Post by rgang4 on Apr 15, 2021 19:49:39 GMT -5
I made my first trip to the lake on 4/10. Lake level was lower than what I expected. Couldn't picture what 96+ ft. would look like before I got there, now I know, very low. Kept an open mind at first and didn't completely right of backwaters but after a few looks I did. Much rather fish the main lake anyway. Water temp was low to mid 50's and though not real clear it was a good color and no places were muddy.
Got bites right away but lost all three fish, two on cranks and one good one on a jig. Maybe a drum, at least that's what I told myself to feel better. Got in a groove on main lake points with a squarebill, medium diving crankbait, jerkbait and Rat-L-Trap. Found some fish along some shorelines that had some rock or ledges too but main lake points were the best producers on Saturday.
5-5 on squarebill from a not so secret spot😉
Fished for bass until noon when I went south for drum. The drum spots around Benson were loaded. Bites happened on nearly every cast and I was worn out after an hour or so.
My pin fish for 2021😎
My best drum to date, 31”, 16-15.
Had trouble locating bass down in Benson so I headed back north and picked up where I left off, more or less. Late afternoon the chatterbait bite turned on along some banks I had fished earlier.
Stayed until just about dark and decided at that point the fishing was good enough to spend the night in my truck and fish again on Sunday.
Sunday brought more good weather and more fish but not quite the same quality. I did relocate and fished new areas but similar to spots with rock using the same lure selection. May have caught even more bass on Sunday than Saturday on a shorter day being I was more dialed in and spent no time on drum. Seemed that way but I never can seem to keep a count, especially when they are biting good.
Been going thru a rough patch in life so it felt good to get out and have a good weekend. They have been scarce since February when my wife of forty years left me. I'm pretty tough but that destroyed me. We are working on it but its been a slow and painful process. Monday and Tuesday were both bad days so I took a mental health day Wednesday and headed back up to Larrabee's.
Planned on taking a look at some new water but had a hard time deciding where so I picked the shortest ride. Got into them right off and had a blast. Fish were on at the first stop and the last stop. In between a few whims did not pan out but anyplace I had confidence in worked well. Chatterbait ruled the day but a squarebill was key anywhere I could throw it and a 3/8 oz. black blue jig worked well too. Didn't need to try much else, no need, but I'm perplexed as to why my favorite swim jig is ice cold and the chatterbait has been so hot. I'm sure they see the swim jig, must be the blades vibration.
5-4 on the chatterbait. Used a more natural color and smaller trailer in the cleanest water.
5-2 on the same chatterbait
No big SM but several like this one approaching 3 I’d guess. Many more in the 2 lb +\~ class.
Lots of details I could share but these days I have to manage a house to so going to insert some pic's and wrap this up. Ask questions and I'll answer if I have one.
Thank you Dock Doctors!
Got bites right away but lost all three fish, two on cranks and one good one on a jig. Maybe a drum, at least that's what I told myself to feel better. Got in a groove on main lake points with a squarebill, medium diving crankbait, jerkbait and Rat-L-Trap. Found some fish along some shorelines that had some rock or ledges too but main lake points were the best producers on Saturday.
5-5 on squarebill from a not so secret spot😉
Fished for bass until noon when I went south for drum. The drum spots around Benson were loaded. Bites happened on nearly every cast and I was worn out after an hour or so.
My pin fish for 2021😎
My best drum to date, 31”, 16-15.
Had trouble locating bass down in Benson so I headed back north and picked up where I left off, more or less. Late afternoon the chatterbait bite turned on along some banks I had fished earlier.
Stayed until just about dark and decided at that point the fishing was good enough to spend the night in my truck and fish again on Sunday.
Sunday brought more good weather and more fish but not quite the same quality. I did relocate and fished new areas but similar to spots with rock using the same lure selection. May have caught even more bass on Sunday than Saturday on a shorter day being I was more dialed in and spent no time on drum. Seemed that way but I never can seem to keep a count, especially when they are biting good.
Been going thru a rough patch in life so it felt good to get out and have a good weekend. They have been scarce since February when my wife of forty years left me. I'm pretty tough but that destroyed me. We are working on it but its been a slow and painful process. Monday and Tuesday were both bad days so I took a mental health day Wednesday and headed back up to Larrabee's.
Planned on taking a look at some new water but had a hard time deciding where so I picked the shortest ride. Got into them right off and had a blast. Fish were on at the first stop and the last stop. In between a few whims did not pan out but anyplace I had confidence in worked well. Chatterbait ruled the day but a squarebill was key anywhere I could throw it and a 3/8 oz. black blue jig worked well too. Didn't need to try much else, no need, but I'm perplexed as to why my favorite swim jig is ice cold and the chatterbait has been so hot. I'm sure they see the swim jig, must be the blades vibration.
5-4 on the chatterbait. Used a more natural color and smaller trailer in the cleanest water.
5-2 on the same chatterbait
No big SM but several like this one approaching 3 I’d guess. Many more in the 2 lb +\~ class.
Lots of details I could share but these days I have to manage a house to so going to insert some pic's and wrap this up. Ask questions and I'll answer if I have one.
Thank you Dock Doctors!
