4/25 Lower End

[Bearplane04]

Got a chance to go back to Beaver on Saturday. There were lots of boats out, but we caught a break and never really dealt with any traffic. Caught 30, with 28 of them smallies. No big ones but we had a great time. WT 66.5 in the morning to 69 when we left around 12:30. Caught a couple nicer ones (2.2-2.4lbs) that had not spawned yet. Ned and the short jerk bait. Tried top water and kept an eye out for top water action all morning to no avail. Had them push/slap a top water a few times but never hooked up. I’d say 9-10ft was our shallow water for the day, out to 16-18. Didn’t seem to have much luck shallower or deeper. 
 

Before the trip, got the house/cranking battery replaced. Ended up going with a Millertech 190ah lithium. Replacing the charger turned into another unforeseen project, as the 3-bank Millertech charger is literally 1/4” too tall to fit on the reinforced plate where the factory charger is installed on the Phoenix. It’s a big ole charger. I measured before I bought, but didn’t think about the dimensions of the actual mounting geometry. So, I had to fab up some 1/4” aluminum stock to give me good mounting surface. Of course the 12 year old dewalt battery drill bit the dust during that…I only mention this because I know there’s somebody else out there like me!!

Thanks for the great fishing reports here - you guys are helping me make fun memories with my boys out there. 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Despite all the other issues,  you still had a great day.   That's a great reward.   

[Quillback]

Great trip!

I have been keeping an eye out for the top water bite, there was a bit of one early a couple of weeks ago, it should get going soon.