eyes and suckers
space inwaders 04/16/2010 - 15:14 Trip Reports
Now that the walleye are finished spawning, I fished an area i thought may hold a couple wednesday evening. I couldn't get a wally on the line, but i did catch about a dozen smallmouth between 8 and 12 inches, a channel cat about 15 inches, and a fallfish. They all took a 2" Apex minnow/grub in a olive/silver color, on a 1/16 oz jig. The area was FULL of minnows and the apex minnow/grub must have been a close match.
I met SPEP when he passed by in his boat and we talked for a few. He said he jigged up 2 wallys at another nearby location. I decided to head there. I saw "mister minnows" leaving the area when i arrived. He too said the wallys were biting. i moved around a bit and didnt have any luck. I threw the apex jig too, and it produced another fallfish, a nicer one about 12 inches and a little smally.
I returned to the specific area "mister minnows" said was the hot spot, and gave it some time. I then switched to a 3" minnow in a natural color and immediately a small wally nailed it. Slow and steady was the ticket. In the next couple hours i landed 5 more wallys from 15-18 inches and one about 11-12 inches.
That really little guy probably was young-of-the-year in 2009, so thats a good sign.
2 decent smallies also took the XPS, roughly 14 inches, i was far from my gear and camera, didnt' want to keep em out of the water too long, unfortunately no pics of these.
As the action slowed, and i moved to a very shallow area. I switched to a 4" floating rapala in classic silver/black. I got hits immediately, later i realized i was running into fish. Suckers were in there thick, and spawning. I eventually landed one of them, the biggest sucker i've seen! This thing was 24-26 inches long, probably 7 pounds! Yes i snagged it, but its rare that I land one of these- i had to take a picture of this big badgirl. It pooped some eggs on me while i was unhooking it, and once released it swam off after a minute or so.
After a while i could feel a difference b/w running into suckers and getting a bite. It was confirmed when i landed the last little wally of the night.
This evening was by-far the best action i've had all year, no big wallys or smallies, but good numbers and a good time.
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Thurs night i tried a southern tributary where i thought the fish calender may be a little more advanced. It was a good decision and i found 2 nice wallys. The first was about 20 inches and thick, i unfortunately lost it fumbling with trebles caught in the net on the shore. This fish took the XPS minnow, but on the next cast i lost my lure to a snag. I was determined, and tried many different hard minnow baits, as well as grubs and swim baits. About and hour later a bomber produced the final fish of the night, a nice 23 incher!
I returned early this morning, but couldn't interest a wally. I did catch 2 small bass after sun-up though.
It pays to explore, fish different bodies of water, modify your approach, and of course a bit of luck can seal the deal!
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I met SPEP when he passed by in his boat and we talked for a few. He said he jigged up 2 wallys at another nearby location. I decided to head there. I saw "mister minnows" leaving the area when i arrived. He too said the wallys were biting. i moved around a bit and didnt have any luck. I threw the apex jig too, and it produced another fallfish, a nicer one about 12 inches and a little smally.
I returned to the specific area "mister minnows" said was the hot spot, and gave it some time. I then switched to a 3" minnow in a natural color and immediately a small wally nailed it. Slow and steady was the ticket. In the next couple hours i landed 5 more wallys from 15-18 inches and one about 11-12 inches.
That really little guy probably was young-of-the-year in 2009, so thats a good sign.
2 decent smallies also took the XPS, roughly 14 inches, i was far from my gear and camera, didnt' want to keep em out of the water too long, unfortunately no pics of these.
As the action slowed, and i moved to a very shallow area. I switched to a 4" floating rapala in classic silver/black. I got hits immediately, later i realized i was running into fish. Suckers were in there thick, and spawning. I eventually landed one of them, the biggest sucker i've seen! This thing was 24-26 inches long, probably 7 pounds! Yes i snagged it, but its rare that I land one of these- i had to take a picture of this big badgirl. It pooped some eggs on me while i was unhooking it, and once released it swam off after a minute or so.
After a while i could feel a difference b/w running into suckers and getting a bite. It was confirmed when i landed the last little wally of the night.
This evening was by-far the best action i've had all year, no big wallys or smallies, but good numbers and a good time.
----
Thurs night i tried a southern tributary where i thought the fish calender may be a little more advanced. It was a good decision and i found 2 nice wallys. The first was about 20 inches and thick, i unfortunately lost it fumbling with trebles caught in the net on the shore. This fish took the XPS minnow, but on the next cast i lost my lure to a snag. I was determined, and tried many different hard minnow baits, as well as grubs and swim baits. About and hour later a bomber produced the final fish of the night, a nice 23 incher!
I returned early this morning, but couldn't interest a wally. I did catch 2 small bass after sun-up though.
It pays to explore, fish different bodies of water, modify your approach, and of course a bit of luck can seal the deal!
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