Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Maiden river outing in my new jon boat.  Got out early and was on the water just before 7am.



It was a little windier and chillier than I thought it would be.  I got going and the chop was causing my front end to bang, because I do not have much weight in front yet.  I am still working to get it set up.  Anyway, I tried a spot not too far and anchored.  The water was a little muddy there and it was swift.  I tried there for a while with no bites and then decided to cross over to an island shoreline.  The water was a little better there and I was less exposed to the wind.   I tried a tube, jig, ned, chatterbait and spinnerbait.  No bites, which surprised me.  I saw a boat come up and stop at my first spot and thought it might be Ernie.  He moved on and I found out later it was him.

I alternated between anchoring and drifting along the shoreline.  Spots looked good, but nothing biting.  Although it was a little chilly, I was enjoying being back on the river.   I came across either a small Otter or a good-sized Musk Rat swimming along behind a logjam.  Lots of birds and raptors flying and a fox squirrel scurrying along the bank.

Ernie texted me and said they had caught one 12 incher.  I was doing my thing and ate my sandwitch about 11:15 am.  I changed out my chartreuse spinnerbait for a brown and orange with gold blades.  On about my third cast I hooked a smallie!  Not too big, but I christened the new boat.



I checked the weather and it said that there would be rain at 1pm.  I was not really prepared for rain, so I decided to float back around 12pm.  I was floating and casting, alternating baits.  I got down to the next island and the water was a little cleaner.  I tried the tube and after a while, I hooked a fish.  It seemed like a better fish, but I could not tell how big it was .  I was trying to get the net and the fish jumped twice.  The second time, completely out of the water and it was massive!  I fought the fish as it went to the front of the boat and then bac out and then under the boat.  I tried to get the net to it, but I had too much line out.  I finally got it in the net and it looked huge in the net.  I was shaking and super pumped.  The boat was floating the whole time near the shore, so I had that to worry about too.  I managed to grab the bunk board and my phone to take a couple pics.  It was 20.5" and I weighed it after, and it was 4.56 pounds.







The hook fell out after I netted it.  I made sure she swam away healthy.  It was about 12:30pm, so I decided not to push my luck and headed back to the ramp.  Ernie came in as I was almost ready to go.  I was able to say hi to them and I got home before the rain.  So happy to be back on the river!