Playing hookie at Vail

[Megsdad]

My daughter and I both played hookie on Thursday to fish at Vail. It took a little longer to get loaded and going in the morning than anticipated but we were on the road by 7:15 and on the lake by 8:30. We get to our first spot, and Megan cant wait for me to rig up spinner baits so she throws out a white mini jig the was left on her ultralight rig from last weeks river trip..... boom! first cast, she's on, nice crappie. I go to get the camera to realize we left our lunch (and Camera) in the truck. Damn, so I throw out a white spinner bait thinking whether I should go back now or wait 'till we make a move and.... bam! my first cast, I nail a nice 2-3lb bass. Ok, this could be a very good day, I need to go back now and get the camera. So we make the 15min round trip, hit the spot again, Megan on dropshot, me on spinnerbait, metering fish, but wtf, no bites. It took about 20 min. before Megan hooks up with a bass, another 20 before I get another one. Well we kept at it for a while and then made a move. We hit a point where I have been with Art, and instantly hooked up with something BIG, pulling out drag and heading for deep water, ended up being a 10lb catfish (dropshot redflake gulp worm). Well we continued to work the shoreline made a few moves with a fish here and a fish there but all in all slow fishing. Megan caught 2 more crappie and 2 more bass, I caught a crappie and a few more bass. We tried spinner baits, crank baits, dropshot worms and grubs of different colors. Megan had a blast and was glad to be out of school and happy to spend time with her dad.

I have no delusions; I knew that with out Art putting me on fish and handing me a rod set up with the bait-de-jour, that it was going to be different, I was just surprised at how many fish I was metering and not able to get to bite. Also, (Remember, I am mostly a saltwater guy and still a rookie at bass fishing) I was surprised how much work it was to control the boat with the trolling motor and fish at the same time (esp. in the wind). I guess it will take a lot more time on the water, It just makes me realize how Amazing Art Hill and many others of you out there are at this sport. Here are some pics of the day.

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0234.jpg

Megan netted this bad boy
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0236.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0238.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0240.jpg

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0247.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0241.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0244.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0245.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0243.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/IMG_0246.jpg

Next time we'll get out there earlier,
Joe

[matt duarte]

nice dude! your daughter killed it on the bass! gotta nice crappie to... the cat is huge dude 10lber? i gotta get out there again.. the shore line gets a lil crazy at times but defently worth it!.. nice fish you guys! thanks for the report!

[Fishbreath]

Great job, Joe! Looks like you and Megan had a good time. See PM.