - X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, wherever, but not here.

Lots of folks who are serious fisherman post almost every day. Suggestions - go to “My profile”, unsubscribe from Introduce yourself, General chit chat, Meet and greet - then click “Newest”. That way way you’ll will get only the most recent fishing-related posts. Lots of great info, photos, stories. I check in every day.

Great idea!

Agreed. Joined this to hear about fishing - seems to have gone off the rails a bit.

Headed up to the lake for an afternoon of fishing. Bass Forecast app said it was supposed to be a slow day, but who cares? Turned out pretty good - one largemouth just shy of 3 lbs., a 1 lb. smallie, and a PB pickerel - 27”, 4 lb 14 oz! Good thing I brought a net or I never would have got him in the kayak. Got the largemouth and pickerel on a suspending jerkbait (plus 6 crappie, all 8-9”), and the smallie on a giant (6”) spook-type bait. Mostly cloudy day, but sun broke out late and did a nice job lighting up the early fall foliage.

Went up to lake late Saturday determined to put Andy's teachings to work and do some damage with a frog or two. No such luck. Had a couple of blowups, and probably missed one because I didn't "give him the business" when I tried to set the hook. Live and learn. Lovely weather, probably better for taking pictures of early fall foliage than catching bass, but i did manage to put a few in the boat - 3 largemouth and one smallie, pound and a half up to 2 1/2 pounds. Although the frogs didn't work out, I did catch the 4 fish on 4 different baits - a suspending jerk bait, spinnerbait, soft swimbait, and whopper popper (in my favorite color - monkey butt). Also landed a decent 18" pickerel.

Thanks, Andy! Heading back to the lake Saturday for a couple of days, and will give it my best shot. I'll let you know how it goes.

If it wasn't clear, my post was a response to Andy's and the questions were for him.

Been following your success with frogs for some time, and appreciate the tips. As you pointed out after seeing one of my photos, we have lots of lily pads on our lake, but i've never had much success with frogs - of any size, style, or color. My guess is I've just got to put away my other baits and put in the time to figure out how and when the bass in my lake like their frogs served up. Any suggestions on how to start? Big frogs or little frogs? Frogs that look like frogs, or solid black/solid white? Standard walking frogs, popping frogs, or "flappin" frogs with kicking legs (solid or hollow body)? Best time of day (you seem to catch them all day)? Best weather (sunny/cloudy, warm/cold, windy/calm)? You don't have to give away all your secrets, but a couple will help.

Not easy. Can’t really do it by the book when you’re sitting in a kayak - i.e., cast, lower the rod tip 45° or so, and snap the rod down. Too low to the water. I thought I was getting some pretty good action with an aggressive snap (or two or three) to the side. As I mentioned, I got solid strikes from two nice bass - 2 1/2 pounders - landed one, lost one right at the yak, plus a half dozen yellow perch. Hadn’t had much success with a hard jerkbait until this past trip.