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Sunday morning trip, 6-28
I decided last night that I'd hit the water somewhere this morning before the scattered thunderstorms had a chance to move in, as predicted by the weather-guessers. I launched in calm conditions about 8:30, with a layer of fog about 100' overhead. I expected it to burn off and it did, about 45 minutes later, giving way to a sunny sky and the occasional light breeze. I chose the bigger water today, thanks to the favorable conditions. I had slow but steady action for the first hour or so, landing a crappie or 2 of around 9" or so, numerous average sized bluegill, even a small bass and a fat rock bass.
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I was trolling 2 stingers and on the third pole I switched baits at will, trying to find the right one. The green w/white tail started out as the top choice, later to be replaced by the blue-black w/green tail.
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I worked one section of a drop off for the first hour, then moved over to the western edge of the pond to work the weed line/drop off there. This move paid off quickly with more frequent takers, with a bit larger bluegill and more crappie coming in to the boat. I found that rowing against the light breeze produced better than drifting with it. It was also important to stay right on 12-15' depth contours; at 17-18' no action at all. From around 8' over the weeds out to 10', only scattered bluegill. Staying on the magic 12-14' edge was the ticket, with good sized bluegill and a couple of the larger crappie of the day at 10-11". Not real big but giving a good tussle anyway.
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A couple of the larger 'gills today with nice colors
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Big fish of the day was a nice pickerel, about 18-20" long; I didn't get a real good picture of him but did hold him up against my marks on the side of the boat for the length estimate.
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All told, I'd say I boated about a bakers dozen crappie, 18-20 bluegills, the one each of LM bass, rock bass, pickerel and a monster yellow perch (13") who dang near took my pole overboard. I was tending to a snagged line and turned back just in time to grab it before it went over the side.
As I released the perch I realized how much more the wind had picked up and how the clouds were building and decided to call it a day about 11:45. I probably could have stayed longer but I'd had enough of the heat. All in all, a fun and productive trip. All were released for another day of fun.
