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I'm submitting this report. Not necessarily because it is "secret," but because it is an obvious lake, right off of a paved road. The few locals that know about this gem of a lake, disregard slot limits, and other regulations. I have called fish and wildlife a few times. Therefore, in order to keep it a successful bass lake for years to come, I can't in good conscience say the name.

That said, I've also been fishing it for twelve years and have caught countless Largemouth and Smallmouth between 3 and 7 pounds. In fact, the average bass out of this lake would average 4-5 pounds. This really is a paradise I have found -- And, in 12 years of fishing this lake, yes it is considered a lake, I have learned where the prespawn/ spawn takes place, as well as the correct lures to use, and speed of presentation in conjunction to water temperature and weather conditions.

But, I digress. I want to share. Bait of the day was a five inch Kalin's watermelon seed grub, attached to a 1/4 oz black jig head. I usually do not fish this lake so early in the year, but cabin fever got the best of me. I was pretty surprised at how I did.

On my first cast, I caught a nice 2.10 lb Smallmouth, and about ten minutes later, I hooked into the goliath 7.41 pound Largemouth. The water was high, and I was in waders up to my knees and crotch all day. So, trying to land the monster without a net, or the bank -- and essentially just trying to grab it by the lip when it got close was a huge challenge. I think I would have cried if it shook the hook. Luckily it didn't and both bass are free to continue spawning!

Weather was in the mid fifties, and cloudy with a cold breeze. Three hours in non insulated waders got the best of me, as they were leaking and I was freezing. GREAT DAY nonetheless.

bluegrouse bill

3/3/2016 6:54:00 AM

G-G-G-G-G-GIANT BASS!! Dude! What a beauty! I started using Kalin's 5" lunker grub for early season Bass a couple years back and have been impressed. They're tough enough that the perch and dink bass can't chew the tail off like on a Yamamoto or Zoom grub. How we're you fishing the grub? Swimming it? Or dragging/hopping it along the bottom? Once again- what a dandy Washington state Largemouth- I'm a little bit jealous :) p.s. I've also done well using the Kalin's 5" grub on a dropshot rig in anywhere from 6-40 feet. Give it try, it can really be productive at certain times. I had my best luck in the dog days of summer when I struggle to catch em on more traditional dropshot plastics.

The Quadfather

3/3/2016 12:41:00 PM

Man, great report Joe. Thanks for sharing.

joetucker803

3/3/2016 6:50:00 PM

Hey bluegrouse, yeah, I love Kalin's, and the watermellonseed five inch is my favorite. I've never tried these on a dropshot rig. I attach a quarter ounce Cabelas standard round jig straight to the line, with the five inch grub attached. I just bounce it off the bottom. This time of year it's more like, a couple of bounces, then wait ten seconds, a few more bounces, wait, etc... As the bass are pretty sluggish and not really wanting to chase it. You almost have to land it right on them.

raptorschild

3/4/2016 7:51:00 AM

Great report! And excellent bass. The pond you are on isn't a named lake though. The one that connects to it by the small canal is definately a named lake. Do you ever catch trout in there that come down the culvert under the road?

joetucker803

3/4/2016 8:14:00 AM

LOL, nice raptor, you've got me. I've been fishing this secret (not so secret, lol) lake for about twelve years. I've pulled out four Brown trout in all these years, the biggest being right around five pounds. I also watched a buddy reel in a nice Rainbow years ago, so they are in there, but few and far between.

raptorschild

3/4/2016 1:27:00 PM

Cool stuff Joe! Im over in tri cities, so I wont be fishing your spot. Too many that are closer! However I do enjoy a good puzzle, and there were just enough clues in your pics for me to figure it out in less than 5 minutes. The internet is freaking scary these days! Good on you for catching the big ones then putting em back! Great job.

Gage_Hunt

3/29/2016 4:52:00 PM

It would be cool to know where this is but I unfortunately live on the west coast, and this doesn't look like west coast vegetation.

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