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.

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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 !

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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...

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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

Sounds like a fun morning even with the striper tangles.

The rains are getting to be a little much but hopefully will bring the water level up & the water temp down some.

Maybe it will help get the fish biting, if we keep getting more I can probably fish from my treestand.:rolleyes:

Beautiful skies there.

SJ, I was hoping you would reel in some stripers. It appears the State's effort to improve our Striper fishery must be working. I am so looking forward to making a trip to Monroe for the slab fest and maybe doing battle with a striper or two. Tight lines.

JJ

Glad you got out Jim, I’ve been looking at the lake a lot these past few days. With the hard rain we got I figured it would change things a little. Conditions on Monroe this morning were glass at 6:30, slight breeze at 8:30, whitecaps and NE wind at 4, and flat and almost calm at 6. Ya just gotta know how to read what’s coming on if you go there. Hope you get out and find some more Jim, you’ll have the system ironed out in just a little while, I’m sure.

Nice relay of info, per usual, Jim HOWEVER those two fellas with ya are definitely in need of some CALORIES!!

Doug
note: Don't worry about my "warped" interpretations" some days ya'll...comes in handy while walking towards the corner of a building = being able to see around the corner 20 feet before I get there! Laughter not required/involuntary moaning EXPECTED!!

u2s

More info. Jim/others -Pontoon Pappy(MVP) was out there on Monday(same as you?) with another boat(w/minners) and THEIR(2) results were ZERO crappie caught and "enough" Striper-engagement!(9 -mostly throwbax). Relayed per PP(He's still looking for his dictionary. to look up non flip-phone/camera phone! Will have to give 'em credit though...That CAVEMAN club makes a great sleeper-device!:deadhorse

u2s

Where can I get some minners?

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Originally Posted by up2specks

More info. Jim/others -Pontoon Pappy(MVP) was out there on Monday(same as you?) with another boat(w/minners) and THEIR(2) results were ZERO crappie caught and "enough" Striper-engagement!(9 -mostly throwbax). Relayed per PP(He's still looking for his dictionary. to look up non flip-phone/camera phone! Will have to give 'em credit though...That CAVEMAN club makes a great sleeper-device!:deadhorse

u2s

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I thought that was him that I saw as I was making a pass, but was not able to get close enough to give a shout out . Things are in transition .

Jeep, there’s Baggs market on the corner of Sanford ave and 46 and Bitters bait and tackle, who’s one of our sponsors of the slabfests. They are just north of the intersection of 17/92 and 434 on the east side of 17/92. They open early, the market sometimes doesn’t.