dookie65

I can't see the pic either. I caught what I believe to be my personal best also last Saturday at a private lake. It's a good time to catch some big ones!!

Thanks for the reports!! Heading down tomorrow for 5 days. Can't wait!!

Thanks T, same to you!!

I learned a harsh lesson this past weekend on just how the correct size and retrieval speed/ presentation can make such a huge difference between catching fish and not. I used the exact identical spinner bait as my partner, the only differences were he was using a 3/8 oz and I only had a 1/2 oz size. He fished it really slow and I tried to do the same. He kicked my butt and I couldn't buy a fish in 2 days on the same bait!! That is how subtle differences in lures and presentation can make a difference some days. That is why I tend to buy several different weight sizes and blade combos in a spinner bait I like. Personally I prefer a 1/2 oz spinnerbait but that's just me. They all have their place though.

Thanks Ketchup!! We had pretty good wind both days which seemed to pushed a lot of debris to the banks.We didn't experience any issues though I'm sure it was a lot worse before we got down on Thursday!!

Thanks willyfish!! I ran all the way to the back of Aunts Creek and Little Aunts with no problem. I didn't see any floating debris. It is very murky though!! You will have no problems by next week and hopefully it will clear up a bit. From Aunts Creek on up the James is where I saw the most debris but I only ran up about a mile.Everything up there is chocolate milk also. As I said, we had guys run from Aunts down to the dam and saw no debris. The water clears up as you go. Hope you can get after them!!

Thanks Bill!! Appreciate that!! :-)

We had a small 25 man buddy tournament on 5-6 I had a rough time but my partner finished 3rd and took big bass with a 5.54 pound LM.. Water in The James and Aunt's Creek looks like the Mississippi. As of yesterday, the water started to clear a bit around Kimberling with 1-2 foot viability The water from K.C to the dam continued to clear and looked pretty good I was told.A lot of guys ran from A.C all the way to the dam with no problems, From A.C. on up the James still had quite a bit of debris still though. Water was near 62 degrees but found some 65 degree water up the creek but no fish. 25 guys weighed in close to 60 bass.Biggest bass was 5.54# caught on a spinner bait. Ned rig and hula grub and grubs worked in the clearer water.No shocker there. The spinner bait bite was a tough grind but paid off with the better keepers in the muddy water..Painted blades fished SLOW!! Some guys caught some with a War Eagle mouse color. All of our better fish were caught shallow less than 5 to 6 feet from the bank. Shade was also key, Not a lot of quantity but definite quality. A lot of the bass were still pre-spawn much to our surprise. Here are a few pics of what the water looks like in the James and Aunts Creek area. If you can get out there, do it!!

Yep, our resort had a jon boat with a rope on the front tied to the dock and a rope on the back tied to the shore. Just shuttled back and forth. No problemo!

Thanks Vernon, same to you all!! A few guys made it down today and fished and did really well!! Several over 3 pounds. Hope we are as fortunate!! :-)

Well, after much debate we decided to go for it and are heading down tomorrow; A few of the guys that made it down today and fished said they caught several bass over 3 pounds and said the bite was good!! I'm hoping we can get into em on Friday. Thanks to those who replied, much appreciated!

From another post: as of this post, the open ramps on the lake are Baxter, Viola, Mill Creek, and Indian Point. She said with water dropping that more will be opening up. Also mentioned that theres alot of private ramps around the lake that would be worth checking out.

Thanks for the update Ketchup!!

Dang, I'll have to pay closer attention and get in next years group! Don't worry, I've been sucking it up this season! If I would just go with my gut instinct I would have done better so far. But nooooooo!!