After flailing baits into shallower water bays as warm as 58 degrees Wednesday and nothing to show for it Mike C and I needed to change up are thought process if we wanted to find some action. Saturday 4/18/09 the decision was made to start off in deeper water in hopes of finding the fish we were looking for staging up before moving into the waters we thought they would already be in.
The first spot targeted was a hard bottom point jetting out from the down river side of an island in 10fow dropping off into 20 plus feet of water parallel to a slight current. Not that we can say there was a party in the boat but, we can say a couple older dogs….
Mike C being the oldest 
….are learning some new tricks
Casting a Stike King Red Eyed Bleeding Shad across the point using a moderate retrieve did bring one nice bronze and green fish top side for a quick picture and release. A DT-10 Pearl Grey Shiner made a couple smaller fish open there pie holes for a taste of what was swimming past also. Having a couple picture worthy fish come unbuttoned just short of boat side had fishing partner Mike cussing just a little under his breath, guess after taking a spanking from him on the Walleyes this year made it my turn to be the stick of the day.
Once the fish we were on shut down it was time to try and locate some other hogs that might be up to a game of tug-a-war.
Well…..were not as good as we once was but, we did soak in some great knowledge and weeded out what we thought would be great early time bass waters.
After a couple short fish taken off cut banks dropping into 10fow we moved back up into a shallow water bay of which we have stuck toads in the past just to make sure we weren’t missing something. This was Mike’s one more opportunity for a picture worthy fish.
A large pike smacked the Tandem spinner bait Mike was retrieving only to leave us both standing in the boat saying in unison….”did you see that thing”….and a look of utter disappointment on my partners face 
Next time will be your turn to put the smack on them buddy Mike 
Like I said…nothing fast and furious probably not even front page material, but we will catch on too early season large sunfish patterns….come on Spook season
Good luck fishing people 
Nice fish Bret.
Hey Brett ? How fast were you working the rattle traps ?
Just a tad slower than pulling buzz baits across the top, there was a good vibration on a medium heavy rod tip and you could hear the rattle half way back to the boat
I’m sure the strikes were more of a reaction than anything.
I’m just guessing though, in no way can I say we are good at this early Bass game, just trying to share what did work and didn’t for us the last two trips.
Hey Thanks
I have some of the same lipless cranks…Blue told me about them and I do like them a lot…I too am trying to figure out ways to use them !!
Nice going ol dogs! Good lookin bass
nice read Bret, just tell us ya don’t have Mike rolling over on demand
Nice job figuring out what works guys
were you wearing sandles?
Hey, one step at a time Slop
These conversions don’t happen overnight you know – they take time 
Nice fish guys
Brett – if you get out again looking for those brownies, try reeling those traps in fast and then stopping it. I was able to provoke a some big bites doing that last Thursday.
Thank you for the info B.C. you can bet I will give it a try
A 20incher sure would make for one cool replica on my wall 
I’m becoming hooked on Smallies. There coloration and fight have a lot to be admired
Nice look’n smallie Bret! Front page worthy in my book!
I hooked one that was almost 23 inches…she didn’t have a lot of girth yet, but I imagine it would be around 6+ in a week or two.
I knew that you would come around to the dark side
I think a road trip is needed Bret as I know a lake that you can catch one on
brett looks like u were fishing bye french island on 8?
Good
I’d love to make it up for a trip Ron, we willl have to see what is in the stars
