Great Weekend Bass & Brown's

[SkunkedAgain]

I was a total bum this weekend, hit Hyrum Friday taking my Father-in-law for a veteran day trip... Had two bald eagles perched in a tree watching over our venture as we discussed his service to our country and his father's in WWII where he got a bronze and silver star from his meritorious service.... But most of the time we were just reeling in fish...

Can't insert pictures, like before so I guess you'll have to click below... Ended up with 47 trout, 5 bows the rest were browns, smallest was 14" and had a couple 18.5" and if the tails weren't worn off from spawning might of made 20".... Crazy day could have went a lot higher but got feeling guilty catching trout after the spawn when they were eating everything...

Then went to Cutler on Saturday for a couple hours, it was slow but got 2 crappie and 2 bass...

Then today I returned to Cutler for a couple more hours, it was really slow and I was getting ready to quit skunked, but on the way back picked up one bass, then another and another and then...... See photo's below, my best of the year LMB... 21" and 4.0 lbs.... Lots of fun.... Kept fishing and only got 1 more LMB for a total of 6 bass today... Only problem today was I got a hole in my bladder on my Toon and so I guess I'm done for the year.... Anyone know how to patch a bladder in the seam? Put the toon away when I got home it has been a great year in that toon 20 trips and I only got skunked a couple times in it... Later J
[signature]

[FishMcFisherson]

Nice bass! Must have been quite the battle.

That's strange with the browns tails. I've never caught them like that before. Why does it happen?
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

I was a little surprised that the bass didn't fight more, it was moving pretty slow so it was a good pull, but not like when the water is warmer. It did jump over my motor bar and try to wrap around the motor, but luckily it was hooked good enough that I was able to pull it's head up so I could grab it's lip... I let it go to grow bigger so next year it will be dang fun... It is a one eye'd bass it's other eye must have ran into a hook years before...

The Brown's seemed to be all spawned out and had worn all their fins and tails off... I'd never seen them like that before either, but they must grow back in time... Crazy times at Hyrum, I fish there quite a bit and only pick up a couple browns a year regularly so I had no idea there was as many browns in that pond as there seems to be... I had one total hog of a fish, it must have been close to 9 lbs and 26 to 28" long, but I had snagged it in the dorsal fin (unintentionally) and it pulled lose when I got it close to the boat, but it was the biggest brown I've ever had on the line... Even if it was fowl hooked... The fish were so roughed up they were almost rotting away like salmon do, not as much fun to catch when they look so ripe, but they did pull hard.... I had a couple fish swallow the lure deep and I couldn't get it out without making them bleed so I keep a couple and a bow and I smoked them up and I didn't think they would be very good to eat, but I was wrong, they still taste really good smoked... Fun weekend, I hated to put the toon away, but don't know when I'll get back out... Later J
[signature]

[gstott]

That's a really nice bass. Congrats!
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Thank you, I know you are probably used to catching that size bass from your pictures and all, but it was about double what I usually catch size wise, so I was really happy with it... Thanks for the post... J
[signature]

[gstott]

That's right up there with my best bass so far, and I've only caught a few like that. That's a great fish. What a way to wrap up the season on Cutler []
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Torn seam huh? Over-inflation or something else?

If the tear is not too long it should be easy to fix with a couple of applications of Aqua Seal. Too bad you are not closer. I would be happy to help with the repair. The main thing is to have the repair area laying flat. Then apply a thin coat of Aqua Seal and allow to cure for several hours. Apply a second and wider coat over the thin one and let it cure for at least a day.

Congrats on a good fishing weekend.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks, it was a nice cap to the season. I sure don't want to quit yet. But the fish are sure slowing down and getting harder to find. Trout are on fire though so I guess I'll chase them again. Later J
[signature]

[BagABigOne]

Yep, that spot looks very familiar. Great job on a late season bass, bigger than any bass I've ever caught.
[signature]

[wiperhunter2]

Wow, what a killer weekend for you, thanks for sharing your report and pics Jeff. One of those browns looks like a hatchery fish. I'm not sure if they have stocked browns in that lake but that is what I would guess for the one the has almost no fins and the tail is round, instead of being torn up like the others. Were you trolling or casting at Hyrum? Way to go on some nice bass and crappie.
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Hey TD, I think I put a little too much air in it and the sun hit it before I got it launched and punched a pin hole right along the seam... It is quite small, but in a spot I can't get a patch over it. How does the Aqua seal work? Just cover the area with the cement type stuff and let it dry and it uses the base material to form a new bond? I might be able to fold the seam over the hole and glue that down to plug the hole...

Thanks for the tips on this, where is a good place to get the Aqua Seal?

I did have a fun weekend, lots of good tugs and the smoked trout is pretty tasty as well... How does your approach to cool water fishing change as the fish slow down? I found that in the last month the fish have really changed jig colors, what was hot has been zero's lately and what didn't work in October is now the only thing they will take... One day minnows work great the next time nothing... I guess I'm too much of a creature of habit and I like to fish with the same thing once I find something that works... But lately that keeps changing from trip to trip... Earlier in the year it seemed like any color was working as long as you got it into the right spot, now it has turned into a real challenge for me to figure out... I guess that is fishing and part of the fun, but it's hard to figure out in the limited time what they like... I guess that is part of that 10% rule, if you fish enough and pay attention to your logs maybe you can pick up those changes from year to year...

