With the calendar running out on fishing access to most of the Knox County public strip mines, I elected to give a few one more shot. With a limited timeframe and tough walking in waist high weeds, I opted not to stray too far off the beaten path. Enough bass were biting to keep me interested but quality bites were lacking.
10:11am – Top Bass at 1-8 (14.5″) on a Senko wacky rig
Stats
Date: September 21
Location: Knox County public strip pits (3 lakes)
Time: 8:15am-11:45am
Totals: 16 bass
Weather: Partly cloudy/calm, 64-74F
Lures: 7″ Berkley Power Worm (tequila sunrise) on an Owner 3/16 oz. Shaky Head – 8 bass, 5” Yamasenko wacky rig (blue pearl/black hologram flake) – 6 bass, Spro Flappin Frog 65 (nasty shad) – 1 bass, Booyah Buzz Buzzbait (snow white shad) – 1 bass
Top Bass: 1-8 Senko
Top 4 Weight (only 4 at 12” or better): 5-4 (1-8,1-6,1-5,1-1)
Winning lures (minus the shaky head)
Tune of the Trip
High and Dry – Def Leppard (1981)
A lack of rain resulted in water levels lower than I have ever seen on this site. I was hoping the relative absence of shallow water might stack a few good bass on the drops and in the troughs. No such luck or maybe the little ones found my lures before the big ones got a chance.
Lack of Quality – I spent half of my time on a single lake and walked most of the shoreline as it was entirely accessible at such a low pool. I named the spot Maiden Lake many years ago as it was the first spot that I ever fished on the property. Over the years, I have landed 218 bass from the lake but only fourteen of those bass have met or exceeded twelve inches. Not a good percentage of “keepers” although my Top 5 Weight sits at a solid 16-10 (4-14,3-13,3-10,2-7,1-14). Throw in Brent’s “keepers” and our combined Top 5 tips the scales at an impressive 22-9 (5-4,4-14,4-10,4-0,3-13). So, the lake is worth a shot but all I got on this morning was a dozen bass from 7.5”-11”.
10:30am – Top Bass Runner-Up at 1-6 (14.5″) on a Senko wacky rig
Final Four – Having had my fill of short bass, I opted to try two other lakes in the vicinity and landed four bass in just over an hour of casting. All four were “keepers” and saved the day even though I still fell one bass shy of a Top 5. Three of the bass came on a Senko wacky rig presented to bass that I could see from my elevated perch on the bank. In these instances, I cast the lure well away from the fish with the intent of the distant splash getting their attention but not spooking them. I then reel/drag the lure into proximity and let it flutter down through the water column where it is often more than the bass can resist. The fourth “keeper” blasted a topwater frog which was rewarding as the surface bite will begin to fade as we head into October.
Lots of steps for some small bass
Good to take one more shot at the strip mines where even a short outing can rack up some exercise. Sure, I was a bit sore the next day but with my thoughts turning to the annual Lake Storey fall drawdown, I was back on the water. This time with Brent along for the ride. Stay tuned for that fish story and talk to you later. Troy