Labman, Chick, Striper/Bass, 2/8/2012, Solo

[FishNews]

Hit the lake about 10:45 with the intention of fishing for some Stripers for awhile and then try for some of the shallow bass bite that everyone has been killing. Found some gulls working bait which is always a good sign and set to work with the "secret Striper Bait". Had a good hit after about 5 minutes and it felt like a pretty good fish. Spinning rod with 8# flouro line. Finally got the fish up and had a decent Striper for first fish of the day. 12.5# great way to start. <br /><br />Gulls still moving around and diving on bait so I kept working the same area. About 10 minutes later another hit, felt like a little smaller fish. Another Striper, nice little 8# fish. I am loving it, marking lots of bait and several big fish. Had a huge swirl again, right beside the boat. Flipped out a bait and waited for the hit. Not happening emoBang . Thought for sure I could get that fish hooked up. Went about 20 minutes without a bite and then had a hard hit, but a small fish. 2.5# LM. What is he doing in with the Stripers? You do sometimes find them together working the bait schools. <br /><br />Wind kept getting stronger and the clouds rolled in and starting to get very chilly. I have been spoiled by all the nice warm days we have had. Finally saw another swirl nearby and threw right on it. Bam, immediate hit and this is a heavy fish. Doing the head shake and turn stuff, so pretty sure it is another Striper. Sill using spining rod and 8# line. I had tried same lure on a casting rod with heavier line, but no hits. Anyway this fish is doing it's own thing and I am just hanging on. Finally get it up after about 10 minutes and see another nice Striper. I am a happy camper at this point. Netted the fish and weighed and took its picture. 20.5# emoDance emoDance . This is so much fun i ought to be paying admission, lol. <br /><br />Gulls still working, but not as much, and I am still throwing the same lure. Can you believe it, another hard hit and long drag burning run. Could it be another Striper?? After 15 minutes of working the fish and following it around I finally get it on top. Another big Striper, amazing. I love Chick lake. This fish weighed 21# 13oz on my trusty electronic scale. I did a little better job of picture taking this time. Although I did cut off my head and the fishes tail in a couple of shots. I guess I get a little too excited. By now the gulls had quit working and I tried for awhile longer without any more bites.<br /><br />Wind kept getting stronger and I was getting cold so after trying for some shallow bass for a few minutes I headed for the ramp. Pulled the boat about 2:30. Saw Hal at the ramp, haven't seen him since summer. He had been beating up on the Crappie again with some good results. <br /><br />Not much I can say except I LOVE CATCHING STRIPERS!!<br /><br />All fish released for another day.<br /><br />Regards, Labman