Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I got out early hoping for a topwater bite.  The weather and water were perfect, and I was the only boat out.  No hunters either!

I got to my first spot at about 6:30am.  I usually try a Whopper Plopper and Chug Bug, but opted for a lighter approach with just my little popper (low, clear water and floating grass).  I threw that for a while, but no takers.  I decided to try a wacky rigged Hula Stickz I had on one of my rods.  I threw it out and let it get into position with a couple twitches on the way.  I felt some pressure and set the hook.  It jumped and was a big fish.  I made sure I had the hook set and I could feel the fish was heavy.  It jumped clear out of the water and it was a giant!  I had it on a ML rod with 6 pound line, so I loosened the drag and it went for a run. I was getting it near the boat and had the net in position and it started pulling to the front of the boat.  I didn't want it to get into my anchor rope, so I was pulling to get it back.  I realized it was over the rope and I pulled the line up to get it away.  That is when I saw the hook in the rope and the fish was off!  I was disappointed, but it was an epic fight and such a cool fish to see jump.

I got the skunk off after that with some dinks on the same setup.



I was able to get 4 dinks quick and moved a bit.  I got most on the wacky rig and then some on the flatworm.  I ran upriver and got 4 on the little popper.



First decent one was #14.



The bigger fish were elusive, but it was a very relaxing day with nice weather and no motorized boats.  I was getting fish on the flatworm and then a roboworm ned bait caught a bigger one at #21.







Then it was back to the dinks. 



Wind picked up and the bite slowed.  I ended up with 27 total.  Off the water by 1:30pm.