HardCore ON SHORE vol 1-- 5/2/09 on the smaller river
space inwaders 05/06/2009 - 08:48 Trip Reports
I tried a spot on a smaller local river, wondered if the eyes may lurk there, a friend said he caught one there...
First try, i fished the east side of the shoreline, it was shallow with fast current, i couldn't see where he may have gotten one in that area, we were quickly soaked with poor rain gear. Went back a few days later fished the west side of the river, and this looked more like the right kind of water.
The water was a little high, a little stained, low 60s. Annie got a 10" smallmouth on a bright green powergrub on a 1/8 oz jig letting it wash with the current. I eventually got one on a more natural shad color soft plastic w/ curly tail bouncing with a 5/8 oz jig. Then switched to a brown with bright green tail 3" powergrub and bounced the bottom with one of my custom flat head 1/4 oz jigs that make the bait sit about 45 degrees off the bottom. Soon i got a nice tick on the line and set the hook to feel something BIG.
It was far out in the deeper flow. This fish was strong and stayed down, the fight went on for several minutes, every time i'd get it close to shore it'd pull drag back out.
Eventually i had to move behind the eddy to bring the fish in. Soon we saw the form in the water, a catfish? a musky? No, a nice sized walleye!
Just a tick over 24 inches long and a real fighter.
Thought i'd share since this is my first from the smaller river.
Might get out for some FLOOD FISHING today! 17 feet at point of rocks!? 20 something at hancock!?
-steve
First try, i fished the east side of the shoreline, it was shallow with fast current, i couldn't see where he may have gotten one in that area, we were quickly soaked with poor rain gear. Went back a few days later fished the west side of the river, and this looked more like the right kind of water.
The water was a little high, a little stained, low 60s. Annie got a 10" smallmouth on a bright green powergrub on a 1/8 oz jig letting it wash with the current. I eventually got one on a more natural shad color soft plastic w/ curly tail bouncing with a 5/8 oz jig. Then switched to a brown with bright green tail 3" powergrub and bounced the bottom with one of my custom flat head 1/4 oz jigs that make the bait sit about 45 degrees off the bottom. Soon i got a nice tick on the line and set the hook to feel something BIG.
It was far out in the deeper flow. This fish was strong and stayed down, the fight went on for several minutes, every time i'd get it close to shore it'd pull drag back out.
Eventually i had to move behind the eddy to bring the fish in. Soon we saw the form in the water, a catfish? a musky? No, a nice sized walleye!
Just a tick over 24 inches long and a real fighter.
Thought i'd share since this is my first from the smaller river.
Might get out for some FLOOD FISHING today! 17 feet at point of rocks!? 20 something at hancock!?
-steve
