Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I decided to fish today due to lower winds, but it was a lot colder than they originally forecasted.  There was frost on the car windshield.  I had to get my winter rain jacket and bibs out and add layers.  I got on the water about 7:25am.  Once I got out, it was not too bad with gloves, face mask and layers.  Stop #1 was a bust.  I decided to make a run.  The boat ran great and did not bounce at all. 

I made it to spot #2 and was set and anchored by 8:55am.  On my third cast, I saw something swimming off fast with my tube.  No tap, just swimming with it.  I set the hook and had a good little fight.  I netted the fish and it was a fat 18.5" smallie.





I was pumped that the run payed off.  A few minutes later, I hooked another fish swimming away with the tube.  This one was smaller, but fun.  I was glad they were not inhaling the tube. 





I was optimistic that there would be more there, but I worked it for a while and then drifted out.  I was able to shed the bibs.  I decided to run to the creek next.  I spent some time in there and ate lunch in the shade.  No bites, which I was surprised.  The Full moon coming and water had been in the low 60's until this morning.

I ran a ways back but stopped to float one of the islands.  I was casting and drifting mostly. I did anchor a couple times.   I cast to one shoreline eddy and got smashed.  It felt like a catfish and it was.  Decent size (maybe 19 inches) but he slimed me and got the line tangled.  I did not take a picture as it was a PITA.  A few minutes later, I hooked a little smallie.  No picture of that either.  Those were both on the tube.  I did try a spinnerbait, swimbait on an underspin, chatterbait and a jig. 

Further down, I made a cast with a chatterbait behind a rock and hooked something heavy.  I was hoping for a smallie, but it was another catfish.  This one was big.  It put up a great fight and did not roll on my line.  I got it in the net but did not want to mess with trying to measure or weigh it.  It was maybe 23-25 inches and felt at least 5 pounds.  I took a picture in the net before unhooking it with my pliers next to the boat. 



I saw it was after 2pm, so I headed back to the ramp.  I was off the water by 2:30 or so.  Turned out to be a nice day out with no other boats in sight.

Last edited by drxfish (Apr-22-24 2:37PM)