Thread: after the rains

Boy has it been raining here lately ! almost every day for the last two weeks and last night alone we had almost 5 inches in our area. So after that and reading up2specks report about his day on the lake, I was not sure what to expect.

I hit the lake just before sun rise and was Number 3 in the parking lot but no sign of the other boats out on the water. I launch and head out. There is a large cloud of smoke coming from the other side of the lake, never did heard what caused it but it was there most of the morning.



The water levels are up almost a foot from last week but the winds are calm this morning. I set out my rods. I start to work the old stomping grounds to see if anyone is home. After a short while the first fish of the day comes on board but is on the small side, I let him swim away. It is definitely slower today than last week and the fish are on the smaller side as well. It takes three more fish coming over the rail before one finds its way to the box. By this time I am expanding my search area. I am moving out into water I haven't visited in a long time. Two more fish make it to the box. Now I have dinner for me and Paula ! The fish just made the cut, no slabs so far this morning.

I keep expanding my search range and move into water way off my normal path. A rod bends !



I bring a little striper on board, he's only about 10". I send him back to invite some more of his friend to come out and play with me. Which he did. because just a shot time later I get this...



It's a double but they managed to take out every rod on that side of the boat. I ended up cutting the lines and re-tying everything. It must have been a work day for the stripers because no adult ones were around , only the younger small one came out to play. all in all I got about 8 small stripers and a lot of tangled lines . But it was fun and I learned that I my need to up size my line size for this new set-up I am working with.

The sun is getting high in the sky so I point the bow of the boat towards the boat ramp and start to work my way back . The rods bend a few more times on the way in but only one makes it into the box.

The count for the day was about 12 crappie but only four in the box and 8 stripers all on the small size. I got to play with my setup more and I am still fine tuning it.

Until next time,

Tight lines and full nets

See you on the water

Jim