Okay, time for the report. I chose to head to the Seep Lakes area. I hit 3 lakes. I don't think any of them are secret spots, but I will not mention the one small one. PM me if interested. Soda & Long Lake were the other two.
1st Lake: I went there on the advice of the guy at Mar-Don since I was limited to the float tube. The water was 66, way warmer than I expected. I talked to a few bass fishermen, they thought that the spawn was done there and the bass were in the post funk recovering. They picked up a couple 2 pounders, but I was only able to get a few dinks. However, I found some decent perch and crappies near some rocky areas. Some of the crappies were over 9", let them all go this time. There are only large mouth in this lake. Supposedly, it used to be really great according to some guys I talked to later in the weekend, but it hasn't performed quite as well lately. Fished from 8:30 to about noon.
Soda: Got there about 2 pm & the wind was kicking! I picked up a 14" smallie on the 1st cast near the dam. I went all over the south side of the lake, but only found fish in about 2' to 8' of water. Much colder water here since its connected to the canal. I think only the males were shallow, I didn't catch any big females yet. Caught 6, all from 12-17", feisty. You never have to guess when you get a strike w/ these fish, hammered it.
Funny side note, I put on a bugger to cross the lake and caught a chunky 22 inch rainbow that went aerial a few times and spun my tube a couple times.
Long Lake: I spent the whole day Saturday here. No thermometer but I think it is still under 60 degrees. Lost count at 20 fish. (all small mouth). In the a.m., found fish near shallow rocks, drop-offs. Slow and low presentation. Cast to rocks, let it drop into deeper water & got hit below 8'. Smaller fish would hit right away, but larger fish still deeper. Afternoon, I was in deeper water on the north end. Mostly smaller fish right up near rocks. Saw a few huge carp fishing from shore, but couldn't find any interest. They appeared to be feeding/cruising, but I'm not a carp expert. Had to stop when the lightning started at 5:30. Headed home.
![Water Fish Gesture Wood Fin]()
I will admit that I did use 4" rubber grubs to locate fish if I didn't have a bite in a while. Frustrating: I worked a whole section w/ a fly without a bite. Chucked the grub out there, 1st cast, fish on. Any advice on a better way to locate fish while not compromising? I think maybe you will just get more action w/ bait, but what flies/presentation do any of you suggest in these circumstances? Guys in boats mentioned: no walleyes, bass fishing slow. I think working the water effectively in a tube/pontoon may be the way to go.
Here are some pics.
