I launched before dawn as usual. The forecast was for mild temps in the AM but it was still quite cold at the lake. As I started up from Hales Ford Bridge, the first thing I noticed was much more debris in the water than last time. Must have been the all that rain. It did bring the lake back to normal pool but certainly washed a lot of stuff into the water. With the full moon out I was able to slowly cruise up to Indian Creek.
I got there before sun up and started hunting. I was marking a lot of fish down 20-25ft. A good depth. So I shut down and got the casting gear. I drifted and eased around the area watching for breaking fish and casting to likely spots. Nothing. No fish ever broke. I was sure I was in a good area because there were 5-6 other boats coming and going and waiting like me.
Some birds were there fluttering and waiting for breakfast but they didn't get any. So after a little more than an hour, I decided to start dragging some A-rigs. I also wanted to try a new A-rig from Yumbrella called the "Flash Mob" - an A-rig with spinner blades. So I dragged around there for a while and then headed out into the main lake. Just outside Hatfield I got the first fish. The water may be cool but believe me the fish are still very active. Got it in the boat and measured 26.5". Back he went.
Kept dragging there and outside Indian Creek for a while but got nothing else. Fish were there but most I saw were down 30-60ft. Some of the earlier boats were dropping bait but I didn't see many fish boated. I changed over to crankbaits and started up river. I got past Grimes Creek and a couple other boats and that's where A LOT of debris started. I kept fouling lures every few seconds so I headed back to Indian Creek. Opposite and just past Grimes Creek I got wolloped big time. I could tell this was a good fish as soon as I picked up the rod so I cleared lines and fought this guy. This was a good tug of war. Finally in the net and in the boat. Big, fat, chunky 29". Another hour or so produced nothing so I headed in. In the end it finally warmed up and turned out great.
Later, Joel
I got there before sun up and started hunting. I was marking a lot of fish down 20-25ft. A good depth. So I shut down and got the casting gear. I drifted and eased around the area watching for breaking fish and casting to likely spots. Nothing. No fish ever broke. I was sure I was in a good area because there were 5-6 other boats coming and going and waiting like me.
Some birds were there fluttering and waiting for breakfast but they didn't get any. So after a little more than an hour, I decided to start dragging some A-rigs. I also wanted to try a new A-rig from Yumbrella called the "Flash Mob" - an A-rig with spinner blades. So I dragged around there for a while and then headed out into the main lake. Just outside Hatfield I got the first fish. The water may be cool but believe me the fish are still very active. Got it in the boat and measured 26.5". Back he went.
Kept dragging there and outside Indian Creek for a while but got nothing else. Fish were there but most I saw were down 30-60ft. Some of the earlier boats were dropping bait but I didn't see many fish boated. I changed over to crankbaits and started up river. I got past Grimes Creek and a couple other boats and that's where A LOT of debris started. I kept fouling lures every few seconds so I headed back to Indian Creek. Opposite and just past Grimes Creek I got wolloped big time. I could tell this was a good fish as soon as I picked up the rod so I cleared lines and fought this guy. This was a good tug of war. Finally in the net and in the boat. Big, fat, chunky 29". Another hour or so produced nothing so I headed in. In the end it finally warmed up and turned out great.
Later, Joel
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