Ham

62) Black Bullhead there were about 20 of these guys in a ditch by a road. Some were 6 inches long some were 2 inches. They wouldn't bite, I drop a Tanago for a mystery minnow and this guy eats it. I caught one of the bigger ones but it wiggled away prior to getting his pic taken. bigger ones to come, I hope.

Beast!

Let me get you on the Current River. You'll get Shadow Bass for sure. Decent shot at Chain Pickerel. Decent shot at Skipjack.

61) Orange Spotted Sunfish ; Lifer, long time coming, but it made me so Happy to have one in hand. I caught a probable hybrid Orange Spot right before this fish and another OSSF right after. I left them alone to pursue other species. Now to get one on the flyrod.

Another one off the List Orange Spotted Sunfish. I can't fully express how Happy this Little fish made me.

I ALWAYS use a leader. #savethenanofil with braid I wanted a built in weak point, I don't like tying direct on something they might study before biting, and I wanted to conserve the braid. Nano though thin is not crazy high break strength, but I don't want to burn through it. I tie in 6 feet or so of P Line CX premium. 4 or 6 lb. if I'm feeling fancy, I'll use an Alberto knot. If in a hurry, I'll use a three turn Surgeons knot. It O want to hear a knot bumping in the guides, I'll tie a uni to uni. No one has ever explained to me why I need to use fluro for my leader. Fluro is picky about the knot so I stick with a copoly

60) Black Striped Top Minnow

The AirStream/ 6 lb nano is my go to set up. I also like the little rod Phil Lilly sells. It's not quite as sensitive as the Airstream, but it throws the jig better and it is really smooth when you lean into one

Awesome Guys! Two Good Dudes to fish with for sure. I'm Glad y'all had a Good trip.

Geez That's Awful Pete!

Good Work Buddy!

59) Northern Starhead Topminnow these guys really frustrated me earlier in the year. I guess the water was too cold or something, but they did not react to a bait at all. this time around they were very spooky even with the 9 foot pole. You can't bring the bait to them. You have to let them swim into the bait. size 26 Tanago gets them though. I think I caught 5 of them and I could have caught more. I wanted a bigger one, but they evaded me and time was at a premium.

They are still Super Spooky. I had to ditch the yellow rain gear to get anywhere close to them AND you have to move the bait away from them. If the bait moves towards them, they bolt. When I am at Mingo/Duck, I feel like a P51 Pilot. I spent all my time getting to the target rich environment, and now I have no time to enjoy it. I really did try to manage time and Give FND Bowfun chances. We went down swinging. I turned down beating on Starhead, Dollars, and Warmouth because I wanted to try more areas for Swamp Musky and OSSF. I guess I am headed to Iowa and Kansas this year

On a freaking hopper pattern!

58) Dollar Sunfish Dave and I had a really nice trip yesterday. I appreciate him helping he get my Dollar and another lifer. He's dedicated to the Long Pole and he made it work. We got him several lifers on the Fly Rod. We weren't able to get the chain pickerel (yet) nor the bowfin, but we will. I'll let him tell his stories though.

57) Yellow Perch

NOPE

That's a Dang Nice Fish!

This could be your tag line. God Bless You Dave. You don't fish nearly enough and you shouldn't be able to whack them as well as you do given the long layoffs. you Da Man. You remain dialed in. Just wait until next year.

56) Black Buffalo , sight fished, Liferin

I'm Sorry for your families loss Phil. I don't know any of the details, but I'm sure the whole incident is is traumatic and upsetting. I wish it was different.

I throw a lot of different top water baits. I really like the old Allstar TWS Zell Rowland rod for 3/8 oz and down. I like a short handled Spinnerbait rod for 1/2 oz and up. I fish braid about as often as mono on my Topwater stuff. I for sure do not want extra fast.

Yeah, I needs me one of those Blue Spotted Fellars and that Muddy Sunfish too.

Yeah, Super Dave, everything was fine on the road (heavy rain) and the one that went through our area missed the house.

I'm sure it will be fine in a few day as will the White, but both are No Bueno right now.