Tough Morning (Photos added)

Apr 09 2019

Tom Dillon

Toad

Member Since :
2014
Number of Posts :
516

Dave May and I fished Lakeside this morning, and it was tough going. As per previous reports, the lake is full and muddy, not the typical gin-clear water I was used to there. The water color was like it was full of the yellow pollen we get on our cars this time of year. I'd estimate maximum water clarity at about 3-6" today. Here's the north end:

Here's the southeast end; note the absence of pads:

Still, the bass have to eat. I have no idea about the water temp, as my H'bird wasn't working today. At least we didn't have to contend with any wind. It was dead calm all morning (although we might have done better had there been some chop. Before launching, I managed to boat a pre-spawn 6-05 from the bank on a black, clacker-type buzz bait when it was just light enough to see. We fished hard from daylight until noon, with only one short break, but landed only 7 bass, having several come unbuttoned. Three were dinks (harvested), two were healthy, hard-fighting two-pounders, and two were heavy fish. I thought I had another DD when Dave netted the biggest fish of the day, a nice 7-13 that fell for a black/blue flake, unweighted, Wacky-rigged Senko. Not quite 23.25" in length, but her girth and tail showed that she hadn't dropped her eggs yet (nor had the 6-05). The smaller fish all hit either a worm or a T-rigged, junebug craw. As expected with water that color, all of the bass were pale, but fought larger than their size. Most of them hit within 15 feet of the bank.

(Above photos by Dave May)

What worked:  Clacker-type buzz bait (black); 5" unweighted, Wacky-rigged, black/blue flake Senkos and longer worms; T-rigged craw (purple/blue)

What didn't:  Buzz bait (white); single-spin (black with orange Colorado blade); tandem-spin (white with nickel willow and brass Colorado blades); bladed jig (white); unweighted, 5" Wacky-rigged 'Cheeto' stick worm; T-rigged, black/blue flake 7" Senko; shallow squarebill

Also, for anyone who might care, there is an absolutely beautiful field of Indian Paintbrush across the fence on the east side of the property. This shot doesn't even come close to doing it justice:

Apr 10 2019

Jim Bennett

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2019
Number of Posts :
102

Having been there recently, we did well pitching into the holes in the slimy salad with 5 mph wind. The bite turned off in the afternoon when the wind died off. That wind seems to be key. When the wind is blowing that means low baro pressure, and with no wind the pressure rises. Seems to kill the bite every time the wind dies no matter where i'm fishing.  Cant control the wind or pressure. Bring something to BBQ next time the wind dies? Kind regards, Jim.

Apr 10 2019

Wayne Pruitt

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2017
Number of Posts :
114

Nice work Mr. Tom….....................chocolate milk fishing produced a good one on the check it stick! Always enjoy your reports…................

Apr 10 2019

Tom Dillon

Toad

Member Since :
2014
Number of Posts :
516

Thanks, Wayne. I won't give up all my secrets, but I do want to help other members catch more and bigger bass. Most of them probably won't believe me anyway - I'm a fisherman!

Apr 10 2019

Steve Alexander

Admin

Member Since :
2002
Number of Posts :
1189

Tom,

I visited the lake yesterday 4/9 at 3:00 PM to see the condition of the lake. I used a fisheries biologist tool called a Secchi Disk ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secchi_disk ) to measure water visibility. The water visiblity is 11" at the dock. 

The muddy water (aka turbidity) was caused by the dredging done last fall. The owner has applied grass seed twice to the dirt on the sides and both times we received rain that simply washed it in before it could germinate. We are waiting things to dry so that we can smooth out the dirt piles and re-seed. We hope this happens this by June. 

In the meantime maybe catching 6lb and 7 lb bass ease the pain of turbid water. 

Thanks

Steve

Apr 10 2019

Tom Dillon

Toad

Member Since :
2014
Number of Posts :
516

Steve, thanks for the further explanation. The ungerminated seeds might explain the 'pollen' color. The strong winds lately have  probably kept it stirred up, too…..but I'll still take a 6+ and an 'almost-8' any day.