Rockport - Long time, no fish

[perchinski]

Been a month on the disabled list --- vacationed to see the grandkids in San Clemente, then came home with Covid.  3rd time.  Finally got back up to RP this morning.  53-air, 68 water at 6am launch.  Worked my way to the dam, then called it quits at 11.  Got some nice 12-16" bass on perch stuff, and some 9" perch on bass stuff.  No 10's or 11's like on the hard deck, but they're forming eggs.  Gorgeous morning with no wakeboarders, no water skiers, and only 2 jet-skiers.  Could have used a little wind, pretty flat.  Naturally, it came up as I was driving home around the lake.  Water level dropped a bunch the last 4 weeks.  Right lane of ramp down to the #5 marked square.  Can't wait for the supposed cool-down next week.

[wiperhunter2]

Been a month on the disabled list --- vacationed to see the grandkids in San Clemente, then came home with Covid.  3rd time.  Finally got back up to RP this morning.  53-air, 68 water at 6am launch.  Worked my way to the dam, then called it quits at 11.  Got some nice 12-16" bass on perch stuff, and some 9" perch on bass stuff.  No 10's or 11's like on the hard deck, but they're forming eggs.  Gorgeous morning with no wakeboarders, no water skiers, and only 2 jet-skiers.  Could have used a little wind, pretty flat.  Naturally, it came up as I was driving home around the lake.  Water level dropped a bunch the last 4 weeks.  Right lane of ramp down to the #5 marked square.  Can't wait for the supposed cool-down next week.

At least you were able to get back out there and catch some fish. With school back in, it's good to see less and less of those wake boats. Would you say the water level has dropped by 10 ft in the last month or more than that?

[perchinski]

Been a month on the disabled list --- vacationed to see the grandkids in San Clemente, then came home with Covid.  3rd time.  Finally got back up to RP this morning.  53-air, 68 water at 6am launch.  Worked my way to the dam, then called it quits at 11.  Got some nice 12-16" bass on perch stuff, and some 9" perch on bass stuff.  No 10's or 11's like on the hard deck, but they're forming eggs.  Gorgeous morning with no wakeboarders, no water skiers, and only 2 jet-skiers.  Could have used a little wind, pretty flat.  Naturally, it came up as I was driving home around the lake.  Water level dropped a bunch the last 4 weeks.  Right lane of ramp down to the #5 marked square.  Can't wait for the supposed cool-down next week.

At least you were able to get back out there and catch some fish. With school back in, it's good to see less and less of those wake boats. Would you say the water level has dropped by 10 ft in the last month or more than that?

Water has dropped easily by more than 10' in the last month.  That island outcropping at the mouth of the dam was still way under water.
Now its highest point is at least 10' out of the water.  Two shore fishermen I bypassed thought the level went down about 8' from where
they fished a week ago.

[Piscophilic]

Thanks for the report. Interesting to hear that they are "forming eggs". When do you think they spawn in Rockport?

[TubeDude]

Thanks for the report. Interesting to hear that they are "forming eggs". When do you think they spawn in Rockport?

They can start developing ovaries anytime in late summer.  Eggs are usually pretty good sized by ice fishing time.  And the spawn varies by water but can be anywhere from late February through the end of April.  In some midwestern lakes they have even been observed spawning under the ice during a late thaw.