Wind Report, Part Deux, 5-21

[kjackson]

After the beatdown on the upper lake Monday, I decided to do some exploring on the north end. I planned a short trip and wanted to check out some of the longer, main-lake points for walleyes, whites and whatnot. After spending the morning looking for something walleye-like and only catching smallmouth, I opted to admit defeat and chase bass at noon.

I should have started with that premise. I threw cranks, a Ned-rig version and a Spook Jr. There was no love for the Spook despite some big fish breaking off one of the long points. However, the wind was also doing its thing. It wasn't as strong as Monday...but it wasn't prime topwater conditions. I opted to head for one of the smallmouth areas and see if I could fish fast with a crankbait and topwater. My idea was to alternate between the two and see if I could find someone home. I replaced the Spook Jr. with a Yo-Zuri popper I got as a sample.

The popper was magic-- even though it was early afternoon, the bite was on. I missed fish and caught fish and had stretches where I had a strike on every cast. Granted most of the strikes were from junior-varsity bass, I did land one nice smallie--about three pounds or so and possibly the largest smallie I've caught on a topwater. It also was fun watching the little wolf packs following the popper back to the boat--an indication that a different color or different popper or a Redfin might have worked better.

The interesting thing for me was that I didn't touch a spotted bass at all. After my experience in the Cliftys, I expected to see at least some, but all the bass I caught were smallies.

Observations: Water temp was 65 to 67 even in the main lake. Clarity was quite good--eight to nine feet, which made the big smallie's hit even better as I saw it come up from below to hit. That was cool.

I didn't find good walleye trolling areas where I was (near Starkey), so I'm thinking I need to change areas or just bass fish until I find the buggers. I did mark a lot of fish very deep--like 50 feet or more. There was a lot of bait deep as well...or at least there was something in large clusters deep. If the wind hadn't been blowing so hard, I would have put the camera down to see.

[J-Doc]

Great report as usual!! We definately need to make a bass/walleye trip in my new boat!!

[Feathers and Fins]

Starky is notorious for its walleye, they like to suspend near the island and along the shore heading toward point 3.

[wc1063]

Thank you for the report!1

[kjackson]

Starky is notorious for its walleye, they like to suspend near the island and along the shore heading toward point 3.

I should have talked to you first! However, it was one of those last-minute things.

I didn't get to the island, but I've graphed the saddle a couple of times and didn't see much. A lot of what I'm doing now is simply looking at new water and putting in my time. Fish or no fish, it's still better than staring at the computer; besides, I learn something new every day, and that is worth it.