Fishing with Duke, Lenny, and Buz 5/22/18

We met at Catawba at 5:45 and launched by 6am. We headed around the corner to the Mouse Island area and Scott Point Shoal. 

The Bandits were rigged up and set out at 25/35/45 on one side and 30/40/50 on the other side. I set the speed to 1.8-2.0mph.  There were four of us on board, and could run 8 lines, but I thought it would be easier for them if we kept it to three Off Shore boards per side instead. We also ran a 40 Tru-Trip Jet with a Stinger spoon off a corner, that could be moved from side to side...depending on which side the fish were caught.

The Jet/spoon took the first fish this morning...just a 14" walleye we had to throw back, due to the size limit here. Then a "Chrome Huff Daddy" Bandit  (Domka Outdoors Custom Color) took the second fish at 35 back.  The Tattle Flag on the board was flat and the board was sinking back out of place, very fast.  My first thought was, "It's a Sheepshead", even if I was truly was hoping for a big walleye! And, as it turned out, it was a walleye. A nice big, fat, long one. (I didn't measure it or weigh it, but my guess was that it was a 7-8 pound fish.)  

We made a short pass there and were turning around, when I noticed more and more boats heading out of the marinas. Forgetting that it was a Tuesday, (because every day feels like a Saturday to me)... I figured the area was just going to get bombarded with boat traffic, so I made the decision to move NW of the Bass Islands.

I stopped short of Niagara, and deployed the Ulterra...setting a course up the east side of the reef.  This time, we ran the Bandits back 35/45/55 on once side and 40/50/60 on the other, and again, the spoon off the corner.  We marked some fish, and caught three keepers there. But, the bite was slow, and I was bored, so we moved again, to the NW. 

This time, we ended up by the "Big Pickerel Reef" area...or, just a little north of it. We were in 25'-26' of water, and the Helix was showing some nice fish marks on the screen. It would be the same programs with Khaki, Blue/Chrome, Huff Daddy Chrome, Taco Salad, Buck Fever, and IB Infected running behind the planer boards.

The best colors of the bunch for us were definitely the Khaki, Blue/Chrome, and Huff Daddy.  I think the spoon took 4 fish today.

We made a "circle pass" there over a small pod of walleye and managed to pick off 3 more walleye for the box.

Again, not satisfied, I moved down to "H-Can", to see if those fish were still in there.  There were some decent marks, but the water was kind of dirty yet.  However, we did catch one on a Blue/Chrome Bandit at 35 back, before I told them to pick up the lines again, so we could move.

This time, I moved back towards Catawba, and set lines one last time. The marks were the best I had seen all day, and it was, "Game on!".  The guys were kept busy reeling in walleye and sheepshead, and it was fun to finally have some fast paced action for a change.

Even though it was a small struggle today, it was a great ending to a great trip! They had fun...and, I had fun...and, that's all that matters. :)

They ended up with just 12 walleye in the cooler...4 throw backs....5 that came unbuttoned...and a handful of Sheepshead for the day. As I write this, they are at the "Crows Nest" (a local restaurant that will cook your catch for you), having fresh walleye for dinner.  I was graciously invited, but had to decline, due to my early bedtime, and dinner schedule, and the fact that I needed to write this blog. 

Tomorrow, I am off, and need to get some things done around the homestead. Back at it Thursday....and, that makes me happy. ;)

Stay tuned...

Capt Juls