I'm hearing a lot of people talking about the spawn being off for panfish and bass. I'm also hearing the panfish on most area lakes are hitting and hitting hard.
But one such angler recently said after a good run of sunfish on Madison Lake that upon cleaning them, the fish were all full of eggs.
Nearly three weeks ago, I caught a 19-inch bass that barely weighed 3 pounds. A female, its belly looked about as skinny as it could be, so I naturally figured the bass in the area had spawned.
Not even a week ago, I caught a 14-inch female bass in the same spot on the lake, and it was full of eggs.
So what does this all mean?
Well, personally, I think the weather has had a lot to do with it. Every time our area waters start to reach those magical temperatures, the weather gets cool or down right cold.
Think of this past week of weather. We were seeing 50s and 60s during the day, 40s and 50s at night. I think it's awfully tough for water temperatures to warm when there isn't enough warmth in the air to raise those temperatures.
I figure a good week of warm weather and sunshine should help finish off the spawn in the lake I fish most often, but in larger lakes, spawning stages will vary throughout the lake.
Which brings us back to the sunfish, which had surprised this angler. He figured the spawn should have already been done.
Considering sunfish spawn later than crappies and need warmer water to do so, I don't find it odd to see sunfish still spawning. Most of the temps I'm hearing from people in the area are low to mid 60s. This is just below the magic temps for sunfish, but a great temperature range for bass and crappies.
As for walleyes, well those tough, cold-water fish spawn when the water temps creep into the low 40s and ends when the temps reach 50ish. So walleye should be good to go.
One last thing on the spawning period of fish in our area. A long time ago, this guy fishing an area lake from shore decided to pass along some wisdom to me.
He told me to always concentrate my energies on the parts of the lake that warm fastest. So I went home and started researching what parts of a lake would logically warm the fastest.
Aside from the obvious shallow-water answer, I've learned something about as obvious — the northern and western parts of a lake warm faster because those parts of the lake soak up the most sunlight throughout the day.
So consider where you are fishing on that area lake. Could you be finding fish in the northern parts that have spawned, while the fish in the southern and eastern parts of the lake are spawning or are in the prespawn?
In all, make notes of the temps from the various parts of the lake you fish. Watch for shallows with temperatures in the IT zone, and go to work on those fish.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Fantasy fishing
I'll admit, I'm really a nerd when it comes to fishing.
The past few winters, I've spent time snuggling up to bass fishing books. The reading always helps me get over the anticipation of spring and the upcoming fishing seasons.
But last year, I discovered Fantasy Fishing by FLW. This changed how I read (at least in 2008) during the winter. I went from understanding bass biology to understanding who Shinichi Fukae and Michael Bennett were, and how a couple of Minnesota anglers could compete with the boys down south.
While 2009 hasn't drawn me in as much as last season, I'm still enjoying reading about fishing. Now, however, I find myself looking forward to the tournaments because I know I can follow live updates via Twitter.
I follow FLW magazine edtior Jason Sealock on Twitter, and the most current FLW tour tournament happens to be on Kentucky and Berkley Lakes. Sealock just happens to live near Kentucky Lake (he often tweets about Kentucky Lake from his personal fishing trips), so he's been very busy since Thursday tweeting live coverage.
Possibly one of the hardest things about following pro fishing, whether it be bass, walleye or crappie, is that TV coverage of these events always comes out long after the tournament is over.
With 200 some boats in these tournaments, it is easy to understand how difficult live coverage could be. But, at least in the bass tournaments, the field is pared down to 10 anglers.
Ten anglers. Seems to me an outdoors network somewhere could cover the first couple hours of the field of 10. But I don't see this happening anytime soon.
Which brings me back to Twitter. I hate to admit that I'm addicted to the posts from Sealock. I hate to admit that I've logged on religiously to Twitter since Thursday just to catch his updates.
