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This is the first year in a long time where I have tried to catch some largies. I only usually get about 4 or 5 days a year on lakes other than the ones I have a tournament on.

I was succesfull I caught 4 the first time out! I picked a small lake that Chad Simon recommended on another thread called Whitman. I grew up no more than 10 minutes from this lake but I had always thought it closed and opened on the trout opener, but thanks to Tom Edwards he kindly let me know that it was indeed open.

 

So here was the deal I called my dad earlier in the Day on the 22nd of Feb. and told him I had an hour to fish and if he could hook up his boat and meet me at the launch at a little after 3 I was in. So I rushed home after work and grabbed one rod with a jig tied on and stuffed another into my pocket. I knew I did not have much time I had to be home at 5. Luckily for me I live about 15 minutes from the lake now.

 

Since the lake is so small I started fishing right at the ramp on the south shoreline, I did not spend much time at all on the south shoreline since typically the south and west shores usually get the least amount of sun. I was in a hurry to get to what is usually the best shoreling on any lake earlier in the year, the North East shoreline, where the sun shine on the longest and typically has the warmest water. So I quickly pitched my way up the lake getting to the northend where I caught my first fish.

A little while a catch my 2nd fish of the day it was little (14"). about 10 yards away I catch my third fish

In another 20yards I catch my 4th fish

   Since the lake was dark, I used a 3/8 oz. black and blue jig with a super thick skirt in order to get a slower rate of fall. I guess my thought process worked out ok, my best Feb. largie outing and the best day as far as quality goes on that particular lake.

 

The Following weekend Feb.28th I hooked up with Mike Bess and we went fishing for the day. We hit to lakes, which won't be mentioned, It is not my info to share I went with him. The first was a small clear weedy lake, it took us 45 minutes to pitch are way around it. It wasn't until we got to the northeast shoreline until we saw the first fish, it was a good one, then we spooked another good one and we were back to the ramp.

 

On to the next lake, this next lake was probably twice or three times the size, it had great tanic colored water. We started on the east shoreline and worked are way north. When we got to the Northeast corner of the lake we spooked are first fish and then another then I finally caught one under a dock.

25 yards further I see a big one move off the bank and another 50 yards Mike catches one.

 

 We fish the whole entire rest of the lake without seeing or catching another fish.

 

So for the conclusion of this, I would like to point out the obvious of the patterns for these small lakes, fish the Northeast or east ends. This will be the warmest water on the lake. Also I did not put too many details how the fish were postitioned or cover or anything like that because I could write on for days. A hard bottom and deep water access probably helped as well. Just get out there and have some fun!

 

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Replies to This Discussion

Mike is the National SRP Club President and founder, Aaron is the Puyallup Chapter President, and Potter is the Spokane Chapter President.

Daniel said:
I thought Aaron was president? That's all he ever talks about so you can't just take that away from him.

Eric DeLay said:
He does make jigs but they are for members of the SRP Club only.
Your comment about liking his hat qualifies you for one year free membership. For anyone else interested contact Mike Bess, the founder and current Club President. He can fill you in on the fees and rules. Mike will be reviewing applicants on a first that come basis.

Kevin Jones said:
Ron,
Thank you. I continue to learn so much from you every time you post. I want you to know I like the hat you were wearing in the photo's. Hey, you talk about using a jig. Was it one of yours?. How about a line of Ron Hobbs jigs for sale at the local tackle store. You could call them Hobbs Hawg Jigs or Juniors Ultimate slay jig. LOL! I have the feeling you would do really well selling them. Count me in for an order! Thanks again for the great post.
Does the National Chapter offer any info on TMJ disorders?

Eric DeLay said:
Mike is the National SRP Club President and founder, Aaron is the Puyallup Chapter President, and Potter is the Spokane Chapter President.

Daniel said:
I thought Aaron was president? That's all he ever talks about so you can't just take that away from him.

