Thread: 7/22 Bluegill Bonanza / Tville 7/23

Fished my buddies private pond Saturday evening and fried of some freshly caught filets with some friends. The cricket was the ticket and it reminds me of how much I live watching a cork disappear.
Sunday morning I hit the water @ 7:30 ish, elk creek grocery (bout the only game in town for minnows on the stretch of Highway from Louisville to the lake) was slick out of minnows so it was going to be a jig only type of day. I will admit I’ve resorted back to live bait with the summer temps, the jig bite isn’t as consistent and it can be so light you will miss your fish before you knew you had one on. Upon arrival the lake was boiling with shad surface action, so I couldn’t help myself and decided to spend a half hour catching some bait. This was the first time I actually used shad as my bait and it was as expected. Every time I dropped it down on a school I caught fish. I only fished for two hours and caught 24 per the clicker, with 4 fish over 10”. I’ve been struggling to find and catch keepers this summer, but to be honest I’m only on the water form dawn until 10:30, very strict about my time. If you don’t beat the shift change it can get ugly at the ramp. If y’all are fishing in the heat like me make sure to drink plenty of water out there, and if your first mate is a Labrador make sure to keep him watered up too! Mine is too goofy to drink lake water, but if I fill his bowl up he will drink til it’s gone lol.
Y’all be safe out there and watch out for the pleasure boaters, they’re a bit reckless after a full day on the water.

I didn't know Smyrna bait shop was still open. Thirty years since i have been there. Back in my GE days. I met you one night at the cabin. Joe