Author Topic: Went out today (Read 26787 times)

Zulu · « **on:** March 04, 2010, 11:12:05 AM »

First time to have the "slow" Ranger in the water this year. On the water at first light. 38 degrees but no wind. Glass smooth

. Warmed up quickly to 70 degrees around 1:00. Just a very slight breeze. Water temperature averaged 54 degrees. Still to cold. $:-\$ After about 1000 cast between my wife and I, just one bass. About 1 1/2 lb. Let it go before I remembered to take a picture. All in all, a great day on the water but only one fish. At least I caught it and didn't have to listen to my wife boast.

We will try it again next week. By the way, we went to Lake Conroe.
Caught it on an 8" green lizard.

Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2010, 03:03:57 AM »

Zulu

No pic`s........especially of the "dink", makes me wonder.

  A...1,000 casts. Those spinning reels sure do hold a person back.
  A great day on the water................I can believe that. At least you and the Misses
   got to go.
  Hey, do me a favor. Next time your out and the water has warmed up a tag more. Try
  a Zoom Trick worm, floater. Yellow,Bubble Gum, what ever and tell me what you think.
   Make sure you use a decent sized hook. Plus, give the tip a work out with your .....file.
   Me and my son ( my "T" buddy) use the floater a lot. Course we use bait casters and the cast count is well beyond your days total....

Come to think of it. A spinner would probably burn up.

  Tomorrow is "D-Day" for us. Going to try LK Woodruff, whick is off the St John`s river.
   Great lake this time of year, with plenty of bass. Lots of pads,grass with open water.
   The "floater" will get a work out as well as my favorite...spinner bait. Nothing better than Catch and Releasing a -----Toad.

Zulu · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2010, 11:46:47 AM »

Savage .250,
Tell us a fishing story!
Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2010, 06:24:47 AM »

ZuLu
Was all set to go and my son calls and says he hurt his wrist.

He was changing
the oil filter on one of his trucks. Some how he sprained it. There went my free
ride...

Nothing like fishing in the back. Just cast away.
I`m going to try and go it alone tomorrow. Have had a couple of nice days (sunny,warm) and the weatherman calls for the same tomorrow. Give the boat a work out and catch a few dinks. A "dink" in Fla is anything under 5 lbs.

"Tell us a fishing story." ................ Your doing a good job on that count.........

Zulu · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2010, 08:17:49 AM »

Okay, I'll tell a story.
There is a 2 acre pond in the woods about 10 miles from here. It is on county property and is open to the public. The problem is that there is a 3/4 mile hike back to the pond through the woods and the path is totally overgrown with briars. I have been getting back there for years just to mess around. I always caught a lot of bass but they were really small. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 pound the last time I went. Well that was about a year and a half ago. I tried to go last fall but couldn't get down the path.
Well, last Saturday I tried it again. I took a 3' long machete and beat a path through the briars. I was bleeding from about 20 places on both arms.

Finally I got there without breaking my rod. I first tried a small spinner bait, but no luck. Then I put on a rubber crawfish. Did good!

Caught 15 bass in two hours just walking around the pond. No pictures, sorry. Didn't take a camera.
They ranged from 1 1/4 lb to 1 3/4 lb this time. They are growing up.

I let them all go in hope that by next year they will be in the 2 lb. range.
I love fishing small ponds. I've always done good.
Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2010, 01:14:21 PM »

Went out again today with my brother. Drove 80 miles north west to some property near College Station where we fished 4 different ponds. I caught 8 bass but the largest was 1 3/4 lbs. and 5 of them were 1/2 lb.

Still the temperature hit 80 and had a great time just being out there.
Zulu

P.S.
I've decided that I am solely here to keep you all amused with my fishing stories. If I was making them up I would say I caught bigger bass.

Alas, so far just little ones or "dinks" as Savage .250 would say.

Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:24:00 AM »

" so far just little ones or "dinks" as Savage .250 would say." I`m being generous when I say that. Just messin with ya.

Water temps on the St John`s river yesterday was 55 degs. Saw some turkey,gators,
otters and a squirrel. Gave the boat a good shake down run. All is well. Going out
saturday (hopefully) weather permitting. Soon as the water warms a tad, the toads will be in the pads . They are now but there are plenty more waiting to come.
Braided line and spinner baits, tough combo to beat!

Zulu · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:47:20 AM »

I'm also using braided line. I just changed recently. So far I like it. If you get hung up on the bottom it will straighten your hook before it breaks. You save your lure and hooks are replaceable.

