I saw might get windy in afternoon and rain so headed to Gardner Lake by Granite Falls. Arrived 8:45am fished to 1:20pm. I went Thursday( got 16 in 2 1/2 hours) before after work and got an aggressive bite so tried same spots...but no action by shore or Lily pads...so cast top water minnow size #5 to deeper part away from pads and yep bite...got six within hour biggest 9". Talked to group of friends kayak fishing guys were catching fish as well and one was nailing them on spinner bait...I tried one and buzzbait but lake is very shallow and all I got was grass and weeds...back to minnow...saw a bobcat along shore should of took a photo. Went closer to shore and got some bites and got two more small bass by wood. Then cast in front of pads Bam...big fish...14" bass...my best there is 16"...so close to new lake best....went down corner by hwy and very slimy and lots of floating clumps...lost one then got one swimming minnow back. Made it to far end and had luck before by stumps...cast buzzbait in front nothing...cast it to back and Bam fish on!!! Good fight and lip him another 14"! (I had gotten a 12" behind same stump couple years back local knowledge pays off). Quit shortly after and got 14 bass 14"-2, 10"-3 rest 7-9"...home to watch Seahawks game. All fish caught and released.

Fun lake for top water action...you need a small boat or kayak or float tube as no boat launch and you can shore fish some of the lake and it has a dock...summer time you may have to deal with swimmers on the dock or dogs fetching sticks.

Good luck.

James

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