Wild Weather at McConnaughy

Another one (or two) in the books.  The Western Nebraska at McConnaughy this weekend was a tale of 2 vastly different days.  I fished this one alone as my partner had to cancel, so I was at a slight disadvantage. 

Saturday was a fun (although very frustrating) day.  Sunny, calm and warm conditions had the fish positioned perfectly for a flipping bite.  I decided the "go for the win" approach was the best gamble, so I targeted largemouth and left the smallies alone.  I did manage to weigh one smallmouth, but only because I had to.  I flipped 4 and 5 inch Moman tubes on a VMC hook and had to experiment quite a bit.  For some strange reason the fish kept coming off.  It started with a nice 3 plus pounder that I tried to boat flip (should have used the net).  Then I had several that either jumped and came off or wrapped around sticks and freed themselves.  I was stunned at one point after I lost an entire limit of 4 pound fish.  I must have looked like a babbling idiot to the family fishing nearby as I constantly griped and talked to myself (after losing each quality fish).  I finally switched up to lighter gauge VMC hook, boated my 3rd, 4th and 5th keeper and decided to leave the fish alone for Sunday.  I ended the day in 2nd with 14.35 pounds and was very pleased with the results, especially considering I lost at least 2 limits of keepers near the boat.  I'll update this post with the official results after they are distributed.  Andy and Adam (Cochrane / Wright) finished first with an impressive 21 pound limit of largemouth (congratulations fellas).

BIG MAC DAY ONE RESULTS

1.   A Cochrane A Wright            21.62lbs   Baxter Big Bass 5.69
2.   D Padgett                               14.35           
3.   J Williams A Deets               13.49
4.   M Leibhart Z Leibhart           12.46
5.   D Holland C Osborne           12.32
6.   M Wagner D Willis                11.42
7.   T Miller S Pavelka                 10.98
8.   M Vollmar I Guerue              10.65
9.   P Cordova J Jordan              10.46
10. M Waldorn M Vandeventer  10.13
11. R Ellis J Frink                          8.88
12. B Pavelka G Pavelka              8.37
13. S Philippi D Young                  7.75
14. D Nichols,T Rowland, K Rhodes


Overnight conditions deteriorated rapidly as we had severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and even a tornado warning.  Early morning brought vastly different conditions and it rained the entire day (seriously all day).  I ran to the largemouth from day one only to find muddy water that dropped 10 degrees overnight, ouch!  I committed to the fish (they were still there), and decided that when the weather cleared, the fish would be catch-able.  Although the forecast was for clearing conditions in the afternoon, it never materialized.  It rained the entire day (pouring buckets when we left).  It wasn't just rain, it was the kind of rain that finds every crack and seam in your rain gear.  I patiently fished all day, expecting the weather to break, and ended the day with 3 fish.  I had to change things up a bit and switched to a YUM Vibra King tube in order to get bit.  I still feel it was the right call considering the weather forecast and I would make the same call again.  You go with the best information you have and the fish that give you the best chance to win.  I had adjusted to the deeper side of the cover (where I caught my fish) and am confident that the winning fish would have been caught there had the weather cleared.  Congratulations to the winners, they targeted smallmouth and brought in a nice bag with over 16 pounds.

BIG MAC DAY TWO RESULTS

1.  K Gloe C Stroup                     16.31lbs         Baxter Big Bass 4.31
2.  M Leibehart Z Leibhart          13.34
3.  T Miller S Pavelka                  12.99
4.  J Williams A Deets                 12.04
5.  D Padgett                                  7.58
6.  D Holland C Osborne               6.46
7.  M Vollmar I Guerue                  6.45
8.  M Waltborn M Vandenenter    5.90
9.  A Cochrane A Wright               2.98
10. T King                                       2.95
11.  R Ellis J Frink                         2.53
12.  D Hoffman, Tim Odell, B Pavelka G Pavelka,L Nolda W Roberts,M Wagner D Willis,P Cordova
J Jordan

Next up is the Western Nebraska at Harlan County Reservoir, June 1st and 2nd.  I expect Harlan will be a slug fest as it will take over 20 pounds to win (probably to get a check).  We may even see close to a 30 pound sack as the fishing is absolutely incredible.  I will post an updated report later this week.

God Bless and good fishing!