Post by 31Airborne on Jun 11, 2017 7:35:43 GMT -5
Got out for a few hours yesterday. Had planned initially to spend the day out there but I failed to check the Claytor Lake calendar. Yesterday was Lake Fest, an all-day event that guaranteed the lake, marina, and ramp would be clogged w/ people. I adjusted my plans and came off before the madness hit. Turned out to be a good day.
Put it at the state park and motored uplake to one of my fav mainlake coves. Started off w/ topwater. No takers even tho' fish were actively feeding on top everywhere. Switched to a fluke and swimbait and got bit almost immediately. No size to them but it was a steady, fun bite. As I worked my way into the back of the cut size started improving. A nice keeper SM, then a nice keeper spot. The back of this cut is notorious for logjams. Recent rains have kept this well stocked and gnarly. As I worked my way thru the mess I felt a thump then my line started tracking. I knew it was a good fish as soon as I set the hook. Swung it into the sled and was immediately struck by the markings and color. Nice SM, I thought at first but something wasn't quite right. Belly was almost pure white and the body shape was more spot-like than SM-like. I put the fish in the livewell so I could do a quick search. Pulled up pix of meanmouth (crossbreed of SM and spotted bass). Yep, dead match. A first for me. Nice, chunky fish about 3 lbs. Turned it loose and continued fishing. Finished the day with 15 or 20 fish. Only 4 keepers in that mess but fun just the same. Finished the day w/ the new Claytor Slam - LM, SM, spot, and MM.
Observations: 1) Water temps were steady at 72* just about everywhere. A lil cooler uplake but not by much. Water has cleared significantly. Maybe 4-5' of viz. 2) Fish were tight to wood on or near first breaks. They were keying on stuff coming up out of deeper water. 3) Bait was stacked up in this cut. Was more reminiscent of fall than early summer. Much of the bait was way up in the water column. Lots of feeding going on. 4) Jig and c-rig (greens) also produced but the baitfish imitator baits were best. In hindsight a jerkbait would've been killer. Had'em on board but never thought to throw one.
I timed my exit perfectly, getting the sled trailered and rigged for towing as a convoy of rec boats were filing in. Wish I had had a lil longer to fish but know I would've hated the crowds at the ramp. Will continue to put a little work in on Claytor over the summerr.
peace,
B
Put it at the state park and motored uplake to one of my fav mainlake coves. Started off w/ topwater. No takers even tho' fish were actively feeding on top everywhere. Switched to a fluke and swimbait and got bit almost immediately. No size to them but it was a steady, fun bite. As I worked my way into the back of the cut size started improving. A nice keeper SM, then a nice keeper spot. The back of this cut is notorious for logjams. Recent rains have kept this well stocked and gnarly. As I worked my way thru the mess I felt a thump then my line started tracking. I knew it was a good fish as soon as I set the hook. Swung it into the sled and was immediately struck by the markings and color. Nice SM, I thought at first but something wasn't quite right. Belly was almost pure white and the body shape was more spot-like than SM-like. I put the fish in the livewell so I could do a quick search. Pulled up pix of meanmouth (crossbreed of SM and spotted bass). Yep, dead match. A first for me. Nice, chunky fish about 3 lbs. Turned it loose and continued fishing. Finished the day with 15 or 20 fish. Only 4 keepers in that mess but fun just the same. Finished the day w/ the new Claytor Slam - LM, SM, spot, and MM.
Observations: 1) Water temps were steady at 72* just about everywhere. A lil cooler uplake but not by much. Water has cleared significantly. Maybe 4-5' of viz. 2) Fish were tight to wood on or near first breaks. They were keying on stuff coming up out of deeper water. 3) Bait was stacked up in this cut. Was more reminiscent of fall than early summer. Much of the bait was way up in the water column. Lots of feeding going on. 4) Jig and c-rig (greens) also produced but the baitfish imitator baits were best. In hindsight a jerkbait would've been killer. Had'em on board but never thought to throw one.
I timed my exit perfectly, getting the sled trailered and rigged for towing as a convoy of rec boats were filing in. Wish I had had a lil longer to fish but know I would've hated the crowds at the ramp. Will continue to put a little work in on Claytor over the summerr.
peace,
B