It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

[Roy]

To quote Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Really it was mostly the best of times.

Had another epic day fishing with Vic yesterday at Diascound Reservoir. We were on the water and fishing shortly after 7, winds were calm and the temperature was nice. We hadn't gone far before I caught a nice bass which came off as I was netting it and it swam right into the net. So far so good. Turkeys were calling, the carp were rolling all along the shore and we were catching fish. This place is loaded with carp, they raised cain all day long, the shorelines were so loaded with them that several times we spotted them out in the middle of the lake doing the nasty.

Lets get the bad over with. Me and Vic decorated a lot of stumps with our jigs throughout the day. I've never had so many break-offs. But in order to get bit you had to fish down in them. The wind also picked up after a few hours and it made boat control difficult. I was glad to be sitting in the back. And then worse of all I lost a really big crappie right by the boat. Looked to be the big fish of the day. Fish fought like a bass. After fighting it for awhile it decided to run straight at the boat where I had one swap at it with the net, it turned away just in time. She then came to the surface and shook my jig out of her mount, sat there for a few seconds so we could get a good look at her and then darted back to the bottom. Last night in my dreams she kept getting bigger and bigger. On well I guess I can't catch them all.

The good: We caught over 100 crappie for the day with a dozen nice keepers. Vic caught a real nice 15.5" crappie that weighted 2lbs 2 ozs on his scales and was still full of eggs. I had a nice 14' fish as well. We released all the larger fish. Vic also caught a citation size chain pickerel and citation size gar that was the size of my leg. No joke. Also had 15 bass up to 4 lbs, a few yellow and white perch and a couple bream. All fish caught in 6 to 9 fow. Most caught on curly tail jigs with acid rain doing the best along with some "ugly" color jig Vic was using. Some fish were caught on minnows as well, we used 4 dozen but still caught most on plain jigs. We caught fish casting, longlining, shortlining, and tightlining. We caught fish every way we tried to fish.

A few weeks ago at Buggs I caught most of the fish. Vic swore to get even and yesterday he did big time. He caught by far the most fish and the biggest fish. He even repaid me with hitting me with a fish. He spanked my butt hard. Come the afternoon I became delusional. I seen flying fish, small crappie getting swung out of the water, baracudda (chain pickerel) and even a swordfish (gar) come into the boat. I started mumbling like Roberto Duran during his 2nd fight with Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980. "No Mas, No Mas" - No more I surrender! We were back at the landing and on the road by 4. What a day, one I will always remember. Thanks Buddy!!

Sorry for such a long post. I guess I had allot to say. Now I need to rest up and recharge. Heading out tomorrow for a couple of days of camping and fishing at Buggs. I'm a lucky man!

Roy

[Anchor Man]

Wow that was a great way to tell the story of the day, you should think about writeing a book. It was another great day fishing with you Roy and for some reason I think I will pay for yesterdays actions. Thanks, you said it all. We will visit my honey hole again real soon. Wish you all the luck at Buggs this weekend.

[Ranger690]

That catching is sweet. But any day spent with Vic is priceless. I have fished with him in the winter and he is so dreamy. Can you send me the full size pic of him with the bass please?

Nice work guys. Congrats.

[Idunno]

Wow, what a great day of fishing! Thanks for the great read...and the pics too!

[Dream Catcher]

Glad you got to go with Vick and had such a great day. Ditto on fishing with Vick.

[HeyCharlie]

Glad you had such a great day, sounds like things are picking up everywhere

[gabowman]

That's great! I loved reading the story (report) and it was nice backing it up with those fine pictures. Looks like the two of you had a large time on the water....certainly a day to remember.:p Congrats to both you guys.

[Kevin Willis]

No matter how old or how young we are spending a day on the water with a friend is hard beat. nice fish in the post looks like a good time, as far as the snags my father always told me that's how you know your crappie fishing in the right place.

[bc1448]

Those are some good looking fish! Sounds like you guys had some fun on the water. No pics of the two toothy citations???

Blake

[htr2133]

great pics and great post/story!