Blue Raider Bob Posted February 23, 2023 Author Share Posted February 23, 2023 8 hours ago, PhishLI said: Me too. Lake/pond wading at night is sketchy sometimes, but I always find the safe routes during daytime wades. There are several places where we can get out 300 feet from the bank, but only several feet in others. I've had some dudes from out east come to wade with me in my spots during summer. I've warned them all to bring heavy clothing or else, yet some resisted offering one reason or another. Me: Trust me on this one. They're evil. Them: I'll spray myself. Me: Okie doke. Them: I wore a long sleeve shirt. Me: Alrighty then. Them: I've been fishing for 30 years. I'll be fine. Me: You da man. Them: Mosquitoes don't like me. Me: Uh huh... Each one got ravaged and had to tap out way early. It was impossible not laughing during my told-you-so. Like this is something I'd make up? I enjoy sweating like an animal through my clothes? One guy even came back the next year and forgot his armour. I wondered how he could forget. He had welts everywhere the last time he came. I'll never complain about our mosquitos again! You're still welcome to come on down here, but I changed my mind about following you back up! ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Swamp Girl Posted February 23, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 23, 2023 Here's a fisher who didn't heed Phish's warnings. This is after a mere 20 minutes of mosquito exposure. He's trying to shake off the mosquitoes, but it's a little too late. He's bone dry: 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Raider Bob Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 Due to the ongoing warm weather, surface temp was 68 deg. yesterday. This has created pond wide activity. The Bluegills are moving toward the commercial feed when it hits the water. They always have to wait until it softens before they consume. If not soft enough, they intake and expel quickly. As the water warms through the spring, their tolerance for the harder bait increases to the point that mid-summer, there is little lag time between the bait hitting the water and consumption. In one of the pictures, you can see a LMB about two pounds checking out the activity. They will not eat commercial feed but they are attracted to the commotion. When the water warms, it is not uncommon for a LMB to crash the party at feeding time. Unfortunately the Canada Geese also move to the feeder when they hear it activate. They have a taste for floating fish food and they do not wait until the bluegill have eaten. It's always something, isn't it? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 25, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted February 25, 2023 5 hours ago, Blue Raider Bob said: Due to the ongoing warm weather, surface temp was 68 deg. yesterday. This has created pond wide activity. The Bluegills are moving toward the commercial feed when it hits the water. They always have to wait until it softens before they consume. If not soft enough, they intake and expel quickly. As the water warms through the spring, their tolerance for the harder bait increases to the point that mid-summer, there is little lag time between the bait hitting the water and consumption. In one of the pictures, you can see a LMB about two pounds checking out the activity. They will not eat commercial feed but they are attracted to the commotion. When the water warms, it is not uncommon for a LMB to crash the party at feeding time. Unfortunately the Canada Geese also move to the feeder when they hear it activate. They have a taste for floating fish food and they do not wait until the bluegill have eaten. It's always something, isn't it? Geese were honking loudly from 2-4 am behind my house today, bout to earn some grill time if they don’t behave 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 25, 2023 2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Geese were honking loudly from 2-4 am behind my house today, bout to earn some grill time if they don’t behave The dang Geese returned to my home lake about 2-3 weeks ago, and I forgot how much I hate those things. Not a fan of the Beavers because of night Bassin, but those dang Geese are just annoying, and crap on everybody's docks. Not to mention stop traffic or get run over at the dam. They don't melt in the melting pot like everything else on the lake. Even the Swans fit in, but not these Primadonas from Leaf land ? 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 25, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted February 25, 2023 Just now, AlabamaSpothunter said: The dang Geese returned to my home lake about 2-3 weeks ago, and I forgot how much I hate those things. Not a fan of the Beavers because of night Bassin, but those dang Geese are just annoying, and crap on everybody's docks. Not to mention stop traffic or get run over at the dam. They don't melt in the melting pot like everything else on the lake. Even the Swans fit in, but not these Primadonas from Leaf land ? I used to rent a condo back in the day that had a little pond behind it. At a certain time of year (I’m guessing this time of year judging by last night) the geese would honk all night long. I told my neighbor about it and he said it will go away soon enough, it’s seasonal. And it did, they go back to sleeping after dark eventually 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 25, 2023 6 hours ago, Blue Raider Bob said: Due to the ongoing warm weather, surface temp was 68 deg. yesterday. This has created pond wide activity. The Bluegills are