06-03-2008, 12:17 AM
Hi Erawk,
Welcome to the forum. I'd dispute your claim that Mead is doing poorly. I am having the one of the best seasons I've had in 10 years of fishing it. I can remember a couple years when I'd fish all day for maybe one bite.
The lowered water has exposed many offshore reefs and humps which the bass and stripers use. Water level is gong down 2 more feet in next few weeks.
See my note on grass. That pondweed grows deep enough it is not dried out and killed by lowered water levels. This could be a very good thing for Mead.
On the downside, even though evidence of the quagga mussels is everywhere exposed by falling water levels fishing remains good. Though I have no scientific basis for that opinion, we may not see their massive effect on the food chain till later in the year or next year. Certainly the water right now is as fertile with algae as I've ever seen it.
I do know the mussels are a nuisance in terms of line abrasion. I am always retying and checking for nicks on any retrieve which comes over rocks. I upgraded one baitcaster from 10lb to 12 lb flurocarbon to address the problem.
.
The Smallmouth bass population seems to be spreading and increasing. I caught a 2.5 lb'er last week and Julie caught a 3lb+ 2 weeks ago. Driving a red and white with black bottom 2007 Skeeter ZX 225. I don't often visit 33 Hole, but sometimes I am near Black Island or 3 Finger Coves. See you out there
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Welcome to the forum. I'd dispute your claim that Mead is doing poorly. I am having the one of the best seasons I've had in 10 years of fishing it. I can remember a couple years when I'd fish all day for maybe one bite.
The lowered water has exposed many offshore reefs and humps which the bass and stripers use. Water level is gong down 2 more feet in next few weeks.
See my note on grass. That pondweed grows deep enough it is not dried out and killed by lowered water levels. This could be a very good thing for Mead.
On the downside, even though evidence of the quagga mussels is everywhere exposed by falling water levels fishing remains good. Though I have no scientific basis for that opinion, we may not see their massive effect on the food chain till later in the year or next year. Certainly the water right now is as fertile with algae as I've ever seen it.
I do know the mussels are a nuisance in terms of line abrasion. I am always retying and checking for nicks on any retrieve which comes over rocks. I upgraded one baitcaster from 10lb to 12 lb flurocarbon to address the problem.
.
The Smallmouth bass population seems to be spreading and increasing. I caught a 2.5 lb'er last week and Julie caught a 3lb+ 2 weeks ago. Driving a red and white with black bottom 2007 Skeeter ZX 225. I don't often visit 33 Hole, but sometimes I am near Black Island or 3 Finger Coves. See you out there
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