Simply put....the fish were eating

[Smalliebigs]

I had the opportunity to go fish for a few hours on Sunday and with very little time to ever go these days it seems, I had to take advantage of it.

I fished out of my yak and launched from my good buddy Hog Wally's ramp. I wasn't expecting much and was really just trying to get out for a few and maintain my sanity.

I pulled my truck down to the river at his place and he came down to say hello. This whole summer season has been a bit scarce on big fish and has had me thinking of all kinds of reasons as to why???....post flood problems???...bad gigging year??? Who knows??? But there just hasn't been a lot of bigger fish around to speak of really.

While chatting with Hog at his ramp I immediately nailed a little 13 incher on a dawg bait and had me getting excited as to what may come.

I simply paddled up river about a half mile and worked my way back to his ramp. The moment I started throwing a dawg bait upstream it was obvious the fish were eating. For me me as long as you were near structure that was in fairly swift water and made a very accurate cast to the most optimal spot it was a no brainer.

The fish were hitting my bait so ferociously and fighting so hard it was really something. Also the size of the fish were just flat out quality. The smallest fish I caught today was at the ramp and I guess some would consider it a keeper at 13 inches??? I measured about 4 fish on my hawg trough to make sure my estimates on lengths is still on. All the fish were from 14 to 17 inches that I landed and I also goofed and let what looked to be an 18 to 19 incher break me off, it snapped 12lb test pretty easy on a devilish run at the yak, if it wouldn't have taken my expensive dawg bait I would not have really minded. I caught 15 Smallies and 1 Spotted bass in about an hour and a half. I know Hog put his boat in and went down stream with his family with even better results.

While driving home I couldn't help but wonder why were the fish so active???

The approaching weather??....lower water temps???....who knows but, I will have a smile on my face tomorrow morning at the desk for sure. The big fish  are seemingly  back and all is well on my favorite river☺

Hog Wally you are living the dream brother.....kudos my friend 

[Hog Wally]

The big ones were hunting gizzard shad and they wouldn't relent until they caught the one they were after.   It was one of those rare occasions when every big fish is feeding at once   I was shocked at the size of the fish I caught one after another.  Had 2 different beasts follow to the boat that would've made my year.   

[Smalliebigs]

6 minutes ago, Hog Wally said:

The big ones were hunting gizzard shad and they wouldn't relent until they caught the one they were after.   It was one of those rare occasions when every big fish is feeding at once   I was shocked at the size of the fish I caught one after another.  Had 2 different beasts follow to the boat that would've made my year.   

Dude that is soooo awesome...I guess yer right, that is rare deal when they are that actively eating like that....I always try to over analyze every scenario out on the water. Accept it for what it is but, I will be smiling at the insurance agency tomorrow hahahaha

[Seth]

I don't get these fish this summer. It has been pretty sucky overall, but there have been a few days where the big ones bite.  No high water or anything special stands put about it either. Tommy and I can't even catch 6# on the Gasconade right now.

[Smalliebigs]

5 minutes ago, Seth said:

I don't get these fish this summer. It has been pretty sucky overall, but there have been a few days where the big ones bite.  No high water or anything special stands put about it either. Tommy and I can't even catch 6# on the Gasconade right now.

I would agree with you Seth but, I think it is about to break loose for you on the Gacy....once that water stabilizes for little bit I think you and Mr. Bench will be crushing them.

I think they have been DEEP back up in the logs in typical areas and holding tight but, on a very selective feeding schedule that a lot of times may be at night IMO......oncr again here am trying to over analyze things.....oh boy