Post by rgang4 on Sept 8, 2014 20:22:20 GMT -5
Launched from the South Bay launch in Whitehall and fished as far north as Benson on Sunday. Being on Champlain at all was a nice surprise being I was planning on fishing the river as late as Saturday evening, but my wife opted out of going. So, being I really did not want to fish the river anyway, off I went.
I really have struggled fishing this stretch in the past but chose it for several reasons. One, there was a tourney out of Larrabee's and Ti so I guessed it would be busy up that way, and last weekend there were less than six rigs in the massive parking area there. Of course that was last week this week three quarters full when I arrived at 8:30. And after last weeks success I felt like I could catch them again, even down in the river.
Conditions were better than what I expected after the frontal change on Saturday. Certainly did not feel like a classic early fall cold front by any means off the water nor did it seem that way on the water. Winds were light and warm and WSW. Water temp was 71 and muddy in South Bay, dingy beyond the old railroad bridge. Baitfish present and active. Bass same deal. First stop produced four bites and two decent fish on a crank bait. With all the emerald shiners present I used a Norman Middle N to get started. Next stop only one but again a nice fish.
Tried a nut bed next but no luck in the bed or on the outer edge. One boat had caught one in the chestnut by casting heavy punch jigs high in the air and deep in the bed. Being I worked nine hours on Saturday I was not going to "work" again on Sunday so that kind of game did not appeal to me. Going north I hit the nav towers near the deeper part of the channel but just dinks on three towers. Mouths of setbacks had some current and slightly cleaner water and also had a few fish. One spot had big white perch busting bait. Tied on a Trap to try and pick off a Master a Angler white but by the time I was done they were gone, but first cast produced a Master Angler pickerel of 24".
Lake right about 95" according to this gauge
Master Angler CP at 24"
But the best part was suddenly bowfin appeared and were obviously feeding. I was a bit shocked to catch one on a 'Trap.
Was almost as shocked at how eager they were to hit a Senko. Darn things are hard to hook but I landed this one after a long battle on 8# line.
26" bowfin, 2" short of Master Angler
A bit disappointed when I got it in the boat because judging by how it fought i was thinking it was a Master Angler fish but not quite.
Headed north a bit and tried a spot Brian has mentioned before. It turned out being a good stop. Got the swim jig going again catching bass and pike. Refished the area with a Senko for one more. Should have moved on after catching the first five, but the Senko should have worked better.
Always a good spot for a pic and a fish. Got the pic on Fugi, fish on a punch rig in the pads.
Fishing tapered off in the late afternoon until I got up to the boat landing at Benson Landing. Got three more on the swim jig before going back to the 'Trap to catch some whites again. Again no whites but got a decent pike.
Passed on going farther north and fishing familiar spots nearby to head south and fish the first two stops again. That was about the only bad decision all day. Neither stop produced so I headed in a bit early at 6:30.
All in all a good day. All I really wanted was to not get skunked, not get a ticket, lose a cell phone in the lake, hit another deer or any other bad experiences like I've had the last few years. Glad to say nothing like that happened and I got them in an area I have struggled with.
Lots of birds down that way. Had to be 50 herons working the shallows. Lots of osprey too. Ducks and geese are present in good numbers also making for a nice setting.
I really have struggled fishing this stretch in the past but chose it for several reasons. One, there was a tourney out of Larrabee's and Ti so I guessed it would be busy up that way, and last weekend there were less than six rigs in the massive parking area there. Of course that was last week this week three quarters full when I arrived at 8:30. And after last weeks success I felt like I could catch them again, even down in the river.
Conditions were better than what I expected after the frontal change on Saturday. Certainly did not feel like a classic early fall cold front by any means off the water nor did it seem that way on the water. Winds were light and warm and WSW. Water temp was 71 and muddy in South Bay, dingy beyond the old railroad bridge. Baitfish present and active. Bass same deal. First stop produced four bites and two decent fish on a crank bait. With all the emerald shiners present I used a Norman Middle N to get started. Next stop only one but again a nice fish.
Tried a nut bed next but no luck in the bed or on the outer edge. One boat had caught one in the chestnut by casting heavy punch jigs high in the air and deep in the bed. Being I worked nine hours on Saturday I was not going to "work" again on Sunday so that kind of game did not appeal to me. Going north I hit the nav towers near the deeper part of the channel but just dinks on three towers. Mouths of setbacks had some current and slightly cleaner water and also had a few fish. One spot had big white perch busting bait. Tied on a Trap to try and pick off a Master a Angler white but by the time I was done they were gone, but first cast produced a Master Angler pickerel of 24".
Lake right about 95" according to this gauge
Master Angler CP at 24"
But the best part was suddenly bowfin appeared and were obviously feeding. I was a bit shocked to catch one on a 'Trap.
Was almost as shocked at how eager they were to hit a Senko. Darn things are hard to hook but I landed this one after a long battle on 8# line.
26" bowfin, 2" short of Master Angler
A bit disappointed when I got it in the boat because judging by how it fought i was thinking it was a Master Angler fish but not quite.
Headed north a bit and tried a spot Brian has mentioned before. It turned out being a good stop. Got the swim jig going again catching bass and pike. Refished the area with a Senko for one more. Should have moved on after catching the first five, but the Senko should have worked better.
Always a good spot for a pic and a fish. Got the pic on Fugi, fish on a punch rig in the pads.
Fishing tapered off in the late afternoon until I got up to the boat landing at Benson Landing. Got three more on the swim jig before going back to the 'Trap to catch some whites again. Again no whites but got a decent pike.
Passed on going farther north and fishing familiar spots nearby to head south and fish the first two stops again. That was about the only bad decision all day. Neither stop produced so I headed in a bit early at 6:30.
All in all a good day. All I really wanted was to not get skunked, not get a ticket, lose a cell phone in the lake, hit another deer or any other bad experiences like I've had the last few years. Glad to say nothing like that happened and I got them in an area I have struggled with.
Lots of birds down that way. Had to be 50 herons working the shallows. Lots of osprey too. Ducks and geese are present in good numbers also making for a nice setting.
