Lake X Perch-o-rama 8-2-07

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff](Copied and pasted from the Tubing board.)[/#0000ff]
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[size 2][blue]It is "monsoon" season in Utah. The daily forecast is "Fair and sunny with occasional heavy downpours". In short, you never know what Mama Nature is going to serve up. No matter what the "weather people" tell you, you are pretty much on your own.

TubeBabe wanted to hit Jordanelle (Lake X). Specifically, she wanted to try one of our formerly favorite spots, off the PWC launch ramp in the Hailstone area. We have done very well there in the past, but completely omitted it from our fishing schedule for over a year. With the dropping water and rising water temps, we figured that the fish would be showing up in some of our previously productive spots. We were right.

We hit the PWC ramp at first light...before 6. No PWCs to challenge us at that hour so we took our time airing up the tubes and getting ready. But, a couple of old bozos showed up with a big pontoon boat and wanted us to move out so they could launch. Not exactly PWC (see picture).

We hurried up our launch and then enjoyed the show, as two old dudes yelled back and forth at each other while trying to get launched. Neither of them could hear very well and there was a lot of shouting and a lot of "Huh?". It was even worse when they took the boat out in a cross breeze later. Hoo boy.

Water level is still up good so the ramp is short at the PWC launch area. Water temp was about 72 and visibility great. Overcast skies, with a promise of some sprinkles during the morning. There had been some "weather" the night before and it had stayed around. We only hoped to get in a few hours fishing before we had to dodge lightning bolts and fight hurricane winds.

We immediately started seeing lots of perch on sonar, at about 12 feet. The only problem was that they were all tiny tykes. We caught a bunch of 5 to 7 inch fish before ever hooking anything large enough for the basket. I moved out into deeper water, saw some larger marks on sonar, and began dropping larger lures. Still got some dinks, but also started bringing in the occasional "basket fish"...over 9 inches.

I was experimenting with several new lures and new color patterns. I didn't find any size or color of lure that the pesky perchettes would not attack. However, I did find that my "pale perch" color combo...in several different lures...was especially effective on larger perch and also smacked some small smallies.

The old reliable jigging spoons dropped down fast on my light baitcaster, and so did the "plungers"...poured on spearpoint jig molds and hammered slightly flat. But, I caught more and bigger fish...both perch and smallies...on one of my PBJ's (painted body jigs) in the pale perch color, with a bit of perch meat for sweetener.

TubeBabe and I each caught well over a hundred perch and probably somewhere between 20 to 30 smallmouths...all vertical jigging in water from about 15 to 25 feet. Our best action was in 20 - 22 feet. Our biggest perch were in the 12 inch range and the largest smallmouth was about 14 inches. All a lot of fun on light gear. We were able to bring home a couple of dozen larger perch for the fillet board.

The clouds thickened and a breeze came up about 11:30. We waited for the old fudds to get their pontoon boat out of the water and we followed them to the ramp. In chatting with them they divulged that they knew the lake pretty well but had caught absolutely no trout and only a few small perch. They were surprised at the size and quantity of our catch. Natcherly.

As we gazed out over the lake, while eating our milk and cookies about noon, some huge rain drops began to fall. A dandy little rain cell moved over Hailstone as we headed for home. Yep. Good timing and a good time.

One positive/negative note was that I let TubeBabe try out my lawnchair retrofit seat in her H3. We have both struggled to stay comfortable during long trips on the water in our new craft. I found the lawnchair to work well. So did she. It has now been "missus-appropriated". I brought out an old cushioned contour seat I snagged from a yard sale a couple of years ago and used to use on my Super Fat Cat. It also works well, but it just a bit small for my ample "anatomy". Time to look for another lawn chair I can cut down. I lost mine.
[/blue][/size][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28178;"][#333366] LAKE X LAUNCH.jpg [/#333366][/url](269 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28179;"][#333366] PWC LAUNCH.jpg [/#333366][/url](212 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28180;"][#333366] TUBEBABE PERCHIE.jpg [/#333366][/url](220 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28181;"][#333366] DOZENS OF DINKS.jpg [/#333366][/url](178 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28182;"][#333366] LI'L TROUT MUNCHER.jpg [/#333366][/url](191 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28183;"][#333366] PERCH PLUNGER PERCH.jpg [/#333366][/url](182 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28184;"][#333366] PERCH PLUNGER SMALLIE.jpg [/#333366][/url](211 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28185;"][#333366] LI'L PERCH MUNCHER.jpg [/#333366][/url](207 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28186;"][#333366] ANUDDER LI'L PERCH MUNCHER.jpg [/#333366][/url](212 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28187;"][#333366] WEATHER ON THE WAY.jpg [/#333366][/url](176 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28188;"][#333366] MY CUSHIONED CONTOUR SEAT.jpg [/#333366][/url](221 KB) [/size][/black][black][size 1]Attachments:[/size][/black] [black][size 1][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=28189;"][#333366] MY (FORMER) LAWNCHAIR SEAT.jpg [/#333366][/url](255 KB) [/size][/black]
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[jackfisher]

