7-20-14 Wake Boat, Jet Ski, Pontoon, And Fish Report

[YAKFM]

Water Temp: 81-82

Depth: 25-35 FOW

Location: 12 Bridge Area

Lures: Crawler Harness and Flicker Shad

10 Fish Total: 4 legal Crappie to 13", 2 Spots to 15", 2 White Bass, 1 Short Striper, and 1 small Catfish

Put in at 12 bridge at 4 pm and paddled for a few miles to fish brush piles in 30+ FOW at the end of a long point. When I first arrived at the location I had planned to fish I quickly realized that I may not make it off the lake in one piece if I remained, so I moved on to fish a few scattered brush piles in 25 FOW in the mouth of an adjacent cove. Unfortunately, I didn't find fish on the shallower brush, so I drowned my crawlers until the traffic died down. Once the traffic lightened up I moved back to fish the deeper structure . All but 2 of the fish came slow trolling a crawler harness and were caught in a short window between 6-730 pm. I had enough fish to eat by 730 so I called it a day. I am looking forward to the relative peace and lighter traffic of Fall fishing. Hope everyone stays safe on the water.

[Feathers and Fins]

Not bad at all

[nathanhooper]

Sorry to hear the traffic gets that bad. I have not been out in the morning for a long while and have to wonder if it would not be better than evening during the summer. Seems like not even the weekdays are quiet now, and can only imagine them getting worse as school time approaches and everyone is making the most of the free time. That, and I bet a lot of people get off work and hit the lake.

If I thought I could get away with it I'd see if my boss would change my hours so I could come in around 9 and be able to fish a while in the morning. Hmmmmm......

Glad you were able to connect with some fish. That always helps when other frustrations abound.

[showmebass]

On Saturdays I make a concerted effort to be on the water before 6 AM and back at the ramp by 11 AM. I find that I avoid much of the idiocy by doing this. Pleasure boaters don't seem to have a palette for getting up terribly early.

[YAKFM]

Sorry to hear the traffic gets that bad. I have not been out in the morning for a long while and have to wonder if it would not be better than evening during the summer. Seems like not even the weekdays are quiet now, and can only imagine them getting worse as school time approaches and everyone is making the most of the free time. That, and I bet a lot of people get off work and hit the lake.

If I thought I could get away with it I'd see if my boss would change my hours so I could come in around 9 and be able to fish a while in the morning. Hmmmmm......

Glad you were able to connect with some fish. That always helps when other frustrations abound.

I had a cigarette boat come within 30 yards of me going wide open. This is a 35+ footer that you would typically see off the coast of Florida. And its not like I was in the middle of the lake. I was paralleling the shoreline maybe 50 yards out and he rounded a blind corner like he was trying to outrun the DEA on a drug run. Another guy was heading straight for me in his pontoon (again, not far from shore) and veered off at the last minute as I frantically waved my paddle in the air. As far as I could tell he was talking with the people sitting behind him and not paying attention to the water ahead. To him it was no big deal. Like I was a piece of drift wood he narrowly missed hitting. He never cut back on the throttle as he came close enough for me to ID the brand of beer he had in his hand. I agree with you and showmebass regarding fishing early in the day this time of year.

[J-Doc]

I had a cigarette boat come within 30 yards of me going wide open. This is a 35+ footer that you would typically see off the coast of Florida. And its not like I was in the middle of the lake. I was paralleling the shoreline maybe 50 yards out and he rounded a blind corner like he was trying to outrun the DEA on a drug run. Another guy was heading straight for me in his pontoon (again, not far from shore) and veered off at the last minute as I frantically waved my paddle in the air. As far as I could tell he was talking with the people sitting behind him and not paying attention to the water ahead. To him it was no big deal. Like I was a piece of drift wood he narrowly missed hitting. He never cut back on the throttle as he came close enough for me to ID the brand of beer he had in his hand. I agree with you and showmebass regarding fishing early in the day this time of year.

Holy DUI batman! That's way too close. You should try and remember the hull ID #'s if you can think of it next time. Report the jerk. Sadly, you're thinking about not getting hit and not documenting his digits.

Just terrible. I already think you're a brave soul for getting out there in a yak. That's just terrible man. Let me get the motor broke in good and we'll go take the new rig out early one Sat.

[Feathers and Fins]

Same cig boat that buzzed us when we were out? If so that guy needs to be reported I just passed him off when we were out as a one time deal maybe from out of state but if its the same guy and he is from AR then the sheriff needs to be notified as he is dangerous.

[Guest]

Its been a few years, but I had the cigar boat round a point, wide open.

He got within 30 yards of me & hammered the throttle.

He was already going 40-50mph,

probably the same rich jerk.

[YAKFM]

Holy DUI batman! That's way too close. You should try and remember the hull ID #'s if you can think of it next time. Report the jerk. Sadly, you're thinking about not getting hit and not documenting his digits.

Just terrible. I already think you're a brave soul for getting out there in a yak. That's just terrible man. Let me get the motor broke in good and we'll go take the new rig out early one Sat.

J-Doc, I actually thought about getting his hull ID after the fact, but as you stated, I was caught up in the moment trying to get out of his path and get his attention. I will definitely do as you suggest if it happens again.

[YAKFM]

Same cig boat that buzzed us when we were out? If so that guy needs to be reported I just passed him off when we were out as a one time deal maybe from out of state but if its the same guy and he is from AR then the sheriff needs to be notified as he is dangerous.

I believe it was, but I'm not certain. He went by me so fast that I don't think I could have caught his boat numbers even if I had thought to do so. If I see him again and he is operating as recklessly as he was on Sunday then the Sheriff will get a call. Thank goodness there wasn't a child tubing or skiing in the area as he rounded the corner the way he did.