Eric DeLay said:
He does make jigs but they are for members of the SRP Club only.
Your comment about liking his hat qualifies you for one year free membership. For anyone else interested contact Mike Bess, the founder and current Club President. He can fill you in on the fees and rules. Mike will be reviewing applicants on a first that come basis.

Kevin Jones said:
Ron,
Thank you. I continue to learn so much from you every time you post. I want you to know I like the hat you were wearing in the photo's. Hey, you talk about using a jig. Was it one of yours?. How about a line of Ron Hobbs jigs for sale at the local tackle store. You could call them Hobbs Hawg Jigs or Juniors Ultimate slay jig. LOL! I have the feeling you would do really well selling them. Count me in for an order! Thanks again for the great post.
Heres my Black and Blue Mop Jig w/ a Main Vain Double Wide. I caught three nice largies on it Saturday, they were eating em deep!





Hey Seung,
Sorry to bring this post back but I just got that Maverick Bugly you mentioned, its sick! A serious mouthfull for Mr. Bass! Looking forward to using that. Another trailer that might be good...I am going to try it this weekend...is the Tiki Gorilla. Its got a really long profile...just some thoughts. Good luck on the water guys!

Seung Hwang said:
Yea the double wide is shorter than most of the trailers I'm using now. Another one that has been pretty good has been the Maverick Bugly, if you can stomach the cost, but its also a bit short.

Ron those jigs look pretty good with that frog on it, might have to try that for sure. I have some oversized ones (cant remember where from- Dan?) that would fit nicely.

Joel Alinen said:
Have you tried the double wide beaver yet?
Seung Hwang said:
What have you guys been using for trailers on the giant/mop type jigs? I've been using the 7" yamamoto twintail mostly but am looking to bulk it up a bit as well. Nice largies btw, this is the first post this year that is really making me want to get out there and fish (sorry smallmouth dudes i know you posted some up already lol)
Nice man! Hope you have some mend-it or something though - they tear so damn easily/are really soft. I'll check out that tiki bait.
I was going to post the same thing as Joel. Mine came in today too. The color is sick, but you have to pay a little more for the "pro series". Thanks for posting about them Seung.
Nice, GL at silver Chris.

Here's what it looks like (pbj color) on one of Ron's mop jigs for those wondering - hopefully I can get a worthy fish on it this year:

Golden....

Eric DeLay said:

He does make jigs but they are for members of the SRP Club only.
Your comment about liking his hat qualifies you for one year free membership.
For anyone else interested contact Mike Bess, the founder and current Club President.
He can fill you in on the fees and rules. Mike will be reviewing applicants on a first that come basis.

Kevin Jones said:
Ron,
Thank you. I continue to learn so much from you every time you post. I want you to know I like the hat you were wearing in the photo's. Hey, you talk about using a jig. Was it one of yours?. How about a line of Ron Hobbs jigs for sale at the local tackle store. You could call them Hobbs Hawg Jigs or Juniors Ultimate slay jig. LOL! I have the feeling you would do really well selling them. Count me in for an order! Thanks again for the great post.

give it up cretin and shave your chest beard!!!
 
Jon Sessler said:

Golden....

Eric DeLay said:

He does make jigs but they are for members of the SRP Club only.
Your comment about liking his hat qualifies you for one year free membership.
For anyone else interested contact Mike Bess, the founder and current Club President.
He can fill you in on the fees and rules. Mike will be reviewing applicants on a first that come basis.

Kevin Jones said:
Ron,
Thank you. I continue to learn so much from you every time you post. I want you to know I like the hat you were wearing in the photo's. Hey, you talk about using a jig. Was it one of yours?. How about a line of Ron Hobbs jigs for sale at the local tackle store. You could call them Hobbs Hawg Jigs or Juniors Ultimate slay jig. LOL! I have the feeling you would do really well selling them. Count me in for an order! Thanks again for the great post.

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