Mike didn’t feel like going out for lunge with his client today so the three of us decided to hit smallies instead. Charlie was coming off several great days of fishing and wanted to unwind with some phenomenal bass action before returning back home. I thought yesterday was glorious but today blew it away completely! Sun, sun and more sunshine along with the temps around 70 degrees was what we had when we hit the water. They had called for intense winds from the SW blowing 25 to 30 knots but I didn’t care. It may have made boat control a little more challenging but it was definitely a doable thing from my boat. As with every day on the water lately, there were adjustments needed to ensure the big ones got caught and today was no exception. We started on a current break and drifted several passes along the deeper edge to capture the first dozen or so decent bass up to almost 4 pounds, then changed it up. Casting along similar stretches accounted for the next bunch of fish with a few going over 4 pounds and one definitely above 5. Shallows were the next area we hit and with the blowing winds, I thought it would be great. It wasn’t even mediocre! Although they scored a few fish, there were a lot more casts than there were hits. A weed drop off was hit next and it was here that I found bunches of fish but they were tucked in pretty tight and difficult to detect the hits from. Once more some quality smallies were taken before we decided to drag open water with the strong SW winds. Here there were more hits but also many more snags and break offs to contend with so we called it a day. There was definitely no suffering from today’s weather and several quality smallmouth were caught. Many different methods were used to entice them to bite and every one of them was effective at one time or another. It was almost a shame to call it a day but we all had somewhere to be that evening and agreed on the next fish. Less than 3 minutes later we were done and on our way. I know I will be paying for the weather somewhere along the line but until then, I welcome it with open arms!!

Sam & his two brothers joined me again today on one of the most beautiful days so far this fall. The weather was a bluebird one with really light winds from the S and air temps in the 60’s. Water temps warmed to about 52.5 degrees as the day passed and all was great. The fishing was a little tougher though as it seemed they didn’t really want to bite. Although tubes were working somewhat, they were catching slightly smaller fish than usual with the drift & drag. I thought the larger ones might be in tighter so I had them throwing more blades to try & contact active fish. Sam hooked up three times in less than 5 minutes while his brothers looked on with envy. He even managed to miss several others while the other two never had a touch. I’m not quite sure why but he was in the zone! Finally, all were getting hit and many more fish were being missed with only a few actually being brought to net. Back to the tubes we went and I just covered water looking for a small pod of fish that they could monopolize on. Haissan managed the big fish of the day when he finally locked up on a bruiser in the mid fours. Several other smaller ones up to about 3 pounds were also taken during the afternoon along with one walleye before we called it a day. The bites weren’t fast & furious despite the beautiful weather today but there was still plenty of action. I hope this weather stays around a little longer as I could get use to it once again!!

Day two started a little better than the first as we were at least not being rained on today. Conditions were similar in all other respects with overcast skies and a wind from the SW blowing light. Water temps were slightly lower than the previous day but barely as we began our first drift. In only 15 minutes, three walleye along with a handful of smallies were boated and the day had just begun! This surely had the makings of a great one! We were able to feel the bottom pretty good and by dragging tubes we were getting a great start before the winds would blow. Pretty much all morning they were catching fish and mostly by jigs until Herm began throwing his new favorite lure. Once he let loose, it was all over! He got hammered by plenty of smallies but most of them weren’t staying pinned. Although he did manage to land several good ones, the better ones seemed to be getting off before the net. Back to dragging tubes and both were tight lined immediately! Winds had picked up considerably and the drifts were moving along quickly as we kept getting smaller fish in the 2 to 3 pound range. Another move was in order if they were to hit larger fish and I decided to make a long run to the next “Big Fish Spot”. Herm had a take quickly upon arrival and somehow never really got the jig buried as the fish came at him quickly. Another unpinned fish and I was sure it was a big one too! They weren’t eating too good and I could see by the number missed strikes that it was going to be difficult. Craig soon proved me wrong when he set into a giant and it immediately took to the air. All jaws dropped as we saw its massive frame and I instantly thought this could be the one. It tried everything to escape but soon came to the net, bloated like another fall pig. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the length needed to surpass the 6 pound mark but the girth placed her over 5.5 pounds when weighed. The long run had proved successful but that’s all she wrote. If you’re only going to get one fish I guess that’s the one to get! Back we went to the original area where we spent the remainder of the day hitting more fish. Although most were around 3 pounds, there were several over 4 and another one just above 5 pounds that Herm blasted on of course, the spinnerbait! We finished the day with both rods blazing the blades and fish were coming every dozen or so casts. Although they didn’t get that elusive 6 pounder, the quality of the bass was well worth coming out. Maybe the next outing will yield the “Holy Grail” that they come for each fall. If not though, all the smaller 3 to 5 pounders will have to be what they settle for. It’s tough but I think they can handle it!!

