When Everyone Catches Fish… and I Catch Bait

Some days on the water just keep you humble. In this collab meme-style moment, I’m watching another angler reel in solid fish one after another… and when my turn finally comes, I pull up a tiny little fish that honestly looks like it escaped from the bait bucket.

But that’s fishing. Some days you’re the hero, some days you’re the comic relief — and either way, you walk away with a good story and a laugh. This little moment was too good not to share.

Here’s the quick highlight from the collab.

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Limit Out or Go Home… It Took All Day, But I Got There!

Mobile Fishing Livestream 140 (Spotify)

Blue River, Oklahoma – November 22, 2025  

Yesterday was one of those classic Blue River grind days: cold front moving in, water low and gin-clear, trout scattered and stubborn. I rolled in at legal light with one goal: fill the five-fish limit in the fly-and-lure-only section below the dam. Spoiler alert – mission accomplished… but it was an absolute marathon.

I started the morning throwing everything in the box that’s been hot lately:

• Mop flies (yes, the infamous “banned fly” in some circles)  
• Egg patterns in peach and chartreuse
• Standard hare’s ears, pheasant tails, and prince nymphs
• Even broke out Power Worms for a hot minute (don’t judge me)

Zero Trout all morning, I was playing around with the center-pin rig just for fun. Around noon I finally had one take a white Near Deere (size 10) but lost it when I snagged a rock. I kept at it and about an hour later, I caught the biggest trout this round on the same Near Deere.

I had tied on a trailing Power Worm and drifted the tandem rig to a likely spot. I saw a trout moving past then turn and strike. Initially, I thought it went for the Power Worm; it did not... a white Near Deere stuck secure to its jaw!

More hours later, I caught and landed a trout by the rocks downriver from the Island. They were lurking in several pockets that typically hold trout each season. I caught one and kept it, striking an olive Near Deere.

I then lost the fly, tied on a white Near Deere and a trailing Rainbow Warrior, and soon hooked another trout but it was foul hooked and too small... opted to release it.

I checked other spots without luck, then settled back by the Island as the sun started dropping. There I caught another small trout that I released, fished till I caught one little bit bigger to limit out.

Afterwards I spent another 30 minutes catch-and-release fishing before heading home where I promptly broiled them for dinner!

All in all, it was a day of persistence. Sometimes you throw the kitchen sink, sometimes you just need the right fly in the right pocket. Working the rocks, reading the currents, and staying mobile paid off!

Tight lines, see you on the water (or on the live stream)! 

Tips for my next lure!

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the website and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

TBT: Jon Boat Trolling for White Bass on Lake Lavon

Every now and then, I like to dig back through old footage and revisit the kind of fishing days that helped shape Average Angler Life. This throwback takes us to Lake Lavon, out in a jon boat, trolling for white bass.

It wasn’t a high‑tech trip—just a small boat, a simple trolling setup, and steady passes over likely water. The kind of day where you watch the rod tips, feel the rhythm of the boat, and wait for that sudden bend that tells you a white bass has found your lure.

Trips like this remind me why I love fishing in the first place. It’s not always about big boats or big numbers. Sometimes it’s about being out on a Texas lake, keeping things simple, and soaking in the moment when a fish loads up and the quiet breaks.

If you missed this one the first time around, here’s the quick TBT highlight.

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TBT: Morning Bites + Epic Evening Catfish! (Old COAF Days)

Some days you just feel pulled back to the water, and today was one of those days. I started my morning at the Main Pond, bundled up against the cool air and hoping the fish were awake. They were. I picked up a few and settled into that peaceful rhythm that only a quiet morning bite can bring.

While I was working the bank, I watched another angler hook into a surprisingly nice catfish. Seeing a fish like that come out of cold water always gets the excitement going. It’s those little moments—your own catches mixed with the wins of the folks around you—that make community fishing spots special.

But the day wasn’t done with me yet. As evening rolled in, I felt that familiar tug to head back out. The pond looked completely different under the softer light. Calm water, cooler air, and that feeling that anything could happen. Even if the bite slows down, evenings like that are worth every minute.

Fishing isn’t always about numbers. Sometimes it’s about showing up twice in one day because the water just feels right.

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Bass Eats a Dragonfly on Camera — Matching the Hatch for Real!

What pattern should I use?

Every once in a while, the water gives you a moment you couldn’t script if you tried. In this clip, Average Angler Life watches a bass come up and absolutely crush a dragonfly right off the surface — and the camera catches the whole thing. No setup, no staging, just pure topwater instinct.

Seeing that strike in real time sparked a question: if bass are willing to eat dragonflies like that, why not try matching the hatch with a simple dragonfly fly pattern? So in this video, I break down the moment, react to the strike, and tie a clean, straightforward dragonfly imitation designed to sit right in that danger zone where bass love to ambush.

Whether you’re a fly angler, a pond hopper, or someone who just loves watching nature do its thing, this clip is a reminder of how wild and unpredictable the water can be. Moments like this are why we keep casting — and why I keep a camera rolling.

Have you ever seen bass key in on dragonflies where you fish? Would you throw a dragonfly pattern, or stick to frogs and poppers? I’d love to hear your take.

