Trip Report For 6/1

[straw hat]

Went to a cove where I can usually catch some prespawn cats. I hadn't been able to catch any spawners yet on the rock riprap. I managed to catch a couple around 15' deep. I was suprised the water temp was 68. Usually by this time of year it is around 73 or 74. I really start getting excited about the cats in the rocks at that temp. I also managed to pick up 8 keeper crappie and an 18" walleye. All came at 7' while it was still cloudy this morning. When the sun popped out it came to a screeching halt. I tried as deep as 24' and didn't catch any more keepers. I also managed to catch 4 drum between 3 and 7 pounds. I was disappointed they were drum but they did fight well. I swung by CC on the way home and talked to a couple catfishermen but neither had a keeper. The water temp there was 69 so it probably still has a week or so to go. I guess it really was cooler than normal this spring. Good luck everyone and we will see you on the water. It is really getting hot and humid out so watch out for dehydrqtion and heat exhaustion.

[Walcrabass]

Straw Hat,

I saw your trip report and the comment about the Drum. I don't know if you eat Drum or not but we do. I soak all my Drum and White Bass fillets in a bowl in the refrigerater that has about a gallon of water, 1/2 cup of salt, and two tablespoons of White Vinegar in it. After 24 hours I pour out the mixture and rinse the fillets and bowl in cold water. I then put the fillets back in the bowl with plain water and back into the refrigerater. Sometimes I repeat the rinsing and plain water for up to four days. At the end of this regimine the fillets will be pretty darn white, firm, and will be hard to tell from other white meat fish like Crappie. They of course can be frozen after this and cooked later. Everyone really needs to try this even the Bass fishermen who probably catch quite a few big Drum while Jig fishing like myself. On another note I just finished a vacation on a Lake in Oklahoma where Kentucky Bass have no size limit or daily limit. I praise Oklahoma for their insight into the future of Bass Fishing. I must also say that I don't think that I have ever caught more Bass on 5 consecutive days in my life. Good luck Cat fishing.

P.S. Did I mention Oklahoma has broken their state record for Black Bass about twice in the last few years??????

[Whit Warriors]

Straw Hat,

I saw your trip report and the comment about the Drum. I don't know if you eat Drum or not but we do. I soak all my Drum and White Bass fillets in a bowl in the refrigerater that has about a gallon of water, 1/2 cup of salt, and two tablespoons of White Vinegar in it. After 24 hours I pour out the mixture and rinse the fillets and bowl in cold water. I then put the fillets back in the bowl with plain water and back into the refrigerater. Sometimes I repeat the rinsing and plain water for up to four days. At the end of this regimine the fillets will be pretty darn white, firm, and will be hard to tell from other white meat fish like Crappie. They of course can be frozen after this and cooked later. Everyone really needs to try this even the Bass fishermen who probably catch quite a few big Drum while Jig fishing like myself. On another note I just finished a vacation on a Lake in Oklahoma where Kentucky Bass have no size limit or daily limit. I praise Oklahoma for their insight into the future of Bass Fishing. I must also say that I don't think that I have ever caught more Bass on 5 consecutive days in my life. Good luck Cat fishing.

P.S. Did I mention Oklahoma has broken their state record for Black Bass about twice in the last few years??????

[straw hat]

Interesting process on the drum and white bass. I have used the same prosess on white bass except I use lemon juice instead of vinegar. This may shock some of you but believe it or not my wife and I don't like to eat fish. I probably eat 2 or three pieces of fish a year. All of our catches go to the church fish fry, church members or freinds. That is very interesting about the Kentucky bass in Oklahoma. I take it the number of Kentucks were a lot less and the size of the largemouths were improved as well? I sure can't say I am against the idea, even crappie fishing we catch so many small Kentucks it can drive us crazy. Good luck on the water Walcrabass.

[Walcrabass]

Nice to hear that the church folks and friends are well taken care of.... and yes the Largemouth were the predominant species. Caught lots of fish in the 2.5 to 3.5 pound range. Concerning the fillets..... we put them on a cookie sheet with shake-on Greek Seasoning mix and just a little bit of butter. Then we put them into a hot Bar-B-Que grill and close the lid. They cook really fast, taste great, no oil to buy, and are without all the fat, grease, and calories. Oh Yeah, they taste great!!!! When all those little Kentuckies you are catching begin breeding with the Largemouth and Smallmouth we will be past the point where we can identify them easily and the gene pool for the Bass population will be ruined!!! I hope Missouri gets it in gear on the Lakes as they have done in some of the streams.