So where were you guys on Saturday? I went out to the lake about noon, expecting to see a lot of bass boats already out there from the club... but I saw zipo! (I can't believe you would let a little rain stop you from enjoying our sport!)
Too bad, because the fish were more active than normal. By 5:00 I had 11 fish in the boat, and lost two more. All thirteen (but one) came in 20 feet of water. (That one was caught in 12 feet.) ALL WERE CAUGHT ON CRANKBAITS.
With the sun not out, I figured the fish would be hanging out in the deeper water close to the shallow flats. But there was so much water to cover, so I decided to try trolling. (No - no Rev rig today!)
I cast out a Rapala Shad Rap which will normally run 8-9 feet when retrieved by hand. But when you troll it - and troll it fast - (a 6 on my trolling motor's 10 scale) it will descend to 17-18 feet (which is perfect if you are following the 19- 21 foot contour.) I go fast because I don't want the fish to have much time to think about it - I want a reaction strike.
I picked this depth because it is where the weeds meet the sandy bottom. It makes for a good highway for fish to follow - and these fish are on the move this time of year. I followed shore lines, flats, (wherever the 20 foot mark took me) and even caught one trolling under the bridge.
Half of them came from fishing the east channel. From the East side of I-90 bridge I headed south, past the Newport Marina, around the corner of the point, to the big flat. I made two passes and caught fish going both ways in 6 different places - all spread out, (and in places I normally have never caught fish. Sooner or later most of them are going to head into the Newport canals, but for now they're just hanging out nearby.
Several other fish came from the North end of the lumber company where the big mud flats start curving back to the shore. One came from the flat at Coleman Point.
Now I know you can't troll in B.A.S.S. tournaments, but if you're just out for fun, or you have your kids with you, or if you're seeking new water, trolling can be productive. And if you can locate a few fish trolling, you can always come back and fish the area more thoroughly with plastics.
The largest was 4# 13 oz, and the next one was 4# 4oz. Several 3's, mostly 2's, and one dink one pounder. Overall, the day was cold but fun.
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