It seems like the beginning of June was only 2 weeks ago, not 2 months ago. Now it’s the beginning of August, and if the early leading month of Fall is any indication of the Bass bite to come, I say "Bring it on!! The sooner the better too!!!"
The last time I’d been Bass fishing on the river, was up in Wabasha during the BFL. My success up there was not exactly as I’d planned, but that’s life and that’s fishing. The last time I’d been Bass fishing on my home water was about 2 weeks before the BFL. So it’s safe to say I’m out of the loop with the current conditions on Pool 7. I’m not especially proud of that fact either.
Sunday I hit the water with my Dad. He’s always been my best partner. He’s always on fish which makes my life easier when I haven’t been out.
I say my Dad’s my best partner because we fish so differently. I’m more of a "turn & burn" speed fisherman. He’s either deadsticking plastics or fishing texas-rigged plastics with an 1/8oz weight. I believe it’s that difference of fishing styles that makes us fish better.
Our first few spots we tried proved fruitless. No fish and no bites. I was almost starting to think the front we had move through earlier had put the fish in a negative mood. The bait fish were there, but there wasn’t much else for action.
We wanted to try more typical haunts, places that have held fish for us in the past, but that wasn’t working for us. The low flow rendered these places useless. So we decided to abandon the game plan we had and made a move to places with more current. Weed points and current washed wood. That was the best move we could have made. Not long after the transition was made we began to see instant success.
The first Bass was pulled off some current swept wood using a Berkley PowerWorm. The second fish pictured was pulled off a sanded in wingdam using a Chug Bug in "Mille Lacs Blue" color. 
Oddly enough the wingdams we hit yeilded no SM Bass. The sky conditions were perfect for a topwater bite. Low grey skies and fog. There’s not much more to ask for. Except maybe a few acrobatic SM Bass on the ends of our lines.
Every place we did try had an abundance of FAT LM Bass. The LM Bass in the 3rd picture was plucked from a wingdam by a Bandit Crankbait, pearl white in color. They were really active and willing to hammer that crank.
Not wanting to be outdone, I threw out a Brovarney Swim jig and immediately hooked the fish pictured last. I love the way active fish hit a swim jig. There’s almost to way to miss the strike.
It was a great day to be on the water. Made even better by the amount of fish we put into the boat. There wasn’t much more I could have asked for. Fishing with my Dad is always fun, and I always seem to learn something new fishing with him. I look forward to doing it again for sure. 
Care to guess how many 100’s of pounds of bass you’ve caught on that chug bug, Tom?!
Mille Lacs, Upper Miss with DeeZee… off Everts dock… and on and on. Anyone that fishes with Tom has seen that bait do the damage.
How many times have you replaced the trebles?
One of these days a little punk snot-rocket is going to take that bait off your hands. We’ll have to have a little ceremony for it…
Awesome report, Tom.
I’m not sure I wanna know. It’s bitter-sweet knowing they aren’t made anymore, but also knowing what I have left are all I have. I should be using braid when I fish them.
That reminds me! I need to do that again.
I’ve replaced the Trebles and the Split Rings multiple times.
For anyone who’s not familiar with this Chug Bug, here’s the story.
I was getting ready for a tourney, probably over 10 years ago. My wife stopped at Walmart and saw that Chug Bug on the shelf. Thinking she’d surprise me, she bought me one. Now, when I buy baits, I buy in multiples of 2 or 3. Never, ever just one. To me having just one bait leads to disaster. Just ask Jeremy Crawford about a Parrot colored Fat Rap….
So, she gives me this Chug Bug as a good luck gift for the tourney. I took the Chug Bug with, not thinking I’d be using an untested bait in a tourney. As it turns out, the fish on the lake we were fishing wanted topwater. So I thought “what the heck” and tied it on. At the end of the day, we’d won that tourney. Every fish we weighed in was caught on that bait. It’s been my BEST topwater bait ever since. Like James stated, Mille Lacs, Upper Miss., Pool 4, Petenwell, the list goes on and on….I’ve yet to find a place it won’t work. I owe it all to my wife!
Great report Tom
Fishing with parents is a good time, I love fishing with my dad also.
I will be holding the 20+ Chug Bugs I have as hostage IF you ever loose that one
Tom has dozens of chug bugs… but only a couple with a white belly and light blue back.
Tom,
Great BASS Report, Always great to be able to get out with your Dad. Do it often.
Very nice solid Bass.
Would you mind emailing to me a couple of close-up PICS of your blue Chug-Bug ????
I just may have to get out a few old baits, and get out the air-brush, and paint a few up, and see how they look.
thanks,
Jack..
Nice report Tom!
Interesting story about that chug bug. I guess sometimes it can really pay off to let your wife pick out a lure for you.
Boog
Excellent report, Tom. My one regret in life was not going fishing with my dad more often.
Great story Tom. I hope it lasts forever!
John
Awesome Report Blue!!! Looks like fun
Nice fish Tom. someday maybe i will get those numbers from ya.
lureinnovations homepage
Tom,
Check out #75
That’s close.
Thanks for the link!!
Great report Tom and thank you for sharing!
Way to adapt and find those fish! 
And it always feels a little bit better fishing with dad!
Very nice fish Blue. Thanks for the story.
Thanks, Bill
Hmmmm. I know that chugbug.
Nice report Tom. Those largemouth are chunks! 