Tag Page Fishing

#Fishing
fisherchad

Found 6lb bass in a tiny creek nobody fishes!

Last weekend I parked at this random bridge and kayaked down into a narrow creek that connects to our local lake. Most guys would drive right past this thing - it's maybe 10 feet wide and looks like nothing. But I've learned that if the main water has big bass, they'll move up into these feeders looking for cooler water and cover. Sure enough, tucked under some exposed roots in 2 feet of water was this absolute tank! My creek fishing secrets: 1️⃣ Pick creeks connected to big-bass lakes or rivers. 2️⃣ Watch for healthy water with baitfish, flow, or cooler temps. 3️⃣ Go light: weightless plastics, finesse jigs, or small topwaters. 4️⃣ Target cut banks, root tangles, and current seams. It’s more work than big water, but when that lunker explodes in a shallow creek, it’s unforgettable. #fishing #creekfishing #bassfishing #smallwater #fishingtips

Found 6lb bass in a tiny creek nobody fishes!
fisherchad

Fishing apps ruined my secret childhood spot 😤

Had this perfect little bass pond growing up - 2 acres of pure magic tucked behind an old farm. Used to hike through waist-high grass, covered in bug spray, just to reach it. Reliable 4+ pounders and rarely saw another soul. Fast forward to now? First Fishbrain post went up in 2017 with the caption "Not big, but my first bass from this pond." Now there's paved parking, gravel trails, and crowds. I'm lucky to catch a 1-pounder where I used to nail giants. Don't get me wrong - apps help new anglers get hooked faster. But man, watching your childhood honey hole get served up to 14 million users on a silver platter stings. The learning process used to be half the fun. What do you think—are these apps a blessing or a curse for anglers? #fishing #fishingapps #spotburning #bassfishing #fishinglife #outdoors

Fishing apps ruined my secret childhood spot 😤Fishing apps ruined my secret childhood spot 😤
fisherchad

National parks = hidden fishing goldmines

Last summer I stumbled into Yellowstone thinking it was all about geysers and tourists. Boy was I wrong. Ended up having the best cutthroat fishing of my life on the Firehole River while dodging bison on my backcast. Turns out our national parks are fishing paradise that most people completely overlook: 🌲 Yellowstone - Native cutthroat plus you're encouraged to keep invasive lake trout 🐟 Glacier - Crystal clear waters with native westslope cutties 🌊 Great Smoky Mountains - 2,900 miles of streams with native brookies 🏔️ Katmai - Fish for salmon while brown bears watch from 50 yards away 💦 Voyageurs - 40% water with incredible walleye and pike The regulations can be tricky though - some parks don't require state licenses but have stricter rules on bait and tackle. Always check before you go. Most visitors never leave their car. We get to actually participate in these sacred places. Which national park gave you your most unforgettable fishing memory? #fishing #NationalParkFishing #Anglers #Outdoors

National parks = hidden fishing goldmines
jasonking

Hot dogs as bait? This guy's a genius! 🌭

Been struggling at my local lake until this old timer shared his secret - hot dogs on a bobber! Sounds crazy but hear me out. He explained thick braid is too visible underwater, and hot dogs work amazing for smaller fish that reveal what's actually living there. Plus you can slice them thin and quarter them for perfect bite-sized pieces. His real trick? Using a weightless rig to map the underwater structure by feeling elevation changes through your rod tip. Dude's been mapping our entire lake this way all summer! Sometimes the simplest baits work best when you're just trying to figure out what's down there. Ever tried unconventional grocery store baits that actually worked? #fishing #hotdogbait #lakefishing #fishingbait #bassfishing #outdoors

Hot dogs as bait? This guy's a genius! 🌭
fisherchad

This trash bag ruined my perfect trout morning 😤

Was working this gorgeous pool upstream when I spotted what looked like a rising trout. Cast after cast at this "fish" until I waded up and found a sandwich baggie snagged on the rocks, glinting in the sun. Totally killed my vibe knowing someone walked all the way up this pristine creek but couldn't pack out their trash. Made me realize how one selfish moment ruins it for everyone else. Now I carry a dedicated trash pouch and follow these basics: 🎣 Pack out ALL trash (even if it's not yours) 🚤 Give other anglers space - Golden Rule applies 🔇 Keep noise down - let people enjoy nature's sounds 🐟 Handle fish properly for catch & release More anglers on the water means we all need better etiquette or we'll lose access to these spots. What's the most annoying thing you've seen other anglers do? #fishing #fishingetiquette #leavenotrace #responsibleangling #Outdoors

This trash bag ruined my perfect trout morning 😤
fisherchad

These "weird" baits are absolute fish magnets

Last summer I was getting outfished by this old timer using something I'd never seen before - hellgrammites. While I'm throwing the same old shiners, this guy's pulling bass after bass with these gnarly bug-looking things. Turns out there's a whole world of "sleeper" baits most of us ignore: crayfish, crickets, sand fleas, even small bluegills. The fish see these natural foods every day but rarely with hooks attached. But here's the kicker - not all of them are legal everywhere. In some states, using bluegills as bait is a no-go, even if you can keep them to eat. And transporting bait from one lake to another can get you fined. Now, I always double-check local rules before I gather or use anything. What’s the most unusual bait you’ve ever tried? #fishing #livebait #crayfish #fishingtips #bassfishing #fishingbait

These "weird" baits are absolute fish magnets
dsmith

Almost lost my thumb lipping the wrong fish! 😬

Growing up watching Bill Dance, I got so used to lipping bass that it became pure muscle memory. Last spring I'm bringing in what I thought was a nice striper and BAM - reached right for the mouth without thinking. It was a bluefish. Those razor teeth went straight through my thumb like butter! Blood everywhere, and I'm standing there like an idiot realizing I just made the classic rookie mistake. Now I'm paranoid about checking what's actually on the end of my line before grabbing anything. Treble hooks make it even worse - one head shake and you're connected to an angry fish by a lure through your hand. What's your worst "automatic response" fishing mistake? #fishing #bluefish #lipping #fishingfail #fishingaccident #fishingsafety

Almost lost my thumb lipping the wrong fish! 😬