Starv'in Perch @ Rabbit Gulch, Aug 18th

[Hnaf]

[] "The following fishing report has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit this forum, to run in the length allotted and edited for content" []

3 of us went float tubing on starvation, rabbit gulch, yesterday. We got on the water at sunup and off the water as the afternoon breeze started to kick in near 1pm. Water temps started out at about 62 and finished up near 67. Perch were think but most lacked size. Smallies were a lot more active then I've had them in the past. Few walleye for each of us to play with, nothing of size. Trout didn't want much to do with us most of the day until a nice 20" decided to join the party in a basket. Great day fishing...


Now if you'd like to read more and see pics the "directors cut" version of the report can be found here: http://hnaf.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-...rvice.html

Sorry couldn't help play a bit with the post length this time after getting teased about being overly verbose in the past couple... []
[signature]

[albinotrout]

Short but still nice report!
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Glad you found a few. Coulda been better on the bigguns. I have had a tough time getting through the dinks this year too. Hope they grow a bit and keep their willing attitude.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have a new rod holder design you need to look at...for fishing the second rod with a closed bail. Will try to take some pics when I go back over next week.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[cpierce]

Nice write up on your blog. I guess I enjoy "verbose". Those must be some huge perchlet schools to show that thick on your finders. Congrats on the smallmouths; they do look well fed.
[signature]

[Hnaf]

I know I like reading the verbose posts of others but I do agree that some of the last few of mine were long...

So when I got a few teasing posts about that it made me think of watching a movie on tv and having the edited for format and length disclaimer so I figured I'd give that a whirl this time around for a post...

My conclusion is that short posts that have no pics in and of themselves get few replies ... So I'll go back the longer format but watch the length a bit or make sure there are enough pics to to appease the scroll weary fingers. []
[signature]

[Hnaf]

I'd love to see this new setup. I feel very self conscious holding two poles, one in each hand, and trying my best to not look the fool trying to do dual pole hook sets or more often setting only the pole that was getting nibbled... [sly]
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]One of the keys is having a rod holder that holds the rod out at the right angle...for easy watching and to properly fish the untended offerings. The rod holder is only a part of the whole system. However, it helps if the design holds the rod firmly but allows for a "quick draw" when needed.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I use different rigs on my "second rod" setup. Sometimes I use a dropshot rig, with a sinker on the bottom and a couple of weightless jigs or flies up off the bottom. Other times I use my floating jigs...fligs. But often I just send down a tandem tube jig rig. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If the bottom has a lot of rocks or weed growth I drop the rig to the bottom and then take a turn or two on the reel to keep it from hanging up. But if the bottom is fairly clean I may let it drag. This is a good technique for walleyes since they will slurp it off the bottom. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Obviously you have to watch the rod tip and know how to interpret what is going on. A "ding ding" bite is usually a dink perch and does not merit dropping your first rod and grabbing the second. But a hard pull down is likely a bigger perch, a smallie, a wallie or even a rainbow. You gotta keep the drag set loose in case something big grabs it and moves out.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sometimes the rod will bounce down pretty good and then nothing. That is when to put the other rod in a holder, pick up the second rod and then wiggle and jiggle it to entice the fish to come back. Often they will. That's how I catch a lot of my bigger perch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Other times...especially when you are moving a bit across the water...the rod tip will just start slowly bending down. Classic walleye munch. Pick up the rod, lift gently and if you feel weight set the hook. It might only be a stringer of weed...but it might also be a nice fish. Walleyes and larger perch are notorious for just swimming up and inhaling a jig. And hooksets are free.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I use the second rod as a prospecting tool, to help find fish while moving around. But once I find an area with decent fish I usually reel in the second rod and focus on finessing the larger fish using only my primary rod. My opinion is that I catch more and bigger fish with one closely worked rod than with two competitive ones.[/#0000ff]
[signature]