Best of the Year - 2024

[hooker-of-men]

A couple weeks left, but I think we're getting close enough.

This year had a lot of fishing bummers for me - hot hot heat and low water, a number of skunks for species I was actively chasing, etc. - but overall it was quite fun.

My favorites of the year (reposted photos):

Dump em!!

 

[dc410]

When it comes to “best of the year” mine generally reverts back to my carpin’ adventures earlier in the year. I caught 27 carp on the fly in 2024, this is the only one that actually broke the 30” mark. Caught it on a deer hair mulberry fly on top on the first day of June 2024.

 

[RichFishbelt]

When it comes to “best of the year” mine generally reverts back to my carpin’ adventures earlier in the year. I caught 27 carp on the fly in 2024, this is the only one that actually broke the 30” mark. Caught it on a deer hair mulberry fly on top on the first day of June 2024.


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That is quite an achievement and that is really special catching that big fish on top. I have caught many species of fish on the fly but no carp. I often walk the banks along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers looking for tailing carp but have not found any. Maybe this spring...

 

[RichFishbelt]

I have never caught a snakehead and that's another one to add to the bucket list. Nice fish!

 

[JeffP]

When it comes to “best of the year” mine generally reverts back to my carpin’ adventures earlier in the year. I caught 27 carp on the fly in 2024, this is the only one that actually broke the 30” mark. Caught it on a deer hair mulberry fly on top on the first day of June 2024.


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Stoga? I had one hooked for a long time, but pulled out at last minute when I had him in shallow water. Not quite that big but a biggy.

 

[dc410]

Stoga? I had one hooked for a long time, but pulled out at last minute when I had him in shallow water. Not quite that big but a biggy.

Trib to the ‘Stoga

 

[drakeking412]

This year I’ve sadly fished trout maybe 5 times total, and two of those were stocked outings. Work has kept me busy but has also kept me in salty locations so I’m thankful for that. Big year, excited for 2025!

 

[LLR]

Nice to see the fish pics from the tropics with the snow currently on the ground

Great job!

 

[bdhoover77]

When it comes to “best of the year” mine generally reverts back to my carpin’ adventures earlier in the year. I caught 27 carp on the fly in 2024, this is the only one that actually broke the 30” mark. Caught it on a deer hair mulberry fly on top on the first day of June 2024.


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My fishing goal for 2024 was to catch a carp on the fly. I did not catch a carp on the fly on 2024. So my goal for 2025 will be to catch a carp on the fly.

 

[dc410]

My fishing goal for 2024 was to catch a carp on the fly. I did not catch a carp on the fly on 2024. So my goal for 2025 will be to catch a carp on the fly.

If you devote the time to it, you will eventually stick one. Keep after ‘em.

 

[Swattie87]

If you devote the time to it, you will eventually stick one. Keep after ‘em.

The real fun is what happens immediately after you stick one. 😉

 

[dc410]

The real fun is what happens immediately after you stick one. 😉

Yep, it’s a pretty good adrenaline rush! Keeps me coming back for more.

 

[BrookieChaser]

This is a repost from the 2024 "fishing goals" threads. But I'll give some backstory.

This fish found a friend during the fight. At about the 10 minute mark it "adopted" a smaller tarpon (maybe 40lbs). That smaller fish hung right beside it. Whenever I would tire this fish the smaller fish would nip this one's tail and it would jolt back to life. This sequence happened about 4 times.

This fish took us into a marina and I landed it in front of onlookers. That was a new one.

This fish was small but memorable. I only had a few hours to fish before catching a flight. I landed this fish with about an hour left, went back and cleaned the boat then jumped on a plane.

 

[drakeking412]

Amazing tarpon shots man. Nothing like the silver king.

 

[BrookieChaser]

Amazing tarpon shots man. Nothing like the silver king.

I bet that barracuda in your post was a good battle. That first run by a hooked barracuda is usually like lightning.

 

[drakeking412]

I bet that barracuda in your post was a good battle. That first run by a hooked barracuda is usually like lightning.

Yeah it was great, they cartwheel and jump like crazy. Hit backing twice and got super lucky to land it. Bent the hook to a 90 and was using 15# wire. Was expecting a much smaller cuda to eat when this one showed up to play.

 

[BruceC2C]

No pics to share.
Best of 2024 was my commitment to drop shot rigs and going without a Thingamabobber ( most of the time).
An 18” piece of “ sighter” line and ( per Ralph Cutter) frequently false setting thru each run has paid dividends w results and habits I am happy to cultivate.

 

[Mike]

🤔My “best of the year” is almost always the one that got away.