paul. Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 as those of you who live around the mid south area know, we've had some real nasty weather over the past few days. since it's been warm and water temps have been in the 50's, i've tried to do some fishing between monsoons. and i have learned something very cool about one of my best swimbaits. with the deluge we've had, one of my favorite ponds has gone from 2 feet low to overflowing. visibility has gone from feet to inches. i've tried one of my favorite stained water baits, a big colorado blade spinnerbait, with only one 2 pounder to show for it. and then, for some reason, i started thinking swimbait. i had been saving my mattlures gill for the spawn, but i just couldn't resist the urge to try it. i'm sure glad i did. everything was working against the matt gill. high winds causing some serious waves, poor clarity, and a vicious cold front setting in. but it apparently didn't matter. i fished the gill parallel to the bank waking it slightly below the surface just as i had the spinnerbait. in ponds i always try to put the bait between where i think the fish are and the bank to set up a funnel attack scenario. and it worked. several nice fish clobbered the gill today including a fat one that tried to take the rod out of my hands right in front of a small point in only about a foot of water. this was an eye opening experience for me to be sure. i tried to process why the matt was so successful when the big colorado bladed spinner was not, and i can only come up with one answer. the spinnerbait is loud and vulgar. it screams "BITE ME, BITE ME!" the mattlures gill couldn't be any more different. it whispers. softly. seductively. persistently. with every wag of its tail it says (insert barry white or luther vandross music here ) "come on baby, you know you want me. let's do this." and then the magic happens. at least that's my take on it. ;D whether i'm right or not, i don't know. but some nice bass have been all over this bait in conditions that are definitely less than desirable for a swimbait. yes, the matt gill is a deadly bed fishing bait. but it's so much more. don't wait until the spawn. throw those mattlures bluegills right now. you might just catch your lunker before she even goes to bed. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted March 1, 2011 Super User Posted March 1, 2011 Nice write up & nice bass Paul. Don't you love it when your creative thinking juices hit upon the answer. Nice change of clothes too. Quote
hookingem Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Beautiful bait and an even more beautiful fish! Quote
paul. Posted March 1, 2011 Author Posted March 1, 2011 http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1298937858 SPEEDBEAD. beat me to it. ;D Quote
Big-O Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Yeah Buddy, that's a great bait and a gooeegous Fish! WTG Paul Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Super User bassfisherjk Posted March 1, 2011 Super User Posted March 1, 2011 Nice bass Paul,way to go! Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 1, 2011 Super User Posted March 1, 2011 Thanks for the tip and a good looking fish! It's a bit colder up here on the plateau and we didn't get to 50 degree water temp until yesterday. However, with all the rain, most of my water went from clear to looking like thin pea soup. Time for a "Plan B" myself! Quote
shimmy Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Great fish Paul, and enjoyed the write up on it. I must say, you are quite the pond fisherman. You consistently catch the big ones every year from what i am starting to see. Quote
hookset on 3 Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 Huge Lunker! That gill is a stud,it's no wonder she wanted it. Nice funnel reference, I will be sure to practice that,as it makes perfect sense. Thanks, hookset on 3 Quote
Mattlures Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 Paul, that is a great picture! thanks for posting the report! Quote
Fish Chris Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 What a beautiful fish ! .....and lure Thats just a great shot all the way around Stay on em' ! Fish Quote
bassman31783 Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 Great report & great fish. Love the bait as well. I haven't caught many on it yet but they have all been quality fish for sure. Quote
Super User senile1 Posted March 2, 2011 Super User Posted March 2, 2011 That's a great fish, Paul! Where's that wind you're talking about? Was the picture taken in a protected cove? Quote
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