moving toward the commercial feed when it hits the water. They always have to wait until it softens before they consume. If not soft enough, they intake and expel quickly. As the water warms through the spring, their tolerance for the harder bait increases to the point that mid-summer, there is little lag time between the bait hitting the water and consumption. In one of the pictures, you can see a LMB about two pounds checking out the activity. They will not eat commercial feed but they are attracted to the commotion. When the water warms, it is not uncommon for a LMB to crash the party at feeding time. Unfortunately the Canada Geese also move to the feeder when they hear it activate. They have a taste for floating fish food and they do not wait until the bluegill have eaten. It's always something, isn't it? Any word on Maggie? Felt like a jerk ever since that reply, really hope she turns up. She'll be spawning here real soon, hopefully you see her by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottW Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 16 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: Geese were honking loudly from 2-4 am behind my house today, bout to earn some grill time if they don’t behave 16 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: The dang Geese returned to my home lake about 2-3 weeks ago, and I forgot how much I hate those things. Not a fan of the Beavers because of night Bassin, but those dang Geese are just annoying, and crap on everybody's docks. Not to mention stop traffic or get run over at the dam. They don't melt in the melting pot like everything else on the lake. Even the Swans fit in, but not these Primadonas from Leaf land ? They’re all over the place here at Lake Guntersville bleating and crapping everywhere too. Almost let my newest rescue loose on a few yesterday. ? So far no fish, just rain, fog and bass boats running around the lake. @AlabamaSpothunter, did you by chance swing by and abscond with the fish ? ?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 25, 2023 3 hours ago, ScottW said: They’re all over the place here at Lake Guntersville bleating and crapping everywhere too. Almost let my newest rescue loose on a few yesterday. ? So far no fish, just rain, fog and bass boats running around the lake. @AlabamaSpothunter, did you by chance swing by and abscond with the fish ? ?? It's been brutal here this last week, fished every day, had to change clothes the last two days after getting poured on. Before that it was 35mph gust day. It's getting frustrating. Hope you guys are still having a great time! Weather just sucks even though it's warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottW Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 3 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Weather just sucks even though it's warm. Warm?! Where? Weather forecast called for 80* temps! They lied! ?️ ☔️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 25, 2023 5 minutes ago, ScottW said: Warm?! Where? Weather forecast called for 80* temps! They lied! ?️ ☔️ Well it's 73 here today but very gloomy with mist rain. Now yesterday it got down to 65. As Bassheads we're better weatherman than the talking heads ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Swamp Girl Posted February 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 25, 2023 It's 17 degrees here, but given what I've learned about Maine bass, I'm thinking that if I dragged a Whopper Plopper on the ice, the bass would be trying to bust through like Orcas hungry for a seal. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User PhishLI Posted February 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 25, 2023 44 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Well it's 73 here today but very gloomy with mist rain. I'd pay cash money for that! It's 29 here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Raider Bob Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 On 2/24/2023 at 7:42 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said: Any word on Maggie? Felt like a jerk ever since that reply, really hope she turns up. She'll be spawning here real soon, hopefully you see her by then. The quote was funny. No issues here. I have not seen Maggie nor have I seen anything over two pounds. Maybe they are holding in the deep end and will re-appear soon. Haven't seen an otter in weeks but they usually drop by at night anyway. They use a communal latrine area near the dock so I'm always aware of their visits. It will be piles of scales. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 27, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2023 51 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said: The quote was funny. No issues here. I have not seen Maggie nor have I seen anything over two pounds. Maybe they are holding in the deep end and will re-appear soon. Haven't seen an otter in weeks but they usually drop by at night anyway. They use a communal latrine area near the dock so I'm always aware of their visits. It will be piles of scales. Ever see crawdad shells in their scat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Swamp Girl Posted February 27, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 27, 2023 Bob, decades ago, I saw a nature documentary about otters. As an otter played with otters and then with a turtle, the narrator said that otters are playful because it's so easy for them to kill. They're quicker and faster and more nimble than their prey, as opposed to a typical predator like an owl or cheetah, which often misses a kill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Raider Bob Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: Ever see crawdad shells in their scat? yes! