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Illinoisgiller
07-02-2008, 11:08 AM
I and the wife ventured off to a Southeast Iowa lake for an overnight camp and couple days fishing. We used my Osagian 18' flat bottom sq .stern canoe w/8hp engine and outrigger floats.
The lake had what I would consider a severe algie bloom in progress.
We started out at the same haunts we caught fish at before and found them empty. It took some searching , but she started hitting them first off the bank aways. I followed up with a real nice red ear on a red ant jig fishing deeper and further out. As we mooved along the shore we entered a little inlet and picked up a few nice gills and red ear. The wife heard a noise and a big owl had flown in close to perch and watch us fish. Now I would bet this is the same owl that stole Schoe's fish the last time we were there. Yep .you read that right.:confused0068: Schoe had missjudged a cast a bit and went over a limb. To help get it back he left it till he caught a fish. He started raising it up to the limb to flip it over, and a big owl swooped in and took the fish and the hook came loose. This is the first I have heard of a fish eating owl, and this one took it off the hook:icon_cool::icon_cool::icon_cool: lol
A fella came by a little later and we pointed out the owl. He said he was fishing there one time and it swooped by right in front of his face and scared the bejeebies out of him.
During the two days fishing we never did get on them in any big numbers but just had a great time moving around and keeping busy. Overall ,the 1/80 oz.hair jigs tipped w/waxworms were best producers followed by red ant tipped w/red worms and another rubberlegged jig I call the Garylee tipped w/red worms. We got 37 to fillet the first day and 31 nice ones the second. all fish were plump and healthy. Overall, I would imagine that she caught the most fish and found them first, but I think I caught the biggest red ear.:evilgrin0039:I do know we sure had a great time fishing!!!! Mike

DaveIN
07-02-2008, 11:31 AM
Way to go you guys! Bet the dig red ear was caught on the red ant wasn't it?

That's the way it works for us to. She catches the most, I the biggest. Great pictures!

http://www.fatboydanfishing.com/picture.php?albumid=45&pictureid=262

rebg38
07-02-2008, 11:33 AM
Glad you had an enjoyable trip. Guess that redear on the red ant, answers the question about whether or not they will take it with the longer legs. Were you fishing on the bottom or suspended when you caught him? Looking forward to hearing more about the trip.
I went out Monday morning, did fair on bluegill + a couple of channel cats. Caught one fairly nice redear and one small one. Other than the cats, fish were on the small end of the "nice" scale.
Went back out yesterday morning. Took a bit of searching but finally located some good redear. Catch six or seven out of a spot and then would have to search for another spot. Did end up with "my limit".
Have relinquished the lake to the "Holidayers" until about a week from today.

Don

DaveIN
07-02-2008, 11:51 AM
Finally got out of the rocking chair! I thought perhaps you had turned into a http://www.fatboydanfishing.com/picture.php?albumid=45&pictureid=300

or http://www.fatboydanfishing.com/picture.php?albumid=45&pictureid=299

Yoko and I have been getting out also. The the test link below.

Illinoisgiller
07-02-2008, 12:57 PM
The "red ant" took the largest red ear and also a bunch of the gills. The longer legs didn't seem to bother the fish in the least.
Largest red ear off the bottom and was VERY welcome as I was getting outfished quite handily :confused0024:. lol
I talked to a fella at the fish cleaning area that had a mess of gills a little smaller than ours. He was fishing in the center of the lake 6-8' deep over 30' fo water. Safe to say most were suspended in the water throughout the lake.

Schoe
07-02-2008, 01:29 PM
Mike, glad to hear you folks had a good time. Thanks for the post and photos.

I'm getting antsey to go somewhere again either perhaps Wis. or West Central Iowa.

The full Moon will be up on the 18th so this may be the last spawn of the year for the Gills. Schoe

heath19
07-02-2008, 08:22 PM
Looks like another good trip. Thanks for the pictures and story.

cattracker16
07-03-2008, 07:25 AM
nice post mike. looks as if you and the wife were having a great time. i've been way too busy to wet a line. still working on getting the property ready for new house and getting new house plans set. along with all the other side projects i'm doing.

goofy
07-03-2008, 07:56 AM
Good job Mike and Lorain. Weather seems to be supporting good fishing trips finally. Dry enough to get you some worm compost as you need it, let me know.

troutrageous1
07-03-2008, 11:33 PM
Good stuff. Sounds like a fun time, wish I could get out more these days...will just have to live vicariously through you. :icon_biggrin: