SD River 5-30-2026 (not in Vinny's house)

[kastmaster]

I fished a 3-foot deep section that flows through Mission Trails and had some success with bass. Stalked around various shoreline access points with shallow diving mini crankbaits and very slow movements, almost like I was trout fishing. I spooked more fish than I caught. Eventually figured out that the bass wanted a faster retrieve bounced off things, including other bass, while the sunfish wanted a very slow retrieve near their territories. The bass seemed very on edge, some lunged at low-flying swallows and butterflies a couple of feet above the surface. Ended the day with 5 bass and 6 green sunfish. One of the bass was 'nice', maybe 1.5 pounds. It was the largest fish in this particular pool and the only reason I think I caught it was that a green sunfish was chasing the crank first, and this bass came screaming in to compete. I also need to work on my bass selfie game.

[VinnyBass]

Nice job out there. I remember fishing parts of the river many years ago where the river was more like a little stream and small bass would be hiding in little deep pockets. It was really fun to try to catch them. And lots of fun catching bluegill also. Your post brought back lots of memories. When I was younger I could explore lots of areas and today am a lot lazier...ha ha. Thank you for sharing and looks like you found a fun area for future fishing adventures. Tight lines always.

[kastmaster]

Nice job out there. I remember fishing parts of the river many years ago where the river was more like a little
stream and small bass would be hiding in little deep pockets. It was really fun to try to catch them. And lots
of fun catching bluegill also. Your post brought back lots of memories. When I was younger I could explore
lots of areas and today am a lot lazier...ha ha. Thank you for sharing and looks like you found a fun area
for future fishing adventures. Tight lines always.

Thanks for the memories and kind words. And to whoever fixed the orientation of my photos!

[VinnyBass]

Nice job out there. I remember fishing parts of the river many years ago where the river was more like a little
stream and small bass would be hiding in little deep pockets. It was really fun to try to catch them. And lots
of fun catching bluegill also. Your post brought back lots of memories. When I was younger I could explore
lots of areas and today am a lot lazier...ha ha. Thank you for sharing and looks like you found a fun area
for future fishing adventures. Tight lines always.

Thanks for the memories and kind words. And to whoever fixed the orientation of my photos!

I'm old and not great with technology, but can fix photos that are sideways...ha ha
Best wishes and tight lines.

[kastmaster]

Returned to much wiser fish 2 days later, though I managed to get a few bites on the crankbait. Hooked 3 bass, landed 1, plus a couple of sunfish. Enjoying the tutelage being provided by these fish.

[Fisheromen]

I also need to work on my bass selfie game.

Hold the fish on the bill of your hat! Other arm fully extended!

[Moose]

Green sunfish are such cool looking fish. Back in high school I Used to have a 150gal fish tank with bass, bluegill, a couple green sunfish and a bullhead all courtesy of the Carlton Oaks Golf course ponds. I lived across the street from there when I was growing up.

[kastmaster]

I have been eyeing that golf course for potential fishing opportunities. Probably during a storm.

Green sunfish are such cool looking fish. Back in high school I Used to have a 150gal fish tank with bass, bluegill, a couple green sunfish and a bullhead all courtesy of the Carlton Oaks Golf course ponds. I lived across the street from there when I was growing up.

[Moose]

I fished that “pond” for the better part of 20yrs. Saw it change configurations about a dozen times during that time frame. I actually caught my PB bass about a 1/2 mile East of there. A 12lb 8oz fish while flipping the tules.

I cannot tell you how many times I got chased out of there over the years but it was worth it to get in there and just catch fish! Bass, cats, bluegill, and some big ass crappie!

So many memories there.

[kastmaster]

Still stalking small bass and sunfish along this stretch. Learning that each 'new' pool has about 10-20 casts worth of fishing, before the fish have seen enough of my crankbait. Waiting a full 30 seconds before moving the lure is also productive. And if I can land the lure on the opposite bank and gently hop it into the water, all the better. If I can't get the lure under the shade of overhanging branches, I'm probably not getting a fish in that pool. Sometimes, I spook a bullfrog and it's game over for that pool. Some big carp here too, which are my next target species. Good teachers, these fish.