6/22

[Ron Burgundy]

Fished the dam area today for walleye got several shorts with only one keeper...I always keep a top water tied on to cast to Striper chasing shad up, this morning had a big Striper busting the top but never got a sniff but kept seeing a nice bass busting near the bank so threw at it and ended up catching a 4lb black unfortunately she sucked the pencil popper way down and ripped a gill , she ended up dying so I cleaned her and found she had eggs and a fairly big perch in her stomach.

[rangerman]

I need to get down there and fish with you one of these days! Good trip with as high as the water is!

[rps]

57 minutes ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Fished the dam area today for walleye got several shorts with only one keeper...I always keep a top water tied on to cast to Striper chasing shad up, this morning had a big Striper busting the top but never got a sniff but kept seeing a nice bass busting near the bank so threw at it and ended up catching a 4lb black unfortunately she sucked the pencil popper way down and ripped a gill , she ended up dying so I cleaned her and found she had eggs and a fairly big perch in her stomach.

I absolutely hate it when a bass inhales a bait and rips a gill. I use forceps to remove hooks, but sometimes even those cannot avoid the damage. I still release the bass. Maybe a miracle will occur. If not, something will feed on them.

[Bassmeister]

Had the same happen a month ago while the water was a bit cooler. Blood everywhere. Tried the Mountain Dew trick and stuck it in the livewell. After a few hours I thought it was dead for sure but, to my surprise, she swam off. Not sure if she lived but she was in much better shape than when I pulled her out.