Topwater

Fishing for a Smile

The fishing pole — an ordinary mix of resin, fiberglass, thread, and bits of steel — is anything but ordinary once it’s put to use. It can feed a family, calm a restless mind, or spark memories that last a lifetime.

A Secret Smile: Live worms a hidden secret?

A Secret Smile: Spent a week in the lovely state of Missouri on one of my favorites, Table Rock Lake.

This lake has been a gentle giant and full of bounty for our yearly family reunion.  This year was no different.

Within minutes of launching my boat at the Shell Knob Bridge I had begun the onslaught.  Only took 30 minutes and I had 20 fish in my boat using a live worms drop-shotted around the pylons. Tried getting it down to 25 foot but usually only made it 12ft or so before I had a 14-18" spotted bass well hooked.

Perry Lake: Right Spot, Wrong Time: That’s right. Good riddance to that POS!!! This was a lake I just didn’t want to fish. The little bit of practice we got a few weeks ago didn’t go to well and I didn’t have the normal confidence that I rely on come game day.

“Oh Perry Lake, I am so glad to be done with you.”

My fishing buddy and I caught a lot of fish in practice - some largemouth bass, a few hybrid striped bass and whites, and a ton of drum.

Early Fall Bass Fishing – Perry Lake Game Plan

This weekend’s tournament takes place about 20 miles north of Topeka, Kansas, on Perry Lake. It’s only my second time on this lake—the first was last weekend when I spent about four hours scouting. Right now, Perry is 4 feet above normal pool due to downstream flooding.

Conditions & Strategy

The water has been high for a while, and there are no plans to release it soon. Rumor has it the lake turned over a few weeks ago, which could mean fish are settling into a normal fall pattern.