First fishing trip

This has been a slow spring for me as far as getting getting out fishing is concerned. I was about ready to get the bat out and try Buckeye or some other lake when two things happened: The weather turned cold and wet again and I landed a job at the Mount Vernon News.
The final result was that I didn't get out until Sunday, April 10. I should have gone Saturday, but Carolyn had an event that evening and I went along.  Still, Sunday's forecast sounded decent, except for the possibility of wind, and I wouldn't have t be back at any particular time.
Naturally, I still had several things to do before I could get the boat out (for one thing, I almost forgot to put the registration sticker on the trailer and had to find it) and it was after noon before I got to Knox Lake. Dillon I knew would be muddy after all the rain early in the week. Rush Creek was probably bad as well and Buckeye would be overrun with boats.
The morning was calm and I hoped for the best, but no sooner had I launched the boat than the wind seemed to pick up, coming generally out of the south. The wind got worse as the afternoon went on as it was being funneled up the lake, with almost no way to get out of it.
When you're grabbing your hat because of sudden gusts, it's a little hard to keep focused on fishing.
Anyway, I lost a bass early on a Chatterbait and missed another on Senko-type worm. I was ready to quit as I finished fishing the one sheltered area I could find.
Then, as I made one last cast with a spinnerbait to a tree before heading back to the ramp, I hooked into a god fish. It was 17 inches long and very pale, as if it had just come out of deep water. I probably would have had a better afternoon if I had spent more time working the spinnerbait or a crankbait instead of pitching worms and tubes, but within the water temperature about 56 degrees, I thought the other baits would produce, although they can be tough to fish in the wind, at least as lightly as I had them weighted.
At least I finally got on the water and had a little success to start the year.
Maybe this weekend will be better.

Y-City at Buckeye

I've been busy and overlooked the Y-City Bass Club season opener at Burr Oak April 3. Thirty-one members entered the contest and Tom Sherfy of Zanesville finished on top with five bass weighing 9.43 pounds. He also took big bass honors with a 2.64-pound fish.
Eric Woodrow of Duncan Falls finished second with four bass weighing 4.65 pounds and Dave Blackstone of Newark took third with three bass weighing 4.58 pounds.
Steve Miracle of Zanesville was fourth with three bass weighing 3.94 pounds and Gabe Brandfass of Zanesville placed fifth with two bass weighing 2.65 pounds.
Thirteen anglers weighed in a total of 25 bass.
The club's next tournament is April 17 at Burr Oak.

Buckeye results

When I headed out to Buckeye Lake this afternoon to catch the weigh-in of the Perry County Anglers' Leroy Sheppard Memorial Open, I didn't expect much. I was sure a few fish would be weighed in -- somebody would find a few. I also wouldn't be surprised to see at least one big fish brought to the scales.
It was cold and I knew being out on that lake today was an attractive prospect. I was told the wind chill was 15 degrees when the tournament started.
I wasn't the only one who preferred not to go out today as there were only 10 boats entered and one of those didn't show up. I was also told t least two teams showed up, but decided it wasn't worth it to go out.
It turned out, though, there there was actually a decent number of bas caught and the wining weight was impressive.
Jim Hite and Brian Caudill won the contest with 10 bass weighing 19.07 pounds. They also took big bass honors with a 4.47-pound fish.
They were way ahead of the rest of the field, who brought in the kind of catch I expected to see. Doug Buzard and Mike Bay finished second with three bass weighing 6.96 pounds, Bill Bircher and Hunter Certain finished third with three fish weighing 4.09 pounds, Terry Tipton and Mike Barclay took fourth with three bass weighing 3.86 pounds and Josh Fry and Chuck Davis placed fifth with a 1.08-pound bass.
One other team reported having a keeper, but didn't bother to weigh it in when they saw what was already in.
I was glad to see the number of fish weighed in, but I sure hope it's warmer when I finally hit the water!

Spring slow to arrive

For a while there it looked like we might have a nice early spring. There were a few days of mice weather and although food control lakes were high and muddy others, such as Buckeye, were in good shape and reports I heard indicated the action was heating up. It was mostly saugeye, crappie and catfish (especially crappie at Buckeye), but I heard of a few bass being caught and a man I didn't know brought one that looked to be about 4 or 4 1/2 pounds by Bob's Outdoor Supply one morning.

Naturally, my tackle wasn't ready to go, but I wasn't concerned. I'd get out son. Then it turned cold and gloomy again and it doesn't look like it will warm up again until Thursday or so. I don't envy the angler signed up to fish the Leroy Sheppard Memorial tournament out of Lieb's Island Sunday (Sponsored by Perry County Anglers). It's supposed to reach a high or around 40 Sunday, which I suppose would be bearable, but if there's any wind or rain it could be uncomfortable at best.

