Hookmanski
08-05-2018, 03:59 PM
I had never been to Splitrock reservoir before and today I had a morning totally free so I planned to go up there and give it a shot. I got up a bit later than I wanted to (damn alarm) but still made it to the water by 8:30. This was my first trip out on the kayak in a large lake and going into the day I was worried I wouldn't catch that much. I paddled straight across the lake from where I launched and looked right. This has got to be one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the state!
I got to the far side and started fishing. Right away I hooked up with a dinky but beautiful smallmouth. I've been on a smallie kick lately I was targeting them pretty heavily. But that changed a little when I paddled into a cut I found. It was shallow and FULL of life. I saw a school of juvenile yellow perch swim below me, running from a large mouth who was trying to feed on them. I tossed my lure at him and sure enough he ate! It was awesome.
I paddled along the shoreline for the next 4 hours, catching small bass and sunfish here and there. I set the hook on what i thought was a fish as first and then quickly changed my mind and thought I was snagged. NOPE! Turned out to be my PB largemouth. I learned a lesson here though - I pulled out my phone to take a photo, but it had been sitting in a waterproof box in the sun for the last hour so it was overheated and wasn't going to cool off fast enough - so unfortunately I had to release him without taking a photo :( Still awesome though. He must've been nearly 4.5 pounds.
As the day was coming to a close I caught one more smallie, the nicest of the day for sure, super bronze and he fought really hard. All in all a great day on the water. Learned some lessons, gained some confidence and had a great time. Tight lines all!
I got to the far side and started fishing. Right away I hooked up with a dinky but beautiful smallmouth. I've been on a smallie kick lately I was targeting them pretty heavily. But that changed a little when I paddled into a cut I found. It was shallow and FULL of life. I saw a school of juvenile yellow perch swim below me, running from a large mouth who was trying to feed on them. I tossed my lure at him and sure enough he ate! It was awesome.
I paddled along the shoreline for the next 4 hours, catching small bass and sunfish here and there. I set the hook on what i thought was a fish as first and then quickly changed my mind and thought I was snagged. NOPE! Turned out to be my PB largemouth. I learned a lesson here though - I pulled out my phone to take a photo, but it had been sitting in a waterproof box in the sun for the last hour so it was overheated and wasn't going to cool off fast enough - so unfortunately I had to release him without taking a photo :( Still awesome though. He must've been nearly 4.5 pounds.
As the day was coming to a close I caught one more smallie, the nicest of the day for sure, super bronze and he fought really hard. All in all a great day on the water. Learned some lessons, gained some confidence and had a great time. Tight lines all!