FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
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Lake Level
Last Trip 96.84 Today 97.27
It is funny how occasionally I feel so much pressure to catch fish to be able to keep this blog going. And every once in a while I just want to fish pressure free, do exactly what I want, the way I want, and that was the only plan for the day.
When I got up at 5:30 it was raining like a son of a gun, and had been for hours. And there was a marine warning in place for the Gulf. I had hoped to fish for a couple of hours, so I got 3 different radars up and saw that the serious storms were almost by us. So with rain and clouds in the forecast for the rest of the day it was off to the lake at 9:00. And I hit it just right. It was drizzling, it stayed that way until around 2:00, with wind out of the NE at 10, so it was highly fishable. And today I had no particular plan, just go fish and have a good time. And that is exactly what I did.
First it was immediately apparent the lake is charging up, almost a half a foot since Friday. What makes that so important is how much new cover and grass is flooding, and there is more to come. When a raise comes like this during the spawn it can be a problem, but not in this case, the fish are still right on the bank, and I mean shallow.
This spawned out female should have been a heck of lot heavier than she was.
While the rain was a few degrees cooler than the lake, and it clouded up the back ends of the coves, it did not hurt the fishing. It was slow first thing but from around noon until 4:00 it was back to the catching, 3 here, 6 there, I do not think I fished anywhere today that I did not catch a fish.
And one thing that was great today, instead of having to “figure it out”, it was fish what you like. Bang O Lure, swim jig both bluegill and white, and buzzing a spinnerbait all worked like a charm.
Lots of really nice solid fish today.
Fishing from near the ramp to way up lake, they became more active as the day wore on. The swim jig worked anywhere, the Bang O Lure down lake in the clearer water, spinnerbait up lake in the murkier stuff. And I fished all the way to where the dirty water was coming down the creek, and it was muddy. It was a mud line and obviously I did not fish above that and it will probably affect the fishing up on that end for a while.
This size cooperated all day.
I was concerned that the rise might hurt them some, but it was just the opposite, they were right on the bank in the new water. In one stretch it was 5 or 6 bass and then the bite from hell. You often hear fishermen say the fish almost jerked the rod out of my hands, and one today almost got the job done. There is nothing like a catfish when they decide to eat a lure, they smack it, and 2 in a row did it right on the bank in shallow water. The first one was a good one, about 5 pounds plus, who got all wrapped up in the line. While I was trying to extricate him and get him in the boat he flopped off. Then a couple of casts later another good one knocked the snot out of it, and came off half way to the boat as he did the catfish rolling thing. When I looked at the jig the hook was slightly bent from the first one. That jig has probably caught a 100 fish in the last couple of weeks and has lasted longer than any I have ever had, a testament to braid and a 20lb flouro leader.
Now this one was a chunk!
There has definitely been some spawning activity and the first fish above was definitely spawned out. Looking rough, it was the classic big head small bodied female who has done her business. That one came on the Bang O Lure, like many did today. They still want it twitched right on top, trying NOT to jerk it under, and keeping it moving. It definitely works better down lake in the clearer water while the spinnerbait seems to be more effective in the off color water up lake. And the swim jig has evolved into throw it where ever the mood strikes you.
And that is what I did today. I fished where ever, how ever I felt like it. Funny how when you take a little of the pressure off how it changes the day. And best of all – I did not see another boat until almost 4:00, awesome. Not a clue how many fish I caught today, but it was just like it has been, keep it in the water and they will come. The tilapia are up everywhere, lots of carp milling around, and water creeping into the shoreline cover. And I saw a immature bald eagle today, they look cool. If it keeps up like this pitching and flipping will really come into its own in the near future. So another great day on the lake, this bite has been going on for a month now and I see no reason it will not continue. And I know it seems like this has been a broken record, but when the fishing is this good it is time to take advantage of it. It won’t last forever.
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Clyde and Shoedog made a quick trip to Canada and Muskie Bay Resort for some ice fishing. They have been talking about his for several years and finally made the trip.
Lake Trout eat as good as they look.
The Great North.
Paul with some nice crappies. Shoedog with a big perch.
Fishing out of Muskie Bay Resort, one of the things they specialize in is winter ice fishing for lake trout and panfish. The snow actually gives them increased access to lakes that normally do not get fished as there is no way to get there. So the snow machine is the way to go and makes for a great adventure. All I have to say about that for me is my skinny bones are not made for this kind of fishing. But great job guys, looks like the fishing was fine.
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As soon as I get done writing this it will be time to get stuff ready for tomorrow. It will be off to the salt. The weather looks great and the winds will be low. I have not decided where yet, but I am excited to finally get back to wading. It has been a while, but remember between being sick for a month and gone, I was out of commission for a while. That will be remedied starting tomorrow. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