But like a baseball game on the radio, I find the Twitter updates to be an excellent alternative to television coverage, and I will probably be following religiously again Sunday.
As I said, I'm a fishing nerd.
The past few winters, I've spent time snuggling up to bass fishing books. The reading always helps me get over the anticipation of spring and the upcoming fishing seasons.
But last year, I discovered Fantasy Fishing by FLW. This changed how I read (at least in 2008) during the winter. I went from understanding bass biology to understanding who Shinichi Fukae and Michael Bennett were, and how a couple of Minnesota anglers could compete with the boys down south.
While 2009 hasn't drawn me in as much as last season, I'm still enjoying reading about fishing. Now, however, I find myself looking forward to the tournaments because I know I can follow live updates via Twitter.
I follow FLW magazine edtior Jason Sealock on Twitter, and the most current FLW tour tournament happens to be on Kentucky and Berkley Lakes. Sealock just happens to live near Kentucky Lake (he often tweets about Kentucky Lake from his personal fishing trips), so he's been very busy since Thursday tweeting live coverage.
Possibly one of the hardest things about following pro fishing, whether it be bass, walleye or crappie, is that TV coverage of these events always comes out long after the tournament is over.
With 200 some boats in these tournaments, it is easy to understand how difficult live coverage could be. But, at least in the bass tournaments, the field is pared down to 10 anglers.
Ten anglers. Seems to me an outdoors network somewhere could cover the first couple hours of the field of 10. But I don't see this happening anytime soon.
Which brings me back to Twitter. I hate to admit that I'm addicted to the posts from Sealock. I hate to admit that I've logged on religiously to Twitter since Thursday just to catch his updates.
But like a baseball game on the radio, I find the Twitter updates to be an excellent alternative to television coverage, and I will probably be following religiously again Sunday.
As I said, I'm a fishing nerd.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A couple of good reads
I was thinking the other day about information I could pass along to people about fishing. Mostly, I tend direct my writing to people who have loads of fishing experience.
But sometimes, I wonder if people stopping to read what I write need a little direction on what or how to fish. While I can't provide all the answer, I can help keep you informed when I come across a good site or article with quality fishing tips.
Two such articles come to mind. I subscribe to Gary Yamamoto's Ezine Newsletter, and I often find the articles by Russ Bassdozer to be pretty informative. Recently, he put together a must know for catching bass all summer long.
I also spend time reading what is going on in the world of fishing on Twitter. While I haven't quite figured out a practical use for Twitter because I like complete sentences and punctuation, a lot of people post interesting tweets about fishing.
But wear your hip waders, cuz the stink you're going to wade through to find the good tweets gets pretty deep.
One such exploration landed me on the Web site Fishing Moz, which breaks down different species of fish and gives tips and tactics.
I most recently read a pretty good crappie article that gives basic crappie fishing advice, but takes into account that location plays a factor into how you chase a crappie. If crappies are your thing, I suggest giving it a read.
I'm sure reading fishing how-tos isn't nearly as fun as just hitting the lake and practicing what you already know. But sometimes, when you come across a good read, you'll find yourself putting those tactics into play during an outing on the lake.
And if any of those tricks work, well, they'll become part of your everyday arsenal.
But sometimes, I wonder if people stopping to read what I write need a little direction on what or how to fish. While I can't provide all the answer, I can help keep you informed when I come across a good site or article with quality fishing tips.
Two such articles come to mind. I subscribe to Gary Yamamoto's Ezine Newsletter, and I often find the articles by Russ Bassdozer to be pretty informative. Recently, he put together a must know for catching bass all summer long.
I also spend time reading what is going on in the world of fishing on Twitter. While I haven't quite figured out a practical use for Twitter because I like complete sentences and punctuation, a lot of people post interesting tweets about fishing.
But wear your hip waders, cuz the stink you're going to wade through to find the good tweets gets pretty deep.
One such exploration landed me on the Web site Fishing Moz, which breaks down different species of fish and gives tips and tactics.
