Redears: the good, the bad, and the ugly...

[jawjatek]

The good: Got on some big crackers this morning at a nearby county water reservoir, using the Tict Ice Cube Rockin' Power, fishing with red wigglers. Caught about 30, and kept a dozen huge ones for supper (most were gut-hooked anyway). These were all 9-10 inch fish between 12-16 oz.
You had to throw just right under the overhanging bushes, but if you got it within 2 feet of the bank, a big one would suck that worm up every time. It was a little windy and hard to feel the bite, and tough watching the clear 2 lb Trilene, so by the time I noticed or felt I had a fish on, they had sometimes already swallowed the worm, I guess. Biggest one was 15.5 oz and 10.75".






The bad: (not really) If my cast was a little short, a channel catfish would pick it up. I caught about 5 of these and they slimed up my line and swallowed the hook every time. If my cast was a little long - I was into the trees and had to break off several times because I didn't want to paddle in there and spook the fish.

THE UGLY:
On the way to the take-out I was throwing the Daiwa jig with trout magnet and hooked a nice-sized spotted bass. He fought like heck, but I tuckered him out after he peeled off several long runs of 2 lb test off the Luvias. As I was bringing him to the net, I heard a snap. My Ice Cube rod snapped at the 3rd guide. I was crushed. I threw that dang bass back in the lake and went home.