These last few days were kind of weird. Either I forgot how to catch large bass or they forgot how to eat. I sure didn't forget how to catch large panfish though. Monday I went to the river hoping for hex hatch that never really materialized. I caught a lot of little bass on top. I mean a lot. But Tuesday would shatter that.
On the lake yesterday I caught a stupid number of smallmouth. And not one was over a pound. Don't get me wrong, even a 1/2 pound smallmouth fights very well, but I'm looking for those 5-6 pound fish.
The panfish, on the other hand, did not disappoint. caught some really good sized rockbass, white perch, and various sunfish for this particular body of water.
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| Big hybrid sunfish |
One thing noticed was that every fish seemed to be keyed in on midges. Most smallmouth I caught had throats full of adult midges, sometimes they were pouring out the gills. Looks like I might need to bring a lighter rod and some gnats next time!
Looks like lots of fun! Was that a water snake or racer, I'm erring to WS, but my screen didnt allow a super look, and it's so dark I was unsure.
ReplyDeleteAmazing to see the bass "on midges" so to speak. Time to fish buzzers :) he he he! You could work off Lee Wulff's matching fish to hook size (#20 hook - 20" fish) thing, but on bass :)
Racer, probably 4ft long. Sucker let me grab his tail but I could not pull him out of the brush.
DeleteMidges have been lethal in MA in the past month for sunfish. I have yet to catch a bass or crappie on one though.
ReplyDeleteIf there's a big enough hatch the bass start to feed on them but if there aren't millions of midges on the water it isn't worth their effort.
DeleteNice bunch of fish. Is that a black snake? It's been a while since I've seen one that big.
ReplyDeleteHope the weather didn't blast your shoes apart today.
Tie, fish, write and photo on...
Black racer. They tend to get longer than most snakes. I'd go so far as to say they are the longest snake in the NE and Mid Atlantic.
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ReplyDeleteGlad you made a connection with the warm water species, those are some healthy gills. I will take those size smallmouth all day on a 3 weight. Beautiful lake you were fishing' I have a feeling this lake has some much bigger smallmouth to be taken. Thanks for sharing
I was fishing an 8wt, hoping for the 4-6 lb fish I have caught in that lake before. Not as fun as a 3wt but still a surprisingly good fight!
DeleteLooks like 2 days of a heckuva lotta fun!
ReplyDeleteHard to complain when you're catching fish, I always say!
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