I got pushed off Limerick by the shear number of ski boats on such a small lake, not fun in the Jon Boat.

I decided to try Island Lake mainly because it was close and held "smallmouth" and largemouth. I managed an entire lap before dark and if there's a bass over a pound in that lake I didn't find it and neither did two of the other boats that were out there! No smallmouth either just piles of half pound largies?! I tried larger baits and they would just tug on the tails. Tried heavier weights and deeper water hoping to push through the dinks to bigger fish but the size didn't change. After having a skier swing within 10 feet of me trying to splash me with the roost off their ski I tied on my biggest crankbait...not to fish with ;) Next lap I picked it up and turned towards the boat as they approached but they just waved and turned left leaving me plenty of distance, which I appreciated. Wouldn't have been a fun forth for either of us had they tried again.

Pleasure boaters, please remember, aside from being stupid and dangerous on many levels, it is a MISDEMEANOR to harass an angler while they are legally fishing in Washington waters. Just go enjoy yourselves and let us do the same, thanks! :)

While I didn't get to complete Mason County this trip, it's only two hours from home and I think if I come back I will target Limerick or Nahwatzel?

bob johansen

7/5/2018 11:24:30 AM

Know what you mean by being harassed - had that happen a couple times while fishing from a canoe. I had the privilege of fishing Island Lake 11 times between June 1979 and June of 2005. Like you I caught piles of small largies. I did get lucky on one cast on May 14, 2004 however, and caught a nice 3 pounder on a black jig. That is also a good lake for some good sized perch.

8theB8

7/5/2018 6:46:43 PM

It's just irresponsible. While "funny", what if a small kid panics and the vessel capsizes? Just not worth the laugh in my book. Not to mention in this day and age, never know how someone might react, why risk it?

bob johansen

7/5/2018 11:31:27 AM

What is your minimum size to complete a county? I have caught bass over 3 pounds from 16 different Mason County lakes.

8theB8

7/5/2018 6:51:27 PM

I'm using MLF rules, so one pound to qualify and get the County checked off. My 'grand total' of just bass caught on a given lake is no minimum size. I wanted to make the Challenge a little interesting but the overall lifetime total will just be a bass is a bass. I would love to fish my way through your entire book eventually! My wife and I are looking at campers and in the future I would love to return to each county and just set up camp somewhere for a week plus, then run around and fish everything bassy the county has to offer! Take all three boats so we can fish anything available, that's the dream at least :)

Bassdood56

7/5/2018 9:30:25 PM

You are covering some water! If you head back to Mason Co, there's lots of water here. I fish a lot of them. Let me know

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