I just hope we have some nice weekends. I'm back to working full-time (at the Mount Vernon News), so my chances of fishing much during the week are going to be significantly reduced. I'll just hope for the best with the weather and take advantage of fishing opportunities when they arrive.

I have been good this winter in that I've been very conservative about tackle purchases. I did pick up couple of the K.V.D. 1.5 crankbaits from Strike King and I've got my eye on a couple of new colors from Bandit, but other than a few hand-pours from Bob's to replenish dwindling supplies, I haven't bought much. Of course, what I really need to do is cut down on the amount of stuff in my boat. I'm trying, but it's a frustrating process.

To many time I'l look a a bait and think, "I might want to use that," and not enough times admitting "I haven't used that in five years, why do need to keep it in the boat?"

I'll keep working on it.

Bass tournaments and circuits

I've picked up a number of flyers about upcoming bass tournaments and circuits. Where one is available, I'll list an e-mail or website address, but otherwise check out your local tackle store or bait shops for contests in your area.
APRIL 3 -- Burr Oak Bass Tournament at Burr Oak Lake Dock 4, sponsored by Sunday Creel Valley Bassmasters. Entry fee is $65 per boat plus $5 for big bass. Contact Clyde Tippie at (740) 707-2318, George Carr at (740) 347-9803 or Howard Miller at (740) 767-4320.

APRIL 12 -- Tuesday night pot tournaments at Buckeye Lake begin. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to sunset wth registration at 5 .m. at the North Shore ramp off Ohio 79. Entry fee is $10 per person with age 15 and under free. Limit of five bass per team. Contact Robin Cross at rcrossbass@yahoo.com or call him at 740 438-2782.

APRIL 17 -- 29th annual Burr Oak Open at Burr Oak dock 4, sponsored by Perry County Anglers. Entry fee $60 per team or $70 at the ramp. Ten fish limit per boat. Contact Don Curry at 740 743-2364 or Jim Swingle at 740 982-8526.
APRIL 17 -- Team Bass Xtreme Open Tournament at Buckeye Lake, North Shore ramp. You may be able to find an entry form at the Team Bass Xtreme website or call (614) 598-9606.

APRIL 17 -- First of Mosquito Lake "Twin Opens." Launch at the main ramp near the park office on Ohio 305. Entry fee $100 per team, includes big bass. Five bass limit. Contact Jamie Fabian at 740 415-7229.

APRIL 17 -- Pleasant Hill Open sponsored by Clear Fork Valley Bassmasters. Entry fee $50 per team, plus $10 for big bass pot. Call Tom Barwick at 419 961-4032 or e-mail him at tbarwick@neo.rr.com.

APRIL 23 -- Rocky Fork Lake, east shore ramp, sponsored by Fayette County Bassmasters. Entry fee is $60 plus $10 for the big bass pot. Contact David Payne at fish12002@yahoo.com.

MAY 1 -- Piedmont Lake Bass Tournament sponsored by St. Clairsville Bassmasters. Launch at Piedmont Marina. Entry fee $50, or $55 at tyhe ramp. Advance entries must be received by April 25. Limit five fish per boat. Contact Mike Kotopka at 740 695-1014 or by e-mail at Kotopka@comcast.net or Kurt Koshenka at 740 676-7925 or by e-mail at candj271@aol.com.

MAY 7 -- Knox Lake Open sponsored by Kokosing Valley Bass Club. Entry fee is $70 per team plus $10 big bass pot. Questions call Tim Sweeney at 419 747-2830. Limit six fish per team or five fish if fishing alone. 18-inch size limit.

MAY 7 -- Clear Fork Reservoir Open Bass Tournament sponsored by Castaway Bassers. Entry fee $60 per boat or 470 at the ramp. $10 optional big bass pot. Limit six bass per boat. For questiobs, call 419 462-3571.
MAY 8 -- Chuck Murrey Fund Raiser at Dillon Lake, sponsored by Southern Ohio Bassmasters. Entry fee is $50 in advance or $55 at the ramp. You can find an entry form at the Southern Ohio website or e-mail spanky1@columbus.rr.com.

MAY 15 -- Clear Fork Reservoir Open sponsored by Clear Fork Valley Bassmasters. Entry fee $50 per boat, advance entries must be received by May 14. Contact Tom Barwick at 419 961-4032 or by e-mail at tbarwick@neo.rr.com
MAY 21 -- Buckeye Lake, Tuesday Night Series Open, Entry fee is $100 per team in advance or $120 at the ramp. Contact Robin Cross at rcrossbass@yahoo.com or call him at 740 438-2782.

