Lake Monroe, the River’s still hurting.

[Deadeye]

Hit Monroe today for several hours. Fished areas that looked better than anything I've ever seen on Monroe but no Bass. Well I take that back there was one Bass that got off in the pads.

But I did have the rod bending. Got into a group of Stripers/Sunshine Bass and they kept me busy for a bit.

Last fish felt like a good one but turned out to be a Pickerel instead.

Just beat the rain storm home.













The foggy pics came after my phone got so hot it wouldn't work anymore and I put it in the cooler for a bit to cool down. Didn't think to wipe the lens off after I brought it back out.

All fish came on Flukes popped on surface or Rattletrap run fast.

[SFL BassHunter]

Thanks for the report Deadeye! At least you got into some fish. Do those stripers fight hard?

[Deadeye]

Yes they do Rick. Their mouth area is harder too, so with the smaller ones getting a good hookset isn't always easy.

Bigger ones, say 4+ up, will pull drag and go on runs.

[FlatsNBay]

Good eating! Glad you caught em Fred.

[SFL BassHunter]

Oh ok

[Lipripper]

Thanks for the report Fred and them things are fun to catch and if you run into a school of them they will keep you busy.

[LgMouthGambler]

No kidding, stripers! I didnt think they were in Florida.

<")))>{

[Reservoir Runner]

Thank you for the report Fred. I read a report Thursday from Highland Park that the water with all the rain is much more tannic than normal and it has really slowed down the bass fishing. I am going to try to get out On Monday, I haven't been since Mid April, I may have to give up on the river for a while and hit some of the lakes like Lake Diaz, Wildcat Lake,or Grasshopper Lake on 19 west of SR 40. The stripers look fun, we used to catch them on the Lower Potomac using Rat-L-Traps and Cordell Super Spot, their version of the Rat-L-Trap. I am hoping the river gets back on cue toward the end of September, the hurricane did a number on it and with all the rain, that hasn't helped either.

[Deadeye]

Good eating! Glad you caught em Fred.

I've tried them and neither the Wife or I care for the taste. I just take a pic and toss them back.

However, I have learned since that you need to cut out the Red Meat Strip that I didn't do, so I might give them another try. I've been told that the Red Strip ruins the taste.

[Deadeye]

No kidding, stripers! I didnt think they were in Florida.

<")))>{

The State breeds them as a Mix of Striper and Largemouth and the result is what they call the Sunshine Bass. They stock them almost every year, as these Hybreds can not breed and reproduce.

They are stocked in lots of Florida Lakes and the St Johns River is full of them. I've caught some a lot bigger than these runts. A 4 to 6 lber will give you a great fight on Bass Tackle.

[Deadeye]

Thank you for the report Fred. I read a report Thursday from Highland Park that the water with all the rain is much more tannic than normal and it has really slowed down the bass fishing. I am going to try to get out On Monday, I haven't been since Mid April, I may have to give up on the river for a while and hit some of the lakes like Lake Diaz, Wildcat Lake,or Grasshopper Lake on 19 west of SR 40. The stripers look fun, we used to catch them on the Lower Potomac using Rat-L-Traps and Cordell Super Spot, their version of the Rat-L-Trap. I am hoping the river gets back on cue toward the end of September, the hurricane did a number on it and with all the rain, that hasn't helped either.

Water is up everywhere no matter where you fish right now in our area. Some of the Ramps on the River are closed right now due to the high water.

[basss]

Ewww, Pickerel.  Hate those stinky slimy fish.  I don't even put them in the boat.  They get slime everywhere.

[SFL BassHunter]

Ewww, Pickerel.  Hate those stinky slimy fish.  I don't even put them in the boat.  They get slime everywhere.

Not as bad as mudfish though. Mudfish thrash around and slime everything up.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Not as bad as mudfish though. Mudfish thrash around and slime everything up.

And sometimes they poop all over too. Really nasty!!