Strange Day

I got on the water before 4 AM today, ready to throw topwater flies at Bass on my favorite lake. And I had plenty of action, and also good results. But…..

Have you ever had a day where the Bass seem to be biting funny? Typically when a Bass, especially a bigger Bass, eats a topwater they come up from underneath and behind. Then they snap their mouth open and shop-vac it into their mouth. Then they turn and head back down. Today was very different. They’d cruise up to the bug and gently pull it down just like a Sunfish would do. And then they’d swim just under the surface right at you. It was almost impossible to hit them hard enough to get a hook set. And since they were nipping at the bait I was hooking them right in the edge of the lip, so the hook would pull out. I lost several very nice fish right at the side boat. They weren’t coming out of the water and throwing it, they would be bull dogging and all of a sudden they’re off. The fish I did land were barely hooked. Frustrating to say the least! But I guess if stuff like this didn’t happen once in a while it wouldn’t be a sport. Sometimes the fish gets to win, too.

Rootski

First 20 inch fish of the year!

Another nice fish, caught on a dahlberg Diver

Rootski it only counts if you start at the end of the ruler not at the 2 inch mark

Nice fish

I’d like to get some tips from you some time!

I had the same thing happen opening weekend using my Hula Popper. Normally you hear the whoosh or at least a splash when they hit. But the fish were just slurping it down quiet as could be. I was coaching my 2 nephews on how to retrieve topwater frogs, so I missed a few strikes, not being able to hear them and react.

Reading the subject I thought you caught a few P2 walleyes

Just having fun with you, Rootski………

Yes, when I used to chase LM more I remember days when the fish would gently slurp the lure from the surface, but I don’t recall them swimming at me.

Hi Francis Good one. I’ll catch some Walleye down there on P2 yet, you just watch. I was fly fishing so it made it tough to strip in enough line to tighten up on them before the hookset. All in all it was great day, two fish over 20 inches in the boat, 4 fish between 18 and 20, and another dozen or so smaller fish.

Say hello to Peggy and Tyler!

Rootski

Rootski,

On the upper Miss I have had bigger smallies come up and barely snarf in a topwater chugger and slowly sink down in the water column. I was always under the impression for years that the more aggressive your presentation is, the more agressive the hits will be…..but I have had days the complete opposite as well? Moody things!

Also, interesting point you made about the fish not wanting to jump and throw the bait. In the fall when I am targeting schooling smallies, I often will see fish stay down under the water during the fight and not jump at all until later in the day? Whats that all about? Not sure if its complete coincidence or something to it?

Hi Steve,

I don’t know what to think. As I look back over my notes, I have at least several days a year where I just can’t seem to hook a fish. Then the next time I go out I stick 10 or 12 fish in row and look like a super star. I have to believe it all comes down to the fishes attitude or behavior on a given day. Last Saturday, the bigger fish were targeting spawning sunfish. I was looking for hard bottom areas near shore and sight fishing them. The way the water was boiling it looked like carp spawning. That led me to believe the fish were in a positive attitude, if not down right aggressive. Then they’d nip at my offering and barely be hooked? Opening weekend if you moved your topwater at all, they’d refuse it. All of the fish I caught hit the bug after it had been sitting absolutely still for at least 30 seconds. Then they’d hammer it. Moody indeed!
I haven’t caught enough big smallmouth (like, who has ) to characterize any behaviors but I know with Largemouth the 18 to 20 inch fish offer the most acrobatic fight. Big time jumps, tailwalking, etc. The bigger fish tend to bulldog near the bottom and try to break your gear.

Good to hear from you buddy and see you on 2 one of these days.

Rootski