Friday Report

[Bill Babler]

I have had this trip in the books, for over 6 months. Ivar and Ubey Ecvar from Nebraska, wanting to learn the drop shot. Ivar had called me and asked, what would be a very good time to come. I said today, and I almost goofed.

After the big storm, picked the boys up at the Knob. And headed for Pig Pen Hollow. I have done ok there in the last couple of weeks. Told the boys to just drop the weight till it hit the bottom, and then take a couple of cranks up. When they got a bite, or the rod got heavy, set the hook, for all your worth.

Pulled out on the Pig, and didn't see any fish, but we dropped anyway. No sooner had Ubey's weight hit the bottom, than I hear a squeel from the back of the boat. In came about a 12 inch black.

Things settled for a second and Ubey dropped back, and I immediatly heard another squeek and he had another one on. could have been a clone of the first. At this point, the trash talking started between the brothers. After only two 12 inchers, Ubey, was declaring himself Kevin Vandam.

Another drop by Ubey and mind you I have not seen any of these fish on the graph, and another squeel. His third fish in 3 drops. This time a solid 10 inch K. After the fish was released he danced and clapped his way around the stern of the boat for at least 5 minutes, doing the duck walk and some kind of a Michael Jackson Moon Walk.

Glad he got that out of his system, cause we didn't catch another fish for the next TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

During this period, I asked the boys if they wanted to split shot abit, thinking the fish had broken up and gone shallow, because of the clouds, but they said no.

Also asked it they wanted to use a crawler, as we had some fish run up to the shot and leave it. They said no they were sportsman and would never use a nightcrawler. I told them sportsmanship, had nothing to do with this, and that all was fair in love and fishing, as long as your were not in a tournament. Still No.

Did have a wierd thing happen. Fellow guide this morning at the gas station had told me a spot he was catchin a few at off a deep dock at the knob, I have fished it before, and caught several walleye off it. Its a good spot. During my struggles I tried it. He was right, they were there, and looked like several of em on the dock cables, on the bouy cable in front of the dock, and also suspended in front, just like he said.

These fish were in the 25 ft. range, and when the boys dropped to them they would charge the drop shot, and then, instead of eat it or go back latterly to the cables or where they were suspended, they would head deep. My lower limits were set at 60 ft. and they would just melt into the abis. We tried to follow them by dropping the shot while they dropped but they would have none of it. These docks, are in 110 ft. and this happened at least 4 times.

I believe they would have eaten a crawler. Where did they go? Why did they do that? These guys thought I knew how to drop shot and I am running fish to 10 fathoms with it. Live and learn.

Just about to pull my last 3 hairs out, I decided to get off the gravel, deep stuff, and try a long chunk rock point, the locals call Wood Duck. Pulled to the same depth I thought they should have been on and of course didn't see any. Both boys dropped, and when Ivar who was at the front picked up the slack, I noticed his tip start to bend.

I screamed a scream of a man who had not seen a fish in half a day, SET THE HOOK. Ivar put all 127 pounds in an all out sky lifting hook set and by golly he got one. Not to be out done, I hear Ubey squeel and we have a double, for cripes sakes. As they bring these fish up from the bottom, my entire screen starts to worm and shoot lines coming off the bottom, the boys have dropped into a hive of em. Both fish they caught were Shell Knob Squeeker Keepers. They dropped back and again both had fish.

We caught 9 total off the Duck, but only the first two would have kept. 23 ft.

Moved to Preachers Nitch, and same thing and caught 6 more, all nice but would not have worked on the tournament cir.

From that point on, fishing the steeper chunker points we got I believe, 4 more. I believe we had 22 or 23, total and I fished the boys for 5 hrs. as the day had really been slow till late in the morning. Only the 2 small keepers. Don't know what I would have done in a derby, but probably would have abandoned the shot after the first little bit.

Great guys, and I never laughed so hard as they were on each other from the time in until the time out. I guess persistance does pay off especially when you don't know nothin.

[Terry Beeson]

...he danced and clapped his way around the stern of the boat for at least 5 minutes, doing the duck walk and some kind of a Michael Jackson Moon Walk...

Remind me to never do that... Might result in no fish, but additionally, sunk boat and two very angry but much entertained fishing partners...

Sounds like you dodged a bullet there, Bill... Good report!

[MOBass]

I need to get a map and start writing the "local" names for areas on it as I find them out. Sometimes it is tough to figure out, but rewarding when I do.

[ryan]

Bill I was wondering what settings you use on your graph when you are drop shotting. I have never been able to see my lure and line on the graph, although I have success with the rig I usually just find the fish and the depth. Thanks I would appreciate the information.

[Bill Babler]

Ryan, depending on the unit you have you can find post after post to answer your question in the Archives.

Last fall when the BASS Elite Boys were here it was discussed and rediscussed.

I'm running my speed and Ping Speed wide open. Grayline at 85 and Sensitivity at 88. Your unit may be different. I know Bill B. is running his 112 at only 70 Percent on the Sesse. It is hard however even for me to mess it up so bad, that at almost any setting I can still see the line.

If you tell us what unit you have, I'm sure some of these boys will have the same one and tell you how they have their unit set.

Right now I have the top 10 ft. knocked out and am setting the bottom at 60.

I am running 2X and splitting the screen at times. You just have to play with it. Make sure your grayline is in the 80 Plus range and keep adjusting your chart speed and I bet it will help.

I am not a guru, as some of these boys are. If I need help, I usually have Mike Webb play with mine.

I have an older X17 and will be looking at new models next year. The new X38HD may be something I would consider, and I am for sure going to take a look at the Hummingbirds. Both of the units are in the $2000.00 range, so a man must choise wisley.

[Gone Fishing]

Bill I am also very new to the drop shot. I tried it out at the Bridge piers for the first time and could not see anything except a black screen. Caught some fish but was just doing it "in the DARK". Is this normal or can I adjust my unit to see under there. Also I have heard of people twisting there transducer around a little to fish more off the side instead of under the TM. How is yours setting.

Thanks for the report and keeping us weekend anglers informed.

[gonefishin]

Drop shotting is something I have done for years. I wasn't smart enough to give it a catchy name though, I just called it fishing.

[Bill Babler]

The bridge piers black out the Lowrance units. The Hummingbirds with the side view, may work if they are away from them, I don't know.

[CMAC]

Bill is pretty much right on with the settings. I have the new x17M.

There is one GPS setting you can do to increase/decrease how often the signal finds your location; which allows it to read more accurately of response times. Although, it is really not necassary if you fish the big water, maybe only the skinny water like in the river.