Fish report, I guess...

[dtrs5kprs]

So, pretty much everyone knows what I like to do, and more or less where I prefer to do it. Not much change in any of that. I walk a different path, for sure.

But it's working. And it's an alternative to some other options. Now, by working...I don't think most people will have the patience (tolerance, confidence, total lack of sense) to do it. Numbers are down for me this trip, but quality is up. Translation: multiple limits most days, but not a lot of shorts. Bunch of 15-25 fish days, with 10-20 legals. Some of that is probably on me for specifically fishing bigger fish places. Bunch of 14# ish "limits".

Other than a couple of freaky days due to the tornado and subsequent rise, it's been all itty bitty baits, six pound line, and water less than 10' deep. Mostly less than 8'. Caught one fish yesterday in 22' for absolutely no apparent reason. We had a crazy Chatterbait afternoon the day after the tornado, couldn't replicate it. Did catch some on similar stuff on a square bill, but it ended quickly.

To pin that down more, think about the "color change", where the bright rocks get dark. That varies by area, color. Might be 3' on one spot, 8' on another. Yes it's finesse, but it's not different than where you'd fish a wart, or a wacky worm. Learned that years ago from one of the Leavenworth club guys. A really good stick.

To me, it seems like the fish are a little mixed up in terms of the usual waves. Have caught fish in all stages now, although the post spawn fish just started.

Anyhoo... it's a reliable bite, if you can put your head down and just grind at them. 90 degree casts, and a lot of dragging, especially if the wind is up. Dead sticking on slack line if not. Trying very specifically to not cover water. Scent absolutely helps. Don't think it attracts them, but it seems to cut down on light bites.

Forecast is a bit rugged. My hunch is more fish will be coming in shortly.

Have to resize some pics, will add those in a bit.

Water around 13 is getting a nice clear green color. Still a lot of bits and pieces floating around. Temps mostly low 60s. Overnight cool down is murder.

Of some interest: decided to weigh a bunch of fish, MLF scales. 16" to 18" brownies are consistently outweighing blacks. At 18"-19" blacks start to get that largemouth belly and it shifts a bit. I've had that feeling for a couple of years.

[dtrs5kprs]

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[Mitch f]

I definitely believe scent helps too. What kind were you using?

[dtrs5kprs]

Just now, Mitch f said:

I definitely believe scent helps too. What kind were you using?

Elaztech makes scent tricky. I like Liquid Mayhem quite a bit. Sticks on, doesn't seem to damage the Elaztech baits at all.

Have another one I haven't tapped into yet, from a company that actually specialized in hunting scents. Pretty thick stuff too.

[dtrs5kprs]

Lol. Last fish is the same one, I think. Didn't notice it.

[Mitch f]

4 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Elaztech makes scent tricky. I like Liquid Mayhem quite a bit. Sticks on, doesn't seem to damage the Elaztech baits at all.

Have another one I haven't tapped into yet, from a company that actually specialized in hunting scents. Pretty thick stuff too.

Are you using the garlic liquid mayhem? That stuff will knock you off your chair! 😂

I’ve always liked Pro-Cure...it’s got a little UV in it too.

[dtrs5kprs]

10 minutes ago, Mitch f said:

Are you using the garlic liquid mayhem? That stuff will knock you off your chair! 😂

I’ve always liked Pro-Cure...it’s got a little UV in it too.

Garlic and craw, I think.

[cheesemaster]

Great report and very nice fish!!!

[dtrs5kprs]

It's the one in the pic. Horrible red goop.

[SplitG2]

Great fish.  Thanks for sharing.  Safe travels if you’re not back up here yet.  The fishing does seem different this year.  I typically dead stick the little guy on a big slack loop with no feel based on your suggestion from the seminar in Springfield a few years ago but the majority of the ned fish I’ve caught this year have been lift and glide with feel.  Also interesting to hear about you fishing the bladed jig.  I would have never guessed.