I most recently read a pretty good crappie article that gives basic crappie fishing advice, but takes into account that location plays a factor into how you chase a crappie. If crappies are your thing, I suggest giving it a read.
I'm sure reading fishing how-tos isn't nearly as fun as just hitting the lake and practicing what you already know. But sometimes, when you come across a good read, you'll find yourself putting those tactics into play during an outing on the lake.
And if any of those tricks work, well, they'll become part of your everyday arsenal.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
No, I haven't forgotten you
Been a little busy lately. Not so much at the newspaper, but catching up with my family, my fishing hole.
I'm a sucker for going out fishing on my day off. Rain or shine, you can bet I'll be out somewhere working for bass.
The cold front killed off a lot of the bite, but I have to admit, the bite hasn't been that great. Some days things seem to be picking up, other days, I wonder if I shouldn't be doing something different.
Fishing-wise that is. I still value my time on the water, and I better mention now, I value my wife for allowing me that time on the water.
See, she's the key to the entire thing; without her I wouldn't be able to fish as often as I do, and let me tell you, I fish often.
So I'll quickly break down what's been working the last couple of weeks of fishing. The Texas rig has picked up. I'm seeing a lot of good hits on the 7 inch, blue fleck PowerBait worm. I'm also seeing a lot of hits on a 7 inch, Gander Mountain ripple tail worm in the crawfish orange swirl color.
Stick worms have worked well. I don't fish the 5" Yamamoto Senkos, but that's mainly because of the price. I know the baits will last me a while, so the investment is good, but when I can pick up a few Strike King, 5" stick for cheap at Wal-Mart, it's a no-brainer. The money I save can go to hooks, or more worms, or sinkers, or a spinnerbait.
Or perhaps, to a treat for my son. The options are limitless.
Anyhow, back to lures. I've continued to have success on my white, triple-blade Strike King buzzbait. Chartreuse and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits have worked well. Where I'm fishing, the crankbaits are slow, but mostly because of the weeds and snags.
The fish are finicky right now. Some days, slow, slow, slow, finessing with jigs and Texas rigs. The next day, the bass want something active. Some days they want neither and aggravating them seems to be the only option.
All I know is I'm ready for the a change in the weather. I'm betting that'll do the trick.
I'm a sucker for going out fishing on my day off. Rain or shine, you can bet I'll be out somewhere working for bass.
The cold front killed off a lot of the bite, but I have to admit, the bite hasn't been that great. Some days things seem to be picking up, other days, I wonder if I shouldn't be doing something different.
Fishing-wise that is. I still value my time on the water, and I better mention now, I value my wife for allowing me that time on the water.
See, she's the key to the entire thing; without her I wouldn't be able to fish as often as I do, and let me tell you, I fish often.
So I'll quickly break down what's been working the last couple of weeks of fishing. The Texas rig has picked up. I'm seeing a lot of good hits on the 7 inch, blue fleck PowerBait worm. I'm also seeing a lot of hits on a 7 inch, Gander Mountain ripple tail worm in the crawfish orange swirl color.
Stick worms have worked well. I don't fish the 5" Yamamoto Senkos, but that's mainly because of the price. I know the baits will last me a while, so the investment is good, but when I can pick up a few Strike King, 5" stick for cheap at Wal-Mart, it's a no-brainer. The money I save can go to hooks, or more worms, or sinkers, or a spinnerbait.
Or perhaps, to a treat for my son. The options are limitless.
Anyhow, back to lures. I've continued to have success on my white, triple-blade Strike King buzzbait. Chartreuse and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits have worked well. Where I'm fishing, the crankbaits are slow, but mostly because of the weeds and snags.
The fish are finicky right now. Some days, slow, slow, slow, finessing with jigs and Texas rigs. The next day, the bass want something active. Some days they want neither and aggravating them seems to be the only option.
