Another Day On The Water 10/4/09

[Buzz]

Knowing full well that last nights overnight temps would be in the low 50's and the high today would only be in the mid 60's, Chief and I decided to hit a section of water neither of us had ever been on.

At 9:00am the temp was 53 degrees and overcast with a brisk breeze, chilly to say the least. When we met up we both made comments about how it was probably going to be a tough one, and figured we would be stuck flipping jigs back in the log jams.

I decided I would start off with my lucky spinnerbait and Chief tied on his trusty crankbait. Within 50 yds. of where we launched I hooked up with a nice LM and missed 2 more pretty quick. Chief jumped right in and was hooking up soon after. The bite never did die off, we caught fish the entire 6 miles of the float.

Chief gets the award for the two biggest fish, a big 4 lb. Lm and a very nice nearly 2 lb. brownie. We were able to stick with our favorite lures all day with no problem finding fish. Well over 50 fish caught today. I'd say the fall bite is on.

[KCRIVERRAT]

You two are killing me! Sure hate to see the heavy clothing...

KC

[eric1978]

I guess Chief does know what he's talking about. Nice fish, gentlemen.

[laker67]

Very nice fish guys!

[RSBreth]

Sweet. Nice Rock Bass.

[Guest]

deleted

[Chief Grey Bear]

Thanks for the comments guy's. It is a real pleasure to read them.

Like Buzz said, we thought it was going to be a very tough day due to the weather patterns we had over the last few days. I really thought they would be holding very tight to cover and would have to be bonked in the head to garner a strike.

That was not the case at all. These fish were definitely in a feeding pattern. The water was so clear that we could see the chase. There is nothing quite like witnessing a bass chase your plug as you roll it over the top of a submerged log and it dives back down. That is what Ozark river fishing is about!

Usually when I am floating, I usually have my rod tip in the water when my plug gets close. I can't tell you the number of fish I have caught by having my plug in the water just that last little bit. Most of those strikes come with barely two foot of line left to reel in. I think it drives Buzz nuts when I do that! But it sure will increase your catch ratio.

It never did really warm up this day. It would be cloudy, then sunny, then clouds then sun. And the wind. Jeeze the wind. Other than rain, it was about the worst fishing conditions you could ask for, but as it turned out, it was just another typical day on a creek in the wonderful Ozarks of SWMO!

[eric1978]

That largemouth you caught was a pig. I'm floating the upper Meramec tomorrow. Hope those fish are doing what your fish were doing.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Thanks again eric. We didn't get to weigh her but I did measure her and she is 19 3/4. For a creek bass, that is just huge in my opinion. One thing I noticed about her was that she sunken eyes. They looked to be sucked back into the sockets. I think this must be a sign that she is very old.

Maybe not. That is my thought though. Maybe Al will see this and lend us his thought.

I know it is near autumn and the leaves are falling but, I wouldn't put those crankbaits away yet. They are still working there magic.

[rps]

Well done guys!

The variations of fish size, build, shape, and characteristics is always interesting.

More reports and more fish porn, please.