That looks like a lot of fun! Glad you caught some... I am getting the itch as well!
Big bream have made themselves scarce of late, but I wanted to catch some on the new Evergreen Limber Tip SS. I found some on the PLS stacked up in around 16-20 feet of water, near an automatic fish feeder, but they were mostly small bluegills, with a few crackers in the mix, and they absolutely would not bite jigs. I threw everything I had in the kayak at 'em - no dice. So, I came back the next couple days between storms with some live red wigglers, and they sang a different tune.
I was using a 20 Luvias 2000S on the Evergreen, with the 2.3 lb ester line and a short flouro leader, and a Tict 1.5 g jig. The last time I went, I also tried a Mr Twister micro craw plastic, and they were smashing it pretty good. Strangely, they wouldn't even peck at a jig or trout magnet, nibble or not.
These were some hard-biting rascals, and fast. They stole some wigglers from me before I learned to wait for the weight on the line before reeling. I was casting about 30 feet and letting it sink to the bottom. The sensitivity was awesome, even the little juveniles were jolting the rod. I may put some regular 2 lb mono on to more properly gauge the sensitivity, as I'm not sure how much the no-stretch ester line helped. I had no trouble feeling the bites, that is for sure. I've caught around 50-60 bream the last couple days using up the large pot of wigglers. It doesn't get old. Here's a few of the rascals:
I had to fish near the launch because the trolling motor I usually use on my kayak to get around this 400-acre electric-only lake had died on me, and paddling is tough for me since I am dealing with RA in my elbows. My need to fish over-rides the minor pain, so I deal with it best I can. I will be getting a warranty-replacement motor next week - thank you Newport Vessels customer service. Did I mention paddling sucks? LOL Well, catching bream helps me forget about it. Best to all.
"Alive without breath, as cold as death; never thirsty, ever drinking, all in mail never clinking."
That looks like a lot of fun! Glad you caught some... I am getting the itch as well!
jawjatek LIKED above post
Beautiful fish for sure. It's amazing how fish can be so finicky about jigs / minnows / worms / crankbaits / spinning baits on any given day and jump on something the very next day.
Glad you figured them out and ended up makin' a good showing. Very nicely done. Thanks for sharing your day with the rest of us.
"Just Like Iron Sharpens Iron... So it is that One Man Sharpens Another Man." Proverbs 27:17jawjatek thanked you for this post
Nice fish and great story. Hope the replacement shows up soon!
Bob
jawjatek thanked you for this post
Nice catch....the Limber Tip.... the Creme da le Creme of UL rods.
Regards
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jawjatek LIKED above post
Fishes look well fed! Great catch!
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Great catch, I like the Tict Heads....an adequate alternative to the Daiwa Gekkabijin heads that seem to have disappeared. Put mono on and I bet the rod will amplify the stretch factor but still detect the peck of said Panfishes.
jawjatek LIKED above post
The water authority mgmt runs 3 feeders near the launch, at one end of the lake, and I was informed they go off at 8:30 PM. The gates are only open to the public 8AM-8PM, after Labor Day 8AM-5PM. So these bream are well fed - at this small area, anyway.
I started really fishing this place a lot 2 years ago. The good: electric-only, few homes on the lake (no docks), near my house, and best of all - no recreational power boaters. The water level is kept full, it is clean and clear. The bad: fished pretty hard - but mostly for bass. It is $5 day, or $50 for annual - the math is easy for me, limited access hours. Hey, I've caught my PB spotted bass, black crappie, bluegill, and redear there.
Due to aches and pains and being older (lazier), I am facing the reality of selling the kayak, and setting up a trailer-launched electric-only boat for these kinda reservoirs. I'm thinking a 14' Alweld panfish with a MK iPilot TM, and of course, move the electronics over. Maybe an Elco electric motor later.
"Alive without breath, as cold as death; never thirsty, ever drinking, all in mail never clinking."
Buddy has a twin troller he likes a whole lot for smaller places like that... I have a 10ft Pelican but I think you are probably on the right track with the 14ft alweld... sounds like it’s a good place to fish for sure
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