Well, the fishing here in extreme NE Indiana has been the hottest I have ever seen it. I know it sounds like a fish story, but I have never caught sooo many fish over 4 pounds in the spring in my life. We have mostly been fishing our smaller public lakes, but have hit a few of our tourney lakes as well. I have been out the last three nights (ASK MY WIFE she will happily tell you ::)!), and have been averaging 4-5 days a week. Last night my father-in-law and I took a guy out to show him the Golden Chain for his upcoming tourney. He had been out there three times without a keeper. The bite wasn't really that great, but the larger fish were up. We ended up with 12 keepers between 2 1/4-5'5". We caught most of them on rattletraps, but caught a couple on a jerkbait and a jig. The guy we took has been gracious enough to put us on the walleye on Erie the last two weekends so I defiinitely owed him one. We lost 7 keepers too and one of them was a giant. She was one of those fish that you think about for a while. I have caught my biggest fish ever from this chain at 7'5" and three days later caught a 6'11" so they are definitely in there. Oh well, I didn't lose it our guidee (is that a word?) did so he will have to think about her ;D. Maybe she will bite for him in his tournament, he is definitely ready for it now. In a backwater area of the lake where the fish spawn I found 64.7 degree water, there were bucks in there, but no females yet. The water is warming a bit quick in my opinion, I just don't want this spring to end yet. I could use a cold front or two ;D. I have only fished one small tourney so far this year on the Tippy chain and finished fourth (they paid three places ???). We have made two walleye trips to Erie the last two weekends and caught a boatload of them. We had 27 16-25 inchers two weeks ago and 45 18-25 inchers last weekend. I took my 13 year old daughter and she had a blast. She actually cancelled sleepover plans with a friend to go last weekend :o! I hope these trips put the bug in her for life. I have a choice between Erie and the Bass Anglers United tourney on Wawasee this weekend. If my daughter wants to go again, I may go to Erie. God Bless and Good Fishin'
Rufus
Nice story Rufus!
That's the kind of post that keeps us Michigan guys thinking..."only 9 more days left... only 9 more days left"
Good Luck this weekend!
joshimoto son ;D
You're my idol Rufus! I emailed Mickey Thomas about the your tourney on Wawasee; he is on D & R's pro staff. I'll let you know what he says.
Duke
Wow! You are whacking 'em!
Good thing there are no bass left in Indiana because of the year-round season or you'd really be catching the fire out of them. (Yes, I'm being funny)
Glad to have you here stoking the fires of all the rest of us... Thanks.
Rufus,
I found out they are definetly expecting over 50 boats. As I'm sure you're aware, they're giving out a Triton boat at their classic. They have 3 qualifying divisions. If you're confident there, it should be a good deal. I'd love to fish it, but have a wedding to go to. :( I haven't been on Wawasee yet, but have heard there are some fish starting to bed. Haven't seen it, but that's what I'm hearing...
Duke
It took 18# and change on Wawasee last Sunday and 15+ the week before.
Well, if I fish, I will be fishing blind. I haven't been on the 'see yet this year either. I have been fortunate in the past on the 'see without prefishing, but have always had my best tourneys out there with at least one day of prefishing. The classic for that trail conflicts with the BFL regionals. I let the director know about this, but it probably won't change it. I understand these tourney's are eligible for Triton Gold, so it may be worth it just for that. I have only fished one tourney this year and I am feeling the need. Although, these little lakes have got me spoiled now. Those "educated" fish of wawasee may teach me a lesson. God Bless and Good Fishin!
Rufus
Nothing worse than a smartbass!