Adam and I headed out to the same dam on the north side of the reservoir a few days ago to target pike and largemouth under the late summer sun. There was significant algal blooms hanging along the rocks extending about 5-10 feet out into the water. We used spoons and stickbaits for the first hour or so with little to no luck other than a few random small hits that never resulted in hookups.
We were only able to fish for approximately and hour and a half between other obligations we both had, but there was one smashing success to end the day on. After Adam dragged his spoon up through the algae and a boil of water erupted just as he pulled it up, I decided to see just what was lurking underneath the mat of lime green.
I rigged up a red and white 1/2-oz jitterbug and started casting lengthwise up and down the shoreline, chugging the little bait in a retrieve-and-pause technique. After a handful of casts I was considering going back something else, but then as I was finishing a cast, the bait exploded 5 feet from me.
A 32" northern had latched onto my bait, and my 10 lb monofilament was the only thing holding on. I instantly regretted not having a leader on. Seeing what had my bait, I quickly loosened my drag and fought with the fish for a good 2 minutes, letting him have his runs with the line. When I felt he was suitable handleable, I drew him near shore and was able to snap a few pictures.
A beautiful day on Fish Lake with a beautiful fish to show for it. It doesn't get much better than that.
Tight Lines!
