For the Week Ending Sunday, May 21, 2017

Monday, May 15, 2017..."Caught these two (weighing in at 1-2 and 2-5), plus four more that were all 12-inch dinks," said Jim B., who is currently fishing Lake Gaston. He went on to explain that one of them fell for a Whopper Plopper in a cove, while the rest of the fish went for a French fry. "You had to be a line watcher," he noted, "because all they were doing was picking up the FF and swimming off with it. With the wind howling out of the north, it was very interesting." In his words, "That 2.5 was dang near under the boat before I realized she was there--just swimming along as I reeled in line." Jim reported that the water level had been raised about a foot overnight. His guess is that the raise is a result of  the Roanoke River being at flood stage. "They probably have the flood gates open both here and at Kerr," he said.

Monday, May 15, 2017...Kayaker Ron made a quick trip to upper West Neck Creek, launching from Indian River Road at 6:30 p.m. The bite picked up at sunset, with Ron throwing the Whopper Plopper and Pop R. All the bass fell to the Pop R. Most hits occurred in the feeder creeks, adjacent to cypress trees. Ron ended up with four bass, including a 1-3, 1-5, 1-6, and a 2-1. He trolled a beetlespin but to no avail. "The water was very clear, and shad were jumping all around," he said.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017...This evening's email from Jim B. at Lake Gaston reported that he caught a total of nine bass today, including the three (two 1-2s and a 1-14) pictured here, plus a 12-inch dink and five more in the 6- to 8-inch range. He said he also had two good keepers come unhooked right at the boat. "The only thing that worked today was the French fry," he said. Jim stayed in the back of Pea Hill Creek today. "The water there was a bit clearer," he noted. Water temp was 72 this morning, and it had climbed to 80 when he called it a day at 3 o'clock. The one oddity on the day's events was that Jim found a 5.5-inch Senko in his first fish (1-2) that he caught this morning.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017...My outboard still was running at less than 100 percent today, but I felt comfortable taking it for a trip to Albright's this morning. It no longer is bogging down--there's just an intermittent surge issue (something that my mechanic feels is related to the fact the carbs likely need a little more cleanup). The big carp and gar were busy with their annual ritual all around Albright's, but I still managed to boat a total of eight bass, including a 1-6, 2-8, and six dinks--two or three of which would have eclipsed the 12-inch mark. The best part of the day was that it was another all-topwater bite all day long. The lure I used to catch everything was a Whopper Plopper (reckon I have to thank Skip for his "clinic" this past Saturday). Besides the eight I boated, I had about six other blowups and had short-lived hookups on two of those occasions--one of which was taking serious drag when he bid me adios. Don't know how long this topwater bite will continue, but you won't find me belly-achin' about it.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017...From Ron came this report: "Did a 6:30-to-8 p.m. trip into West Neck from the marina yesterday. Didn't get a bump until about 7:45, after a slight dip in temperature (when the sun hit the tree tops). Caught two dinks--one on a Whopper Plopper and one on a Pop R. Threw a craw to cypress, but they weren't interested. Had a couple short strikes and a couple misses. Beats a skunk. The bugs enjoyed the heat more than I did!"

Wednesday, May 17, 2017...From Ray came this report: "A friend took me to Lake Burnt Mills. He had a good day of 12 bass and a large bowfin. Meanwhile, I had a good day of three dinks and a fishing lesson (Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks?). Senkos and other worms worked best. I also managed one bass on a jerkbait. Water temperature was in the low 70's and very deep and clear."

Thursday, May 18, 2017...From Jim B. at Lake Gaston: "Decided to check the forecast this morning and glad I did, because there was a big change from yesterday. The updated predictions were for 10-15 mph southerly wind today, with thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon and showers Saturday morning. I decided to fish a while today and get out of here tomorrow morning ahead of the weather. I don't clean boats in thunderstorms. When I cleared the cove where I'm staying this morning, that wind turned me around, and I headed to the back again. No topwater bite and nothing on the crawfish this morning, so I went back to the French fry. Fished about 3.5 hours and quit just after 1 p.m. The water temp this morning read 76 degrees--forgot to check it at 1. Caught five bass total, including the 1-4 and 1-11 in the accompanying panorama pic, as well as a 1-0 and two dinks."

Saturday, May 20, 2017...From Skip and Mitch: "We fished from about 6 a.m.to 12:15 and caught a total of 11 fish. There were no big ones but had a few around 2 lbs. Most fish were caught on flukes."

Saturday, May 20, 2017...From Ron:  "Fished House Cove Saturday morning from 0630 to 1000. 'Twas a very nice morning, clear, and the grass is coming up nicely. The trolled beetlespin got put away after the third catfish. Caught several very small bass and had my first double on the Whopper Plopper, but they were only in the six-inch range. Managed a 15-oz. and a 1-9 bass, as well as a small white perch. Most of the six bass attacked the WP, also had a couple dinks on a Silver Minnow. The trip out of House Cove was dreadful, as the wind had doubled what was forecasted. Went back out in the evening for a short trip to West Neck Marina (1830 - 2000). Fought the wind and headed north. Caught a 1-1 bass, tiny yellow perch, and a decent crappie at 13 inches. Crappie and bass hit the WP, yellow perch hit the beetlespin. All in all, not a bad day, but not a banner day, either."

Sunday, May 21, 2017...From Ron: "Having kept my lone crappie from Saturday evening, I needed a few more for the pan. Decided Milldam offered my best chances. The river gauge was low, having dropped a foot, but the water was very clear. Launched about 0800 and had five more crappie by 0900 (all between 10.5 and 12 inches). With the stringer full, I decided to target bass with the Whopper Plopper and Pop R. Caught eight bass, including a 1-0, 1-5, 1-9, 2-5 and four dinks."