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 27, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 27, 2023 Is it legal to take them out? I'm all for the circle of life and complete ecosystem, but somethings just don't play well with others. Watch Clarkson's Farm on Amazon if you want to really lose your mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 27, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2023 5 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said: Is it legal to take them out? I'm all for the circle of life and complete ecosystem, but somethings just don't play well with others. Watch Clarkson's Farm on Amazon if you want to really lose your mind. It is for me…….. I’m the 007 of varmints…… there’s a fur trapping season for otter in winter, usually late nov-early March my boss has actually live trapped and relocated a few but you’ve got to get awfully lucky for that to happen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 27, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 27, 2023 1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said: It is for me…….. I’m the 007 of varmints…… there’s a fur trapping season for otter in winter, usually late nov-early March Bob just needs to bribe you with some filets and get those assassin skills on the property ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 27, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted February 27, 2023 Just now, AlabamaSpothunter said: Bob just needs to bribe you with some filets and get those assassin skills on the property ? I’ve actually never even tried to catch one but they are listed on my permit for year round 007 privileges i think they are cool but I don’t have a pond haha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted February 27, 2023 Super User Share Posted February 27, 2023 6 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: I’ve actually never even tried to catch one but they are listed on my permit for year round 007 privileges i think they are cool but I don’t have a pond haha You really are the perfect professional to handle this problem should Bob ever require your services, which hopefully he won't. Bob's got a real zen thing working, you hate to see a couple of animals reek havoc on that. My dream has always been to own a pond or small lake, I can't imagine the heartbreak of seeing Otters eat my foodchain, and Bass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Raider Bob Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 One thing about the Canadian geese. They actually live here. The female (Gigi) dislocated her wing crashing into the power line by the pond, (I'm assuming). She couldn't leave because her wing just weakly flapped when she tried it. She was here for a couple of years until one day I guess it flapped back into its socket. She could all of a sudden fly. Well by that time she had found a friend, (Ralph). And she and Ralph began to travel from our pond to a local pond a mile away daily. Then last spring we saw Ralph every day but not Gigi. To our surprise one morning there was Gigi, with a brand new gosling, just one. Well the three of them spent the summer and fall on the pond, then started the routine days at our place and evenings at the farm pond. Other geese would mingle and evidently her gosling found his own mate because its just Gigi and Ralph now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Raider Bob Posted March 1, 2023 Author Share Posted March 1, 2023 2-28-23 Water Temp mid sixties. Things are happening fast with the current warming trend. The Bluegills are increasingly active around the dock and come running when the feed hits the water. The LMB are no longer stacked in the north bays but are free roaming in loose packs close to the banks. However all activity is still in the northern half of pond. There is very little activity in the southern half, the exception being scattered small BG and last years BG and LMB fingerlings. I believe it will be in my best interest to continue targeting lake fish in the northern sections of area lakes but river fishing will continue to be a mystery. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted March 1, 2023 Super User Share Posted March 1, 2023 33 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said: 2-28-23 Water Temp mid sixties. Things are happening fast with the current warming trend. The Bluegills are increasingly active around the dock and come running when the feed hits the water. The LMB are no longer stacked in the north bays but are free roaming in loose packs close to the banks. However all activity is still in the northern half of pond. There is very little activity in the southern half, the exception being scattered small BG and last years BG and LMB fingerlings. I believe it will be in my best interest to continue targeting lake fish in the northern sections of area lakes but river fishing will continue to be a mystery. That water is beautiful, are you doing any fertilization of it? All my reading says LGMs prefer the northern most portion of a lake with coves and bays facing south in terms of where to look for Spawning fish. Then I hear one should try to find harder bottom areas within those areas, gravel, clay, etc. VS. muck or mud. Sounds like your fish are getting ready to spawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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