Date: 4-17-04

Launch and Return: Launched around 6:30am back in at noon

Totals: 5 in the yak, one busted off, many farmed

Plastics: 2 decent ones...Cross-Over 5.75" shaker worm in Purple Blood with neon blue vein, and one in red w/gold flake w/ black with gold flake vein.

Spinnerbaits: This was the hot ticket for the morning, with the best bite on a Zen tungsten 3/4oz. white/chart. with double willows and a killer mother-of-pearl looking finish. Too bad it's gone now(see below).

Crankbaits: Tried a Yozuri lipless, which got a few bumps and a couple farmed too. I think it was the wrong color though (green back, gold middle, white belly).

Scent: Used a scent I've been testing for a couple months now. Probably start selling it soon. Seems to work for sandies, spots, calicos, and largies.

Conditions: Started off cloudy, but mild. By 9 it was cold and windy, by 10 it was colder and windier. 11 or so it started raining off and on, and by 11:30 it was pouring. Water was 67º and had maybe 3-4' visibility.

Special Comments: Blades were the only thing (it seemed) until the front started in. I actually spent the first 1/2hr with the Senko for ZERO bites. This was a first for me, and I was really glad I learned to fish the blade and drop-shot over the last year. Tried the lipless after that for nothing. 3rd cast with the Zen blade had me holding a solid 4-5#er. Moved to join Michael and Tim, and pulled 2 more while we talked.

Worst thing happened on what would have been my 4th fish. While I was working in a nicer fish it prepped for take-off. I dropped the rod tip in the water, it launched and the line went slack. I was bummed as I thought I had dumped it. Turned out the fish had straightened the arm and snapped off the head. That one hurt; it was my favorite blade and it cost me $10 to boot. Eventually pulled 2 more on the drop-shot. After probably a 100 fish on the DS, these were my first freshwater bass. Almost makes me feel normal.

This was my first time fishing with Tim H. and it was a pleasure to fish with him, and later lunch with him. I hadn't fished with Michael in probably 3yrs so that was good too.

Areas fished: various rock piles, both in tight and in deeper (8-25') water

Areas that Produced: Shallow fish were easier, deeper ones seemed sluggish (post spawn reaction?)

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Cross-Over Bait Co.