TubeBabe and I were supposed to meet up with Ocean and Mrs Ocean early this morning for some tubing and tooning. TB and I made it and launched at daybreak (about 6:30). Ocean and wife had to get kids ready for school and didnāt make it for another couple of hours. They also did not bring the toon so had to be bankers.
Other than a light westerly breeze, that turned to a southerly zephyr and then died altogether, there was no W today. Love it. Water temp was 67 at launch, rising to about 72 by the time we quit at 1 or so. Clarity was murky early and then the water turned green later as the algae bloom kicked in.
The fastest fishing was early. TubeBabe put her first in the basket before 7, and I followed with my first shortly after. We both scored second fish before 7:30 and then it slowed way down. We each caught two more before 1 PM, but the bites were few and far between. All of the action was in water at least 5 feet deep.
**My fish went right up the lineā¦3, 4, 5 and 6 pounds. I did not keep the first twoā¦the 4 and 5. My third was my biggest and my last was my smallest. **
I also caught several small whities on a tandem plastic rig. On one cast I hooked a big tough carp. I wanted to recover my jig and thought about cutting it up for future bait, so I brought it to net. To my surprise there was a tiny white bass hitchhiking a ride on the second jig (see pics). I later released the carp āunharmedā (see pic).
TubeBabe caught the smallest, at 16", but she also had two nice 4 pounders and a 25" 5.5 pounder. The biggest one came last and gave her a great drawn out battle. A good way to end her day just after noon.
**For anyone who likes big cats, this is the time to hit Utah Lake. I have taken fish over 5 pounds and up to almost 9 pounds on my last few trips around the lake. **
With most species, that is a good rule to follow. However, with carp we find that it is MUCH better to invert every fish you catch. Messy, but it makes them more acceptable to the environment.
Sounds like fun. I had the worst day at Lindon Iāve had since June. I got hung up at work so I didnāt start fishing until 7:30. I caught one tiny white bass and didnāt get another bite. I left at 9. After yesterday, it was a bit disappointing. Itās just Utah Lakeās way of reminding me why itās called fishing, and not catching.
Hey, I ARE a brain surgeon. On that fine specimen of carphood I was demonstrating how to perform a frontal lobotomy by going in through the abdominal cavity.
Unfortunately, that patient had already suffered a couple of strokes (from a big rock) and I was unable to save it.
Well glad to hear that you kept catching them kitties.Lisa did end up with one measly mudcat that she sent back .For me i was having allergy problems that were making me miserable but lisa wanted to fish so i stayed.By the way benadryl does work wonders![;)] We didnt get any other bites on minnows ,carp meat or jigs.Gonna have to take the next time.
Hey Pat, i tried your method of āunharmedā release on the 20# carp at Willard last week and it decided to stick around the boat in this weird cloud or red algae!!! Numerous boats that passed by had the look of scared shad running from wipers!! Canāt figure out why.[sly]
Some folks is just wimps. Show āem some real reality and they freak out or āwoof their cookiesā. Just remind them that chumminā is not legal in Utah so they gotta barf in their own boats.
I just love the sight of a cloud of red algae around a freshly released carp (unharmed).
You 'da man, dude (and I guess that would make T.B. 'da woman)! Nice job on those kitties.
Iām gonna go out to U.L. next Tuesday (the 12th), does anybody from this forum wanna join me bright and early? If not, Iāll have fun slaying them (hopefully) by myself. Iād like to try the West side North of the Knolls, but since Iām unfamiliar with it, I think Iāll be launching off the South dike of Lincoln at 6:30 or soā¦
**Hey Geoff, sorry I canāt join you. As I explained, I need to stick around through the morning on Tuesday. **
**I suggest Lincoln Beach. Unless you know your way around and have a vehicle with high clearance (maybe 4X4), you can get in trouble on those deeply rutted steep roads on the west side. **
You know Lincoln Beach and the launching is easy now with the lower water. Thereās a good gravel shelf out on the south dike. Launch right next to where the reeds start.
Most of the best fishing was straight east of the end of the dike, in 6 feet of water. Just keep following that depth, with a little back and forth into shallower or deeper.
If you need some minnows, feel free to stop by my place on the way and Iāll ādownloadā some. I still have quite a few big chub minnows and that is what they were taking best the other day. I can also set you up with some carp meat strips. Iām up early so let me know when you will be by and you wonāt get shot.
Thanks for the excellent advice, dude. Iāve only been to Lincoln once this year at night after the gorilla floatilla earlier in the day, and it sucked. Only got a few little pickups and that was it. After reading your many reports this summer, I was planning on doing just as you suggest here. Iāll have to take you up on the minnow offer as I ran out of the last few that I had the other day. My people will get in touch with your people soonā¦
TubeBabe and I were supposed to meet up with Ocean and Mrs Ocean early this morning for some tubing and tooning. TB and I made it and launched at daybreak (about 6:30). Ocean and wife had to get kids ready for school and didnāt make it for another couple of hours. They also did not bring the toon so had to be bankers.