After getting spoiled by some unseasonably warm weather, the area temperatures have taken a real dip and some snow flurries/sleet even made a recent appearance. But those unfriendly fishing conditions did not stop our Top 5 leader from taking his shot and reeling in the rewards.
Weight: a pair in the two-pound range
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 16
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Dark Sleeper and chatterbait
Angler Comments: Bet you didn’t expect a fishing report from me today. Miserable temperature and winds really had me thinking of just staying home today. However, really hard to pass up a free day this time of the year, so was just looking for a reason to go. Wound up looking at the weather and noticed that the wind had changed to West direction from a consistent wind out of the South for the past couple weeks. An old saying came to mind, “wind from the west, the fish bite the best.” Headed out about 11:00am-3:00pm. With layers and rain gear, it really wasn’t terrible…as long as the wind was at my back. Ended up with four bass, two dinks that I didn’t take a picture and two that I took pics but didn’t weigh. Notice the wind blowing the fish and my jacket in the first pic.
Weight: 3-13
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 23
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (white)
Structure: Flat
Angler Comments: Long cast and hit came just after one or two cranks of the reel.
Weight: 5-5
Angler: Jim Junk
Date: April 23
Location: Banner Marsh
Lure: Chatterbait (white)
Angler Comments: Not exactly where I would expect a bass this time of the year but notice the bloody tail fin. This hog was definitely on the bed.
Top 5 Weight: 23-15 (5-5,5-1,4-12,4-8,4-5) culls a 4-4
Well done by Jim, as the 5-5 not only adds over a pound to his creel, but it also establishes a new Top Bass mark for 2023. To go along with Jim’s “wind from the west” comment, I would add another item related to his inclement weather success. “The best time to go fishing is anytime you can.” Talk to you later. Troy
Tough to take my own advice with the weather on Saturday