9/2 Fishing Baxter To Big Bay

[whiteley.matt]

Braved the weather and got on the water at Baxter just after 7. Started off on the point around Baxter throwing topwater with not much success. Had several light hits on spooks but no real takers. After going over it a couple times with the spooks I went to the watermelon red flake ned rig. First cast with it produced a 17" smallie. Next cast was another one going 16". Both of these were stuffed full of crawfish. After that the wind really started whipping so had to put the ned rig down. Caught one more short smallie on a crankbait.

After several hours of hopping around and picking up several more smallies on the ned rig we decided to head towards Campbells Point. We pull into Big Bay around noon and for the next 3 hours it was on. There were hundreds of schools of minnows, 1-1.5" in size, all over the place. We idled around a bit and found a couple good schools of fish in 80' of water suspended around 40'. They were hitting drop shots as fast as you could get it down to them. It was about a 50/50 split of Kentuckys and LM. They were anywhere from 10" to the biggest being a 4 lb LM. After drop shotting for about an hour or so the surface bite turned on full force. For a good two hours it was almost every cast. We were throwing spooks as well as a Bass Pro Speed Shad swim bait just under the surface. All of the action was out in the main channel in 60 - 80 feet of water.

On the day I think we ended with 10 keepers with the best 5 going around 14 lbs. No giants but a lot of fish and a lot of fun. There were some really good fish coming to the surface and we had several that hit, but, couldn't get a hook in them.

Wanted to get some pics but with the weather I had the phone stowed away and then once the fishing got crazy I couldn't put the rod down. We plan on heading back out one day next week to see if the action stays hot.

[abkeenan]

Awesome report. Been awhile since I have been at "the right place at the right time" like that. Congrats. Hopefully a sign of things to come for the fall.

[Quillback]

That is some good fishing, congrats on finding them!

[merc1997 Bo]

that is the kind of day that keeps you coming back. great job!

bo

[jmes]

That's my kinda of day, thanks for sharing

[Billfo]

Nice report- sounds like fun. Just spotted Big Bay on a structure map. I see why you were there- not sure if my boat can make it that far... LOL..

Thanks for the report.

[Sac River Jim]

great report i'm glad you got on em like that. I've been trying to learn to throw a spy bait and your report has encouraged me not to give up on it quite yet. I might try to give it a shot come Monday.