Low Expectations Rewarded With Great Day

Ron had a recent day when falling-water conditions prompted less-than-stellar overall totals. For that reason, he expected day before yesterday to be a duplicate affair. However, he happily learned his low expectations were wrong.

It was with northeast winds gusting to 21 mph and lowering water that Ron launched at Beggars Bridge Thursday evening. Between 5 and 7:45 p.m., he then caught a total of 14 bass and two white perch--all, as you've probably already guessed, on the Whopper Plopper. "North/South creek with a strong north wind usually makes for tough conditions," he said, "but the bass didn't seem to notice this particular evening.

His count on the trip was eight dinks, plus a 1-4, 1-8, 1-15, 2-0, and a 2-2, complemented by a very nice 3-15 (see above right) to end the day. "I wanted to venture out to the edge of the Bay, but the wind told me not to do that," noted Ron.

"I lost something that was BIG," he added.

The picture to the left shows the end result of the battle Ron had. "And to think this poor lure had caught me many fish--maybe 150. Oh well, at least I was able to save one of the upgraded hooks," he explained. [UPDATE: In a later email, Ron told me that he thinks the "BIG" fish was a grindle, based on all the twisting and such he was doing. I don't think anyone who ever has had hold of one of these fish will have a problem believing that possibility. We've all seen what grindle can and will do to baits.]

"Some drag screaming and a noticeable bass thumb should make for a sound night's sleep," concluded Ron.

As for Jim Bauer's Thursday on Lake Gaston, he caught a total of six dinks, all of which measured about 11 inches, and all but one came on the WP. Two of them fell for a Munky Butt at the pump station riprap. The last fish of the day grabbed a French Fry.

"I also had a nice keeper smack the WP right at the boat, as well as a couple more blow ups," he said. "There was a dead spell for close to two hours this afternoon. Called it a day around 2 o'clock.

"I had thought about making a trip to the back, but once I cleared the cove and that north wind got my attention, I turned and floated with it. Flags were flapping pretty good. The forecast said 8 mph, but I assure you it was stronger. Also still have the low water," Jim continued.

"Tomorrow will be a 'game time' decision, probably depending on wind direction. It would be nice to find something besides dinks," he noted, before adding that there appeared to be some pre-fishers out Thursday, probably getting ready for a weekend tourney.