[riverrat1]

Jon boats fished Randleman again today. Thank goodness it's the last time for a while!!! The fish bit pretty good this time. Most reported between 10-25 bass caught. However the size of the fish was way smaller than last few trips.

I don't have the weights for the tourney yet, but it has to be one of the closest weights ever. I think top weight was 17-9.7 and second was 17-9.0. Had to go to the tenths of an ounce to decide first place. I think the top 6 was with in a pound of each other.

Fish were caught on just about every bait you can think of. Winners said all theirs came on jigs, second said cranks. Fish were caught shallow and deep. Now is the time to catch big numbers at Randleman, but it is sad to see the big fish have to go .

 

[SurfRider]

The big fish are still there, but the little ones start getting on the baits ahead of them. nice job, thanks for the report!

 

[jerry condrey]

Thanks for the report. Going to HPCL tomorrow, heard some pigs are being caught there.

 

[wademaster]

Big fish have to go?

 

[riverrat1]

Big fish have to go?

Not that the big ones are not in the lake, it's just they have scattered out in the shallows now. Before they were set up in their pre-spawn areas and were easier to find. They will come back in a couple months, but not quite as heavy.

 

[jerry condrey]

I believe there are a few weeks or at least a month before they hit the beds. Some big girls can still be caught. Lot of factors at work here, not the least of which is water temps. Water's still chilly, and the last few days haven't helped the matter.

 

[riverrat1]

Believe it or not they are up for the spawn (not all at the same time of course) . I know the temps are not where the "book" says it should be. We are catching fish in inches of water in the backs of spawning flats. No reason for the fish to be there other than looking for beds.

Caught one at Jordan Saturday that was sweeping. Tail was dripping blood all over the place!!!

 

[wademaster]

Believe it or not they are up for the spawn. I know the temps are not where the "book" says it should be. We are catching fish in inches of water in the backs of spawning flats. No reason for the fish to be there other than looking for beds.

Caught one at Jordan Saturday that was sweeping. Tail was dripping blood all over the place!!!

I haven't done so well on structure as usual and had a friend catch some in some shallow grassy areas at shore.


Sent from my kayak...

 

[SurfRider]

I am becoming increasingly convinced that the spawn is driven more by the length of the day than by water temps.

 

[peanut]

Is this a tournament where only jons are allowed? Is RR typically not a jon-friendly impoundment?

 

[Bleedingblue]

I am becoming increasingly convinced that the spawn is driven more by the length of the day than by water temps.

I am 100% with you on this one. They may not actaully spawn till the water temps are right that doesn't mean they aren't feeding and preparing even if the water is less than 50 degrees.

 

[wademaster]

I agree. I think not only fish but virtually all creatures, including ourselves, are influenced by the amount of daylight as much or more than anything else.


Sent from my kayak...

 

[Catch-n-22]

HPCL is fishing well. Bass can be found deep to shallow and are biting almost anything.

 

[jerry condrey]

Didn't go, my friend was scared of rain..lol
Anyway, on the shallow water bass. Shallow water warms faster than deeper water, and that's where they go to feed and be more comfortable.
Look for the dogwood blooms, on the full moon. Then they'll be bedding.

Historically, bass spawning peak is usually the last week of April til the third week of May. It can vary lake to lake, but that is the general season.

 

[riverrat1]

Is this a tournament where only jons are allowed? Is RR typically not a jon-friendly impoundment?

It was a jon boat only tournament. Electric motors only. There is a part of Randleman that is electric only so it is very friendly to jon boats. There are several jon boat clubs around. There are at least 6 clubs in NC with anywhere from 10 to 30+ members each.

 

[DC-ANGLER]

It was a jon boat only tournament. Electric motors only. There is a part of Randleman that is electric only so it is very friendly to jon boats. There are several jon boat clubs around. There are at least 6 clubs in NC with anywhere from 10 to 30+ members each.

Do you have any info listing for these clubs? Would like to look into em. Thanks

 

[albright1695]

Do you have any info listing for these clubs? Would like to look into em. Thanks

Ive competed against riverrat1 and some of the other guys associated with these johnboat clubs and they are a great bunch of guys. Very organized tourneys and large turn-outs for these events. And no riverrat1 did not pay me to say that.lol This endorsement is on me Mike!!

 

[riverrat1]

Do you have any info listing for these clubs? Would like to look into em. Thanks

Most are on Facebook.

Try-
Jon Boat Championship Fishing Club
NC LiL Water Bassin
NC Jon Boat Bass Club

What area you from?

 

[riverrat1]

Finally got the weights from the tournament. Man they were close. The top 6.

1st - 17-7.9
2nd - 17-7
3rd - 17-3
4th - 16-8
5th - 16-5
6th - 16-1

 

[DC-ANGLER]

Most are on Facebook.

Try-
Jon Boat Championship Fishing Club
NC LiL Water Bassin
NC Jon Boat Bass Club

What area you from?

Thanks riverrat. I'm in Lexington