Going down

With everyone finding some shellcracker’s lately I had to go looking. If they’re around I’ll usually find one or two, but I found none. I did find about everything else but a crappie, they’re hiding somewhere that I didn’t find. I put in at a busy ramp and found the river finally getting back down to where it usually is. This gets the fish back in the river and not out in the woods. My first stop was rewarded with this guy on the second cast.
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While he wasn’t a giant he did chase the skunk and that made me smile. Things have been slow for me for a while now. The very next cast got another smack and when it came tight, I heard some drag music. I like it!
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Once again, not a giant but he gave a good run or two before he got to hand. It took a little while before I warmed up and started dropping the bait within inches of the bank. The banks that do best for me aren’t the gradual taper but deeper from erosion right to the edge. I hit close to a couple of branches and thought I got snagged but then it moved a little. The drag had to get a couple of extra clicks for this one that didn’t want to meet me. He was fun and I was liking the way the day was beginning to look with the activity being much better than recent weeks.Attachment 483852
I had been throwing a beetle spin with a black jig sporting black rubber legs with almost no flare to them. Not the prettiest jig but they like it fine. I started getting tapped a bunch with no takers so I changed to a small jig to find out what was down there. After the last bass I thought that would be the right move but these guys told me what was really down there.
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Some young folks in a Jon boat were noisy and headed my way so I made a move. 4 of them in a 16’ Jon looked a bit crowded to me. Never really set the world on fire but steadily caught fish the rest of the day. The pretty boys were ever present but not fired up like usual. They spawn after the crappie but it must be a little early yet. These fliers had some size to them and I’m thinking it’s about their time.Attachment 483860
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The Warmouth, or their cousins, like this area full of downed trees. I like em when they get a little size to em. They’re always close to the bank and make me smile when they hit. Cast, splash, turn the reel twice, healthy thump and set the hook for them to refuse and try to go somewhere beside what you have in mind. Good fun.
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The first two pics are the same fish. I only see some color like this now and then. The other fish came from almost the same exact area. They’re built like Warmouth but don’t have the stripes on the gill plates that I normally see. Are they Warmouth or their cousins or what, dunno? Inquiring minds want to know. I know they pull extra hard and they’re still there.
You may remember me talking about missing a big fish a couple of weeks back. I threw the beetle spin back in the same area and got some small bass and a gill or two but something was making a commotion on the surface now and then. I pitched at one of those rises and it stopped. Whatever grabbed it was angry. Lots of drag and this rod was pretty tight already. I got the picture I’ve been looking for. These mudfish are just brutes, and I hear of some folks that eat them but not me.
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I got a few more fish and was running out of area that was out of the fairly stiff wind I’d been fighting so I got ready for the house. I’d been fishing a window between predicted storms and as I turned around I noticed darker clouds to the north and the temps were now making that wind have a bite…….time to go. A good trip that was about 3 1/2 hours and I felt better having gone. I’m hoping that their activity level stays up for the coming weeks and the rain stays low. Hope y’all get out soon and find a few. Til next time……Skeet
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Looks like an enjoyable day. Glad you got out

I’d take a day like that .
Pretty colors on all of those .
Them mud fish are good for a fight but I hate messing with them
Between weather and obligations it’s been over a week since I’ve been .
Just can’t get into the short local trips I used to do .
With the forecast it’s looking like the middle of next week before I’ll get out for a meet up with my fishing buddy .

Sounds like a good day. Some pretty fish caught. Nice colors.

Great post and variety Tim. Thanks for sharing with us

VERY dark colors. Did these come out of stained water?
Bob

Great fish. Your fish just look like they have a nasty disposition! Fun.

Yes they did Bob. Tannic water that looks like iced tea. Visibility is surprising sometimes but we’ve been getting just enough rain that keeps me guessing what’s on the line til they lay over on their side. Fishing among all the trash near the bank is part of the thrill.

MCG, some of them really do. The Fliers, dark with small spots, really fight good when they get some size to them but still not like a cracker. Mudfish have a habit of destroying whatever is on the end of the line.