Great Day, Even Better Company

[Champ188]

The arrival of Friday's cold front finally seemed to shake the largemouth loose from whatever was holding them back from beginning their pre-winter feed. In short, fished 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and it was a total beatdown from the git-go.

Had the pleasure of having OA member huntest in the boat with me. If you guys aren't getting out and meeting each other, you're missing out. Even being the introverted old goat that I am, I've gone on two blind dates this year with fellow OA members and both have been two of the nicest folks I've ever shared a boat with, and I've been fishing for 40 years.

Huntest and I met at Carr Lane store and launched at Shell Knob bridge. We ranged no more than 3 miles downstream and 5 miles upstream from there into the Kings, and caught them all day long on a spinnerbait. Windblown main-lake banks seemed to be a bit better than pockets, but we caught them in both locations. As usual, transition areas were best. Gravel wasn't the deal ... needed some bigger rock present. Wood seems to be starting to hold some fish also but was still a little hit-and-miss.

Pretty sure a squarebill or mid-range crank bait like a Bandit 200 would have worked but hey, when they're whacking that blade, I'm not gonna put it down for long.

In all, we ended up with just north of 50 fish, with 60-70 percent being largemouth. Best five around 14 pounds, counting a 4-pounder that jumped off at boatside just before we called it a day.

Again, this forum is something special and it's because of the integrity and general goodness of the people who make up the membership. Get out and meet someone. It'll be a blessing.

[Quillback]

Wow, that is awesome - glad to see the bite is on.

I've had the pleasure of fishing with Champ, great guy to fish with, good company and a knowledgeable fisherman.

[Sore Thumbs]

Nice

[merc1997 Bo]

uh-oh, that night bite might be changing to a day bite. nice trip. great to see the numbers you caught!

bo

[Champ188]

Likewise, QB, and I had actually miscounted ... I've had three OA anglers in the boat this year. Any of you guys would do yourselves a favor to spend a day with QB. He knows his stuff, especially on the upper White portion of the lake.

Thanks, Bo. Been figuring they were right on the verge of this fall bite for several weeks. Just needed this good cold front to kickstart things.

[J-Doc]

Cool report. Glad to see the bite pick up. I figure it will shut off today though since the front has settled. Could be wrong though, might be the water temp drop that makes them bite anyway.

It's windy enough out there today. Might be a blade kind of day.

[gabe]

Nicely done. Thanks for the report.

[huntest]

Thanks for the great day of fishing and companionship! I had a blast. I guess we were two old goats in the boat......lol

If there ever is a spinnerbait throw down, put your money on Champ 188.

With the risk of firing up the deep water off shore sonar wizards, beating the bank like Champ can make your day.....lol

[rps]

Well heck. I guess I know what I will try tomorrow.

[Sore Thumbs]

Looks like Lavender Shad War Eagle there Champ.