Got out for a few hours today to look for some big smallies.  With the full moon this week and water temps still in the low 60's I expected some smallies would make another push shallow.  There werent as many bedding fish as I expected and the ones that were on beds were paired up and spooky.  It's not a tournament, so I really didnt need to bother those fish.  Let them do their thing.  I moved out to some gravel ridges a little deeper than the bedding fish and threw tubes on the edges.  The bite was tough, but I landed 7 or 8 fish, with the biggest 5 going around 23lbs.  I dont mind a tough bite when the fish are big.

 

Nice fish!

Nice fish.

Water temperatures down this way have gone from low 80's back into the high 60's twice this year due to heavy rains. Last Saturday surface temps were 80.4-82.3, but on Tuesday the warmest water I encountered was around 70. For once I'm envious of the cooler weather you guys have up there.

Excellent!

WOW, you've got your hands full

               FANTASTIC!

 

Roger

                                                                    

 

                                                              WOW!

 

 

                                                          

 

 

                                                                 

Nice catches! 

Those are some awesome smallies!