Cow Creek to the dam 4/5

[Champ188]

Donna and I fished a pretty long (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and somewhat raw day Sunday. Rained steady from 10:30 to 4:00, with air temps in the 40s and a decent south wind.

Caught 25 total, of which 15 were keepers. Best five 14-15 lbs. Rock Crawler produced a few including the dandy smallmouth that is pictured. Spinnerbait accounted for one and jerk bait struck out.

The rest were taken on a green pumpkin Ned and another soft-plastic dragging creation that shall not be named because of upcoming derbies.

As others have reported, there are lots of fish on secondary points and some beginning to move back into the pockets. Despite 52-degree surface temps, we did see one pair of bedding fish, which was a first in my 40-odd years of fishing to see fish bed in water that cold. Only reason we noticed them is because the female was rolling up on her side and "flashing." Did have one smallish fish roll on a Fluke in the back of a steeper pocket.

The 52-degree surface temp held everywhere we went all day.The dragging bite ranged from 5 to 25 feet, with LMs and SMs being shallower than the spots.

[dtrs5kprs]

And you didn't throw a fin at them? Shame on you.

[fishingaddiction]

Very nice chunky small jaw. Great effort to stay with it for 9 hours on a rainy cool day. Great detailed report other the un-named bait. LOL

[Champ188]

And you didn't throw a fin at them? Shame on you.

You talkin' bout that topwater thing that everyone talks about being so great? Shoot, every time I buy one it won't run right. Besides, they aren't topwater baits. They dive under the water. I've tried every brand of fluorocarbon made from 2-pound test to 30-pound test with varying degrees of failure. I'm done with the stupid things.

[dtrs5kprs]

You talkin' bout that topwater thing that everyone talks about being so great? Shoot, every time I buy one it won't run right. Besides, they aren't topwater baits. They dive under the water. I've tried every brand of fluorocarbon made from 2-pound test to 30-pound test with varying degrees of failure. I'm done with the stupid things.

Well you are right, and they don't split shot worth a rip.

[merc1997 Bo]

that is a great day of catching for sure!! very nice brownie.

bo

[NebSchmidty]

Very nice SM there! Gray skies, temperature drop, heavy wind, rainy... couldn't plan much better of a day to hook into one of those thick brownies.

[Macsimus]

Beauty of a smallie. Nice work there Mr. Champ.

[Sac River Jim]

nice small jaw champ. i think that fish is longer than the 6.56 that was caught on stockton everyone is raving about. its hard to tell just by comparing pics but thats the same class fish for sure and if it wasnt in the spawn i believe yours to be bigger. Stockton has some very nice smallies and ive caught a few but theres nothing like a table rock small jaw for color and quality.