Fresh fish for dinner

I glanced at the board this morning and saw Quinn's post and thought, "It's a pretty nice day out there, maybe I should try it". Checked the wind, checked the temperature, checked with my better half and loaded up to give it a whirl. I pushed off from shore just after 10, with the air temperature at 41 and slated to warm a few more degrees and found the water over the basin between 43 1/2 and 44 degrees. I tossed out my 3 trolling lines with 1/32 oz. heads and slowly started making my way out.

Long story short, took well over an hour to get my first one, a solid 12"er.



They just weren't where they were on the last few trips. Found them in deeper water out from the break line on the total opposite shore from where I usually focus my efforts. Once I found them it was game on. Since I was looking for dinner and they were in deeper water, I changed to 1/16 oz. jigs with Stinger type tails and the action picked up. Next fish in the boat was the big one of the day:



I worked the water from the bottom of the sharper drop off at around 18' out to the basin area in 28-30'. Not many loner fish, but lots of small schools of what looked like 6-8 fish. I'd usually get just one shot at drifting over them as the wind had picked up and boat control was becoming difficult. But those that I hooked were nice, all were 11" or better. Here's a couple more.....





All came on plastics that had some white in it, except for one; that one took a clear with silver glitter. Chartreuse struck out today, as did the Roadrunners and the bright color sunrise something or other. All were crappie today, no bluegill like has been the case recently.

I left them biting just after noon with 7 nice ones in the cooler. Only threw back one smaller one of about 9"; he took my jig quickly on one of my cast-outs so I know he didn't come from deep water. He took off quickly once released so I feel sure that he just has a sore lip.