08-16-2016, 07:59 PM
[#0000FF]Had planned a tune-up trip on some new float tube mods on Monday. A four letter word called wind in the forecast made me postpone until today. Lovely this morning.
Hit Willard South Marina. Drove up to the gate about 5:45...still dark. Gate was already open. Like getting through a revolving door on somebody else's push.
Prepped and launched by about 6:30. Still only one other soul in the parking lot. Light day...until later.
Air temp low 60s at launch. Water temp 74...and stayed there long after sunup with the light breeze blowing across the water. But no W. No skeeters or skiers either.
Also...no fish. Worked the area I got into wipers and cats on my last trip. Thought my sonar must be broke. No shad, no bigger fish. Kept working shallow to deep...6' to 15'. Nada, zip, zilch.
As per usual I was dragging a left-handed blue-eyed chub minnow on one rod and pitching a rotation of plastics, cranks and Gulp minnows on the other. No fish were harmed in these experiments.
I finally got into my "kitty condo" area and the cookie cutters were there to play. Went bendo on a few whiskerfish and stretched my string. Woulda liked to add a wiper or two but they were awol today.
While working my way back along the dike...in the 7-8 foot depths that have produced for me recently...a couple of guys in a boat actually trolled between me and the rocks...dragging something right next to the waterline. I saw them pick up a couple of cats. Some of those kitties seem to have taken up residence in the rocks...like days of old.
Decided to make an early day of it. Got another fishing "play date" tomorrow so no sense wearing myself out on silly kitties. Kept 3 for the fillet board and trolled a crankbait unmolested back to the channel.
Met FatBiker (FatBoater) heading out in his rig. We briefly exchanged pleasantries and he headed out across the lake to his fave spot. Claims he knows where they planted 'em this week.
I timed it right. As I was pulling my tube up on the ramp the air was filled with loud voices, loud motors and the smell of outboard exhaust. The family types were just hitting the water to get their kids wet again before school starts. Never used to be happy about school starting. Funny how your perspective changes as you grow older.
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Hit Willard South Marina. Drove up to the gate about 5:45...still dark. Gate was already open. Like getting through a revolving door on somebody else's push.
Prepped and launched by about 6:30. Still only one other soul in the parking lot. Light day...until later.
Air temp low 60s at launch. Water temp 74...and stayed there long after sunup with the light breeze blowing across the water. But no W. No skeeters or skiers either.
Also...no fish. Worked the area I got into wipers and cats on my last trip. Thought my sonar must be broke. No shad, no bigger fish. Kept working shallow to deep...6' to 15'. Nada, zip, zilch.
As per usual I was dragging a left-handed blue-eyed chub minnow on one rod and pitching a rotation of plastics, cranks and Gulp minnows on the other. No fish were harmed in these experiments.
I finally got into my "kitty condo" area and the cookie cutters were there to play. Went bendo on a few whiskerfish and stretched my string. Woulda liked to add a wiper or two but they were awol today.
While working my way back along the dike...in the 7-8 foot depths that have produced for me recently...a couple of guys in a boat actually trolled between me and the rocks...dragging something right next to the waterline. I saw them pick up a couple of cats. Some of those kitties seem to have taken up residence in the rocks...like days of old.
Decided to make an early day of it. Got another fishing "play date" tomorrow so no sense wearing myself out on silly kitties. Kept 3 for the fillet board and trolled a crankbait unmolested back to the channel.
Met FatBiker (FatBoater) heading out in his rig. We briefly exchanged pleasantries and he headed out across the lake to his fave spot. Claims he knows where they planted 'em this week.
I timed it right. As I was pulling my tube up on the ramp the air was filled with loud voices, loud motors and the smell of outboard exhaust. The family types were just hitting the water to get their kids wet again before school starts. Never used to be happy about school starting. Funny how your perspective changes as you grow older.
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