How To Kill An Hour

Do you have an hour of free time? If you do, find a pond near your home and rig up a small panfish fly or a worm and bobber. Then, spend that hour catching some gems.

This hour will be fun not because you caught something huge, but because you were able to steal an hour on the water. That time will recharge your batteries. You may not catch a monster but that won’t matter. In fact, save trying to catch something big for another time. What will happen is you will have a lot of fun. But if you do catch something, more than likely it will be a nicely colored bluegill or sunfish. And, with an ultralight rod you will be surprised how much fight they have.

This is the darkest bluegill I have ever caught. It couldn't resist a black popper.

Another panfish fooled by a popper. Find an hour, find some fun!

So, if you want some quick fun, find that hour, and find that pond.

Go out and fool a fish!

Summer

Summer is here. Low water, temperatures reaching the 90’s and bluebird skies means hitting the rivers early. Forget the waders, it’s time to get wet. And, if you are targeting bass, load up on topwater poppers.

Since the weather turned hot in late June I haven’t had a subsurface bite. It doesn’t matter the size or color of the streamer, the bass don’t want it. But, the topwater action is making up for it. Tossing a popper up against the bank or next to a rock has produced some explosive takes. Not much beats having a smallie hammer a popper. I believe that the smaller sized bass think they’re two pounders, they fight that hard. Even the rock bass are getting into the action.

My last outing was unusual. Every one of the six takes I had was immediately after the popper hit the water. One was so fast it took me by surprise and I whiffed the hookset. Next time I’ll be ready.

Go out and fool a fish!

Even the small ones fight as though they are a 2 pounder.

Rock bass want their meal too.

Every once in awhile you rewarded with a prize. This 3 pounder smashed a popper.