Craig was back once more with Herm, still looking for that elusive 6 pound smallie. They would be with me for two days this time and it looked like they brought the crappy weather once again. Rain and strong winds were what we would be in store for and just maybe a little cloud if we were lucky. Air temps never went above 45 degrees and the water temps were somewhere around 52.5 degrees in the mist and rain as we set out in search of Moby. They were both throwing jigs at the start and caught several decent fish up to almost 4 pounds before the strong winds really picked up. This time however, they were from the SW and at least we had that going for us! Drifting & dragging tubes in 20 plus feet of water helped as we caught a bunch of bass and even a couple of bonus walleye. Although there wasn’t really any of the giants I was use to, they were still picking at them as 3.5 pound clones were the norm. Eventually, I was forced to give Herm the spinnerbait rod and let him loose! After his last outing, he was glad to have it back in his hands once again. It didn’t take him long before he was tight to another smallie and actually smiling again. Several fish later he tangled with a bruiser, but we’ll never know just how big it was as it came unpinned before the boat. By the looks of her though, she was definitely a high five and maybe closer to 6! He redeemed himself a short while later by landing a 5.25 pound beauty and all was forgotten. Craig was also having his share of fish while throwing a spinnerbait but couldn’t better the 4 pound mark. Later in the afternoon though, he did manage another fish over 5 pounds and lose one real giant that I did get a close look at, alongside the boat. This one also hit a blade and bolted like a northern. By the width of her back and the length, I was pretty sure that this one was over six pounds. We’ll never know but we will have a good story of the one that got away! In the last hour of the day they had pounded a bunch of quality fish in the shallows despite the dark, gloomy mist that was falling. Another great day with loads of rain and wind but at least they caught plenty of great fish. What will tomorrow bring?

Darren, Mark & Dave joined me once again today for their annual fishing challenge. Competition was high as they all had a side bet for the best bass of the day. The weather was a little on the cool side but the sunshine made it feel a little warmer as we began fishing. Although the air temps were to reach into the low 50’s it wasn’t close at 38 when we arrived at our first location. Water temps were also cooling and were now holding just over 51 degrees in the high, murky water. Darren started out the feud as a chunky 3 pounder came aboard and all the others could do was look on in awe. Eventually after a couple more from Darren, the others started with several of their own and everybody was on the board. I found the fish to be a little on the small side and eventually made a move from this area in hopes of bigger & better. With the water really off color and the wind blowing NW it wasn’t getting any better the further we ventured downstream. Eventually I decided to try areas that held big fish in the past and one of them was holding! Mark managed to hit one that went over 4 pounds and Darren was officially bumped! Although they were all getting into smallies, the overall size wasn’t the greatest. We did have several in the 3.5 pound range and a couple over 4 but most were below 3 pounds and really lethargic. By mid afternoon the drift & drag became something that everyone could handle when the wind layed up enough for me to angle the boat properly. All were into many rocks and some fish but Mark took top honors with another big smallie over 4 pounds and an exotic species award for the walleye. Several drifts and plenty of fish later they decided to call it a day with Mark taking the win for this outing. I’m actually surprised that they haven’t had a trophy made yet so that one of them could gloat for the entire year. Probably next time they get together they will and I’ll have to be their referee! All in all a pretty good outing with lots of laughs, many doubles and even a couple of triple headers to remember from today’s competition! Can’t wait for next year!!