I'm using 20 lb. line. It has the diameter of 8lb. I can cast further.

Zulu

Zulu · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2010, 12:56:01 PM »

Went out again today to Lake Conroe. In the water at dawn. Temp 43 degrees warming to 73. Water temp 59 - 60 degrees. 5 hours of casting everything in the tackle box yeilded one 1 1/2 lb bass for my wife and these 2 crappie for me. Both on a full size Rattletrap in 15 feet of water. One was 1 lb 9 oz and the other 1 lb 7 oz. Both full of eggs.
No other hits all day long. Very discourging!

But we brought home the crappie.

I guess the water temp still has to get warmer.
Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2010, 04:53:32 PM »

Hi Guys, This week end we finally got our ice out (no more five gallon buckets on ice) so I went out Sunday afternoon on a small local river and got nothing, not even a bite

- went for an hour after work on Monday on the five hundred acre lake I'd mentioned previously - not a bite.

Went for an hour after work on Tues. where I had caught the nice pike last November and got 1 bite on a huge rapala pike lure - caught a 5lb 12oz largemouth.

To say I was surprised would be an understatement.

BT Sorry no pic's - my brother says I've got to get a camera and capture these moments - I guess I'm too much of a luddite.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2010, 02:39:56 AM »

btmidwest:
Luddite............... English workmen who destroyed industrial machinery................" Whoa!
I`ll bet Zulu is still trying to figure that one out....

5lbs, 12 oz. Great way for you to start out the season. Need pic`s as per Zulu. Pictures tell the
tale.

Zulu · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2010, 05:03:59 AM »

Lud-what?

Zulu · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2010, 02:37:52 PM »

Went again today.
A friend told me that two days ago he went to Nails Creek (feeds Lake Somerville Texas) and caught his limit (25) of white bass in 45 minutes. My lovely wife and I decided to try it today. Went to the same place, fished 1/2 mile of the creek while walking it.
Caught 3

I'm giving up fishing $:-\$
Always, always, I should have been there yesterday.

Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2010, 02:06:15 AM »

Zulu

Back in the day I used to wade parts of the Potomac river (upper part) for small mouth. All you really needed was a Tiny Torp and you were good to go. Had some great times!

Zulu · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2010, 04:32:11 AM »

Savage,
I've actually caught fish too before. Just not in recent times.

I'll keep trying.

Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2010, 05:03:26 AM »

Hey Guys, The luddites had an irrational

fear that the new technology of their day (the beginnings of industrialism) would bring on the end of the world - what was wrong with those people!?

Sometimes I wonder.... I went out for a couple hours Wed and Thurs and not a bite. Water temp 44-49 degrees with the North west corner being the warmest. Tried medium depth suspending cranks, carolina rigs, slow roll spinniers and weightless suspending flukes - nothing.

I'm glad the one bite I did get on Tues was a good one. But I still enjoy getting out there after winter. All ideas welcome. Thanks, BT

Savage .250 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2010, 11:12:17 AM »

btmidwest:
Just to clarify.......you in a boat or what? I know Zulu and Mrs Zulu (

) are in that Leisure craft ( still mess-in with ya) but not sure about you. Just wondering.

Tight lines you guys........

Oldshooter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2010, 11:53:26 AM »

I do so enjoy these posts fellas, can I play too when I start fishin again?

Zulu ya gotta understand that them Florida guys are spoilt catching them lunkers in Florida. We here in Gods country are relegated to "dinks" Maybe they could help us out with a share a linker deal.

Zulu · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2010, 12:54:13 PM »

Oldshooter,
I'm still waiting to see a picture of one of those Florida bass. The jury is still out.

Where are you from? When do you start fishing?
Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2010, 02:02:39 PM »

Oldshooter:
You bet. Nothing like having another used to be ....soon to be fisherman, battling for those Texas ... Dinks!

I may have to send a couple pic`s of my Toads, to Zulu so he can post them. On second thought, maybe not, as after having a "look-see", he might give up bass fishing and take up bowling....

Zulu · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2010, 02:42:38 PM »

I'll post anything you send me.

Even at the risk of taking up bowling. $:-\$ $:-\$

Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2010, 04:24:23 PM »

Savage, I am in a boat - a 16' crappie pro with a 40 hp on it. I realize it's a real dog in y'alls world

but for the little lakes I fish right now 30-500 acres it works just fine.

