20180925~ “The Harvest Moon” 96% FAL (Fish Activity level)

20180925~ “The Harvest Moon” 96% FAL (Fish Activity level)

One of the highest FAL days of the month and I needed to be on the Lake!… Foul weather did not spoil yesterday’s trip… I ended up with some quality fish and a nice battle from a lunker C.Cat! with summer-like weather for the day numbers and quality were up including a Master Angler certificate B.Gill!

I was on my first Waypoint with first fish in hand at 12:02 p.m. just before the Major.Period for the day which started at 12:40 p.m. I was well prepared for the day’s bite with three micro jigging rods and two slip float rig in my rod bundle.

As the Major.Period approached I was not impressed with the number of bluegills being caught I needed to move to a new position or Waypoint.  The bluegills just weren’t there in numbers… I decided to drift with the light winds across a few waypoints marked on my Sonar. 20 minutes into the Major-Phase I tagged a nice longer pumpkin seed on the micro jig long casting. Things were starting to pick up… Tags were becoming more frequent.

As the winds died down I introduced the slip float into the program. Fishing the 9-foot Flats I set the slip float fly waxie at a 4-foot depth. Hits were becoming so frequent on the slip float rig that I laid down the micro jig rig set up for a while and concentrated on the slip/float/fly/waxie method.

The fly attached at the end of the system was new to my arsenal and my own tie.  I just recently ran out of commercial dry flies and needed a quick replacement so I tied up a chenille bodied rubber legged fly to offer as a cheap replacement that I came up with during the offseason. 

I used the flies earlier in the season with some good success. The flys caused some excitement with the gills yesterday and seemed to continue thru this trip. Eventually as the Major.Period settled in It was one fish after another when the big one hit… carefully netting the large gill I took a few snaps and a few at the measuring board… 9 15/16 good enough for a certificate at the nearest eighth inch. WOW!!

I continued fishing till near dusk with continued explosive Lepomis activity…  Easily exceeding the 100 fish mark for the day.  The folder count for pictures was in the mid one twenties.  What a trip!

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20180924-Full Moon Eve… proved to be a good Day for Quality!

I plan my trips carefully when it comes to the full and new moon periods… fish activity levels are at their highest for the month. Fish respond well at those times my history proves. Fishing at the right place at the right time using the right bait!... very simple formula to follow.

So historically this time of year during the full moon or new moon periods on my favorite waypoints with my proven bait of choice has spelled success for me once again.

After enjoying summer like weather just the day previous… today was going to be difficult. Cold front conditions with cloudy skies, strong sustained winds and periodic drizzle. When your casting micro light jigs the wind throws the game off a bit.

The bite was there with quality but numbers were down… I’ll still gladly take that!

When dealing with the wind I position the boat upwind of my waypoint and cast with the wind.

I scored well with a Master Angler B.Gill on the LCD jig method! I then tagged a near Master Angle Channel Cat using the same technique shortly after!

because of the stiff winds the slip/float systems stayed on the bench for the trips entirety.

With weather coming in in the form of downpours and t storms I called the trip short and headed home… with a wide grin!

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20180923-Fishing the Home Lake during repair draw down and new fly tie.

The dam is under repair on the home-base lake so I took the trip to see the effect of the fishing on 2-3 ft lowered levels on my favorite waypoints located on the 9’ flats… the trip was interesting and productive.

The current weather pattern was like summer with temps reaching the upper 70’s, hot sun and calm winds.

I loaded up the van with my favorite rod bundle including three micro jig setups as well as 2 slip float set-ups.

I had difficulty launching the boat with reduced water levels.

Once out on the flats, I notice the weeds forming an umbrella on the surface.  Long casting the micro jigs proved difficult even along the edges.

Hitting the major period I noticed very productive fish activity levels.  Once located the bluegills responded to the slip float presentation readily as well as the Micro-Jig Method.

I was elated to find the bluegills responded well to my new fly tie.  The first bluegill caught on the fly was a beautiful 9-inch class bull bluegill.  I only tied two flies for the trip on two different size hooks.  The bluegills responded better with the smaller fly tied on a small hook #12 in size.

The best fishes of the day were tagged on the new fly under the float at 9-inch class in size as well as a 10” class beast just missing the mark on the Micro-Jig/Waxie method.

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20180918~ what a fantastic day on the water!!!

The weather has been stable with above normal temps and calm or light winds throughout most of late august and mid September. Fish love the consistency in a weather pattern as well as the above normal temps. Nothing wrong with extending the growing season of the fishes.

I loaded up my common rod bundle comprised of two slip float rods as well as three micro jig setups into the van and headed for my home lake.

I love this time a year the boat launch was empty the weather was a a bit warm with abundant sunshine and calm winds…  The forecast was calling for a bank the clouds coming in and showers later in the night.  Just enough time to fish the major intraday before sunset.

