I have been lacking in the swimbait department this year. I have had a few good days both at Clear Lake and down south. I did spend a lot of time the past years working on developing new rods for work which required me to fish a lot of different baits. It did make me learn a lot more about the baits and when the best time to use them is.

Down here the swimbait thing is still popular but it is a lot tougher to get bit. You get a lot more bumps and follows compared to a few years ago. I have tried several different techniques/modifications to get bit. I have also played with rigging to possibly achieve a better hook up ratio. I have started thinking about using the older baits that I have not thrown for a while like Osprey and Rago. Maybe the fish have not seen them as much? Like Nico, I seem to do better with the soft baits and hard surface baits. I have yet to catch any fish on a Triple Trout for example.

I never really have thought of myself as a true trophy hunter or swimbait specialist. I am nowhere near the caliber of angler like Cameron Smith and Matt Peters. I am also not as good with the big bait-big fish deal like Nico, Rob and Matt Allen. You guys are all studs. I'm just glad I know many of you and you have been very helpful sharing some information with me.

I focused this year more on being well rounded with several techniques to catch what I need. I have caught more 5-9 pound fish year than any other years which makes me happy. I missed a DD fish by one ounce (Matt A and I both had this happen this year lol) and lost a few that were well over 10. Eventually the moon and stars will line up right, and maybe I will get one or two this year. All I can do is get out there and make a million casts until I get bit :-)