Month: June 2016

Fishing for bass

~ James Skinner

Went out to Kota-Ray for some post spawn bass. As expected they were hanging under the cattail shelf that surrounds that lake.  Did well using a Texas rig firetiger colored soft plastic crawfish.  Also tried to catch some perch.  Marked a bunch over the main lake flats but all I could catch were less than 6 inches.  They may be eating mayfly hatches since they seem to be avoiding structure.  Next time I will have to try minnows for the bigger ones.  Have a minnow colored gulp bait a try, got a few hits but wasn’t able to hook one.  I was using a surf style rig with the weight on the bottom and 2 hooks off the main line.  Water temp was upper 60s but not crazy warm. 

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McLeod

~ James Skinner

Took the yak out to ray to fish McLeod for a first.  Lake is real shallow north of the bridge but the south side is like one big pit that maxes out near 30.  Water was warm at 70.  Caught about a dozen 2 foot or less pike using a jig head and gulp minnow bait.  Was looking for perch and walleye and marked a bunch at 9-10 feet right at the edge of the weeds. Only managed one bitter though on a slip bobber and worm but it was a huge perch.  13 inches long, if I could get a mess of them that would be great.  It was bright and sunny and very calm, may have better luck on a cloudy day. 

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Hunting the perch.

~ James Skinner

Took the yak out for the first time this year to Kota-Ray.  Was targeting yellow perch but only brought worms.  Managed to find some at about 10 to 15 foot of water on the main lake point but couldn’t seem to catch any of any size.  Trout were all over the surface but none caught. I also didn’t get any bass but didn’t really try.  Weather was warm, in the 70s and sunny.

Whopper catfish

~ James Skinner

So this spring I went out to west spring lake park because I heard they stocked eater sized trout and catfish in there.  Low and behold on nothing but bobber and earthworm I catch a 15 lb 34.5 inch catfish! I bet this monster has been lurking for some time. Date was May 6th on an overcast and cool day.

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