FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
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I was really interested in what would be going on at the lake after the big cold front and over an inch of cold rain. The first thing, when I dropped in at 9:30 the water temp was in the mid 60’s, which means it had gone down 6 – 8 degrees depending on where you were today. The lake has come up just a hair, the color is poor, and there was literally not a ripple on the water with no wind.
My plan, to give the Honeydew Knockin Tail a serious go, and throw a little jerk bait while I was at it. The Honeydew would definitely catch fish in the Ozarks on the channel swings, it is a good color. So with it post cold front and declining water temp it seemed like the thing to throw, and it was. I fished it on a 3/16th lead head just hopping it off the bottom and then letting it fall as it will. Most of the time they thump it pretty good or you see your line jump. Basically the same way I feed speckled trout.
It was a no brainer, the Honeydew Knockin Tail will catch bass.
I had a couple of places in mind and started off with a couple of smalls, then a big blue cat jumped on. He thumped it in about 12′ of water, most of the fish today came out of that 5 – 15 range. I tried to stay on the sharper drop banks, having deep water close. Other than the bass above it was all smalls, but it definitely caught fish. So the plan became fish a stretch with jerk bait, or a crankbait, and if I got a bite re-fish with the Honeydew, and that worked out ok. No big numbers but 2 or 3 at each place all afternoon until I quit at 4:00.
The best I could do on the crankbait. And of course, more catfish.
No wind is not the best crankbait situation, but 4 or 5 jumped on, with both the shad color and chartreuse catching a couple. As far as the jerk bait it was only a couple, including the catfish above, but I did miss a couple. Wrong rod. But with the water temp still in the 60’s it is not quite time yet. But as it has been since summer, there are just lots of catfish, and they are aggressive. I can only guess how many a person could catch if you fished for them.
The Honeydew Knockin Tail catches all kinds of crazy stuff.
Under this set of conditions it was a successful trip. A good 15 plus kept it interesting. Just a touch of wind would have helped and it sure was nice having the Honeydew work out like I knew it would. The lake is full of small bass right now, and the timing could not be any better. If the lake will stay up with cover we could have an epic spawn, which would add even more fish. So what makes that so good? If the vegetation takes hold over the next few years the lake just might have an epic storm of fish in the 5lb range with grass. Not sure I will be here to see it but it bodes well for the future.
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Still staying off the internet/Facebook as I give the blog and me a little rest. Of course may have to post a picture or two caught on the Honeydew Knockin Tail on Michael’s website. Other than that it has been a nice break and it will continue for the time being.
Not sure what or when is next. Got a thing or two to do, then some time next week it is off to Moab for some 4wheeling and chasing Mountain Goats and Desert Big Horns. Spending time in areas with some great animals has become our happy place, and I am really looking forward to seeing what Moab is all about. But with the fishing so good will be back at it as soon as possible. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.
For all your wading needs.
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