All I know is I'm ready for the a change in the weather. I'm betting that'll do the trick.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Snuggling up to Mother Nature
Got out on the lake about 5:50 a.m. Wednesday morning. According to my Durango, the temperature was a cool 44 degrees on the drive out to the honey hole.
As I load the boat, I watch the fog roll and shift off the top of the water. With the exception of the chill in the air, the conditions are ripe for chasing bass.
Without getting too far off point, still mornings on the lake make for easier days for me — for now, I row. Soon I will motor to my spots, but for now, Dear Friends, I row.
I make the decision to row to the farthest point, which just also happens to be on the northwest edge of the lake. The trees that surround this little bay-like hideaway provide ample shade on a clear, sunny day, but Wednesday morning, the bay is cold.
Even as the fog on the rest of the lake gives way to sunlight, this bay still rolls that dreamy white.
I settle into the eastern curve of the north end of the bay. The timber and overhang is thick, and a new-this-year beaver dam along the way has my attention. But I ignore it for that northern most end of the bay.
I cast with a blue fleck, Texas-rigged worm and manage to pull out a quick, 16-inch bass. This passes the Milt test, so aptly named for a reader who suggested I only count bass 12 inches or longer for my season total.
As I work my Texas rig, getting caught up from time to time on branches and who knows what, I contemplate a change to the buzzbait. This has been my go-to lure, but I figure the water has to be too cold this morning.
Then I hear a sploosh, the kind of noise that whips your head around on a swivel looking for the big splash, the big fish. But, despite my hopes a bass smacked the top of the water, the noise comes from a pair of beavers.
I watch as both go under then reappear, their heads popping to look back at me.
I continue to fish as they head toward the beaver dam.
About 20 minutes later, a deer across the bay on the western shoreline splashes down into the water and runs south along the shoreline. Soon a second deer comes out of the treeline and follows the first deer, except this one stays parallel on land. When the two of them come to the mouth of the bay, each pause, turn and head back the way they came.
Here I am, just a small player in this morning of Mother Nature.
Just as I'm about to give up on this area of the bay and head to the beaver dam, I hear a rustling in the trees in front of me.
I know something big is tramping around in the trees, so I continue to watch deep within the leaves.
More broken branches, more rustling leaves, and then, head high, staring back through the dark shadows of the tree, another deer staring back at me.
I guess sometimes a good morning of fishing isn't always about watch we catch.
As I load the boat, I watch the fog roll and shift off the top of the water. With the exception of the chill in the air, the conditions are ripe for chasing bass.
Without getting too far off point, still mornings on the lake make for easier days for me — for now, I row. Soon I will motor to my spots, but for now, Dear Friends, I row.
I make the decision to row to the farthest point, which just also happens to be on the northwest edge of the lake. The trees that surround this little bay-like hideaway provide ample shade on a clear, sunny day, but Wednesday morning, the bay is cold.
Even as the fog on the rest of the lake gives way to sunlight, this bay still rolls that dreamy white.
I settle into the eastern curve of the north end of the bay. The timber and overhang is thick, and a new-this-year beaver dam along the way has my attention. But I ignore it for that northern most end of the bay.
I cast with a blue fleck, Texas-rigged worm and manage to pull out a quick, 16-inch bass. This passes the Milt test, so aptly named for a reader who suggested I only count bass 12 inches or longer for my season total.
As I work my Texas rig, getting caught up from time to time on branches and who knows what, I contemplate a change to the buzzbait. This has been my go-to lure, but I figure the water has to be too cold this morning.
Then I hear a sploosh, the kind of noise that whips your head around on a swivel looking for the big splash, the big fish. But, despite my hopes a bass smacked the top of the water, the noise comes from a pair of beavers.
I watch as both go under then reappear, their heads popping to look back at me.
I continue to fish as they head toward the beaver dam.
