In the northeast we are in a mini heat wave with temps near 90. So I figured why not go early and return early. Didn't happen and for good reason - the fish were biting good in the am, schooled near humps in deep water and very good after 2 pm in the shallow pads. Water temp was 65 in the am to 72 midday with a 5-10 mph breeze all day long.

I used my creations all day on 1/16 and 1/32 oz jigheads:




The carrot color worked very well in deep water (8-11') and a friend did well trolling them.

The pad action worked because I pitched or flipped lures with 8' of the boat in long openings but only using 1/32 to glide & twitch the minnow type lures. Other than the usual 10.5" average, I caught quite a few foot long crappie- many on the second cast to the same spot. Perch, pickerel and bass were also in the pads hitting the same lure. The fish were anywhere between 2' of the surface to near bottom in deeper water, few fish were on the humps.

The wind saved the day because in the past, calm days, hot sun and warm water don't mix. Good thing the wife brought water because I ran out midday and started to feel woozy. I finally got off the water at 3:30 pm - air temp 88/ wind 15 mph.

Frank