St Clair Adventure Today

[dartag]

Had a great day at the lake today.  Got on the water at first light.  There were 2 other trucks at Crocker when we launched.  We were met by a fresh north wind.  Waves were rolling down the shore pretty good.  Headed south to some waypoints near Memorial Parl.  Got into fish right away.  5-7 feet seemed to be the magic depth.  About all we could do is drift with the waves and cast ahead. Caught fish all day.   Ended up weighing 3 over 5 pounds.  All the fish I caught were on Bladed Baits.  Partner did good with crank baits.  Water was 53 degrees and murky. 

If you go out there please take care of the fish. Not sure if it was the big weekend of fishing but.  We saw quite a few dead floaters that were fresh caught.  Still had good color. 

Also Crocker Launch is a mess.  They center ramp is the only one that is clean.  We pulled in to the northern most ramp and I got stuck in mud.  The southern 2 ramps are blocked with mud.  It is ugly there. 

[21XDC]

I have seen more fish die from guys fishing tubes or this style of fishing. When the fish are soft biters and choke the bait down before the bite is detected. One reason I don't like tube fishing. 

[dartag]

I agree Mike.  I had quite a few that had the blade way down.  Had to take extra care to unhook and get them right back in the water.

[huston]

Great reports fellas

[Waterfoul]

We didn't have a single deep throat hooked fish all day Monday.  Fished cranks, darters, drop shot, and grubs most of the day.  I'm always glad when we can fish all day and release every fish with confidence that it will live to be caught another day.

[Revtro]

I try to carry a good pair of (for lack of a better word) nippers to clip off the barb and back the hook out with minimal damage if it gets way down in there.  The one I used to have was called a D-Barb or something to that affect.  I've seen way too many people get a deep hooked fish and get lazy and just cut the line and leave the hook in when it could have been safely removed.  Conversely, sometimes it would be better to leave the hook in instead of trying to rip it out and kill the fish.  Every situation is different, but I just hate seeing guys killing fish unnecessarily.  I totally agree...we gotta take care of these fish, especially during the spawn.  This thread was a good reminder to me that I need to go buy a new pair of nippers for my next outing. 

[21XDC]

Please post a link for these type "Nippers" I have some that I don't like and will replace them.

[Team houston]

If you google it you can find them.

[Revtro]

I'm starting to wonder if D-Barb is still in business.  Their website doesn't seem to be up and running anymore.  But here's a link so you can see what they look like.  I'm planning to stop at Home Depot and look around for something similar today.

http://www.anglergear.net/save-the-day-with-the-d-barb/

[Revtro]

I'm thinking these: http://amzn.com/B00YQ7RE2A

[Firefighter Jeff]

  I think we all need to post pictures of our boats.  Preferably on the water with us in them.  LOLOL    I was on St. Clair Mon-Wed and was probably fishing right by some of you.

[Revtro]

You know, that's a great idea.  Maybe we should start a new topic called ME AND MY RIG.

[djkimmel]

Sounds like a soap opera. The Days of our Rigs...

[fiker]

as the prop turns.

[Firefighter Jeff]

  I think we all need to post pictures of our boats.  Preferably on the water with us in them.  LOLOL    I was on St. Clair Mon-Wed and was probably fishing right by some of you.

Well, did anybody see this rig with me fishing alone??

[TheFishinPollock]

Maybe they did, but ya know. Didn't want to interrupt your,  fishing................

[TheFishinPollock]

as the prop turns.

Now that made me laugh pretty good!