First try, i fished the east side of the shoreline, it was pretty shallow and 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. Deep and heavy current, a back eddy along shore downstream of a rock outcropping, and current breaks behind big obstacles in mid river.
The water was a little high, a little stained, low 60s. My normal suspending jerk baits wouldn't work well in the heavy current, they would spin and/or come to the surface or just not go deep enough. 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.
The lake is still down about four feet, I'd guess, with water temps 56-59 degrees. Parts of the main lake were warmer than back in the coves...but with all the warm temps and SW winds lately, I'm sure that has changed by now.
-TL
By this time I usually have at least one 5#er or better, but not the case so far! I did have what I believe was one of at least five pounds last week but came unbuttoned.
Well, I finally broke the 20" mark. I must say I never thought it would happen. I've be *this* close so many times with 19"+ fish, and when this fish took my jerk bait I thought for sure I was going to come up short again. Then it happened, the fish took off towards the back of the boat and my line crossed with one of the Capt's rods that were leaning on the transom. "Great", I thought to myself. "I'm going to lose this fish." But as always, the Capt was cool and took care of it. He netted her and then said, "This might be it, Mike." And it was. 20" on the mark.
Overall, it was a real tough bite that day. We had to work hard for those fish, and found some in deep water and some in staging areas. We caught some on jerk baits, and some on plastics. I think the Capt caught a fish on every bait he threw except the inline spinner.
Here are a couple more pics of the fish we caught that day:
I'll post on the other drama of my weekend a bit later.
-Mike
Thursday I was off work and thought the walleyes MIGHT still be moving upstream in the upper. Got to my spot, hiked alot, the water was pretty high, hard to reach my usual area. I had to cross a manmade rock wall across FAST knee deep current to get to my spot, and i dared not risk that lucky procedure after dark. I barely made it back and forth around dusk. Its fun to see a sixty pound rock slowly rolling downstream from the current, and about 1' upstream of YOUR VERY CAREFULLY POSITIONED FOOT! I had to deal with less than ideal locations, but managed 2 smallies of similar size, one I measured at 15.25".
Finally made it out! And may I add without incident with either motors or batteries! But boy did I get rusty and soft over the winter! Got line cuts on left index finger from setting hooks on ghost fish and blisters on right index from reelin! Not to mention backache from standing for 10 hours! Man you gotta love it! Anyway, skies were clear, light and variable breeze,(mostly out of NW), water temps. climbed throughout the day and ranged anywhere from 51 to 60 depending where you were. Fishing was tough for this time of year due to what I assume because of up and down water temps.,but I guess that's true with any spring fishing! In all picked up 14 fish and in total probably did not weigh any more than that. Did hook one pig but came unbuttoned off a crankbait. That's what I get for not changing trebles though. (Getting Lazy) The fish I did pick up were on small shallow benches with water depths of 5ft. or less.
Caught 3 on crankbait, 2-jerkbait, 1-spinnerbait, 8-green/pumpkin tube. Could not buy a bite off jig'n pig! I was slow-rolling a spinnerbait and got hung up on what I thought was a large piece of loose wood but as I was pulling up realized it was a large snapping turtle! Luckily as I was reaching for needle nose it came unhooked, or just let go! That's about the 3rd time I've hooked a snapping turtle on a spinnerbait over the years.
Did see one other noteworthy thing which was a pair of wood ducks breeding on a limb approx. 70'high in large oak tree! I've seen them breeding in water but never in a tree. Maybe they were just practicing!
I got out sunday 4-5, solo to my new favorite wally spot, see if i could run into any moving upriver feeding along the way.
I hiked around and explored abit about 2 hours before dark. Fished some nice looking areas, but no bites.
Went back to my new good luck area and waded out a bit. I got 2 fish in as many hours 20-21" or so. Lost a real big one, I couldnt move it, I felt the thud, and a big head shake, then into current and off...
look at those TEEEF!
Hit the river today with an old HS buddy. Didn't know what to expect with a rising barometer and windy conditions. Started off slinging a blade and gave a SJB to my partner. I Picked up a 17" LM on the third or fourth cast. And another about 14"or 15". Tied a blade on for my buddy but he had no luck with it. I landed one more greenie about 16". Hit a couple more spots I was told to try but no luck. Not the best of conditions but it was good to get out.
-Spot
Hit the big river again this afternoon with CannonExpress. Weather was nice, but the wind returned. I swear it wasn't windy until we launched. The fishing was tough, at least tougher than I expected. I don't think it was the wind this time, I'm shocked at how low the river is. We need some serious flow in the river. But the good news...I'm getting closer to my "C". I thought for sure when I hooked her that it was "the one". It was a fat and healthy 19.25" with some serious shoulders. She must have jumped 1/2 dozen times before she came to the boat, it was awesome.
Another great day on the water, thanks Chris.
-Mike
We arrived about 5pm to an area that gets serious pressure, but we fished a lesser known ledge away from the area where everyone fishes.
Within 15 minutes I had a good fish on and lost. I was using a 3" sinking rapala. Soon after and another good fish, and a great fight! 26"er, a C class wally!