Without a boat your options are very limited here with all the housing developments and there are a lot more people fishing the shore lines that are open to the public. That goes for public land access in general and is one reason I fish so much more than I hunt these days.

This is definitely a different time and place - 25 years ago I spent many an afternoon fishing little streams in Louisiana catching dinks and having a blast. Then going back in the fall and squirrel hunt the same area. We've only had ice out for a week and our last frost isn't usually until the middle of April in north Indiana so hopefully things will pick up later - I'm just trying to learn colder water fishing and the way of the bass because I enjoy being out there. Hey Oldshooter I'm just getting back into it myself and trying to learn something - so welcome aboard. Regards, BT

Oldshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2010, 05:20:19 PM »

Quote from: Zulu on March 20, 2010, 12:54:13 PM

Oldshooter,
I'm still waiting to see a picture of one of those Florida bass. The jury is still out.
Where are you from? When do you start fishing?
Zulu

I'm East and a little south of you, 20 miles north of Beaumont, and 40 miles South of Jasper, Tx
The reason I have not started, is that i just haven't gotten off my behind and went yet! I have so many irons in the fire that i get dizzy sometimes thinking about it.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2010, 02:24:47 AM »

btmidwest:

I never make fun of anybodies boat. Well. Almost never.

I started out in an 8 foot pram. You do what you`ve got to do. That little dingy and me did exactly what your doing now. Went from the pram to a 14 footer. Had that for a some years, then I bought my first Bass boat. Kept it for almost 11 years.
Gave it to my son and I got me a new, faster boat. Fast is a relevant term in Fla, trust me. That "fast " boat is still plying the waters of central Fl and beyond. It still looks good. Runs an honest 65 mph (GPS). All that from a boat that`s 19 years old. Treat-um good and they will last.......

What kind of trolling motor do you have on that Crappie Pro?

Savage .250 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2010, 02:28:58 AM »

Quote from: Zulu on March 20, 2010, 02:42:38 PM

I'll post anything you send me.
Even at the risk of taking up bowling. $:-\$ $:-\$
Zulu

Zulu:
Thanks for the offer.

btmidwest · « **Reply #25 on:** March 21, 2010, 05:22:52 AM »

Savage, It is a foot pedal design - motorguide I think? I'm not sure about the ft lbs of thrust but at top speed it will move you along ok. I normally run it intermittantly on first speed and do fine. It has console steering with the front of the boat built up and the back deeper but it is all walk through. I use an adjustable high post with a smaller pedestal seat up front which is more comfortable for me - I stand and lean more than I sit down. I used the dog reference after I found out about Zulu's 'slow' ranger in an earlier post - knowing mine only has a fraction of the power. It was all in fun. The only thing I really wish were different would be the live well (crappie pro) and a rod locker. I mostly catch and release bass but I had a walleye that had to go in cattie-corner to fit. It's in the 30's today with a mix of rain and snow so I'm gonna hold off on going out today. Spoiled by the 50's and 60's last week! BT

Zulu · « **Reply #26 on:** March 21, 2010, 05:58:52 AM »

Btmidwest,
If its any consolation, the temp here dropped into the 30"s last night and the wind is howling. It dosen't seam like Spring will ever get here. Maybe next week.

I'll be trying it again.
Zulu

btmidwest · « **Reply #27 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:23:50 AM »

Zulu, You got that right! Spring is taking it's sweet time. Maybe better oportunities next week. It'll be here before we know it - we will be in the middle of post spawn summer heat trying to find fish in the cooler places. I'm checking the forecast now. Do you guys check out the moon phases at all? BT

Zulu · « **Reply #28 on:** March 21, 2010, 09:25:34 AM »

Moon phases? Somewhat. Mostly, you don't go fishing when you want to. You go fishing when you can.

Zulu

Savage .250 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 21, 2010, 11:26:04 AM »

btmidwest:
Nothing like pulling somebodies leg for a little fun. Besides you know fishermen lie, especally those
..............."dink" guys,

My trolling motor is hand/hip controlled. Had a "foot" type some years back and didn`t care for it.
Mines a 70 pounder. Cuts through weeds,grass,pads, what ever.... like a hot knife through warm
butter. Never have to think twice about going into crap. Put that puppy on "Hi" and let it rip. Even
the Gators move out of the way.

Moon phases? If you don`t go....you don`t know! Tight lines Hoosier.