Well like I said I have been in a rather low slump this past month or so. Between family functions, cleaning out the garage, playing dad, ect. I just haven't been on the water as much as I would like, especially coming off a win on one tournament and missing 5th place by 1/4" in another. The last 3 times I've been out fishing have just plain SUCKED! Now before all you bass guys go talking about the changes in the weather and blah, blah, blah. I know that all plays. But I've been fishing what I know, The River! I understand river smallmouths like they are my own children. I know to slow way down on presentation, I know to down size, I know to look for slower water cause its warmer, I know all the things I should know about this time of year. It's just for some odd reason the fishing gods have not been nice to me these past few trips.
Now having said all that above. Yesterday was a slightly decent day. Just like I have started so many stories in the past with "met up with Tom to do a little fishing" this day is no different. We decided to fish a stretch of White River I had never fished before, but I was not scared and I love new water so bring it. We met at the at the take out which I have started many a float in my past years, loaded up Tom's car top and head up river. We put in at another familiar spot from my years. Again I know I'm talking about how I know these two points, which is true, but I have never floated from one to the other. Anyway, we launched in the cool morning sun, we drifted not far from the put in when I decided I need to change up a bait. I figured while I was swapping out a bait on one rod I'll throw out another, so grabbing said other rod I made a short cast just to get it away from the boat and stuck it in the rod holder. I went about my ways rummaging through my many latch cases and plastics bags trying to decided what to throw when I felt a slight tick. Now I didn't pay much mind to this thinking it was just a submerged stick or something else that's common in the river that I bumped into. Well I finally picked a bait, got it tied on and made ready to fire out a cast as soon as I reeled in the one I had out. I plucked the rod from its nest and began to reel in the slack when suddenly the slack started to tighten and the plastic worm on the felt a lot heavier than when I threw it out which only means 2 things 1, I've got snagged or 2, FISH ON! Thankfully it was the latter. The fish began to just slowly pull drag, there was no runs, no acrobatics, really no fight. As I play this fish out I'm constantly wondering what is this fish, it's not fight like a smallie, the are bulldogs with acrobatic flair, it's not a catfish or I would be going for a sleigh ride around the river, I know maybe it's a walleye, they don't fight but rather just give up the moment they've been hooked. So as I get the fish closer it shows it's self in a grandiose manner with a beautiful leap out of the water which confirmed 2 things, this fish is a smallmouth and a toad of one. Well I got it landed and was amazed at the chunkiness of this fish. I have caught several large smallies on the river and they all look the same, long and slender, but this one was short and thick. A beautiful fish. As I remove the hook from the fish I'm thinking, yes the fishing gods have smiled upon me and graced me with what is going to be a great day of fishing. WRONG! I quickly found out my camera battery was dead and I forgot to hit record on the GoPro, so I had no photo or video proof of this beautiful fish. But, lucky for me I have a Tom, who was snapping photos like a mad man as I was unhooking the fish, so I grabbed a few candid photo ops before releasing her to catch another day. The rest of the day went on pretty uneventful. Both Tom and I threw about every lure and plastic we owned only to a couple more fish for the effort. So as I sit here and type looking at the extended forecast counting down the days I have left to fish out of my kayak before old man winter puts his icy grips on the water, I ask the fishing gods to bless me with just one last great day before I have to hung up the kayak for an ice auger.
As always, Tight Lines everyone. -Kyle P.