Great report. Any 130 fish day is not bad in my books. TD you are an icon to all us wanna be fisherman! Yea for sure When I grow up I wanna be like TD!

Do you plan on producing and selling any of your "TD special lures" (I'll be watching for them in the Sportsmans!) If I were you I may just keep a monopoly on the good stuff!

Thanks again for all you do!
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Thanks fer the kindly comments. Blush, blush.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As most BFTers who know me at all will tell you, I do not sell my lures...nor do I ever intend to try to. They are too labor intensive to get all of the special colors and glitter jobs I do. Some jig heads require over 12 separate steps to produce. I only have about 15 cents in hooks and other materials in an average jig, but nobody could afford my time. Heck, I can't even afford my time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That being said, there are quite a few folks who fish with many of the different goodies I have originated. In some cases, I might barter something in trade. In other cases I just go wacko and give stuff away. I am also willing to help anybody who wants to start making their own stuff. We have "jig parties" from time to time, where several of us get together to learn basic pouring, painting and decorating. There are a few other local BFTers who are becoming pretty good at turning out good stuff.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are interested, maybe you could get an invite to the "tackletorium" sometime, to get a first hand look at some of the creations. Usually those tours include some free samples. Wink, . Send me a PM.[/#0000ff]
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[ironworker]

great report and pictures as always! TD and TB, you guys ROCK!!!! [cool]
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[mactuna]

Nice day, even if the weather wasn't.
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[lavaman]

TD you are inspiration to us all! I really wish I could get out and fish as much as you. Love how you have your setup (floattube). I need to rig up some pole holders like that.
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[bassfinder]

Awesome report. great pics!
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[N.E.T.O.]

Excellent! Some of my funnest days on that lake were when we put the troutski stuff away and put on the perch mini-jigs!
Very entertaining, and like you said, occasionally you get a bigger fish that gives you a good time!

I haven't spent much time at Jordanelle this year yet, but September is usually my month for that lake.

Thanks as always for the report!

Randy
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[catchandrelease]

TD-
How much to do some of those weigh? Is your thinking get it down as fast as possible?

those are good looking lures, just substially heavier than what I normally use.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The "plungers" and the jigging spoons both weigh about 1/4 oz. Yes, they get down fast, but more importantly they present a larger profile to attract bigger fish. And, they maintain complete feel on the rod. When fish "hit up", you can feel the sudden slack. And even the lightest tap is registered on the heavier lures. It is easy to miss strikes when using a light jig when the fish "slurp and spit". [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When you hang a piece of perch meat on the end of those bad boys, they become "articulated" lures...that wiggle with only a minimum rod tip action. I wiggle and then let them sit still...deadsticking. Most of the bigger fish either hit on the drop or when the lure is motionless. And there is no mistaking the heavy thump of a big perch with the "rattle rattle" of the dinks. You can leave it down there, letting the little ones work it over until they attract a bigger one. Then, when you feel weight you set the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[Majja]

Looks like you did well as usual TD. How ever that one little guy are you sure that was not one of you custom painted hard baits without the belly and tail hooks and rings on it.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]C'mon. Cain'tcha reckernize a photoshop job when you sees it? That fish was actually about 14", but I knew everybody on this board would accuse me of "fudging" if I showed the REAL size. So, I reduced it a mite. Mighta overdid it. Ya think?[/#0000ff]
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[Majja]

Ahh that is it, i knew somthing fishey was up.
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