Trip Details:
- When: 7-30-19 from 5:30pm to 9pm on Blue Springs Lake
- Air temp: upper 80s
- Water temp: 86.4 degrees to start, 84.5 degrees at end of night
- Water clarity: Stained, 10-12 inches of visibility
- Weather conditions: Pre-storm front (scattered showers), sunny, little to no wind
- Target species: Largemouth bass
Baits used:
- Topwater: frog, whopper plopper
- Finesse: Ned rig with dirty shad (X-Zone lures), Rage Tail Craw, jig and pig, plastic worms
Equipment used:
- Lews Speed Stick Combos ranging from 6’7 to 7’4, light to heavy action
- 50 pound braid for topwater frog (no leader), 8-pound fluoro for Ned rig
Notes:
Man, it was hot out today. It reached five degrees warmer than predicted, making it into the low 90s. Going into it, we just wanted to catch some fish. Blue Springs Lake is tough for whatever reason. There is also a ton of recreational boat traffic that adds another challenge as well.
We started off finesse fishing near channel drop offs on the northeast end of the lake. We worked our way south along the rocky shoreline, which was broken up intermittently by wood laydowns. Both Thomas and I had several bites, but no successful hooksets, unless you’re counting into underwater trees. If so, there were too many of those to admit.
The first solid bite and subsequent catch came shortly before 8pm on a ned rig. I was using a 1/10th oz Z-man jighead paired with the x-zone ned head in dirty shad color. This was near rocks on the inside swing of a cove along the main channel on the southeast part of the lake.
Shortly after, I was tossing the frog into some thick reeds. I thought I noticed a boil, set the hook, and missed. My frog was in some really thick grass and hadn’t touched the surface yet so I thought my eyes may have played tricks on me. I threw it back in there just in case. Good thing I did!
A nice largemouth sucked in the frog and I slammed the hook on him. Within seconds, he was in the boat. There might not be anything better than catching big bass on a frog.
Tyler’s Final thoughts:
Another gorgeous night to be out, but Blue Springs once again showed why many people avoid it. The fishing is tough, and the boat traffic is pretty insane, even during the week. At one point we were in the southeast part of the lake, just north of the bridge. I counted 17 boats just in that one small area around us.
For those that can consistently catch fish at Blue Springs, my hat is off to you. It’s tough fishing and I’ve yet to really figure it out. I was elated to get these two keepers in the boat. Maybe the early morning bite might be more productive, along with less boats. Either way, it’s always a blessing to be on the water.
Good luck out there!
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