Morning Bites

[Pat Magee]

I was lucky enough to get the okay from my wife to go fishing on Friday morning, late Thursday evening.  Usually I have to have my trips kind of planned out in advance, as is the nature of having a toddler running around.  Without realizing it at the time, the lack of time to stress out about what to bring was actually a blessing.  I quickly threw my go-to WTD lures, cranks, and plastics in a easy to carry tackle box and swapped out the spool on my stradic for some 6# CX Premium.

I knew that the morning would be cold but I wanted to get as much time as I could on the water so I headed out early and was on the water by 5:30.  Sun was coming up but still had some clouds to break through before it would hit me.  Water temp was a ball-shriveling 61 but I jumped in and started wading downstream anyway.  It only took me about 10 minutes to get a bite on the WTD lure but it shook me off after about 15 feet and a short fight.  This is about the only thing I hate about wade fishing, not having the ability to quickly throw a follow up with another rod/reel/lure.  I couldn't get another bite out of the next two stretches and usually I would give up on TW but I was determined to stick with it for a bit longer.  Thankfully I did because I caught three decent smallmouth and one spot out of one small little stretch.  Nothing worth bragging about but since I was darn near turning blue from being so darn cold, it at least warmed me up for a bit.

The sun finally started to poke through the clouds and I switched over to my confidence bait (Super Fluke).  I for some reason or another, always seems to do well on this particular stream when I am throwing a " Red Magic"  fluke, sadly I can't seem to find this color anymore and I am down to the last bag.  As usual, they didn't disappoint.  I typically just dead drift them or work them like a jerk-bait and every single bite came on the descent that morning.  They didn't seem to care for it when it was moving at all.  I caught another 6 or so from various spots and I even tangled with a gar for a bit.  I saw it about 15 feet away from me but I could only see that it was a fish.  I couldn't see the profile really well because I was in some deeper water.  Anyway, I bounced the Fluke right on top of his head and he gave a quick reaction bite and I got to fight it for a bit before he broke my line off.  I was actually kind of relieved since I felt a little vulnerable with that toothy SOB running around me while I am nipple deep in stained water.

The creek seemed healthy but wasn't giving me much size so I decided to split after catching 16 fish (11 smallmouth, 2 sunfish, and 3 spots). I am looking forward to getting the kayak out of the garage in the next couple of weeks to chase some bigger fish in bigger water.  Gasconade, Current, Black, and Meramec  are next on the list for some day floats.  If anyone is interested it joining, shoot me a PM.

 

 

[MOsmallies]

Nice Pat! Great morning!

[Johnsfolly]

Congrats on a cold but productive morning! I'm not sure what the actual color that you are talking about as the "red magic" would love to see one if you are willing to PM a photo. I am partial to baby bass flukes as my go to stream bait.

[Pat Magee]

When I get home I will try and snap a picture.  I believe the color is actually "Watermelon Red Magic" but I swear the last couple packs just said "Red Magic" ....whatever it is, I really like the color.  It has just enough flash with out being over the top like some of the other Zoom colors.  

[snagged in outlet 3]

14 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

I am partial to baby bass flukes

Me too!  Try the bluegill color.  Bass love em!!

[MOsmallies]

4 hours ago, Pat Magee said:

When I get home I will try and snap a picture.  I believe the color is actually "Watermelon Red Magic" but I swear the last couple packs just said "Red Magic" ....whatever it is, I really like the color.  It has just enough flash with out being over the top like some of the other Zoom colors.  

I know it's not Watermelon RED Magic but it looks like Watermelon Magic is now a stock color... I think I actually have a bag of Watermelon Red Magic that you gave me... I'll sell it back to you for $100!

[evilcatfish]

Have you checked out Land Big Fish? They stock a lot of colors others don't. They often have a coupon code available too.

 

https://www.landbigfish.com/Zoom-Baits/Zoom-Bait-Super-Fluke.cfm

 

Also check out the grizzly jerk shads from Bearpaws, they've got some similar colors and are a good product. I'm needing to restock my supply actually 

 

 

[Gavin]

Looks like a nice trip, good for you! What is the 3 digit color code for "Red Magic"? Might be easier to find that way.

[MOsmallies]

1 hour ago, evilcatfish said:

Have you checked out Land Big Fish? They stock a lot of colors others don't. They often have a coupon code available too.

 

https://www.landbigfish.com/Zoom-Baits/Zoom-Bait-Super-Fluke.cfm

 

Also check out the grizzly jerk shads from Bearpaws, they've got some similar colors and are a good product. I'm needing to restock my supply actually 

 

 

Awesome suggestion... They have an insane amount of colors including Watermelon Red Magic!

[Pat Magee]

1 hour ago, evilcatfish said:

Have you checked out Land Big Fish? They stock a lot of colors others don't. They often have a coupon code available too.

 

https://www.landbigfish.com/Zoom-Baits/Zoom-Bait-Super-Fluke.cfm

 

Also check out the grizzly jerk shads from Bearpaws, they've got some similar colors and are a good product. I'm needing to restock my supply actually 

 

 

Awesome!  I think every time I am in BPS, Cablelas, or even Wal-Mart I pick up a bag of super flukes.   At last count I had over 71 bags I try to switch colors but I always have this nagging thought in the back of my head that if I was throwing some other color, I would be getting more bites. I am amazed at how many people only throw them in white!

I have tried other brands and I just really like the way the Zoom darts and flutters. I may need to re-visit some other brands since it has been awhile since I have done so.