Look at the forecast starting on Friday. 70s and 80s until at least Thursday! What a change from the cold, cruddy spring we had last year.
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USID0025:1:US
If the weather delivers, the warmwater fish should be hitting the shallows soon. Might help the fish coming upriver too. I can't wait! [cool]
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I keep looking for new ice....... [frown][frown][frown]. November is a long time away......
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I'm hoping it never comes. [:p]
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Quote:If the weather delivers, the warmwater fish should be hitting the shallows soon. Might help the fish coming upriver too. I can't wait! [img]../../../images/gforum/cool.gif[/img]
The Lake Lowell bass have been in the shallows for several days already. I fished Lake Lowell this afternoon from 1:30 until 4:30 and caught 16 bass. All were in 6" to 2 feet of water. All were 12-14", but there will be larger females moving in shallower in a week or so. You might find them if you want to fish deeper.
Water temp was 56-57 on the lake, but if you searched for shallow flats it was around 62-63 degrees. However, with the lake levels low, the dead smartweed is at, or very close to, the surface. This makes it very difficult to get around in the shallows. I'd recommend wading, or as I did today, moving your boat with a push pole.
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Would you mind saying what your setup was for your Lake Lowell fishing adventure? Rod and reel or fly and what bait? Thanks.
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personally if i was going to fish it right now i would be throwing shallow running crank baits and spinners.
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[quote Touchy]Would you mind saying what your setup was for your Lake Lowell fishing adventure? Rod and reel or fly and what bait? Thanks.[/quote]
80% of the fish were caught on a Cabela's XMLti 6'6" M casting rod, A Shimano Scorpion 50mg reel (the Japanese version of a Chronarch 50mg), 20 # PP yellow braid, Owner Twist Lock weighted hook, and a pearl 4" boot tail grub (swimbait) that I molded.
The other 20% came on a Loomis 6'6" M casting rod, Shimano Conquest 50 (Japanese version of the Calcutta TE) same line, Arbogast Hawaiian Wiggler lure white/chartreuse.
For those that are curious about the reels: back 5-6 years ago the dollar was very favorable to the yen and you could buy reels from Japanese tackle dealers and have them shipped here for less than their US counterparts. They are also more refined than the US versions.
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I have two of the XMLti rods, a 7' L and a 6'6 MH. They're great rods. Very sensitive.
I was vertical jigging for perch in 45 feet of water the first time I used the L, and I could tell the difference in the bottom hardness just from how the vibrations felt when the jig landed. I could tell whether it hit the rocks or patch of mud. That was a first for me.
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Unfortunately, fishing tackle is now marketed like cars and clothes. Monday we were in Cabela's and noted that the XMLti rods have been replaced by a new super "Platinum" rod. I've got quite a few Cabela's rods and all have been bought for half price or less when they are closed out or put in the Bargain Cave. The XMLti model has been reduced from $200 to around $120 (if I remember correctly).
I should mention that yesterday the bass were not roaming the shallows as they were Tuesday. I did catch a few in open water, but most came out of willow bushes. They were still very shallow, 3' or less. I did get 12 fish before the rain and wind hit in the afternoon, and they ran up to a bit over 15".
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I think it depends on the rod and the company. I bought an Ugly Stik Lite salmon rod at least 10 years ago for flinging Buzz Bombs in salt water when I was living in Washington. Checked the Cabela's catalog out of curiosity, and Shakespeare is still selling the same model.
I bought my XMLtis on clearance as well, but $120 is still a lot (for me) to drop on a rod. I will say they have been worth every penny. Wish I'd had some cash to drop on the 7'6" ML when it was available.
I have not tried the new Platinum rods, but I didn't like the fact they had gone back to standard rigid guides. The recoil guides on the XMLti were one of the best features. I have horrible luck with mashing guides and with the recoils I don't have to worry about it.
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