JUNE 26 -- Gallipolis 1000 on the Ohio River at Galipolis, presented by the Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau and conducted by American Bass Anglers. Entry fee $70 per team. Contact Director Barry Davis at 614 746-1191 or by e-mail at abaohio@aol.com.

JULY 10 -- Second of Mosquito Lake "Twin Opens." See April 17 event for information.

NBAA Division 71 -- 6 to 9 p.m. Monday nights beginning April 11 at Griggs Reservoir, then alternating each week with O'Shaughnessy Reservoir. Fish-off July 25 at site to be announced. See the NBAA website for more information.

FISHERS OF MEN LEGACY SERIES -- Adult/Junior tournaments April 30 at Indian Lake, May 28 at Grand Lake St. Marys and July 9 at Delaware. Entry fee $80 per tournament. Contact Director Bill Cochensparger at bluegillbill@woh.rr.com or call him at 419 204-9031.

AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS CENTRAL OHIO DIVISION -- Series of eight tournaments beginning April 23 at Delaware Reservoir. Subsequent tournaments are at Alum Creek, Buckeye Lake, Delaware, Ohio River (Gallipolis), O'Shaughnessy, Delaware and Dillon. Championship Sept. 17-18 at O'Shaughnessy. Visit the ABA website for complete information.

Busy week, but no fishing yet

I've been negligent about posting anything the past week or so, but I have to plead that things have been hectic. My daughter's car was in the shop for several days and trying to juggle cars to get everyone where they needed to be and not miss opportunities to work just left me tired at night.
But, all excuses aside, I have heard the crappie are hitting at Buckeye Lake. Some saugeye and cats are also hitting there. Rush Creek at ast report was still a foot or so high and muddy and not producing much. Dillon Saturday night was still more than 9 feet above winter pool, but dropping fast. Delaware was also dropping fast, down to less then five feet over winter pool Saturday night.
I couldn't have made it oout anyway, as I didn't buy my fishing license until Friday! I also had to replace the prop on my trolling motor -- I had worm more than an inch of each end of the blades. When I took the old prop off, the drive pin was bent and wouldn't come out. After fighting with it several times, I finally got it out this afternoon and put the new prop on. I should make a big difference.
I did make it to the Wildlife open house in Athens March 5. There weren't any big new rules undewr consideration, but it's always good to talk to the people there and my conversations with Mike Greenlee, Tim Parrett, Mike Tonkovich and Jim Hill might be productive in the future.
I also had an interesting conversation this week with a representative of the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission. That group is doing a lot to help correct the problems at the lake that produced the toxic algae blooms there the past two years. Watch upcoming issues of the Ohio Outdoor News for the story.
I also made it up to Knox Marine for the annual soring sports show there. I attended one of the talks given by bass pro Larry Nixon. He didn't ay anything revolutionary about how to catch more bass,but he did have some good advice for tournament anglers, especially to understand that sometimes all the analyisis of what the bass should be doing won't produce any fish and you just need to "go fishin.'"
That's easy to say but hard to remember sometimes.
I did buy some new tube jig heads that I'm anxious to try out. I'll let you know how they work.
IO also picked up information on several open tournaments and circuits (to go with a few that I already had) that I'll share in a separate post.
If you have any early-season fishing sucess you want to share, send me an e-mail at the address listed in the header of tbhis page.

Burr Oak fish structure

The Perry County Junior Renegades will be doing their bit to improve fishing at Burr Oak Lake again this year. On Saturday, March 12, members and parents, as well as members of Perry County Anglers, which sponsors the youth club, will gather at the Burr Oak Lodge ramp to help Division of Wildlife personnel assemble bundles of Christmas trees to be placed in the lake as fish attractors.
The youngsters and parents bundle two or three trees together with wire and weight them with concrete blocks, then the Wildlife people haul them out on the lake for placement.
I was down there a few years ago to cover the project and it's amazing how many trees quickly find their way into the lake, where they provide great cover for fry and baitfish, which in turn attract bass and other gamefish.
If you're on the lake this spring, keep an eye out for the bundles, as many are placed in water shallow enough to be seen, at least for a while. Locations of the fish attractors are also often marked with a blaze of orange paint on a tree on the nearest shoreline and maps with the locations of the attractors are probably available from the Division of Wildlife office in Athens (at least they have been in past years).
In the past, the Division also assembled cribs made from logs and triangular structures made from old shipping pallets that were sunk in strategic locations. I don't know if they're doing that this year, but I wouldn't be surprised.
I think the Renegades deserve to be congratulated for their involvement in this project every year. There are a lot of adult clubs who don't do as much for the future of their sport as these kids do.