Drove a few hours looking for smallmouth at a NYC reservoir (that is not in NYC). I ended up with 3 caught on a ned rig, a shaky head and my first catch on a drop shot. Almost had a 4th when my weight got snagged and then had a bite. Unfortunately I couldn’t set the hook.

Just want to thank B-Lat for last week’s “sermon” on fighting big fish. I’ve never been one to actively adjust drag during a catch, however I definitely did during this catch, which is now my PB - 5.94 lbs (extremely rare for my home lake).

B-Lat! I think you forgot the number one rule in fighting a big fish…stay calm.

My home lake has been pretty dead for some time. It’s been tough finding fish from the bank. Yesterday, after 5 hours with nothing to show for it, I stumbled on a section that looked dead. It was “dirty,” yet deep with noticeable algae. I was going to pass then saw movement. Threw a spinnerbait right at the reeds and immediately got a reaction and bite, but could hold on. Followed with a Z-Man Pop Frogz and watched a swirl and finally the big gulp. This may be my largest fish this season (4.2 lbs).

In my excitement of catching the biggest fish I’ve caught in the last 2 years I placed my tournament identifier on the wrong side with the identifier for the PREVIOUS tournament, without realizing it. Don’t be me.

I spent the holiday looking for smallmouth. The bite was dead in the morning. However once the afternoon came I found a spot where it was almost every other cast. Only one helped me in the tournament, and I missed more than I’d care to admit, but catching smallmouth is always fun.

Had motor problems at the dock this morning in 90+ degree FL temps. Instead of turning around and heading home I said I was going to go get what I came for. So I parked the boat and went bank fishing.

Wait! Did I miss the start of both the Spring Classic AND Mid Spring Classic SUF Tournaments?

This little guy tried to eat an entire SMH worm! I think it’s a warmouth. Am I right?

One of the ones caught this past weekend in Lake Underhill in Orlando. I’m sure I would’ve caught more had I got to have gone to the retreat. However I did catch and also got a chance to get my boat checked out and put it in the water for a spin. Progress.

Hey SUF fam! I was scheduled to check-in tomorrow at a lake house rental and received this notice TODAY that the property has been sold. What a blow. I was looking forward to hanging out with the SUF fam and trying to compete (from the bank) on Championship Sunday. I also wanted to get my hands on a Level rod and the newly debuted SUF sun shirt. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen.

Everything happens for a reason, though. So I’ll stay and have my personal fishing retreat for the next 5 days. I bought a boat last month. So I’ll take some time to work on that and get it on the water as soon as possible. So until the next retreat and/or if I make the next Championship…see you then. Tight lines to everyone attending.