[jmdog2003]

As it turns out maybe I needed to be kicked in the ass to prompt me to go out and explore new bodies of water. I've long known I needed reliable small lakes/ponds that were located near me to go to when the rivers aren't manageable. I just haven't been forced to go look by a prolonged stretch of flood waters. Google Earth does wonders. After work on Thursday I stopped by a Lake Co FP to pass some traffic time during rush hour. Only armed with a bait caster and fluke, went 1 for 1 with a decent fish.

Fished a couple new lakes about 10 minutes from by door step for about four hours this morning. Had a Senko, spinnerbait with a paddletail trailer, and a whopper plopper in the starting line up, with a blue jig and craw trailer in the bullpen. The spinnerbait would be viable in the spring but the weeds made it a bit less effective right now so I shelved it. Flipping was the effective approach on this steamy morning.

This is fish #20. After this gal, I checked the time and it was only 9:00 a.m. Could've pushed on but figured I didn't have much else to gain at this point so I packed it up instead.

Wasn't all sunshine and roses. While reaching for #19 I guess I wasn't paying attention to the angle of my rod tip and *SNAP*.

Good average size out of the first lake. Looks like the second lake may be more of a numbers lake, with my largest there being 14" but got lots of action. The fish that I broke my rod tip on grabbed the jig/craw. The rest came on the Senko.

 

[coyote]

ALways said you are one of the best on this site, i see that never changes good job Dog.

 

[mike son]

20 fish in 4 hrs in this weather is great! I whacked 'em up too this morning, bite was as hot as the weather. Sucks about the rod. I almost the hit the west branch for the first time this year :shock: as I saw it was actually flowing low, I think about 110 cfs at Warrenville, but opted for two lakes instead.

 

[Skifish1]

Great work on the tubbies. I know its tough for a river guy to haul in wet towel bass with smaller tails but its good to hone the lake fishing skills sometimes

 

[ohoffm]

Nice fish and post. The one lure challenge is a good idea to force you to use a lure and your starting line up was the all star team.

 

[Rambler]

Isn't more like, "passing time time until it cools off"? Soooo bloody hot.

 

[HEDDONFROG]

You can't complain about 20 in 4. It's fun discovering new water when they produce like that, right? Lol We've definitely entered Senko season, my son hit a pond steps from his place with a bag of senkos and I was getting a photo text every couple minutes. Couple of nice ones mixed in with lots of 12 & 13's. Great post and good to see you still having fun mixing it up

 

[rigmewacky]

size and numbers! :thumbup:

 

[naturestrail]

Great post!! 20 fish in 4 hours that's awesome!! Great starting line up!!Thanks for sharing!!

 

[jmdog2003]

Little bit different vibe on Sunday morning. I got a very nice one in the early a.m. on a purple 7" Powerworm, and a small one while flipping a green 5" Senko. But the soft plastic bite was much slower than the previous morning.

The rest of the morning was top water with the Whopper Plopper.

Got this couple on back to back casts.

Got eight total in three hours with a half dozen busting on the WP110.

 

[Aux Pleins]

Nice green ones jmdog. Dont forget about the new "extra scent " powerworm that comes in 8inches. I really like ribbing on the new extra scents.

 

[HEDDONFROG]

Didn't notice you posted a 2nd day on the OP. Yeah that first one is a real nice one, 4+?

 

[vman01]

Solid numbers and size 8)

 

[jmdog2003]

"Yeah that first one is a real nice one, 4+?"

Yup I've caught a few in that class from that lake in only a couple trips. No doubt there's some 5 lbers in there somewhere.

Hit a couple lakes on July 4th in the a.m. First lake was kind of a bust while only going 1 for 2 on blow ups on the Whopper Plopper. Second lake was hopping. Was tossing a 5" Senko and 7" Powerworm with both taking good fish. Finished up with eleven largemouth and an overly confident bluegill.

Happy Fourth everyone! :thumbup:

 

[catchafew]

Very nice.

 

[Woohoodude11]

You're makin' it look easy out there.

 

[Rambler]

And - Holy Crap!! - you're actually cracking a smile in the 2nd shot of the 2nd group. Amazing.

 

[Woohoodude11]

Any predictions if the Dupe will be good to go by Tuesday? We've got a super dry forecast ahead of us.

 

[jmdog2003]

The flows are plenty wadeable as of today. I haven't checked the river out in months but usually the weeds are horrendous this time of year, both on shore and in the water.