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buzzbaiter

04-23-2016 08:51 AM

Epic pickerel & bass day off

Had the day off and with both warm air and warm water, the fish were super active. Fish were slashing baitfish all day. I could see the bass & pickerel clearing the water chasing them. I pocketed the buzzbait after so-so success and used a 2" surface popper. They crushed it. Many times hitting it before I could even twitch it. I even harpooned myself, sinking two hooks of a treble in my index finger. Barbs pinched down so easy removal. Trust me you SHOULD do this. Save yourself pain, blood and maybe a doctor visit. Anyhow finished with over 150 pickerel and 31 bass. Even got a few big sunnies. Below are pics of 27 of the bass. I didn't want to quit but my almost 50 year old back and tennis elbow forced me too. I need to start casting left handed soon. Only saw one boat all day(8 hrs) on a large public lake. Wish I could work weekends and fish during the week all the time.

https://goo.gl/photos/YpcvXR8gmFJpHrXB9

Eskimo

04-23-2016 12:04 PM

Re: Epic pickerel & bass day off

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzbaiter (Post 442748)

Barbs pinched down so easy removal. Trust me you SHOULD do this. Save yourself pain, blood and maybe a doctor visit....Wish I could work weekends and fish during the week all the time.

Looks like an epic day.
It took me a while to trust that the bass won't throw the lure, but I'm beginning to mash down all the barbs of my hooks.
I especially mash down the barbs when I fish in water Hybrid Stripers are stocked. Those fish are so aggressive, I don't think the bait ever touches the front of their mouths. Being able to quickly slide out the hook while causing minimal damage has probably lowered my post-release mortality.

Unfortunately I'm working both week days and weekend this week. I'm glad to have the money, but being deprived of outdoor time really sucks.

.

River Renegade

04-23-2016 08:23 PM

Re: Epic pickerel & bass day off

Great pics & nice bass & panfish also, gotta love a mixed bag day :)

buzzbaiter

04-23-2016 10:11 PM

Re: Epic pickerel & bass day off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo (Post 442770)

Looks like an epic day.
It took me a while to trust that the bass won't throw the lure, but I'm beginning to mash down all the barbs of my hooks.

Yes it takes some guts. You'll lose fish - mostly the larger ones - but better for you and the fish. Being a pike and pickerel enthusiast, I just found it much easier unhooking them with barbs down given their razor teeth.

Quote:

Unfortunately I'm working both week days and weekend this week. I'm glad to have the money, but being deprived of outdoor time really sucks.
.

I worked the last two sundays when the weather was windy/chilly. I got time and a half for it and so now I can but more lures :)

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