Crazy summer day - a first for July 1 !

Today was one of a kind: bright sun, algae green water that was 84 near the surface but the fish were there for the catching on different lure designs from 9am - 2pm! 50 caught plus about 15 that got off. The lures I designed (posted previously) worked fantastic ! Strong hits and good fights using 8# test braid. It was also unusual to catch most of the species the lake has: crappie (most over 10"), yellow perch, nice sunnies, a catfish and small bass.
https://i.imgur.com/e6VtWlj.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/YWERecW.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/5UXQZvz.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/oqEuZUo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BdRe7uX.jpg

Plus, I happened upon a float in 4' but when I went to get it, the float slowly dived out of sight. Finally I caught the line with my jig hook and behold: a sunfish at the end of the line that had broken off.

What a weird July 1. One for the record!

Sounds like an awesome day.

What I don't understand are the number of catfish I've caught on soft plastics in the last few years - including one 7.5lb channel cat! Another thing is that I'm catching more fish in open deeper water than in the shallows which now have a kind of weed I can't get a lure through. But even then, the fish aren't shallow near clean shorelines like in previous years.

spoon I noticed some of the same things .
yesterday on my lunch break the fish were not the norm .
what has been tried and true is not this year at that spot.
I want to think the massive rains and the movement of key structure in the river maybe ?
but I have no clue in your area what drives them .
to be sure its a bit different this year for me as well .
congrats on finding some fish my friend .

Great job out there under hot conditions.

I wish I knew Ketch. But hey, no point looking a gift fish in the mouth! :biggrin

I'm fishing a different lake today and hope the pattern will be similar: groups of fish in defined areas that bite for hours. It was so until June 20 but then post spawn happened and the shallow are bare. The lake's deepest water is 25' and has nice deep structure. Time to test it out under similar weather conditions. (Definitely will need the long sleeve shirt!)

Great catch and pics- congrats!

Great start to the new month!

It is hard to believe this year is 1/2 over already. But I can't think of a better way to start the second half of the year than a day on the lake, catching fish with a lure you designed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ezgoing

It is hard to believe this year is 1/2 over already. But I can't think of a better way to start the second half of the year than a day on the lake, catching fish with a lure you designed.

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You hit it on the head!
For years the only supply of lures was from retail suppliers - most being massive companies like Mr Twister, Creme, Norman, etc. We were dependent on new designs coming out once a year along with the hype. Some were good, some not so good, many just plain boring to fish. Now I have a way to make new designs, test theories and lures and KNOW WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY designs which work as well as if not better than anything sold. Bob sells unique designs that work! What works builds confidence.