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Freezing Day Surprise: Catfish Caught in a Stocked Trout Pond

Despite the freezing temps, I decided to hit a pond that had been stocked with trout a few days earlier. The plan was simple: make a few casts, see if any trout were still cruising, and try to squeeze in a quick catch before the cold chased me off. After working the bank for a bit, I managed to land one nice trout — not a fast bite, but enough to make the trip worth it. But the real surprise of the day wasn’t mine. A group of fishermen down the shoreline were absolutely dialed in. Between the three of them, they’d already stacked up eleven trout… and then things got interesting. Out of nowhere, one of them hooked into a catfish — in a trout pond, in freezing weather. Total curveball. Watching them fight that catfish in the cold was honestly the highlight of the morning. It’s one of those reminders that fishing always has a way of surprising you, even when you think you know what’s in the water. Some days you’re the one catching. Some days you’re the one watching the magic happen. Either way, it’s all part of the fun. Tight lines, Average Angler Life 🎣

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Did He Really Catch a Gar That Big? Proof Ball Fishing Collab

Gar Size Check: Fisherman vs The Proof Ball

Every angler has that one buddy whose fish “gets a little bigger” every time the story gets told. You know the type — the gar that was *maybe* two feet yesterday somehow becomes a four‑footer by the weekend. In this fun collab YouTube Short, a fisherman proudly holds up a solid river gar… and I jump in remotely with the Proof Ball to “make things official.” It’s all in good fun — a little fishing humor, a little friendly fact‑checking, and a great way to show how the Proof Ball works as a quick visual reference for your catch. No tape measure on screen, no guessing from the comments, just a simple tool that keeps the stories honest while keeping the laughs rolling. Why the Proof Ball? Because it’s the perfect way to settle those classic fishing debates. It’s small, easy to carry, and gives viewers a consistent size reference in photos and videos. Whether you’re showing off a PB or just having fun with friends, it adds a playful twist to your fishing content. The Collab Moment The fisherman lifts the gar with pride. I pop into frame remotely, holding the Proof Ball like a referee stepping into a heated game. “Looks legit… but let’s make it official.” It’s quick, it’s funny, and it gets people talking — exactly what a good fishing short should do. Would you trust the Proof Ball on your biggest catch? Drop a comment and let me know. Tight lines, friends. — Average Angler Life 🎣

Fishing Gear I Recommend

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Disclaimer: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These funds help support Average Angler Life and keep new fishing content coming. Thanks for supporting the channel and the fishing community!

Micro Fly Rod Fun: Tiny Fish, Big Laugh — “Get the Net!”

Micro Fly Rod Fun: Tiny Fish, Big Laugh — “Get the Net!”

There’s nothing quite like micro fly‑fishing to remind you how much joy there is in the small stuff. In this live highlight, Average Angler Life is out chasing tiny fish with a tiny rod — and after a handful of misses, the moment finally arrives. A fish hits, the rod bends, and the excitement kicks in.

With a grin, you hold up the Proof Ball to check the size… and then comes the joke that seals the moment: “Get the net!”

It’s playful, lighthearted, and exactly the kind of humor that makes micro fishing so fun. The fish may be small, but the energy is big — and the Proof Ball adds that extra touch of curiosity and comedy.

This clip captures the spirit of Average Angler Life perfectly: enjoying the outdoors, celebrating the little victories, and finding joy in every cast, no matter the size of the fish on the line.

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Can the Proof Ball Measure a Goliath Grouper?

Can the Proof Ball Measure a Goliath Grouper?

There’s something special about watching two anglers battle a Goliath Grouper — the power, the tension, the sheer size of the fish. As the rod bends and the drag screams, I suggest with a spark of curiosity: Could the Proof Ball measure a fish this massive?

It’s a playful moment, but also a genuine question. The Proof Ball is designed to help anglers estimate length quickly and consistently… but a Goliath Grouper isn’t exactly a “standard‑issue” fish. As the fight unfolds, I hold up the ball, wondering aloud whether it could handle a creature this size — or if the grouper would simply laugh at the attempt.

It’s a fun blend of fishing excitement, gear curiosity, and that signature Average Angler Life humor. Whether the Proof Ball could actually measure a Goliath is up for debate — but the moment captures exactly why we love fishing: the surprises, the questions, and the stories that come from watching someone hook into something unforgettable.

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One 8-Inch Bass, One 4-Weight, and the Banned Fly That Still Counts

Mobile Fishing Livestream 139 (Spotify)

I hit the little neighborhood pond this morning with nothing but a 4-weight, a phone on a stick, and one pattern tied on: the infamous “Banned Fishing Fly.” No backup flies, no net, no expectations.

The water was still, the pads were nowhere, and the bass were tiny, exactly like they’ve always been in this spot. I spent an hour stripping that single fly through the scum, working the edges, letting it hang, giving little twitches. A couple of bluegills swirled, a turtle photobombed the frame, and I was honestly just enjoying the quiet.

Then, right at the hour mark, a little 8-inch largemouth darted out from under a lily pad and crushed it like it owed him money. The 4-weight bent perfectly, the fish jumped twice, and I laughed out loud at how ridiculously fun a hand-sized bass can be when it’s the only one that shows up.

I unhooked him, watched him rocket back into the weeds, killed the live stream, and called it the best morning I’ve had in weeks.

Proof that you don’t need a 7-weight, a 20-incher, or a pile of fish to make a trip perfect. Sometimes an 8-inch bass on a 4-weight and a fly that’s supposedly “banned” is more than enough.

Tight lines and small-water smiles!

Tips for my next lure!

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the website and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!