For the Week Ending Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018

Monday, Aug. 6 (from Ken)...No longer am I sittin' home only wishin' I had gone fishin'. After a bit more than two-week layup, I finally got back on the water today. Fished from about 6:30 to 1:30, when a second round of rain started moving in. I already had gotten wet when a 15- or 20-minute shower hit about 12:30. The second round looked more ominous, and when it comes to thunder and lightning, I always try to give Mother Nature the benefit of the doubt. It was 11 o'clock before I put the first fish in the boat. In the next hour and a half, I only managed a total of four, including two dink bass, as well as a 1-0 and a 1-6. Two of those fish came on a Senko. Also caught one each on a chatterbait and a shallow-running crankbait. Was a little disappointed I couldn't find a frog bite this morning, but it's probably just as well, given my hooksetting problems with that bait. Tried a Stutter Step, too, but it likewise failed to elicit any strikes. Love the way that bait moves, though. My daily chuckle came on a point when I tossed my chatterbait up to it and got a bit close to a bird that was hiding in the brush. The chatterbait spooked not only the bird, but a hefty fish that perhaps was waiting to see if he could get a free meal. Don't know if I'll get another trip in before Saturday's tourney but plan to try. Incidentally, gar were all over Albright's today, instead of just occupying one area as usual. Have no idea what was up with their increased activity. (8/9/2018 UPDATE: Think I may have figured out why the gar were everywhere Monday. The local VDGIF rep Chad Boyce tells me there are low oxygen levels in all the local waters, and I suspect the gar were looking for water with more oxygen.) 

Friday, Aug. 10 (from Ron)...Got back from my exile today and fished Milldam from 5 until dark. The sun was blazing hot, and the bite was way off. Tried Zoom worms in all the favorite spots without a tap. Shifted to Zoom flukes and found one decent bass in the thick grass. By the time I landed him, he had gathered about three pounds of grass. Didn't get a weight. Threw some topwater but only attracted small white perch. Really good to be home and back on the water.

Saturday, Aug. 11 (from Ron)...I was unaware of the O2 issues until just now. I headed out to Stumpy Lake (aka Skunky Lake) and fished three hours this morning. Chose Stumpy, so I would have an escape plan if lightning developed. The lightning nor the bite ever materialized. Managed one crooked 2-0 bass and lost another to a branch wrap. Zoom U Vibe worm was the ticket. Also tried Craws and Wacky Senko. The Kayak Club is having an online tourney that I missed the first week of. Saw some 22- and 21-inchers posted, so I am way behind the curve. The rules are best two bass, total length. With the O2 and other conditions, I may be out of the running. Oh well, I will at least try. Have about six days left to get 'em. Maybe I'll hit Tecumseh; it shouldn't be affected by this O2 issue???

Sunday, Aug. 12 (from Ron)...Fished three hours, caught four bass, including two dinks, a 2-4, and a 2-8. All fell to worms. Water was very murky, and it was a slow bite.

Sunday, Aug. 12 (from Ray)...My son, Barry, and I spent some fishing time together today in Albright's. We were not targeting any particular species. Ended up with three bass (one was a dink), three very large crappie, and around 20 or so perch. There also were a few perch, some of which were mid-size, but most were small. Spinnerbaits and cranks were the lures of the day. The water was high and very clear.