As expected tough fishing after the heavy rain and cold front the day/night before. Despite wind, actually a little too much at gusting to 20-25, and full moon approaching on the 25th and only about 5 boats out it stunk for bass. Water temp had chilled to 57-62. Caught only 7 bass include 3 that were 3-3.5 lb., 3 other keepers and 2 shorties. WAY too many pickerel (aka spooky-tooths, piccolo's, bastar**). When you catch 30 or more of those and only 6 bass, depite conditions, that is NOT a good ratio and one that seems to be climbing. Further, several of those were the biggest I've ever seen over the loch.. probably 5 that were longer than my golden rule. Again, not good.
Interesting was the 50-100 dead 12" gizzard shad floating everywhere. Had to be thousands on the lake. One area even smelled like being on fishing bay fishing docks. I assume all of those were floating just exhausted from spawning. Actually that would be the hope. A few did actually have marks from likely being hit by pickerel. Should have taken a pic of a few but why should anyone want to share a pic that one can match their lures too?
This trip, unlike last trip, 80% of fish did NOT have a huge tail of a gizzard shad sticking out its stomach and bulging side (yet still going after lures).
Craig, I agree, the Pickerel are becomming more plentiful and bigger. I caught a lot of big ones last week and, on a whim, weighed one. It was 4 lbs. I was out yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, for a couple of hours. Cast number 4 yielded a healthy 4 Lb female bass. Thought it was going to be a killer afternoon, but nothing big after that. I also saw a lot of floating shad.
Many articles on this natural gizzard shad die off as many have experienced at the loch this and other years. Just do a search for relevant terms and you'll find some good reads. For example....http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/gizzard-shad-die-off-rite-of-sprin...
Go Fish Yourself! <'')))>< ...Respectfully.
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