Thanks again for the patch info.... J
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Hey Rod, Yup I'm lazy and that's the only spot I can get my toon to the water these days... Fish have moved off the bar though, it's really hard to find them now days... Found these trolling back to the truck in the middle of the channel, then cast the same spot until they quit biting... Wish I knew what was holding them in that area, didn't seem like a likely spot to me... Got the crappie trolling too... No smallies the last month or so... Don't know where they have gone....

I keep thinking the fishing should be better with all the fish concentrated now, but it is slower than before the drop... Did you get some good days in on the river before it dropped? Find any Roo's? Well thanks for the post... J
[signature]

[BagABigOne]

Not a thing wrong with going back to a favorite spot again and again, good fishing makes it a favorite spot. I got a couple more trips before the drop and done really well, I'll have to wait until spring now. I couldn't hunt the islands either this year, wily rudy chasing was tough this year where I went.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[#0000ff]This stuff comes in a small tube. Available almost anywhere they sell camping or fishing gear. Sportsmans has it. Not sure about Wally World but I'd be surprised if they didn't carry it. There is a clear accelerant (Cotol) available too...as in the pic. It helps the patch cure faster but I don't think it is worth it. Seems to make the patch not as good too.
[inline aquaseal.jpg]

It bonds to waders, air bladders, rain gear, tents and about anything else for a permanent flexible patch. Never had one come loose on anything I have fixed with it. Just be sure to keep it in the freezer between uses to slow down the hardening process of the leftover after you first open it. It has very volatile solvents and will not last long if not kept cold...or frozen...after opening.

Spring and fall are two "transitional times", when water temps are changing rapidly and the fish need to adapt. In the fall...when temps are dropping...the "warm water" species slow down and the fishing gets worse. And what worked last week...or even yesterday...may be useless today. As a general rule you should think going smaller and slower...and colors that are brighter and easier to see...to help trigger reaction bites.

On the other hand, "cold water" species like trout come back to life after being stressed during the warm periods of summer. They will now hit a wider variety of baits and lures and will smack larger stuff than they would a month earlier.

After a whole lot of years on the waters I like to think I am better prepared now than I used to be. I have a wide range of lure types, sizes, colors and actions that I rotate into my "day trip" boxes during different times of the year. If I am both good and lucky I catch fish on most trips. If not...then I can always blame the moon phase, weather fronts, bad intel, low water or whatever else is handy.

It pays to pay attention to the reports of others who fish the same species and the same waters you do. Take notes on the tactics and techniques they find most effective under prevailing conditions. And it is never too late to start keeping a fishing log...with notes on weather and water conditions, times fished, hot lures or baits, etc. It is surprising how many times you can go back to read them...even years later...and be reminded of things you used to do successfully and are no longer doing. Or to help plan a trip to a previously logged lake at a specific time of year. Always good to have a Plan A to start with...but a plan B or C in case the fish also planned ahead and are ready for your foolishness.

Here in Utah we endure wide swings in conditions on most lakes. Different from year to year at the same times. But if we can figure out what depths the fish use during certain cycles...and what their food resources are...we can often extrapolate and figure out a plan.
[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[flygoddess]

I was going to say those Brown look like Hatchery too, never seen one that bad from spawn.
Very nice Bass! I have been catching them too lately, but no where near that size.

I get Aquaseal off Amazon or ebay. Do not use the accelerator as it is meant for quick fix but not as strong.
If it is a pin hole, use a toothpick with a dab directly in the hole. Let it dry for awhile, then a tiny bit more a little larger circle. No need to glob it on, less is more. More flexible to. It also might be telling you it is time to replace the bladder. How long have you had it and is it vinyl?
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Hey Curt, yup it was a good one.... I hadn't better complain... I don't know, but I think the fins and tails were all worn off from spawning in the gravel... Maybe some of the biologists can comment on that one... I did both cast and troll at Hyrum, but the casting was king Friday... Don't do much casting for trout anymore, but when it works I love it... Light tackle so you feel the whole fish, it was really fun... Thanks for the well wish.... J
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

I was surprised how spooky the few Roos were this year. Fishing in the river all the birds were flushing ten minutes before the hunters got to me. I cheated and went on dads club he's got some great birds this year and it was a blast.

Anyway glad you got out there fishing a bit it was fun. Not sure the fish are there in the spring, but the cats should be back by then. Wish I knew how to catch them this time of year. I'm wondering if they moved out, or just don't want what I'm offering? Can't see any on the graph, but if they moved off bottom I wouldn't be able to tell them. Catch ya later. J
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks TD, I'll give that stuff a try. Not fun to lose your ride. As far as fishing logs go, I've been pretty faithful for the past year and a half. It has been very fun to review and study. My crazy warm water fish are going contrary to your advice, they are hitting 4" motor oil colored jigs this week. I thought just like you recommended and didn't get a nibble until I went big and dark. But the next time they will change again. Thank you for the help. J
[signature]

[SkunkedAgain]

I don't know the answer about the browns, but I assume it was just spawning from the size and numbers of fish.

Hey really appreciate the patching tips, got my amazon order on the way and I think my toon is four or five years old, with light use until this year, when I gave it a workout. It's a Creek Co ODC 616 so it is probably a vinyl liner. I hope the Aqua seal works on it?

Thanks for the help. J
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Positive it will work. Great stuff.
[signature]