The “Opener” 2013
- DropShot’r
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 7:19 am
- Location: Beautiful Ontario....
The “Opener” 2013
It was a tough decision on where to go for the opening day. Lake or river? The tie breaker was the fact that I had a new Dobyns 805CB RM and a fist full of new crankbaits too.
I decided that I was going to start the day fishing deeper water, you know, those first drop-offs after the shallow flats that post spawn females may be located in. I did not want to bother any males that may still be guarding nests.
I started with a few various squarebills, spinnerbaits and a Texposed senko. Nothing.
Time to blow this spot and move on.
I get to the next spot…..what do I need to switch up here?
The Eureka Moment
Maybe I should fish deeper….
So I tie on a deep diver and start to fish. Bang, bang, bang…I start to catch fish, nothing photo worthy, but enough to let me know I’m onto something.
Then my bait feels like I drove it into big rock, it just stops dead. I set the hook and feel nothing. I’m just about to release the tension when I feel a throb….rocks don’t throb.
Check the drag Steve, don‘t screw that up.
She dogs a bit deep then all of a sudden Oh baby…it’s coming up for a jump and I drive about 5 feet of that rod into the water to try to kill the jump. When it came out of the water I had a sudden flashback to Lake XXX with Kevin. Fortunately the fish was well hooked so my less that stellar 4 attempts to net the fish didn’t matter.
With the sun high in the sky I decided to fish some of the lakes few Lilly pads. I found the pads not as full and plentiful, but then the season is earlier and the weather was not the best either. I managed a few largemouth out of the pads.
I decided to head to the ramp and call it a day. I had a great day on the water and a beast of a smallie to boot.
Steve
I decided that I was going to start the day fishing deeper water, you know, those first drop-offs after the shallow flats that post spawn females may be located in. I did not want to bother any males that may still be guarding nests.
I started with a few various squarebills, spinnerbaits and a Texposed senko. Nothing.
Time to blow this spot and move on.
I get to the next spot…..what do I need to switch up here?
The Eureka Moment
Maybe I should fish deeper….
So I tie on a deep diver and start to fish. Bang, bang, bang…I start to catch fish, nothing photo worthy, but enough to let me know I’m onto something.
Then my bait feels like I drove it into big rock, it just stops dead. I set the hook and feel nothing. I’m just about to release the tension when I feel a throb….rocks don’t throb.
Check the drag Steve, don‘t screw that up.
She dogs a bit deep then all of a sudden Oh baby…it’s coming up for a jump and I drive about 5 feet of that rod into the water to try to kill the jump. When it came out of the water I had a sudden flashback to Lake XXX with Kevin. Fortunately the fish was well hooked so my less that stellar 4 attempts to net the fish didn’t matter.
With the sun high in the sky I decided to fish some of the lakes few Lilly pads. I found the pads not as full and plentiful, but then the season is earlier and the weather was not the best either. I managed a few largemouth out of the pads.
I decided to head to the ramp and call it a day. I had a great day on the water and a beast of a smallie to boot.
Steve
Dobyns Army member
Re: The “Opener” 2013
Wow! What a hog Steve. Beauty fish. Did you get a weight on that Smallie?
Congrats on a great opener. Cheers
Congrats on a great opener. Cheers
Smitty
Straight shooter
Straight shooter
Re: The “Opener” 2013
Awesome way to open'r up Steve. That smallie is a beauty! Great stuff!
Re: The “Opener” 2013
BEAST!
That smallie is an absolute beast! Makes mine look like a minnow
That smallie is an absolute beast! Makes mine look like a minnow
- BradGuenette
- Bronze Participant
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- cprince
- Diamond Participant
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Re: The “Opener” 2013
Great to see a report from you again Steve!!!!
Nothing like opener bass to jar you into the season!!!!
Cant wait to see more reports out of you this year Steve!
Craig
Nothing like opener bass to jar you into the season!!!!
Cant wait to see more reports out of you this year Steve!
Craig
Re: The “Opener” 2013
Awesome fish Steve!!
We had a similar experience, except we started with the surface and ended with the bronze backs
Not where we expected them to be but by 8:30 we had found a few decent smallies, best went 18".
Cheers
We had a similar experience, except we started with the surface and ended with the bronze backs
Not where we expected them to be but by 8:30 we had found a few decent smallies, best went 18".
Cheers
- Bassassins
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 214
- Joined: Sat May 18, 2013 5:57 pm
Re: The “Opener” 2013
What a smallmouth to kick off the season - sounds like you figured them out.
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Field Staff - FISHBUM Outfitters, Angler's Choice, Streamside
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Field Staff - FISHBUM Outfitters, Angler's Choice, Streamside
#ExistToFishCanada #LiveYourAdventure
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Re: The “Opener” 2013
You're still Dropshotr to me dood. Great opener Steve and nice to see ya back around the neighborhood.
- almontefisher
- Diamond Participant
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Re: The “Opener” 2013
Wicked start to the season Steve. You know I never got a chance to work my cranks this weekend.....sorry I didnt now!
Fishing isn't a matter of life and death....
It's much more important.
ORWL
It's much more important.
ORWL
Re: The “Opener” 2013
Great chunk of Bronze from the river Steve. Well done fella!
RJ
RJ
- ShawnD
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Re: The “Opener” 2013
Awesome toad!
President of the Ottawa Valley South Bassmasters
http://www.ottawabassmasters.com/
http://www.ottawabassmasters.com/
- DropShot’r
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 7:19 am
- Location: Beautiful Ontario....
Re: The “Opener” 2013
Thanks for all the kind words everyone.
In my excitement I forgot to mention that this smallie in my new PB at five two.
Love the rod Brad, I love all my Dobyns rods.
Steve
In my excitement I forgot to mention that this smallie in my new PB at five two.
Love the rod Brad, I love all my Dobyns rods.
Steve
Dobyns Army member
Re: The “Opener” 2013
That's a sweet smallie! Awesome job!
Glad that you had some success on your outing!
Glad that you had some success on your outing!
- Brian