05-26-2006, 10:27 AM
[cool][#0000ff]One of the 39 lakes on our list of targeted waters this year is Mantua Reservoir. It is a small lake nestled in a pretty little valley, surrounded by small farms and the tiny community of Mantua.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The lake used to be managed as a trout fishery, and has produced some great rainbows and cutts in the past. However, since it is shallow and full of aquatic vegetation, it is also ideal for bluegills and bass. In recent years, there has been an illegal planting of yellow perch, by "bucket biologists". The perch population has exploded and they are now abundant.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TubeBabe and I like to play with panfish. We go forth with only two or three ultralight rods and small jigs, solely to target the little guys. On most trips we are treated to some extra fun when larger trout or bass wanna play too, and smack our smaller offerings.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yesterday morning we hit the water about 6:30 AM and fished until about noon. TubeBabe caught the first and biggest within a few minutes of launching our tubes. It was a 20" rainbow that pulled the digital scale down to 3.6 pounds. Fun fun.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After that we had slow but steady action on a few bluegills to about 9" and perch to 11". Bluegills often exceed 10" and perch over 13" in Mantua, but not for us yesterday.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I lost one bass that would have gone about 2# on my little buggy whip rod and iight line. I did land one about 13" after a spirited battle.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The water temperatures are over 65 now and moving toward 70. The heavy weed growth is attaining its annual abundance, which will make fishing difficult in many areas. We will probably not go back until fall, but it was a lovely spring day on Mantua.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
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[#0000ff]The lake used to be managed as a trout fishery, and has produced some great rainbows and cutts in the past. However, since it is shallow and full of aquatic vegetation, it is also ideal for bluegills and bass. In recent years, there has been an illegal planting of yellow perch, by "bucket biologists". The perch population has exploded and they are now abundant.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]TubeBabe and I like to play with panfish. We go forth with only two or three ultralight rods and small jigs, solely to target the little guys. On most trips we are treated to some extra fun when larger trout or bass wanna play too, and smack our smaller offerings.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yesterday morning we hit the water about 6:30 AM and fished until about noon. TubeBabe caught the first and biggest within a few minutes of launching our tubes. It was a 20" rainbow that pulled the digital scale down to 3.6 pounds. Fun fun.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]After that we had slow but steady action on a few bluegills to about 9" and perch to 11". Bluegills often exceed 10" and perch over 13" in Mantua, but not for us yesterday.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I lost one bass that would have gone about 2# on my little buggy whip rod and iight line. I did land one about 13" after a spirited battle.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The water temperatures are over 65 now and moving toward 70. The heavy weed growth is attaining its annual abundance, which will make fishing difficult in many areas. We will probably not go back until fall, but it was a lovely spring day on Mantua.[/#0000ff]
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