Dow Lake, 22 APR 2018

[CybrSlydr]

Nowhere really special or out of the way - hit up Stroud's Run State Park which houses Dow Lake.

 

 

Quote

The land for

 Stroud’s Run State Park was purchased by the state from 1948 through 1953 for forest conservation purposes. The dam creating Dow Lake was completed in 1960. The land and water area is owned and managed by the ODNR Division of Ohio State Parks for recreational purposes. The topography includes steep hills, open fields, and woodland. The lake encompasses 171 acres at normal pool with a shoreline length of 6.4 miles. The maximum depth is 33 feet.

 

 

 

We got there around 2:00pm or a little after.  Sun was out and a few clouds were available.

 

 

 

 

As you can see, the water was extremely stained from all the rain we've had recently.  You can also see my brother in the yellow hoodie - it was breezy but not unbearably cold.  I was in shorts and a t-shirt though I brought a jacket just in case.

 

We stayed for a little over an hour (Penguins were playing the Flyers at 3:30 and we wanted to see part of the game - lake is about an hour from home) and I managed to land a "Sampson Bass".

 

 

I didn't even know it was on until I started reeling in and I saw the line moving horizontally.  As you can see, it's a tiny little bass.  Hence it's a "Sampson Bass".  That's about the only size we ever catch, if we catch anything.  My brother didn't get a nibble. 

 

Caught it using a 1/10oz Ned Rig jig head and a 3" TRD in green/black as you can see. 

 

Also, as PROOF to you strangers in the south as to why I revile it there, it was 65 degrees and gorgeous out, we were out for barely over an hour and this happened.

 

 

The tops of my forearms are ALREADY GETTING SUNBURNED.  I freaking haaaaaaaaaaaate the sun.

 

But, just before we left, I had to snap a pic of the Jeep.

 

[jr231]

I know it's cold, but do you own a kayak ?? 

[CybrSlydr]

3 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

I know it's cold, but do you own a kayak ?? 

We would love to have a kayak - it's a matter of funds, honestly.  Kayaks are expensive.  Then there's the paddle.  And the life jacket, then all the kit for the kayak and the thing to tow the kayaks with...  

 

Kayaks are on our list for the future - it's just going to be a long time before we get them.  Which is why it drives me nuts that people post on here fishing from the shore catching these huge fish (to us, 3-4lb is huuuuuge) and we get little squeaky at best.  lol

[jr231]

I have a few (cheap) crafts. One of them being a sun dolphin kayak.. . I can't stand on it and fish.. wouldn't even try with my gear,.. but it only cost me like 175 bucks.   And it came with rod holders and a paddle... It's light , it gets pushed around kind of easy.. everyone hates on it... But you can just throw it in the bed of a truck (you could throw two in there really ) and be off the shore very easily. I catch bass off mine. I use a stadium/bleacher cushion and I'm good for hours... I pack light , and can go to any hole that I'd normally fantasize about when bank fishing. You can anchor with a tiny 15lb dumbell. 

 

You could put a quilt down and strap it to your Jeep no problem. I highly recommend it. 

 

Now is the wrong time to buy a life jacket lol but you can find some decent ones for a modest price if you search. Only other thing I'd really recommend is a rod leash . 

 

Since you're clearly into the sport... 300-400 dollars total can be found by penny pinching whatever you're able to do so. 

 

Just a suggestion, that I think would benefit you greatly. 

 

 

 

 

 

[CybrSlydr]

The other problem with kayaks is size - my brother and I are both big guys, so we'd need 13ft kayaks or larger.  I'm about 275 and he's 250+.  So those 10ft Sun Dolphins that WalMart has on sale for $200 won't really work for us. 

[TnRiver46]

Canoe!

[CybrSlydr]

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Canoe!

Oh hell no.  We tried a canoe tandem and that has to be the most unstable thing I've ever experienced on the water.  We rowed back to shore and I got out.  Last thing I wanted was getting dumped in 30ft of water, even with a life jacket.  I had my nice camera with me then as well.

[TnRiver46]

2 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

Oh hell no.  We tried a canoe tandem and that has to be the most unstable thing I've ever experienced on the water.  We rowed back to shore and I got out.  Last thing I wanted was getting dumped in 30ft of water, even with a life jacket.  I had my nice camera with me then as well.

Hahaha. Pontoon boat!!

[jr231]

Haha. That was something I didn't consider.  I'm like 5'9",175..  I imagine being 250 would be a problem with one of those cheap kayaks. 

 

 

 

[CybrSlydr]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Hahaha. Pontoon boat!!

My brother DOES have one of those, the inflatable kind with oars.  He's paddled around before but never had any luck on it.

[TnRiver46]

20 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

My brother DOES have one of those, the inflatable kind with oars.  He's paddled around before but never had any luck on it.

I think y'all need one with metal pontoons and a 90 horsepower!!! All kinds of fun. 

[CybrSlydr]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I think y'all need one with metal pontoons and a 90 horsepower!!! All kinds of fun. 

That requires registration, insurance and a class for a license.

[TnRiver46]

4 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

That requires registration, insurance and a class for a license.

Ouch! Registration (taxes) is enough of a pain. Thankfully I’m old enough to where I didn’t have to take the class, although I’m sure it couldn’t hurt. I’m one of the lucky people on this planet that has been driving a boat since I was about 7 yrs old. I would recommend taking the plunge but I totally understand that it’s not in the cards right now. Plenty of fish to be caught from the bank or wading 

[Crovar]

On 4/24/2018 at 5:19 PM, CybrSlydr said:

That requires registration, insurance and a class for a license.

The class is free online (and super easy). You can take the course at your leisure here: http://www.boatus.org/courses/  I feel your pain though as far as a boat not being in the cards yet.