Fished Swinging Bridge this morning with my brother from 8:30 - 1:30. Air temp was 32 when we launched and water temp 55. The water had that ever popular pea green color. Turnover in progress. Glass calm.
Started working poppers and shallow runners against shore and along offshore flats. Nothing but a follow-up from a 14-inch smallie.
We decided to change our approach...working 20-25 drop-offs with deep cranks and a lone 1 oz. hopkins that I snagged from my saltwater box moments before leaving this morning.
I began to sweep the depths...letting the lure touch down every so often. Several casts later something hit...or I hit something. I set the hook and I knew that it was a good fish...a walleye? shallow brown? hybrid striper? I was amazed at what I saw...one of the biggest largies I've ever landed. She went 23 inches and I estimate 5.5 - 6+ lbs.
What a rush! I followed that beauty up with a 1.5- 2lb. walleye that managed to get unbuttoned at the boat. Again, the hopkins was in the spotlight. Same technique. Same depth. A few minutes later I hung the hopkins on the bottom. Nothing much after that.
Look forward to getting out there again this season...I'll be sure to have a variety of blade baits and at least a few of those hopkins!
Huge, thanks for the help with the pics.
Matt
:beerchug:
Started working poppers and shallow runners against shore and along offshore flats. Nothing but a follow-up from a 14-inch smallie.
We decided to change our approach...working 20-25 drop-offs with deep cranks and a lone 1 oz. hopkins that I snagged from my saltwater box moments before leaving this morning.
I began to sweep the depths...letting the lure touch down every so often. Several casts later something hit...or I hit something. I set the hook and I knew that it was a good fish...a walleye? shallow brown? hybrid striper? I was amazed at what I saw...one of the biggest largies I've ever landed. She went 23 inches and I estimate 5.5 - 6+ lbs.
What a rush! I followed that beauty up with a 1.5- 2lb. walleye that managed to get unbuttoned at the boat. Again, the hopkins was in the spotlight. Same technique. Same depth. A few minutes later I hung the hopkins on the bottom. Nothing much after that.
Look forward to getting out there again this season...I'll be sure to have a variety of blade baits and at least a few of those hopkins!
Huge, thanks for the help with the pics.
Matt
:beerchug: