1st 25 Pound Limit in Michiana

[jgip087]

So before I have caught some big fish just out of Michiana and last year had an unbelievable day on a lake were I caught a limit that weighed 30 pounds 12 ounces on the XTools, anchored by an 8 pound 2 ounce female filled with eggs, but it was a few weeks from now.

    Yesterday my buddies and I go out fishing and destroy them again, but on a much different lake. We launched the boat at 1 and not 50 yards from the landing looked good so we stop and wait for Justin to get there and Matt catches a 3.5 on a lipless crank (only trap fish all day). We then turn around to pick up Justin and bang I have on a huge fish, ends up going over 5, photo below. We pick up Justin and go to another spot which looks just like the first and bang one over 6, photo below. In total I have around 25 pounds and end up laning probably 15 fish over 4 pounds. I ended up losing one by a tree top over 5 and an absolute giant by another tree top on a break I would estimate at 7-8 pounds.
    We caught our fish on Jackall Squad Minnows and I used a Jackall Swimming Ninja to intice some big fish. Pictures are below of just a couple, literally after catching those 5 and 6ers it was hard to take a picture of anything else lol

[TCook]

Wow, heck of a day. So where were you at?

[thedude]

That certainly doesn't suck.

[jgip087]

I'm not sure the name of the lake it is between South Bend/Elkhart and the launch was like a fire lane type thing, kind of like at Pipestone. It didn't have many houses on it but a few.

[skeeterman190]

 thats alot largie there.very nice john.

[ReggieMFD]

First of all GREAT job you guys!!  John, it almost sounds like Heaton Lake just like a half of a mile north of the Toll Road.  Was the launch a dirt road between two houses with almost no parking?  And was the launch on the south-southwest part of the lake? 

                                                  Mark

[jgip087]

Could have been the one. I have heard of a lot of good ponds by the toll road you can put boats in. Is this true as well?

[ReggieMFD]

I'm not sure about that, but this is more of a lake not a pond in my opinion.  There is a beach on this lake called Ideal Beach that is well known on the South side of the lake and I know it is in Elkhart.  There are quite a few cottages on it though.  I have only fished it twice threw the ice this year and wanted to try it this Spring, but haven't had the chance.

[ReggieMFD]

Hey John, what color pattern did you use on those bass in the squad minnow and the swimming ninja?  You can pm me if you prefer.