2013 Nebraska High School State Tournament

The 2013 Nebraska State High School Bass Tournament is in the books.  Turned out to be a great day, cool and rainy in the morning followed by clouds.  The kids caught a lot of fish.  Congratulations to the kids from Gretna, 15 pounds for first, and congrats to Ian and Quentin from Southern Valley for finishing second.  I really enjoyed taking Randy and Chance for the day and they did a great job.  They finished 5th and had the second biggest bass at 5-1.  They had the fish on to win, but they lost a 5 plus near the boat after it wrapped up in brush.  At the end of the day, all you can ask for is the opportunity to win and they had the bites.  But that's why they call it fishing and not catching, and a lost fish usually will cost you at the end of day.  Bottom line, they should be proud of the finish and happy they had the opportunity.  As tournament anglers, we have all been in this position and will be again.  Great job fellas.


Overall, most of the teams reported a solid buzz bait bite and some caught fish on spinner baits and crank baits, but almost exclusively the fish were in 2 feet of water or less.  Three fish 5 pounds or better and several over 4 were weighted in.  All but 5 teams weighed fish, a huge success.  I want to say "Thank You" to the Nebraska Game and Parks and TBF (The Bass Federation) for a well run tournament.  The kids had a great experience and I saw many sticking around and fishing afterwards.  If you have school aged kids, get them involved.  Join a club or start one at your school.

Lake report, Harlan County Reservoir:
Water temps running 75, with relatively clear water (for Harlan) on the main lake, some stain in the dog and the coves.  The largemouth a scattered, but locate rocks and you'll find fish.  Whites are bunched up around large schools of shad, but the biggest fish running in 3-4 feet of water on the main lake.  Walleye are shallow and reports of limits caught yesterday.  The catfish are mixed (deep and shallow), but good cats are being caught on the dam rocks and back in Patterson.

Fun Fishing

Got out to this weekend for some fun fishing and a little prep on Harlan.

First, I made my annual fun trip to Cottonmill this weekend.  I usually go in June, but ran a little behind this year with my busy schedule.  I always enjoy Cottonmill as it gives me a chance to fish vegetation (my favorite).  Fish were much smaller than I usually catch there, but that's due to the time of year.  In June, the bass are usually in early post-spawn and the bigger fish are up cruising and feeding in the shallow grass.  By July, the bigger fish have mostly moved to deeper water and the sanctuary provided there.  I however, chose to fish shallow just because I could.  I really enjoy flipping a hollow bodied frog to reed pockets.  I caught several this way, but did much better swimming a toad and even caught a few flipping into dark holes around the brush piles.  I caught a few around 2 to 2 1/2 lbs, but most ran less than 2.  I'm already looking forward to next year.

Also got on Harlan a couple of days to finish some prep for the upcoming Nebraska High School State Tournament on the 27th.  I'm not super optimistic about the prospects for the kids.  The lake is fishing extremely tough (for Bass).  The water temp is staying fairly consistent around 78-80 degrees, but the water level is dropping quickly.  I expect the lake will be about a foot lower next Saturday.  My first day out, I fished until 2 and had to work hard to catch a limit.  The best 5 went around 16-17 lbs and I had 2 that were pretty big (over 4).  The fish were scattered and I spent a lot of time fishing new water.  I actually had a pretty good day catching catfish, drum and walleye.  The catfish ate spinnerbaits, the walley ate tubes (shallow) and the drum crushed a jig.  By the way, that was a monster drum (I thought it was a wiper)!
My second day was not as fruitful.  I only fished about 3 hours and went with the sole purpose of fishing some off-shore structure.  Empty, notta, not gonna happen!  I didn't mark (electronics) much but white bass out deep and struck out on largemouth.  I finally went shallow and found the fish, but they are not biting.  The young of the year shad are abundant and the bass are gorging themselves.  I talked to some folks pre-fishing and they were pretty discouraged.  It disappoints me the tournament is in late July during the toughest part of the year.  It really doesn't showcase Harlan.  It is tough for someone familiar with the lake right now, and I can't imagine how it would be for someone here for the first time.  I hope things improve by next weekend.

We'll, that's about it.  Stay safe, God bless and good fishing!

Family Time

Just finished one of the most important fishing events of the year, my wife's family reunion.  Fishing event?  Absolutely!  Family time, whether with our spouse and kids or with our extended family is a critical part of recharging our batteries.  I look forward to seeing my wifes family every summer and spending precious time camping, conversing, eating (of course) and listening to old stories.  We also had just enough time to visit some of my family in the area before we had to make the trek home.   It's always fun and we miss them dearly.

So why do I call this a fishing event?  Because, as humans we occasionally need to step back and recharge the batteries.  Family time gives us a moment to reflect on the relationships that define who we are and rekindle the critical ties that identify why we are.  I have not made the full transition yet, but even my fishing schedule is pretty busy. 

Prep time.

I am now making preparations for the remainder of the season.  I am halfway through and although the first half has been pretty successful; I know that I need to continue the real work to hopefully continue that success.  I am reviewing lake conditions, fishing reports, lake maps, topography, making lures (yes, I make some of my own) and reassessing my gear.  Preparation is a key component to being successful (see the post: Formula for Success).  I am excited to captain a boat for the 2013 State High School Bass Tournament.  I'll be spending some time over the next week or so creating a game plan for the tournament.  This involves fishing and refining a pattern that fits the skills of the boys I'll be taking.   After that I'll be fishing the 2013 Nebraska Mr. Bass Tournament, a few Western Nebraska tournaments and getting ready for the last two Bassmaster Central Opens.

The light is green and I am recharged!

 

Happy Independence Day!

Today we celebrate the greatest right afforded us, Freedom.  I want to thank all the men and women who have or are serving our country in the armed forces.  While we often celebrate leaders, it is the lonely post of an enlisted man or woman that makes the greatest sacrifice for our greatest right.  You are our heroes and deserve the praise and respect of a nation.  As a veteran, I am proud to call you brothers and sisters.  Stand tall and know you are the difference, stand tall and know you are vital, stand tall and know you are loved. 

So when your celebrating today with family and friends, remember.  Thank a veteran, thank a service member.

Have a happy, safe 4th and God Bless America.

Lake Update

Summer fishing is in full swing.  Fish are out on the main lake.  Spent yesterday fishing from the west (Methodist) all the way to the dam.  Caught a smorgasbord including a few drum, 3 big walleye, 1 kitty (catfish), 1 smallmouth (yes it was a smallie, but not very big), and a limit of largemouth with 2 over 21".  Kept a Walleye for supper, but returned the rest. Lake was pretty busy, but that is to be expected considering the holiday this week.

Please practice: Keep only what you need, release the rest (especially the largemouth bass).

Bite was best on crankbaits.  I threw a Chartreuse medium diver (10-12').  Main lake cooled a bit to 77-79 and the coves were a bit warmer at 81-83.  Lake level 1936.23 and falling.  Methodist is now getting too shallow to launch.  There is 2.3 feet in the cove, but it's barely 1 foot between the jetties.  Release is around 480 cu ft, so the tubers will have a great week.

Stay safe this week!