Lake Sherwood, Warren County, Mo, Sept 21st: Large Bluegill and Red-Ear Sunfish abound

The main lake at Sherwood is still chock full of large Red-Ear Sunfish and Bluegills. Fished about 10' off shore with the standard: Slip bobbers and nightcrawlers. Action was a little slow at first, and is slower than summer- but was still able to get a nice stringer of above average sized pan fish. Largest Bluegill was 11", largest Red Ear was about 13". Great Day!

Fish ON!

MLT

Mississippi River, East Alton, IL. Sept 1st: Interesting action on nightcrawlers

Had a lot of action at the river on this day. Charlie came out with me and we set some rods on Gizzard Shad and on Nightcrawlers. The bait store I like to frequent was out of the Herring (which is like candy to Blue Cats), so we had to go with the Gizzard.

Charlie and I both caught some small fish (Charlie caught a couple of small Channel Cats as well as Drum). I caught a nice Common Carp (in the photo) and the rest were small Drum. The Common Carp nailed it (easy set for me) Got a lot of bites, however. There were other people fishing in the area that did not have as much action as us. One guy caught a nice Blue up closer to the dam. Good day on the water

Fish ON!

MLT

Mississippi River, East Alton, IL- August 31st: Nice Blue Catfish on Cut Bait

Here is a few photos of a nice Blue Catfish I caught on the Mississippi just below the Melvin Price Lock and Dam (north of St. Louis and the confluence point of the Missouri River). Had a pretty slow start, but once it hit, caught several other (including the photo of the Drum- which surprised me).
My mother came out and I thought she was not going to see us catch a fish. She was packing up to go back when it hit. I am glad she had a chance to see it happen.
Man, he fought hard. I was fishing with 30# test. It reminded me of when we were catching Trigger Fish out in the Atlantic.
It seems whenever a barge goes through the lock, that is the time when the fish turn on. I bet it has something to do with the water that is being released and the small bait fish that get caught up in the flow.
I also caught a much smaller blue that I released. I tried to be a good steward and release it gentle-like in the water. When I did, I totally busted my ass on the rocks- almost went face forward into the drink! Next time, I am going to toss it in.
Side Note: Actually broke an Ugly Stik on a snag- never had that happen before! took it back to Wal Mart and they replaced it- note to self: no matter what the commercial says, you CAN break an Ugly Stik!

Fish ON!

MLT