Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Feb-09-21 2:52PM

When Bill Pearl texted me last week about fishing today (if the weather window was open), I didn't hesitate to answer in the affirmative. With the forecasts being what they have been, we made the call to go yesterday afternoon.

We were on the water by 8:30a and it was a cold 30df out!

Luckily, there was no wind but the sun was in hiding.

We headed upriver to a spot he likes and we strained water for a bit with nary a bite.

As we motored to the next spot, Bill noticed some slack water and we made an abrupt stop.

Here, I got to be the one that got the skunk off the boat on a ned rig! A very nice 18"er came into the boat!

Nah...I wasn't too exited!

Shortly after that, Bill got his skunk off with a hefty 15"er!

I don't know what the water temps were but it was somewhere between 36-38df. Bill had a bet with his buddy who took the under (at 3 fish). Now, we had 2 fish in a matter of minutes.

Then, it got real! For the next hour or so, we would catch 11 smallies out of this one hole!

I followed my 18"er with a 17 and two 16s...all fat!

Bill followed his 15"er with and 18, a 20.25....

...a 16, a 19 and a 17!

What a day! We had two doubles!

And it wasn't even lunch time.

I know it was cold out but I didn't feel it.

We left there satisfied because we had a few more places to visit...and eat lunch. But...as Bill said let's move, I got bit and started to wrestle with a very nice fish. I was using my L baitcaster and the fish was taking a lot of line. I finally got it close to the boat and Bill slid the net in the water. The fish wanted no part of that and made a right turn right under the boat. I couldn't react fast enough (to get the rod in the water) and the line got cut at boat edge. The look on Bill's face!!

We estimated the smallie at 18-20". It was tub but she did not get to come on board. Thankfully, we had caught almost a dozen fish here so the disappointment didn't last long.

I'll probably dream about it tonight!

The sun came out right after we ate and made things more comfortable.

We went to several other known fish producing spots to no avail. We could not figure it out. Were all the fish in the one hole? Maybe so.

We called it around 2:30p and we were satisfied with the day. Bill's top 5 fish came in at 90.25". In February!!!

Oh, Bill did catch a channel cat but I couldn't get him to pose with it.

Great day out especially with the inclement weather that's about to make its presence!

Junger · Feb-09-21 4:07PM

That is a fantastic report, beautiful fish. Bill is a nice guy, I remember meeting him at the first high school fishing tourney I went to.

Curly · Feb-09-21 4:27PM

Sweet fish!

GregF · Feb-09-21 5:40PM

Great job!!! I saw those pics and my jaw dropped! Nice winter pullage.

Osprey · Feb-09-21 5:56PM

Great report and pretty fish. Surprised you could even cast while wearing your entire wardrobe. :-)

Bruce · Feb-10-21 4:05AM

Ernie,
If I didn't know you, I'd have thought that those pictures were photoshopped. But knowing you, I know you guys had a fantastic day. With the size of those monsters, maybe there is still hope for our local smallie waters.

drxfish · Feb-10-21 5:49AM

Wow! It is great seeing you catching Winter fish! Congrats to you both for an awesome day!

backtofuturetoyota · Feb-10-21 7:47AM

Always a great post ernie. I never get out to do any winter fishing, so if you ever need a rod holder....I'm your man! lol I'm doing it for the sammies!!

firemunkee · Feb-10-21 7:51AM

Those are some quality fish right there! Now you know how to stay warm when fishing in the cold haha

hookup · Feb-10-21 8:25AM

Nice job Bill and Ernie!

Were all the fish in the one hole?

I've had days where yes, they were - at least the fish that bit. Skunk all day until that one magic hole, then game on. Glad you found them

Last edited by hookup (Feb-10-21 8:29AM)

Ernie · Feb-11-21 7:08AM

Junger wrote:
Bill is a nice guy,

Yea he is...and even better at finding fish!

Osprey wrote:
Surprised you could even cast while wearing your entire wardrobe

I was properly layered. Never once complained about the cold.

backtofuturetoyota wrote:
I never get out to do any winter fishing, so if you ever need a rod holder....I'm your man! lol I'm doing it for the sammies!!

Well, I rarely go but this one was worth it.

I did bring some nice footlong ham sammies from Sheetz on board. Bill had 1/2 on the boat and the other half yesterday.

drxfish · Feb-11-21 7:19AM

What was the water temps?

Ernie · Feb-11-21 9:06AM

drxfish wrote:
What was the water temps?

I guessed 36-38df...Bill does not have a FF on the boat.

When I dipped my hand in the water to get a fish...it was COLD!

Ernie · Feb-11-21 9:33AM

This about sums it up...

drxfish · Feb-11-21 9:46AM

I see the resemblance.

Bass Hunter · Feb-13-21 4:16AM

Awesome report and nice catches!!!

Mhen · Feb-13-21 7:57PM

Wow! Nice fish fellas. Can't believe someone braved the cold ;-)

darbrewe · Feb-14-21 12:44PM

Love this report. Way to go!

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Feb-09-21 2:52PM

2-9-21, 'doah

#2 Feb-09-21 4:07PM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#3 Feb-09-21 4:27PM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#4 Feb-09-21 5:40PM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#5 Feb-09-21 5:56PM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#6 Feb-10-21 4:05AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#7 Feb-10-21 5:49AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#8 Feb-10-21 7:47AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#9 Feb-10-21 7:51AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#10 Feb-10-21 8:25AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#11 Feb-11-21 7:08AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

Junger wrote:

Osprey wrote:

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

#12 Feb-11-21 7:19AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#13 Feb-11-21 9:06AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

drxfish wrote:

#14 Feb-11-21 9:33AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#15 Feb-11-21 9:46AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#16 Feb-13-21 4:16AM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#17 Feb-13-21 7:57PM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

#18 Feb-14-21 12:44PM

Re: 2-9-21, 'doah

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