2 hours of super fishing 7/19/20

[drumking]

This morning’s results is why I watch the moon phases so much and plan accordingly. I have good friends that are great fishermen and guides that poo poo the idea that the moon phases have any effect on fish. But you can’t convince a saltwater fisherman that they don’t because they watch the tides to determine when and where they will fish.

Our lakes may not move in and out as much as the ocean, but I know that the fish know what is going on, even if people don’t. Grin. Who can tell me what mechanism that God has put into the fish and game that influences when they will be active and when they will rest?

Today, the moon has 4% visibility and Tuesday it will be a New Moon phase. The 2-4 days before a New Moon is a great time to plan a fishing trip. Shortly after the moon begins to move toward the full moon phase, the bites will get scarce for a week to 10 days. You can take this or leave it, I don’t mind.

The current this morning in the river was 12,900 cfs and surface temp was 85.5. Bath water temps. By the time that Dr Phillip Gawthrop and I launched in the dark and ran to our first spot, it was still dark, but the fish were on fire. I caught 4 crappie and one keeper bass on the first five casts. Biggest crappie was 14.25”. It was second in line. First one was probably 12-13”. Then Phil got into the act and began landing fish. He caught two bass and a nice crappie on that spot.

We moved to our second spot after the sun got up and Phil caught most of the fish there while I put new leaders on my rods. I broke both leaders off on stumps, I suppose. It got hot by 8 am and we fished until 8:25 before we quit for the day. 9 keeper crappie, 4 bass, 2 white bass and one bluegill. All caught on Bobby Garland Baby Shads in various colors. I have a new favorite early morning color, but I don’t know the name. I’ll send Betty Rutledge a pic of it and tell her that I need two more packs. Grin.