About 20 minutes later, a deer across the bay on the western shoreline splashes down into the water and runs south along the shoreline. Soon a second deer comes out of the treeline and follows the first deer, except this one stays parallel on land. When the two of them come to the mouth of the bay, each pause, turn and head back the way they came.
Here I am, just a small player in this morning of Mother Nature.
Just as I'm about to give up on this area of the bay and head to the beaver dam, I hear a rustling in the trees in front of me.
I know something big is tramping around in the trees, so I continue to watch deep within the leaves.
More broken branches, more rustling leaves, and then, head high, staring back through the dark shadows of the tree, another deer staring back at me.
I guess sometimes a good morning of fishing isn't always about watch we catch.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
McKee, Kramer take Lake Washington
The wind swept in quickly and moved out almost as quickly Tuesday night, providing the right cover for a couple of anglers of the Tuesday Nite Walleye Tourneys series.Stu McKee and Roger Kramer (McKee is at right, Kramer left in pic) teamed up for a first place finish, boating four walleyes for a total weight of 13.03 pounds. McKee and Kramer also took the big-fish prize, bringing in two walleyes over four pounds (4.57 and 4.35).
McKee said the winning presentation was artificial, namely crankbaits. He said his years of experience with hatcheries led him to believe throwing cranks was the right way to go.
"Most of the fish are staying shallow," McKee said. "So that's why I fish 'em that way."
Coming in second was the team of Dan Griep and Bill Holland. Griep and Holland boated one fish during the opening tournament May 26 at Lake Elysian, but they came in with the biggest fish, thus taking
first place.Griep and Holland (Holland at left, Griep at right in pic) boated five fish at Lake Washington Tuesday, but they weren't able to overcome the two big fish by McKee and Kramer, finishing second with a weight of 11.31 pounds.
Like the first place team, Griep and Holland concentrated on artificial baits.
"We kind of watched the water temperatures a little," Griep said. "When the water switches over to 62 degrees, I like to throw something more aggressive."
The team of Troy Bessman and Steve Wolfe finished third with a stringer of 4.67 pounds.
In all, 14 walleye came out of Lake Washington Tuesday, with cranks and artificial presentations proving the best option. The tourney now shifts to Madison Lake June 16.
The following are some pictures from Tuesday's tournament. The first picture is tournament organizer Tim Hobbs weighing in one of the big fish from Kramer and McKee's stringer. The other are just more general pictures. Enjoy.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Watchin' for walleyes
I'm planning on heading out to Lake Washington Tuesday night for the Tuesday Nite Walleye Tourney weigh-in. Should be interesting. I'm hoping the guys have a good night with lots of fish to weigh in.
I was reading Jason Sealock's blog the other day (he's an FLW Outdoor's edtior based in Kentucky), and he writes about an experience with a pro angler where he didn't realize the pro was giving him a helpful hint, and he just blew him off and continued to fish his way.
Basically, Sealock suggests there is always something to learn from other fisherman, which I find to be very true. And learning something new doesn't have to come from a pro fisherman. Nope, it just involves your willingness to learn something different and to ask questions when you see someone do something so different, you think they aren't in their right mind.
Walleye, bass, northern, muskie, it really doesn't matter. Sealock's sentiments transfer over to all types of fishing, because it's about the chase. Happy hunting.
I was reading Jason Sealock's blog the other day (he's an FLW Outdoor's edtior based in Kentucky), and he writes about an experience with a pro angler where he didn't realize the pro was giving him a helpful hint, and he just blew him off and continued to fish his way.
Basically, Sealock suggests there is always something to learn from other fisherman, which I find to be very true. And learning something new doesn't have to come from a pro fisherman. Nope, it just involves your willingness to learn something different and to ask questions when you see someone do something so different, you think they aren't in their right mind.
Walleye, bass, northern, muskie, it really doesn't matter. Sealock's sentiments transfer over to all types of fishing, because it's about the chase. Happy hunting.
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