A lake on the mend.

[Olegiller1]

Got to enjoy some fishing today on a strip mine lake.
This lake had been hit pretty hard in past years and I have been purposely avoiding it . It is starting to give up a few nice gills and Red Ear.
I was surprised to find a lot still holding on the beds. Little 1/80 oz sparkle red butt jigs seem to work best. but got a few also on a crappie pro head I had tied on. I got 2 crappie ,a 11" and 13" . These were the first two I have gotten there. I have no idea how many I caught but brought home 20 for a fish dinner . The wife also fried up a batch for the widow lady across the street . She sure appreciates a plate of fish . lol
Except for the 1 mile kick back bucking a strong wind the day went great . I couldn't leave till I ran out of wax worms. Shrimp didn't work well today.

[Alphahawk]

Pretty fish.


Regards

[Josh_Allraw]

That's a nice mess of fish. Really nice gills in there

[drb]

Great pics...what is the deal with the fish on the bottom? Beautiful cheek and jaw markings...a hybrid of sorts?

[Olegiller1]

drb- That male on the bottom is a strange cross. I see quite a lot of gill-cracker crosses in the females but this is the first male that I have caught that had the prominent breast color of a spawning gill male. Every one of these crosses brings along the harder unique fighting style of the Red Ear.
edit-( I sent him back to the nest .)

[tnvol]

Great day ! I have always enjoyed your posts through the years....keep on keeping on !

[DockShootinJack]

Nice looking mess.

[Tn Johnboy]

Great report and pics as always. Thanks Mike !

[Eagle 1]

nice catch .

[fastfish]

Nice catch!..makes me want to fish again so bad!!