In the 20 minute ride to my first waypoint I just noticed a couple pontoon boats and Bass boats through the stretch. Very little traffic or fishing presure.

Studying my sonar on my way to the waypoint i noticed very few fish at the deep breaks.  I always take this as a signal that the fish are shallow in the flats.  I’m usually right.

I was still excited about the catches from the recent trips … a 10” B.Gill master Angler and two Lunker 10” class B.Gills caught back to back just missing the mark

As I approached the first waypoint on the 9 foot flat I noticed schools of fish along the weed edges. They were identified as B.Crappie after tagging a few from the 10 to 12” mark on the Least Common Denominator Jig (1/64 oz jig tipped with a Gulp Waxie in Chartreuse or Pink)and a 2” swim jig 1/32 oz in size.

 The bluegills were close to the surface picking flies from a hatch. I also tagged quite a few at the surface near floating weed mats. The floating weed debris was everywhere on the surface causing havoc with my long casts. Fouled baits were the norm on nearly every cast.

I set the hook hard with a quick snap into a very good fish… this fish was easily identified right away with its unique fighting style as a large Channel Cat. I pressured the fish into submission with the lightest rod in my arsenal. The fish measured just under 28” with a 92% Master Angler Rating. What a beast!

Darkness was quickly approaching with the grey bank of clouds coming in. I don’t know about anyone else … it is hard for me to leave a hot bite. The phone alarm went off signaling for me to start heading back to the launch. I told myself “just one more cast” a few times before the trophy gill took the bite. After a nice battle I quickly netted the fish noticing it was 10” class. Putting the fish to the board identified the fish as a certificate… a few quick snaps she was quickly released back to the gene pool… wow!

Two trophy B.Gills in just over a weeks time including a nice bonus Cat… What a trip!

Last year at this time I tagged two certificate B.Gills with the same presentation and similar structure on the same lake.

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20180917- at a low 16% fish activity level FAL I decided to fish anyway

At 16% FAL, I don't really get excited to go fishing but the weather was nice the wind was calm and the sun was out. I headed out to the closest launch at one of my favorite Lakes so if the fishing was really bad it would be easy access out of the lake and home quickly.

I love Mondays at the local boat launch... Nobody was there! Basically, I will have the lake to myself except for the local old timers. Just being out on the lake and great weather in the Little Jon Boat was enough for me.

A short ride to one of my favorite waypoints for bluegill and crappie situated on a 2ft depression on a major 9 foot flat. This spot hardly ever fails me. On the way to the Waypoint, I saw very little fish activity on the sonar. The fish was obviously tight to cover.

To throw salt on the wound I started fishing on a 16% FAL in the middle of a Lull.Period. very little fish activity. First fish of the day was a junior Bass just under the legal limit. Then the bluegills started hitting the LCD jig. The dozen-or-so bluegills throughout the afternoon we're small in number and small in size but just one hitting the 8" mark.

I decided to stay out and do some side scan imaging for potential new spots. Some of the key structural features I look for are large laydowns, desirable weed beds, and stump fields… stump fields are potential gold mines.

I even did a thorough perimeter check in the shallows. The ideal weather conditions were optimal for viewing especially with the polarized lenses. I found some nests in large areas of great looking sandy substrate. A good target for next season maybe?.

Today I added to my tan, added a few waypoints and reinforced the validity of the Solunar Tables. Today was a bad FAL day on the charts and on the water proved it.

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20180916- Low FAL but Beautiful Weather… I’m Going Fishing

The Low Fal wasn’t a motivator but the beautiful weather was. I put together the typical rod bundle with three long-casters for micro-jigs and one Slip/Float/Fly/Waxie and was at the boat launch in minutes.

The launch was nearly empty! I love it!. This is one of the counties busiest lake for fishing… mainly panfish harvesters and Bass enthusiasts, club members etc. I thoroughly enjoy it when the locals hang up the rods after Labor Day.

Within a few more minutes I was on my summer pattern waypoints in the middle of a slow bite at the bottom of the major.period. I was timing the major.period/solar.sunset overlap which should produce a few more bites.

For the past few years, I have not been able to pull myself off the 6 to 9-0’ foot weedy flats. I take this pattern to any lake. This is the kitchens of the lake where much of the food is generated between the 1^st and second break weedline. Put me on the edges or gaps and I will be on the fish.

Working the weed line edges, clumps and gaps I was able to coax a few good size b.crappie hanging close to cover on the LCD jig.

Usually, during the lower FAL levels, I’ll use the Slip/Float/Fly/Waxie method above everything else… the fish just need a bit longer to check out the bait.

Since water temps were still at peak summer levels the micro-jig method was finding and connecting with the pannies so i stuck with it covering larger expanses of water.

A 9-inch class B.Gill ended up with the BFOTD award

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20180913-Panfish Harvest Day!

