05-24-2009, 05:24 AM
Gills are active, just not mass colonies that I'm waiting for. Did find a few males scooping out beds today. Bass beds are like everywhere lol. Looks like they're done and just guarding. The hens were close by a few days ago, but retreated into cover now. Did land a 191/4 inch hen.....my best at Mantua. Still no sign of the fabled 5-8lb monsters lol. That 19incher was pretty fun though, it's about time something over 16 in there. LOL. I'm used to 16 -18 average size bedders so Mantua is mostly dinky to me. Fun with numbers though. Males are guarding 1/4 inch fry at lower elevations already......fun to watch them in action. I don't fish males with fry at all. Those fry will be nailed by bluegill before the males gets back to guarding.