Bluegill ready for the spawn, I think

I knew I shouldn't have listened to the weather-guesser this morning. He claimed mostly cloudy, with only the chance of an occasional shower.

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He was way, WAY wrong, rained the whole time I was on the water and beyond. Today I fished the edges where I found them last week. Today that area was full of bass and pickerel and only a 'gill or 2. I pushed out into some deeper water (around 8-10') and started to hook them on a regular basis. Due to the rain, no pics of the victims today. I didn't have the cooler for keepers as I wasn't sure I'd be picking up enough to keep. I think they are just getting ready for the spawn; they are full fleshed, belly's bulging, colors really starting to develop, kinda red and puckered around the vent. No eggs or milt on any of the handling and releasing. All were 9" or bigger. No mini's at all. I boated about 20 bluegill and one pumpkinseed, along with the numerous bass and pickerel. All and all, a very productive day in the rain and fog. Wish I'd brought the cooler now.

The new St. Croix accounted for most of the 'gills and I am liking the pole as much as I'd hoped. The butt still bothers me but I'm making adjustments.

Next weekend I'll be bringing the cooler as I expect the fish to be in full "hubba-hubba" action mode. We'll see if I get out this week after work to sneak in a mid-week trip. We finished up some projects last week so a bit of the pressure is off before the holiday weekend.

Ken

better than bein at home watchin it rain

I went back out today and I think the lousy weather we've had over the last week pushed them out to deep water again. Over the last week we've had over 4" of rain, very cold temps for this time of year, lots of high wind; all thanks to a big cold front that stalled over the region. I went today anyway and what fish I found were in 13-15' of water and not interested in biting much. Could see them hanging down over the drop-off's but they were not too interested. Water temps were back around °58, even in the flats where I found them spawning last year. Warmer, sunnier weather is on tap for this week and I'll try again next weekend.

Found bass and pickerel along the edges but no 'gills or crappie.