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Okay, preface: I take counseling clients fishing who would rather get several hours in one shot outdoors, than spend an hour or so in an office for weeks. I knew I would benefit better from this kind of experience if it was me, so my fishing partner will remain anonymous, as will any info about the person. That being said:

"I" went to long and then the dune area on Potholes in search of some of those huge bass I have been catching this year. Long produced some bluegill, some perch, a walleye, 2 medium largemouth (3-4 lbs), and around 25 smallmouth. The smallmouth were fair, but the bluegill were big, and tasty.
Pulled the Thunderjet out and went to the big lake. Didn't get anything for the first 2 hours, trying all my favorite recent spots, which are now too shallow, or have shifted patterns. Caught one 7lb catfish. Tried walleye while thinking, and beached the boat on a dune (PURPOSELY!), and walked in to a couple of spots hard to reach. Hard to fish and keep an eye on the boat, but worth it. Payday! Caught only 11, but mostly whoppers. 5.3-7.8 lbs. Mostly doctored magnum tube jigs, sort of like Jiggy uses, but bigger, rigged weedless, with internal light weights. The only downside was when a big mama bass swallowed on to her gullet, and the hookset severed something bad. She bled out in about 2 minutes. She's in the photo below. She will be honored in a meal, and the rest of her will be growing a rose monument to her life. The rest were set free."I" saw it, a 25 lb carp. Came off the prettiest stump you ever saw. Not the first time, but still funny/disappointing. Had another fish wrap and break 17lb test, but it MUST have been a carp. That's the story I told myself anyway. If anyone wants carp, Potholes and Banks are both brimming with them. Kinda regret not taking a bow. Saw a spot where if snagging was still legal, you could catch to your hearts content, or arms fell off.
Looks like a very successful spawn. Minnows everywhere on both lakes.
I was a bit concerned heading out, because the last sunny day I fished, I barely caught anything. Glad I went anyway. Very good day. Tight lines, on fish, not snags.

rjn cajun

7/10/2011 5:53:00 PM

Wow that`s a great day on the water.Your reports are always discreptive.

natetreat

7/10/2011 6:02:00 PM

Those blue gills are beasts! I've got to go on vacation on the other side, that's a nice fish fry you got right there. That bass is a nice one! It's all fine, bass is tasty and I'm sure there are plenty more of her babies swimming around now.

fishinChristian

7/10/2011 10:11:00 PM

She was 4th largest according to the scales. 2 of them hadn't spawned yet, or were REALLY full of small crappie, like this gal. The bass are heavy this year. Should be great growth! Thanks for the comments! May you catch so many you lose count.

MarkFromSea

7/11/2011 1:50:00 AM

Awesome!

Anonymous

7/11/2011 8:26:00 AM

How big is Long Lake? Can a guy with a fly rod and a one man pontoon boat safely fish the Bluegills? Thanks Lee

fishinChristian

7/11/2011 8:47:00 AM

I have done so many times. Just stay away from the outflow at the south end. You wouldn't die, but the walk back would not be fun. Also, the seeps vary alot. I've seen many times where one lake is hot one time, and the next it isstone cold. If you go, take a map, the regs (some are open, some not at times), stop by Mardon for info, the value of which varies, and do a little exploring. Soda, upper goose (walk-in now), long, Hutchinson, and some of the smaller ones are all good at times, but in my experience, all tempermental and moody as well. That's why "I" ended up on the big lake that day. The smallmouth on Long had lockjaw, or at least for me they did. Moses is more consistent, but gets fished pretty hard. Any lakes on the canal have all the species the big lake has. Good fishing to you!

SportRadical

7/11/2011 7:19:00 PM

Big bluegilllllllllllllllllllll!

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