Bennett Spring, Lebanon, MO: Thursday & Friday July 10th & 11th- Crowded Conditions

Here is a video from Bennett Spring. Hit the part late in the day (after 4:30) on the 10th, caught a couple of trout on spoons. Time was limited, so I went right to my "go to".

Came back Friday around 3:00. Had more time, so I got the fly rod out and threw some really small jigs- no luck. Moved around later and went to the "go to"- no luck. Managed to "0-fer" for the day. Park was REALLY crowded. I think everyone is staying in Missouri for vacation this year.

Fish ON!

MLT

Busch Wildlife Area, St. Charles County, Lake 35, July 4th, 2008: Bass hitting on "spring like" lures

Hit Lake 35 about noon on July 4th. I decided that I was going to leave the live bait at home and just go for bass. Tried and threw quite a few different lures: Flukes on a spinning rod, Plastic worm, Hula Grub jigs, even tossed a wiggle wort around.
Here is what worked: A carolina rigged baitcast rod with a green zoom lizard. Caught the two fish you see and got more taps that I was able to miss. Here is what I have noticed about 2008: since the water is high, what worked in May last year is working now in July. I have even noticed this with panfish fishing.
Good news: Lake 35 is looking healthy for the first time in about 3 years. It still is a real mossy lake, but it looks nice and healthy.

Fish ON!

MLT

Busch Wildlife Area, St. Charles County, MO, Lake 37; Catfish turning on!

Check out the photo of the HUGE crappie I caught at 37! He hit on a nightcrawler like all of the rest of the fish. Landed a much larger catfish that I lost (when I fish this style, I use a thinner, sharper crappie hook and 6# test- makes the fishing more exciting!).
This lake has a good varity- good catfish, redear sunfish and, I guess now, crappies. I have never had a lot of luck with large bass- most that I have caught here over the years have been in the 8-12" range

Fish ON!

MLT

Lake Sherwood, Warren County, MO. June 14th-15th; Large Bluegills on attack!

Here is a nice bass my daughter caught at Sherwood. The large bluegills hit very hard- most were bigger than your hand. Just the traditional rig- slip bobbers rigged about 7-8' about 15' off shore. Dallas caught this on a slip bobber rig as well. We came out with a large stringer of really nice Bluegill- just wade fishing

Fish ON!

MLT

More Stringer Photos: Hatteras Island, NC.

More stringer photos! We ate fish for days! BBQ'ed the filets right on the grill over coals. The only regret: I should have chopped the leftovers up and made fish tacos!

Fish ON!

MLT

Deep Sea Fishing- Off Hatteras Island, NC June 6th

We chartered the Miss Hatteras and went out about 28 miles to the Gulf Stream out of Hatteras Island on the Miss Hatteras. Weather was good. Drift fished with live bait (tandem rig) about 170' deep. Got on a MESS of trigger fish at the first spot. One catch I had (2) on at the same time. My forearms were THROBBING after bringing them in- what a great fight!
Our second spot was about as deep. Stared to catch all kinds of interesting fish. Charlie caught a real colorful, exotic fish (photo above) that is you get "finned" you could die- wow! This spot also got us on some red snapper (photo above). Charlie also caught a nice grouper (I think it was the only one of the day). The boat and crew did an EXCELLENT job getting us on a ton of fish. It was one of the best fishing trips I have been on in a while. Cannot wait to go back next year.

Fish ON!

MLT

June 1st-June 6th; Surf Fishing Outer Banks, NC

Surf and sound fishing not as productive this year. Caught a couple of nice flounders on the ocean side using Berkley Gulp! Saltwater Shrimp on a light spinning rod with 12# test. My brother-in-law used the traditional set up with heavy rod, heavy test, cut bait- no luck. Weather was real good except for the first day.

Last year the shipwreck provided a lot of good redfish action, this year it was very non-productive. I think there were some active sharks in the area.

Fish ON!

MLT