Looking for a little Cabin Fever Relief
By Mike Hockett
By Mike Hockett
If you are like me then chances are you are absolutely ready for spring. I had the opportunity to do a little clearing of the ol’ fishing cobwebs this last December. Actually it was Christmas Eve. My family was not celebrating the holiday until Christmas day. I seized the opportunity to go to my local power plant lake and do some simulated spring time fishing. Let me add that the lake that I am referring to is Newton Lake located in Jasper County Illinois. When I finally got to the ramp after about an hour and half drive, I was met by a friend of mine. I know for those of you, who know me, I do have a couple. We started talking and I asked him how his previous day had gone on this very same lake? Of course he told me what I didn’t want to hear, you should have been here yesterday. He and his buddy had caught and released around 50, yeah 50 fish. I could not believe it. After talking some more about bait selection, I soon realized that we were both on the same path. These fish were shallow and they were biting. Now that is my kind fishing.
We were both fishing chatter baits, but he was also fishing a Zoom horny toad. He had found the fish ultra shallow on main lake points. The water temp this time of year was around 62 degrees. Most were coming from the reeds and the weed beds. The reeds are easy to find, the grass on the other hand is not that easy since the lake is usually pretty muddy. So I unloaded my Skeeter ZX 225, dropped my MinnKota trolling motor and hit the water. For those of you who have never been to Newton, it is a 25 horsepower lake. I only get to use the ponies in my MinnKota trolling motor instead of the thoroughbreds in my Yamaha 225 HPDI. I started by throwing a Lamkin’s brand chatter bait around the boat ramp. It has a good portion of rocks and some weeds lining the edge. On about my 10th cast I connected with a feisty 2 ½ lb largemouth. I was in Hawg Heaven! I had not been on the lake but about 15 minutes and I had already caught a fish.
Well let me tell you that through out the day I proceeded to catch about 13 fish. The smallest two, being around a pound and the largest being 4 pounds. Needless to say I had a great day, according to my standards. So, did you learn anything reading this article?
Just because it is cold outside does not mean you have to stay inside. Suck it up and go fishing. So if you are looking for a little cabin fever relief, check out your local power plant lake. You might just find a great spring time pattern in the dead of winter.