Every now and then I select a trip and a lake to harvest a few slot fish… today was 8.0 and under B.Gills for the slot on a very popular sports lake with numbers of mid-sized Panfish. Every now and then I’ll hook up with a trophy on this lake… they are few and far between. The fish are generally healthy and well nourished with an above normal growth rate.

I spend a lot of time on the water and know my lakes very well when it comes to the fish populations and ranges of size. I have a good idea of what lakes are safe and even beneficial to harvest without damaging a population. A guideline I usually follow is I will usually keep a slot of 85% or under of full Master Angler Rating for the fish… eg. A 10” B.Gill is 100% Master Angler Rated. So at 85% the B.Gill are set at 8.5 a crappie is 12.0 85% of 14.0”. Today the slot was set at 8.0” for B.Gill. I never cull.

Note: I’ve had several 100 fish count days from this lake!

With a FAL sitting at 49% fish could show for a decent bite to bring home about 15 fish. The weather was fantastic with above normal temps and above normal water temps at summer peak levels. Fish should be on that pre-fall eating binge.

Winds were near flat and calm… partial cloudiness. IMO fish bite in the bright sunshine as well as the cloudy skies. Solunar periods matter more than weather.

Once launched and on my way to the first waypoint, water conditions looked perfect for the lake this time of year. Just a slight algae bloom … but did not pose a problem thru the trip.

This lake in particular first thing I make a beeline to a particular waypoint with an underwater cluster of stumps… an area that is small in size but holds quantities of quality fish. A PB LMB earlier in the year came from this very spot as well as some jumbo B.Crappie. I never see fisherman fish this spot. The stump field was discovered when I mapped the lake with my sonar unit last year. Pays to know your lake bottom!

My rod bundle included the popular mix of Micro-jigging rods for the long-cast as well as a couple float rods one with braid and the other with Nano-fil.

I found some jumbo P.Seeds close to the shore in the wood as well as B.Gills at the 2nd break (deep) weedline edge.

Im at the point in my fishing career that I take this sport very serious when it comes to balanced tackle. I don’t use a one rod “does everything approach” like I used to back in the day with LMBs’ etc. I have separate slip float rigs for shallow slop to deeper weed line edges same thing with the Long-Casters for the Micro-Jigs several different setups to fill the need. I enjoy that!

Using the balanced tackle, tagging fish and enjoying the weather the endorphins were flowing!

I filled my 15 fish personal limit quickly ( Michigan Limit is 25 panfish in combination) laying the fish on the ice in the cooler then started focusing on trophy fishing. Came close with a few P.Seeds that were CPR’ed.

I started fishing at the beginning of the Lull.Period… caught fish and the pace picked up as the Major.Period approached along with quality.

Really enjoyed tagging the fish on the slip/float/fly/waxie method on the visible structure along the shore.

Very good trip for the books!

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20180904-Slow Bite at Wixom Lake

There is only so much success that can be achieved when all the odds are stacked against… with gorgeous summer weather staring back at me I set out on the closest launch for a short trip during a Lull.Period as well as Low FAL scores.

I take advantage of the weather and who doesn’t enjoy the art of the cast? It’s getting out there that is very enjoyable to me. In baseball, if you want to become a great hitter, you face yourself against the toughest pitchers. It’s like that in any sport! If you want to be a better fisherman, fish the tough bite days. Something my Dad used to say.

While enjoying the short ride to the first waypoint I study the sonar and observe very few targets… only some suspended fish here and there… I’m thinking the fish are in a neutral mood and will be tight to cover or close to the bottom.

I make a swing closer to shore to do a perimeter check in the shallows for signs of life… after observing a short stretch I notice many Lepomis under the 6” slot.

I decide to target B.Crappie along the second break deep weed line. Shortly I score with a couple between 10 and 12” a couple short B.Gills and the bite turned completely off.

Since this was scheduled to be a short trip… I picked up anchor and did a short recon trip up a cut in the reservoir to check on a spot.

8 fish during the Lull.Period I guess I felt lucky… and lucky to have spent a bit of time on the lake.

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20180902-Feeling Like a Guide

Days like today I really appreciate fishing… I’m feeling like a guide being able to take friends and family on the lake and putting us on the bite.

Beautiful summer weather in the mid 80’s way above normal for this time of year on the Michigan tundra. Water temps still at summer peak levels in the low to mid 70’s, slight breeze and clear skies. We made our way to some of our favorite waypoints.

Dennis is very familiar with this lake with a history of slamming the jumbo crappies with a 1/32 oz swimbait and also tagging a very nice trophy certificate P.Seed for the books last season.

Zack, first timer on this lake, was able to tag quite a few fish with the swimbait and also a few fish on the slip/float/fly/waxie in a shallow weedy cove.

After about an hours worth of fishing, I dropped them off at the launch and finished the afternoon Minor.Period with a very good bite even with the FAL levels at mid-teens.

Good time with family, and fishing … nothing better.

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