Fellow member John Shepard arrived just after noon and found the tank full from very recent rains. Water was stained with 1 - 2 ft visibility and water temps ranged from 74 - 76F. Skies varied from over cast to partial sun throughout the afternoon with two 20 min local rainstorms. Water was calm for most of the afternoon with the exception being when it rained. We noticed hydrillia growth in several locations around the lake.

Started fishing from the dock and then tried fishing from the east bank with limited success. Tried a number of lures but the only thing that received action was T-rigged or weightless green worms. We decided to launch the "new" boat (big improvement over old boat…lots of room for two people, rods and tackle) after the first penetrating rain storm that rolled through. Headed out to try the brush piles but found no action. Switched strategy and worked the banks around the entire lake and finally found the action (wish we had seen Philip Pruitt's report before we departed for the lake). Nearly all of the big bites occurred within a few feet of the bank, with several of the larger ones chasing the lures and nailing them within 10ft of the boat! Almost all of our success was related to a green or green/white chatterbait with a greenish swimbait or creature bait trailer. The fish did not seem interested in any other lure presentation or color. Nearly all of the fish were stout and frisky! John hauled in 21 and I caught 12. Most of the bass ranged in size from 17 - 20" with several up to 21" (John caught one that was just over 21"). We also managed to cull 5 small bass during out outing. Surprisingly, as we headed back to shore, we casually trolled with the same chatterbait setups caught our two largest fish of the day, in the middle of the lake!

We finished the day fishing topwaters from the west bank by the dam and John duped a few into taking his white/red buzzbait set up.

Another fine afternoon at BJR

Bob

Posted By: Robert Scheidemann