|
Date: June 9, 2018 Body of Water: East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay Boat: Numenon With: A Target: Smallmouth Bass Time: 10:45 AM - 4:15 PM Conditions: Generally overcast and 65 - 70 degrees with easterly winds at about 10 mph. Water was very clear and 58 - 59 degrees F. A few bass were up on beds on the eastern side of the bay. Flat lighting and a bit of wind made sight-fishing difficult at times. We crossed the bay to the vicinity of the rock reef that had produced my fish during the last trip. With water temperatures still shy of 60 (58 - 59 degrees F), I expected pre-spawn conditions with some fish, perhaps, visible. I stopped short of the reef to prepare a cranking rod for A. I expected to either jerk or drag a Ned Rig, but when I observed the round, blue indications of a spawning bed in about 7.5 feet of water about 100 yards off the reef, I immediately picked up Ned. I almost immediately scored a nice, 17-inch smallie with a "Real Deal" Ned Rig. I didn't sight-fish this bass, but it ate on the very edge of an incipient bed. However, cruising the area presented few additional targets or opportunities; and so I nosed up to the edge of the reef. Soon a scrappy 15-incher ate Ned; again, I hadn't sighted the fish, but was rather fishing the visible rock/sand interface in about 5 feet of water. Neither of us had any further action inside, over or around this small reef, and so we relocated several miles to the north. This area has provided good fishing in the past, and offers a mix of depths, sand, gravel and boulders. Cruising and looking, the shallows seemed barren of fish or fish activity, while depths of 11 to 15 feet seemed to offer targets including boulders and possible bass nests. While A cranked or dragged a jig/crawler combo about, I alternated a rattle bait and a jerk bait with Ned. This proved to be a frustrating hour or more, as we connected with zero fish. I felt seriously out of synch, as I wanted to feed my confidence by seeing fish and targets; but without having received any positive feedback, here. I also found that I was fishing the jerk and rattle baits without confidence; and so I resolved to find more visible targets to fish! We moved farther south to the vicinity of a maintained channel, around which, in the past, I have observed bedding bass. I also believe this channel might provide the means for the bass to travel from the depths, across the huge flat, to their spawning locations. It didn't take long to find a few targets in about 7 feet of water; but these beds seemed to be barren, and I was struggling with the wind a bit, too. I decided to go as shallow as I'd ever been on the bay and drift out, across the flat and through these targets. Perhaps that stealthier and more comfortable approach would yield better results. I was pleased to see a glowing blue nest in about 4.5 feet of water, with a blackened bass visibly on post as we proceeded into the shallows. I was super pleased to find out that this nest was just one of several in this immediate area. Having marked the first nest with a buoy to let it rest, I slowly identified a handful of additional targets within easy reach. Thus commenced the easiest and best fishing of the day; the next hour or so produced a half dozen bass between 15 and 19 inches. All ate my trusty Ned Rig; I didn't even bother trying anything else! Now, the day was even a fishing success; and so I went searching for additional bass. Expanding our area, I identified several more bedding areas; but with diminishing returns. There were definitely more beds closer to the channel than further away; and these beds were more likely to be near 5 feet of water than 7 or 8. We finally relocated to our original starting point. Again expanding my search area, I confirmed a few more targets. But not many; with the upcoming new moon and another week of warming temperatures forecast, perhaps the bass will arrive en mass, soon. I hope to be there, too! What do I have to say about this? This was a pretty big day-trip, including more drive-time than fish-time (which I am typically against), but this was the only way we could share this experience together, this weekend. We both decided it was better to squeeze it into one day than to forgo the opportunity, altogether. A has not seen the bay really shine, nor has she been able to share much sight-fishing for smallies. We returned home tired, but content. I'd caught some nice fish, she'd relaxed and enjoyed the day on the water, we'd experienced no problems at all, and Oliver was super happy to see me return home! But most importantly, we'd shared yet another nice day together! The fish were just an excuse to build the day around. I should really know that by now. I have to admit, this realization still kind of surprises me, every time! Over the course of the day, A and I had plenty of time to discuss (among other things) my ill-formed ways of thinking. For instance, I voiced my concern about not being sure I liked bed fishing. I enjoyed seeing and catching the fish, but it seemed to damage my ability to trust and enjoy myself. Plus, it was hard to be happy with just two, five, eight or twenty fish. I always wanted to be certain I could find the next one! That next one might be the impetus for my next trip. Or, I could admit to myself that the next trip is actually about being outside, enjoying the beautiful settings and scenery, and perhaps holding another beautifully large smallmouth. I only know one thing for certain; given the chance, I'm gonna go! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Steve LachanceRI --> NH --> MI-->MA-->ME Archives
June 2024
Categories
All
|
Proudly powered by Weebly