Jason Essary

We had one fish die last year, only one. Ate a worm deep and even after cutting the hook off, the fight must have done to much damage to her. I put her in an ice bag with ice, in with our sodas and toke her home. One fish out of all summer of fishing. My partner is crazy about ice for the fish, but glad he is.

Hate the idea of dead fish floating. Im with Bill, filet them, give them away or dispose of them. Hurting the face of fishing by leaving them floating is a discrace. I have been fishing the Millcreek Night derbys for awhile now. Joe does a great job of preaching ice and rejuv. powder. No dead fish are allowed to weigh-in. Period. Wish all tourneys were this way. I have watch these guys after the weigh-in, put their boat back in the water just to go net one floater, bring her back to get her going better and then but the boat back on the trailer. Just for ONE fish. The fish swam away happy afterwards. Now I understand that after a few hours there might be a few that die from stress, but there really is no way of dealing with that, but to leave with fish floating, in my mind they should get a warning to have their permits revoked. Just my thoughts.

Question, was anyone weighing dead fish?

Bill, your correct in baiting them late. Always bate at dark because of the turtles chewing up the bait. Only problem with limb lines for me is I like the flat'es, and always catch them on the bottom. Unless you dig back into the 'stuff' most of your limb lines would be 10' long to get to the bottom (or longer). Way to much line to allow them to wrap up in the trees.

I dont have much to report normally but love to when I have something worth giving. Toke the kids out friday evening. Toke awhile to find the perch for bait but finally baited a 20 hook trotline before dark. Checked it this morning. 4 Flatheads, all good size with the largest being 14lbs and one 4lb smallmouth. Gladly using circle hooks the smallmouth got returned with only a small hole in the corning of its mouth. She looked full of eggs anyways. Flatheads were in great condition. Rolling with fat. Great table fair. Thought this a great catch for only having 20 hooks. Also had 2 other hooks rolled up, even with a good snap and swivel, which normally means channel cat bites but when they got hooked they rolled until it hangs up and rolls to the main line where they can get some leverage. Bad thing about circle hooks, when the channels roll up to the main line they can twist them out. Lines were in the back of a nice feeder creek, 17 foot deep between to trees ancored to the bottom on both ends. Hope this helps anyone looking for some good table fair. Flatheads out of the clear water have such beautiful white meat and taste great.

Bill, above and beyond as usual. Good karma to ya.

John, just remember. Every once and awhile the rock will repay you with the best day imaginable. Second, as Bill says, normally if your not catching fish on the rock, they are behind you. Happened to me last week. Fished 12 to 18 foot range with nothing, turning around on the same point, but the boat in 32 and caught 5.

Dont know, Friday Night derby out of millcreek is cancelled this week due to the high water, but that was done by the gentlemen running it I believe. Havent heard of any other cancelations as of yet.

Havent run into 'gills lately, but know the pea gravel points around indian point are full of goggle eyes in the 12 to 17 foot line. pesky things keep eating my shakey head worms. Earlyer this week, keep catching them and had dont know how many bites that we didnt hook. Would think they would be easy pickings for crickets just off the bottom.

Im with ms10. Always appreciate the info, Bill and Denjac.

Im with skip. Looking to see if Aunts is open?

Yep, went across it this afternoon also. For being closed sure had a lot of cars on it.

Im with Brian. It will only happen if beaver fails.

Table Rock Dam? Dont tell me they shut down the road on the dam.

Duck, im with ya. I would have a couple to donate to a good charity for kids to go fishing.

Lilley, was you in a nice looking blue aluminum boat. saw some guys in one. just curious.

Lilley, glad to see you in my neck of the woods. Just got back from fishing. caught around 30 whites, still full of eggs, some males were milking when we brought them in. water temp was 60.5 to 61 right at dusk.

perfect. thanks

First Friday Night Tourney out of Millcreek this year. Toke 26.86lbs to win. Second had 21.22lbs. Big bass run 7.74. I wasnt out there from conflicting obligations, but what a nasty night to fish. Heck of a way to start the season. http://www.millcreekteamnighttournaments.com/Results%204%2015%2011.htm

Bill, are you burning the blade, slow rolling it or what. Thanks.

Capt, were you burning the blades, swinging it, or slow rolling it around the trees???

Capt. Don, Thanks for the report. I back in the game as work has been amazingly busy and other things have keep me off the water. Nice to hear a report on my side of the world.

Tech, Heres a link to their site. http://www.millcreekteamnighttournaments.com/ It is a great derby. Lot of good fishermen, in my mind some of the best nighters on the rock. $35 entry for two guys, $5 dollar big bass. Optional side pot (for first place team). We get in all of it and it ranges $65 if I remember right. Joe Gettle is a great guy and can answer more questions if you have them. His email is on the site. Fished all but 4 last year I think. We had a great time, cept for one night that the starter battery went out on us when we was to come in. We could see the ramp and couldnt get there. Had 2nd in the livewell and had to let them go. But it happens. No dead fish allowed, penalty for shorts. If your late, you dont weigh in. 100% payback with some gifts for second big bass and first out of the money. If you decide to come out let me know, I will look you up before take off. Wackem, hate to hear that your not going to make it this year.

T-Rock, you fishing the Millcreek friday nighters this year?