Recent fishing reports got us excited so we booked a day and a half of fishing and two nights in the cabin. The fishing disappointed us but the cabin did not. It was a very warm and comfortable place with lots of fun decorations. It’s obvious that the cabin was built with love and stocked for family fun, with lots of board games, outdoor games, TVs in each room (3), BBQ grille and plenty of personal amenities. The owner checked on us once, the cows kept us company (from a distance) and even the neighborhood Beagle paid a visit. And we enjoyed a campfire in the fire ring both nights and were treated to a display of stars that we can’t see in the city. Amazing! Very quiet too!!! No cars, trucks or planes. We slept great!

The fishing was not so stellar. I’ll blame it on recent rains and a cold front. We caught about 18 total, none over 18 inches and a few dinks which we harvested. We used Senkos, flukes, junior zara spooks, pop-Rs, Carolina rigged Centipedes, shallow crank baits and spinner baits.

I had a ball with Senkos. Two quick stories: Fishing a Senko I felt a tap and set the hook - felt noting. Started reeling the lure in and it sort of felt like a fish - nah - no fish - until I got the lure to the boat and it keep going under the boat! Fish on - set the hook, felt the fish and it spit the hook. Crazy. I’m thinking the fish sucked in the lure and swam toward the boat as fast as I was reeling.

Next I was fishing a Senko Texas rigged when I decided to troll to a new area. Cranking the lure in - it was skimming across the surface when a bass lunged at it twice trying to catch up to it!

We had two firsts this trip - I caught my first fish rigged Wacky style (Senko), and Susan caught her first Zara Spook fish. She had three strikes before one connected. She slowly learned to not set the hook on the splash - “wait until you feel the fish” I told her, so if the fish misses, the lure will still be nearby for a second strike. Three missed fish. By the fourth topwater strike she had it!

All of the fish were scrappy - “one pounders with a 10 pound attitude.” All were beautiful fish - very healthy and definitely had the feed bag on with full bellies. The lake was more than full and clear to about feet. We will be back in the spring for sure!