March 4th, 2011, I thought the cold front that kept the temperature right around freezing yesterday might have put a chill on the shallow water fishery. I put off the outside work and was pushing papers around and stocking shelves when Jeff Normant pulled up to the store in wet waders and had a flopping fish in his hands about 3 pm. It wasn't a giant like the first two I saw this month, but it was a very shiny, healthy 29" fish that weighed in at 8.40 pounds. This is one contest that size doesn't mater so Jeff pulled of gift certificate #3. Evidently the sunny day and dropping tide had kept the water warm enough to get this bass in a feeding mood. Jeff like the first two winners was very evasive when asked where the fish was caught so there is no hot spot with this one either. All I could gather was that it was VERY SHALLOW AND WAY IN THE BACK, I have to guess pretty far up stream. Like the first two fish this one was also active enough to take a lure which pretty much puts aside the myth that the only way to catch the cold water fish is to soak bait on the bottom. It is more work to cast all day or night, but you can cover more area and you cannot knock success.

But I won't be quick to knock the bait soakers, it definitely works and besides it helps keep me in business. I do have all the good stuff in the store. Bloodworms, clams in the shell and even some live eels that I managed to winter over in the indoor pond. If you do want to throw lures I do still have the biggest selection around so stop by and we will go over the possibilities.