bp_fowler Posted March 17 Posted March 17 After getting pummeled by that front yesterday I wasn’t expecting much today. Decided to check out a place east of me called Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area or as most around here refer to it, AEP. Basically it’s approximately 35,000 acres of reclaimed strip mines, it’s dotted with a few hundred ponds. So many that most don’t even have a name just an alphanumeric designation on the map. Lauched my canoe at the first pond I came across. Water was super clear, like see right down to bottom clear. It caused me a bit of a problem. I could see tons of bluegill and small bass scattering as I approached. Even spooked a handful of larger bass unfortunately. I ended up having to make very long casts to even have a chance at a bite. Caught a half dozen dinks most about the size of this one, which was my first catch out of the canoe. 20 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 17 Super User Posted March 17 @bp_fowler: I've fished AEP! Beautiful area. 1 Quote
bp_fowler Posted March 17 Posted March 17 Just now, Swamp Girl said: @bp_fowler: I've fished AEP! Beautiful area. Agree. There’s so many ponds there. I wish I had a couple weeks just to explore. I probably still wouldn’t even come close to scratching the surface of all that place has to offer. 2 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 17 Super User Posted March 17 29 minutes ago, bp_fowler said: Agree. There’s so many ponds there. I wish I had a couple weeks just to explore. I probably still wouldn’t even come close to scratching the surface of all that place has to offer. How did the canoe feel? Regarding that clear water, one reason I cast big lures is so the bass can't see me first. I fish clear water too. 1 Quote
bp_fowler Posted March 18 Posted March 18 1 minute ago, Swamp Girl said: How did the canoe feel? Regarding that clear water, one reason I cast big lures is so the bass can't see me first. I fish clear water too. I’m getting more comfortable every time I take it out. Today I really started to notice the primary/secondary stability you mentioned. I was able to get a pretty good lean to one side or the other and the canoe would just balance there until i shifted my weight. 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 18 Super User Posted March 18 In tight quarters, like a narrow river, I steer my canoe with my weight as much as my paddle. When it's warmer, really test your empty canoe's stability in shallow water to determine where it tips. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted March 18 Global Moderator Posted March 18 @bp_fowler, congrats on christening the canoe!!! That front you mentioned left our waters the opposite of clear, looks like coffee w creamer 2 Quote
bp_fowler Posted March 18 Posted March 18 10 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: @bp_fowler, congrats on christening the canoe!!! That front you mentioned left our waters the opposite of clear, looks like coffee w creamer A lot of the spots around here are the same. I wish I had some kind of smart sounding explanation as to why this place wasn’t but honestly I haven’t the foggiest. 1 Quote
softwateronly Posted March 19 Posted March 19 Probably my biggest smallie bag ever and definitely my best shore bound, city bass day. Ended up with only 8 total, but 7 were definitely 3+lbs with 2 that might have exceeded my 20" 5lber from the late 80's. I'll obviously never know. but I'm fine with that. The great lakes finesse juvy craw, 4" berkely power drip in perch, and a 1/2oz spro bucktail jig getting the 2 biggest. The biggest fish were pretty beat up with sores/wounds, must have been a tough winter! scott 24 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 19 Super User Posted March 19 @softwateronly: What a day, Scott! 3 Quote
Super User Bird Posted March 19 Super User Posted March 19 We only caught 4 today, all on spinnerbaits. My partner caught the best fish today. Water temp 52* 23 Quote
Pat Brown Posted March 20 Posted March 20 Biggest frog bass of my life today on the Bronzeye 65 in clear chartreuse. 59° water. Caught a 3 lb male on a grass transition in about 3 feet of water moving back into a pocket. (Pictured here) and a little voice inside my head said shut everything down and slow WAY down in that pocket and on the first cast under a shadeline into inches of water next to some submerged wood - this beautiful 9 lb 3 oz giant hit on the first twitch. I didn't wait for nothing. Swung hard and she launched herself into the air instantly. I could feel her weight fast - it was like fighting an angry stump on the braid - somehow I managed to get her head up and keep her pinned and into the net she went. Last day of practice for Saturday's big bass bash was really fun. 26 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20 Super User Posted March 20 1 hour ago, Pat Brown said: Biggest frog bass of my life today on the Bronzeye 65 in clear chartreuse. the first cast under a shadeline into inches of water next to some submerged wood - this beautiful 9 lb 3 oz giant hit on the first twitch. Congrats again @Pat Brown ! You're on fire man . . . 🔥 A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 20 Super User Posted March 20 1 hour ago, Pat Brown said: it was like fighting an angry stump on the braid Great line about a great fish. 1 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 20 Super User Posted March 20 @Pat Brown: Your little boat looks a lot like Alex/@AlabamaSpothunter's boat. You both do so much more with less. @pdxfisher too. And @softwateronly is on the shore! And there are others who catch more with less. 2 1 Quote
Bazoo Posted March 20 Posted March 20 I had about an hour today and I caught 1 1/2 fish. Here's the "1", which was 1.5 pounds or so. The "1/2" was a similar sized fish that took my lure, but managed to not get the hook well and then jumped and spit my lure in grand fashion. I'd rather have a jump and spit than about any other way to lose one. 13 Quote
IYAOYAS Posted March 20 Posted March 20 Caught my first ever rainbow trout(first trout ever matter of fact) yesterday and it was my second time fly fishing ever. I know it's not big but it's another species off the bucket list. 17 Quote
softwateronly Posted March 20 Posted March 20 12 hours ago, Pat Brown said: Biggest frog bass of my life today on the Bronzeye 65 in clear chartreuse. 59° water. Caught a 3 lb male on a grass transition in about 3 feet of water moving back into a pocket. (Pictured here) and a little voice inside my head said shut everything down and slow WAY down in that pocket and on the first cast under a shadeline into inches of water next to some submerged wood - this beautiful 9 lb 3 oz giant hit on the first twitch. I didn't wait for nothing. Swung hard and she launched herself into the air instantly. I could feel her weight fast - it was like fighting an angry stump on the braid - somehow I managed to get her head up and keep her pinned and into the net she went. Last day of practice for Saturday's big bass bash was really fun. !!!!! Just like you predicted a few posts ago! Congrats and well deserved! scott 2 1 Quote
bp_fowler Posted March 20 Posted March 20 Less than ideal conditions here today as yet another fake spring bites the dust. Two casts in and I hook this fish. Texas rigged craw for the win. 15 Quote
Super User Swamp Girl Posted March 20 Super User Posted March 20 @bp_fowler: Another beauty for you! Is @Pat Brown selling his mojo on the open market now? Was that a canoe bass or shoreline bass? 1 Quote
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