Post by 31Airborne on Apr 11, 2023 17:20:13 GMT -5
Work schedule changed and allowed me to fish w/ the VA West division's SML event. Had been wanting to get back on SML since my FEB trip. This was the perfect opportunity.
Weather was a mixed bag. Practice on THUR was fabulous - lite winds, warm temps, and a mix of sun and clouds before the storms rolled in. FRI was wet. I didn't go out. Spent the day exploring the area some more - Rocky Mount, SML wineries, and a couple of historic sites. SAT morning was cool, damp, and cloudy. The wind picked up a bit mid morning and it took a toll on my hands. The in-between weather is the hardest for me.
Found plenty of fish willing to eat a jig and plastix in practice. Points and transition lanes leading from points into pockets and backs of coves were the most productive. I threw a number of moving baits without a sniff. The only things I could get to work were bottom presentations. TX day was more of the same. I threw moving baits a good bit throughout the day without a bite. Jig and c-rig accounted for all of my fish. I had 4 bites all day and landed all four. My last fish was a chunky 5 lb'er. Just couldn't get anything to go w/ her. My four fish weighed 10 lbs.
Observations: 1) WTs ranged from 56 to 60 on THUR, stayed in the upper 50s all day on FRI. Water clarity was just that - clear. I mean gin clear. 2) Points were the most productive structure for me during the trip. Secondary points out-produced main lake points. Short points (vc long, tapered jobs) were best for me. Rock was better than red clay. 3) I marked bait sporadically throughout the day. Saw some up shallow but most of it was hovering over the main creek channels. 4) Wind was an enabler. When it blew, the fish bit. When I moved out of the wind, the bite disappeared. All 4 of my bites on TX day came on structure where the wind was blowing across it. 5) The fish I caught came from 6-10'. They were holding on breaks. The sharper the break the better. 6) All of the fish I caught were dark. They had been shallow for a while.
Was great seeing the gang from VA West, as always. The hi-lite of the trip was getting to meet mwardnscu. Mike was kind enuff to donate a rod to the division to support our raffle. Always good to put a face to a handle.
Off to Lake Anna this week for our next VA East event. Spending the entire week up there. It comes at a good time. Easter weekend was refreshing and invigorating. It renews perspective and purpose. Christ is risen!
peace,
B
Weather was a mixed bag. Practice on THUR was fabulous - lite winds, warm temps, and a mix of sun and clouds before the storms rolled in. FRI was wet. I didn't go out. Spent the day exploring the area some more - Rocky Mount, SML wineries, and a couple of historic sites. SAT morning was cool, damp, and cloudy. The wind picked up a bit mid morning and it took a toll on my hands. The in-between weather is the hardest for me.
Found plenty of fish willing to eat a jig and plastix in practice. Points and transition lanes leading from points into pockets and backs of coves were the most productive. I threw a number of moving baits without a sniff. The only things I could get to work were bottom presentations. TX day was more of the same. I threw moving baits a good bit throughout the day without a bite. Jig and c-rig accounted for all of my fish. I had 4 bites all day and landed all four. My last fish was a chunky 5 lb'er. Just couldn't get anything to go w/ her. My four fish weighed 10 lbs.
Observations: 1) WTs ranged from 56 to 60 on THUR, stayed in the upper 50s all day on FRI. Water clarity was just that - clear. I mean gin clear. 2) Points were the most productive structure for me during the trip. Secondary points out-produced main lake points. Short points (vc long, tapered jobs) were best for me. Rock was better than red clay. 3) I marked bait sporadically throughout the day. Saw some up shallow but most of it was hovering over the main creek channels. 4) Wind was an enabler. When it blew, the fish bit. When I moved out of the wind, the bite disappeared. All 4 of my bites on TX day came on structure where the wind was blowing across it. 5) The fish I caught came from 6-10'. They were holding on breaks. The sharper the break the better. 6) All of the fish I caught were dark. They had been shallow for a while.
Was great seeing the gang from VA West, as always. The hi-lite of the trip was getting to meet mwardnscu. Mike was kind enuff to donate a rod to the division to support our raffle. Always good to put a face to a handle.
Off to Lake Anna this week for our next VA East event. Spending the entire week up there. It comes at a good time. Easter weekend was refreshing and invigorating. It renews perspective and purpose. Christ is risen!
peace,
B
