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I decided to fish today due to lower winds, but it was a lot colder than they originally forecasted. There was frost on the car windshield. I had to get my winter rain jacket and bibs out and add layers. I got on the water about 7:25am. Once I got out, it was not too bad with gloves, face mask and layers. Stop #1 was a bust. I decided to make a run. The boat ran great and did not bounce at all.
I made it to spot #2 and was set and anchored by 8:55am. On my third cast, I saw something swimming off fast with my tube. No tap, just swimming with it. I set the hook and had a good little fight. I netted the fish and it was a fat 18.5" smallie.
I was pumped that the run payed off. A few minutes later, I hooked another fish swimming away with the tube. This one was smaller, but fun. I was glad they were not inhaling the tube.
I was optimistic that there would be more there, but I worked it for a while and then drifted out. I was able to shed the bibs. I decided to run to the creek next. I spent some time in there and ate lunch in the shade. No bites, which I was surprised. The Full moon coming and water had been in the low 60's until this morning.
I ran a ways back but stopped to float one of the islands. I was casting and drifting mostly. I did anchor a couple times. I cast to one shoreline eddy and got smashed. It felt like a catfish and it was. Decent size (maybe 19 inches) but he slimed me and got the line tangled. I did not take a picture as it was a PITA. A few minutes later, I hooked a little smallie. No picture of that either. Those were both on the tube. I did try a spinnerbait, swimbait on an underspin, chatterbait and a jig.
Further down, I made a cast with a chatterbait behind a rock and hooked something heavy. I was hoping for a smallie, but it was another catfish. This one was big. It put up a great fight and did not roll on my line. I got it in the net but did not want to mess with trying to measure or weigh it. It was maybe 23-25 inches and felt at least 5 pounds. I took a picture in the net before unhooking it with my pliers next to the boat.
I saw it was after 2pm, so I headed back to the ramp. I was off the water by 2:30 or so. Turned out to be a nice day out with no other boats in sight.
Last edited by drxfish (Apr-22-24 2:37PM)
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Good catching. If that last kittie was a flattie, it needed to be sacrificed to the turtles.
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It did not look like a flathead. Just a big channel. I agree.
I have not seen any signs of spawning fish yet....
Last edited by drxfish (Apr-22-24 5:10PM)
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What are the signs?
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I mean spawned out fish or bloody tails.
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Those are some fat smallmouth. Nicely done
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Great effort to get on the fish! It takes dedication to the cause to get out there even in the cold. It clearly paid off with a good day on the water. I'll have to go back to my catfish identification card....it's been a while.
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Tails a bit chewed up on that 18 - looks like it was clipped earlier
Looks like you're back on the water!
Last edited by hookup (Apr-25-24 10:24AM)
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