Wind, Smallies and Ibuprofen, 4/20/16

[Will Wetline]

Weather Underground predicted sun, 60ºs and 10 -20 mph NNW wind which I know meant 20 - 30 mph howling over the wide open spaces of Quabbin Reservoir. Did I want to subject my 63 year old self to the punishment these conditions would provide?

Was set up on the Way Offshore Flats (WOF) at 7:00. First spot was too shallow at this time. Moved further out, anchored deep - 30'(?) - and settled at a depth between the dark and the visible bottom, the break where the flat drops into the deeps.

Breeze was only about 10 mph at this time so I started with the 1/8 oz. hair jig, casting with the wind onto the flat.

That's a blurry smallie of about 3 3/4 lbs. It could be a good day for fishing if not for photography. 

8:00 now and I'm facing a wind that's whitecapping the waves. Control of the 1/8 oz. jig was impossible so I went to a 5/8 oz. vibrating blade bait. The tackle used was a 6 1/2' medium power, fast action St. Croix Avid with a Shimano Curado spooled with 10 lb. Silver Thread AN40. 

I'd cast at an angle to work 20' - 30' depths. When the blade hit bottom I'd pull - not rip/stroke - 18" - 24" to get good vibrations, a tune that sang, "Eat me!" to the smallmouth in the neighborhood.

Five sucked it off the bottom between lifts. Here's another 3 3/4 lber. and a solid 5.

A more filled out than most laker of about 4 lbs. liked the blade too.

By mid morning the fish had either moved on or wised up and I explored other steep drops. They should be liking suspending jerks with the water at 48.7º. One small laker whacked a Duo Realis jerkbait 100SP after the first sweep of the rod. Among the several Lake trout I've landed this season, this one was the fins down winner of the twist-in-the-net competition. Aargh. Northern smallie anglers know exactly what I'm talking about.

Noontime found me working my favorite early spring shoreline. The wind had backed off to 10 - 15 mph which is where I like it. Water temp here was 52.8º. I've got fantasies of ripping 'em up. Big ones. My rich mental life was grounded by three 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 lbers. and a number of follows.

Also checked a sweet spot for largemouth.

Here's a 2 lb. LM with the head of a 3. It continued its poor eating habits by snacking on my crawfish colored jig with a GYCB Double Tail Grub trailer.

3:30 now. Enough. I'm beat. Back home I left the gear in the car, ate, and washed down a couple ibuprofen with a Steel Rail Pale Ale. Was this level of exhaustion worth it? I'd bet I'm singing with the choir when I say: "Yes!"

I'll close with a photo of this day's tools for fish trickery:

 

[J Francho]

Looks like a pretty good day!

[Gundog]

Nice catches 

[Darren.]

Awesome haul! Sure wish smallies were down
here in the Hampton Roads area. Love catching
them. Yeah, I could go to Richmond, but easier
said than done.

[A-Jay]

Solid Day ~ Especially considering the conditions.

Congrats

A-Jay

[Dwight Hottle]

Great outing and recap. 

[Hurricane]

Awesome!

[hookset on 3]

Will, That was a really good recap of what was surely, a memorable day. Thanks for taking the time to type it up. I've always found your stories of the "Q" intriguing.

I lived in Acton, Weston  and Southbridge MA in the 80's and early 90's.

[snake95]

I enjoyed fishing vicariously through your great recap.  Even washed a couple ibuprofen down with a pale ale after I got to the bottom.  

[Turkey sandwich]

Great recap, and it sounds like a killer day on the water!