With an air temp of 72 degrees, overcast sky and a Northwest wind 5-15mph Mike C and I where on the water by 5:30am. The plan was to head for weed mats, slop and thick lily pads along the edge of current. These areas have been producing Bass and Pike the last few outings and the fish where still there We started casting Ribbits, Zoom Horny Toads and Spro frogs far into the slop, the baits were hot the last two trips but something had changed the attitude of these predators There were a few lazy attempts made but it wasn’t long and I realized we needed to change our presentation.
Mike C with Top Water Bass
After throwing a variety of baits it was a Super Spook that created an aerial display for the rest of the day from both Pike and LM Bass. Casting just to the edge of the slop or back into small clearings, then dog walking the bait was more than any of these game fish could resist. We witnessed Pike flying in from long distances as the bait snapped back and forth leaping out of the water to make an attack and Bass blowing up from under the bait, it was some cool stuff to see
Late Morning Top Water Bass
Mike C did take some fish using a Chug Bug and a #12 Floating Rapala but the Super Spook was unbeatable for us today. The Northern seemed to like the shallower slack water coming from 1.5 – 3 feet.
The Bass were hanging right on the edge of the weed growth in slight current. They were also a little deeper being in 3-5fow but it was no problem calling them to the surface With the wind causing a good ripple on the top and for most of the day a good cloud cover, the top water bite lasted past noon.
Average Bass
Having confidence we were in areas holding fish kept us changing things up until a presentation was put together and it paid off in a big way for us today. Not that we were sticking any 8lb toads but it wasn’t a bad day for a couple older farts playing around with the green fish while enjoying a few pike battles to boot A good top water bite such as today is a great way to make sure the ticker isn’t restricted to blood flow It was a blast buddy Mike, I know where you are headed and what you are buying
Good luck fishing people Bret
Location
:
Wisconsin
Water Body
:
Mississippi River Pool 8
Species
:
bass
Water Temp
:
82
Stage
:
5.63
Flow
:
28700
Technique
:
casting
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
The openings you see in the slop picture are areas the Pike would come from. Heavy power pro and a heavy rod were necessary to muscle the fish across the top of the slop.
If you look closely at the Bass in these pictures you can see something rather large had a hold of him once. I would of liked to seen the gator that tried to eat him
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
That was a blast Buddy Bret. It's amazing how those smaller bass hit that thing - - it's almost as big as they are. I'm on my way to Gander for that top water bait. It's a good thing I have an understanding wife as I spent a few $$ there last weekend also.
I guess it's time to come out of the closet and admit it I'm now fishing for bass - and it's not too bad either.
Mississippi River Pool 8 Bass Report 7/12/08
There were a few lazy attempts made but it wasn’t long and I realized we needed to change our presentation. 
With the wind causing a good ripple on the top and for most of the day a good cloud cover, the top water bite lasted past noon. 
A good top water bite such as today is a great way to make sure the ticker isn’t restricted to blood flow 
I know where you are headed and what you are buying 
Re: Mississippi River Pool 8 Bass Report 7/12/08
It's a good thing I have an understanding wife 
as I spent a few $$ there last weekend also. 
