Neighborhood Lake Fish Population Survey

WOW! Eight pounder in my feeshin hole.

Well I haven't caught this guy yet and he (or more likely she) lives in my favorite local fishing hole, but perhaps I should think about beefing up from the 4 lb test before I head out again eh?- Check the fish population survey conducted in my neighborhood* lakes (*within a five minute drive of our home). You can look at pictures or read the entire document (Greg and Blair, I know you are probably the only ones who will, but it makes sense, and its a quick five minute read - lots of graphs). The management plan calls for anlgers to "Aggressively target and remove bass in the 6-11 inch range and release all fish in the 12-18 inch range" in order to correct the forage/predator imbalance. I am guessing I can do my part (wink). I think I will

Oh and by the way, I think I'm gonna find a lure that looks an awful lot like one of those 6 inch bass to try to catch that guy - know what I mean?

I also now know where to go for the larger 12-18" fish when a buddy comes up. They are also catch and release only for that slot, but one lake has a better population of them and is considered "in balance". Oh and there are crappies too in some of the lakes, one fish I haven't spent hours searching out ...

After work fishing

4pm.
Overcast, damp, misting.
50 degrees and falling, fog descending and rising.
Fished s-l-o-w-l-y, finally one bass mouths and spits in sight.
Getting dark, bite, line moves, hookset.
Bass digs, deep bend in the rod.
Smiling tug in the wrist.
Land him.
Release.
Repeated on the next cast.
Three more casts, dark.
Walk to the car.
5 minutes.

Home.

Thankful...

Hey Guys, you know, we are pretty fortunate to do all of the following in one night:

I caught like 15 16"ers and 2 18" keepers tonight and was able to get back, fillet them, stuff them with crab, and eat a great meal. So, think about the less fortunate this holiday season!

Back in Bloggin' Action...

After forgetting my password to the blog, I am finally back in action. This has been a pretty tough weekend for me because I have had to work and stare at a flat James River from my desk. The warm temperatures have also made it hard for me because I know that I should be out catchin' the Rocks. All of the fishing reports are saying that the bigguns are finally in the bay (making going to work even harder). All I have to say is... Greg, I hope that you fished all weekend and I am waiting to see some nice fish. As of lately, my days off have consisted of cold temps, rough water and preparations for the upcoming child (aka baby Blendy).

Even at work I think of fishing, so that is why I have attached this picture of a keeper that I caught on a "bucktail" during our last deer hunt. I have checked with the Game Wardens to find out what kind of license I need to legally keep this in my cooler.



Fish on fellas...