4/13 - 4/14: Hangin' with the OE Boyz

[J Francho]

CASTMASTER and I had been talking up a spring trip out his way.  We decided an afternoon in kayaks on some small water he and his dad fish from shore could be interesting, and then follow it up the next morning with a trip to one of my waters.

Kept getting delayed at the start, seemed like I was never going to get out the door, and our afternoon start ended up being an early evening jaunt.  No matter, there were fish.

Jim Jr. and I fished from kayaks, while Jim's dad (CATS1939) fished the shoreline.  This being Jim Jr.'s first time fishing in a kayak, I was interested to see what he thought.  Turns out he liked, though he felt a little stiff after four hours, but in truth, I feel sore after that long as well.

We started off with the first bite being a pickerel, and shortly after, I missed a good fish in some wood.  That pattern would be a theme.  All in all, I think we boated six fish or so, nothing huge.  Lots baits in the trees, snagged in underwater debris, and general mayhem on the water.  Gotta love spring.  Tons of fun fishing water that was a solid ten degrees warmer than anything I've been fishing.  I believe Jim Jr. has some pics of me with some green trout.

On our way back is when it really got fun.  I needed some nice pictures of the boat Jim was using, and the light was just right, So I told him to mug for a nice shot.

He says, "What would make this perfect is to hookup right now."

As he says these words, his rod loads up.....I'll let pictures tell the rest of the story:

At this point were goth laughing our ***** off at how PERFECT the moment was.  The "pick for a pic" is what I'll call the series, LOL.

Fun and games aside, it was getting late, and we had an early start the next day....

The next morning was not without issue...I somehow lost my keys, which turned up on the guest bed I slept in.  Oh well, it was really nippy this morning, and the late start wouldn't hurt us.  We made good tie, and got to my water, and noted that the lake was completely flat, so instead of fishing the bay, we ventured out into the massive blue water.

Despite being nice and calm, and having lots of company, the fish were nowhere to be found.  Lots of stories were told by Sr., which makes slow fishing more enjoyable.

So, we went back in the bay to catch some green fish, and caught them we did.  I'd say we boated 25 fish total.  All of caught fish, and I lost many fish.  We played some teamwork, with each of catching right after miss.  Good practice for the team events later when the tournament season starts.  Jim Jr. let two Big steelhead go by the boat, one putting on an aerial display before shaking loose.  I was very surprised to see them in such dingy, shallow water, but its that time of year where anything goes.

Water temps in the bay were 52 to 55, and we mostly found fish in relatively shallow water, often near or on cover, wood or otherwise.  Fish came on cranks, spinnerbaits, and vibration baits.  Strikes were mere taps.

Some of the highlights:

Sr. with a little guy caught using the "hybrid bait" - Jr.'s color on my type of bait.

After dropping three crankbait fish in a row, I finally get one over the side, LOL.

Jim Jr. and I had a long conversation the night before about how to keep a poorly hooked crankbait fish buttoned.

I then proceed to drop three in a row, while telling Jim each time, "Watch what I'm doing here.....crap, its gone!" 

A lot of fun was had at my expense, LOL.

Little did I know they had filled out an application to the bucket brigade.  Good thing, because we found our dinner:

Cormorants and Mute Swans were stealing this food right out of our mouths!

Jim Jr. went on a tear with his crankbait.

One of the better fish of the day.

Artistic shot of Jim Sr.

I love spinnerbaiting near wood!

Finally......with all the big bass reported, I get one.

OK, maybe not that big.... 4-3, if I recall correctly.  Nice, fat fish, though.

Thanks go out to the OE Boyz, their significant others, Nova, and the fish of Central NY.

[paul.]

great post.  fantastic pix!

[MaineBassMan]

Great post!! I don't care where you are a 4 pound plus fish is great fish. 8-) And if it isn't you are spoiled!! ;D

[J Francho]

Thanks guys.  I don't post a ton of reports, but I like it to be a story.  Being a photog, the pictures, well they just happen.  Glad you appreciate them.

Maine-Man, that bay gives up a sixer or two every year.  I grew up there, and love that place.  Its a great, relatively unpressured water, with awesome proximity to the "big lake."

[Tin]

OE Boyz?

Did you guys down 40's and get in your kayaks with Reeboks with no laces?

[roadwarrior]

GREAT POST!

                                    

[J Francho]

Thanks Kent.

OE Boyz?

Did you guys down 40's and get in your kayaks with Reebocs with no laces?

LMAO, yes.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Great post. Looks like a good time was had by all.

[soccplayer07]

good read. good pics!

[Dwight Hottle]

Nice post & pics, John. And mainebassman has it right a four pounder is a nice fish.

[J Francho]

It sure is a good fish, more memorable since it wrapped up on a zebe encrusted metal dock pylon. I have give credit to the 10# Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon....not my favorite line so far, but it held up well, considering it was mangled.

Good fish, but just a start. I have 7s and 8s in my sights.

[Big-O]

Great Photo's J Franco and a beautiful Fish.....Stay after'em 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[A-Jay]

Thank you for sharing J. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole post. I really appreciate you posting an accurate, honest and realistic weight of your fish. I'm glad that I'm not the only one living in a state where every bass that size isn't 9 pounds. Our opener is not until the 24th (thank you very much !) My wife just gave me the 'look' - I think I might have drooled on the key board a little . . . . . .

A-Jay

[Paul Roberts]

Great post J. Great photos. 

[J Francho]

Thanks guys.

Paul, about half the fish had ruby red teeth.  No rhyme or reason to it depth wise, though I suspect some recently came in from deep.

[J Francho]

Thank you for sharing J. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole post. I really appreciate you posting an accurate, honest and realistic weight of your fish. I'm glad that I'm not the only one living in a state where every bass that size isn't 9 pounds. Our opener is not until the 24th (thank you very much !) My wife just gave me the 'look' - I think I might have drooled on the key board a little . . . . . .

A-Jay

Glad you liked the post.  We used to have to wait until the 3rd Saturday in June.  Man, that sucked.  We are now allowed catch and release with artificials in the off season.  You know I hate BS when it comes to weights of fish, but I do like to make the fish look big and beautiful in the pictures.

[Paul Roberts]

C&R for bass out of season makes such sense. Glad they did that.

I see a 4lber as a big bass where I fish. Sure there are 6's around, in many waters, but how many? One or two a year makes that a top end fish -something different in my book.

Again, fun post. Great pics. Thanks for keeping us up on NY bassin'.

[A-Jay]

Thank you for sharing J. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole post. I really appreciate you posting an accurate, honest and realistic weight of your fish. I'm glad that I'm not the only one living in a state where every bass that size isn't 9 pounds. Our opener is not until the 24th (thank you very much !) My wife just gave me the 'look' - I think I might have drooled on the key board a little . . . . . .

A-Jay

Glad you liked the post. We used to have to wait until the 3rd Saturday in June. Man, that sucked. We are now allowed catch and release with artificials in the off season. You know I hate BS when it comes to weights of fish, but I do like to make the fish look big and beautiful in the pictures.

You certainly did that.

A-Jay