Sat June 18th - Long Creek area

[Bassin4fun]

I made it out on the water about 5:15am and probably started fishing shortly after 5:30am on main lake points in the Long Creek arm of the lake. I focused mainly on point and did fish some bluff wall bank lines that were still protected from the sun once it got higher and hot. I caught most of my fish on a Rock Crawler in shad colors parallel to the bank in 5-10ft of water. I kept my boat in 10-15 ft of water most of the time. I did manage to catch a few on a Lil John as well. I also caught one pitching cover with a Zoom UV Speed Craw. The water temp was 83-84°F. However, way back up in Long Creek I saw higher temps. I caught 8 or 9 bass. Only one was a keeper...the rest were short although several were getting close. I also caught a flathead catfish and a long-nosed gar. That gar was probably 3ft long. I tried to get a pic but couldn't find a good way to hold that slippery bastard still to take a pic. He was slippery...not as slimey as a carp but he stunk a heck of a lot more. First time I had ever caught one of those. It was a great day until this happened at 12:30pm....

[Bassin4fun]

1 minute ago, Bassin4fun said:

I made it out on the water about 5:15am and probably started fishing shortly after 5:30am on main lake points in the Long Creek arm of the lake. I focused mainly on point and did fish some bluff wall bank lines that were still protected from the sun once it got higher and hot. I caught most of my fish on a Rock Crawler in shad colors parallel to the bank in 5-10ft of water. I kept my boat in 10-15 ft of water most of the time. I did manage to catch a few on a Lil John as well. I also caught one pitching cover with a Zoom UV Speed Craw. The water temp was 83-84°F. However, way back up in Long Creek I saw higher temps. I caught 8 or 9 bass. Only one was a keeper...the rest were short although several were getting close. I also caught a flathead catfish and a long-nosed gar. That gar was probably 3ft long. I tried to get a pic but couldn't find a good way to hold that slippery bastard still to take a pic. He was slippery...not as slimey as a carp but he stunk a heck of a lot more. First time I had ever caught one of those. It was a great day until this happened at 12:30pm....

I ended up stopping at Cricket Creek Marina to see if they had some wire cutters... it was tough to try and cut thru the hook with my pliers using one hand.  I pushed the hook through and a guy from the marina cut the barb off so I could pull it out. They taped up the bandage and off I went. Definitely, a shout out to the staff there for helping me out!

[Phil Lilley]

Great report.  Sorry about the hook-in-the-hand.

[Quillback]

I'm a sensitive guy, these hook-stuck-in-finger pics give me the willies.  Glad to hear you got it out OK.  Thanks for the report, interesting to hear they are biting the Crawler.

[cheesemaster]

Nice report - and wowzer. That hook business makes me cringe too.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Thx for the report.   Now get on amazon and order some 12” long needle nose pliers.  All of ya.  👍

[Fishrman]

That really stinks.   Had the same thing happen on Tuesday from a square bill.   Had it cut out in ER.  Too deep and no angle to pull out.  Also fished Long Creek today, fishing the Joe Bass.  Had 16.83 for 5th.  Caught them all on 6xd and flutter spoon.  Caught 10 keepers and 10-12 shorts.  20lb. Won.

[m&m]

Ouch! That hook hurts just to look at it.  Fisherman, congratulations on the 5th place. 
 

Mike

[DavidB]

You're the man!  I hate to even think about pushing that barb through.  I backed one out years ago on Toledo Bend, and it was not easy.  Had it happen again a few years later, and the Emergency Room seemed like a much better option.