I'll preface this with a simple statement that just about sums up everything that I'm about to say herein...I had an insane weekend of fishing out at Corona Lake. Good grief, I am a full blown addict and here's a little bit of evidence as to why: Friday...February 4th, 2011...
Those fish were caught BEFORE 9 am. Unreal. And as kirkboat mentioned in his thread, this day was actually slightly slower than the previous Friday if you can believe that!
The day started off as usual. Arrived at the lake at 5:15 am. The gates opened a bit early (about 5:40) and we filed our way in.
I launched the "Uber fat cat" (as I now call it after johnnyboy's post schooled me in some german!) and slipped my way past the few rental boats already barricading the stocking cove.
Made the kick across and had my first fish on as the glow of the sun was just beginning to shine over the mountains to the east. And the day progressed accordingly from there. There was a slight breeze from the west and it definitely played a bit of a factor in how you would fish from the tube, but as soon as you could figure out the drift, the chomping would commence! They were particularly fond of the trout worms which was great to see in light of the recent tutorial. An Eagle Claw Crawler (threaded) or a Berkley Powerworm (wacky) on a dropshot with a 12" leader were fish killing machines. And the fish's "love of plastic" didn't stop there. A white, 1/32 minijig was also on the "under da sea menu" and they were loving it!
What a day. Every other person on a float tube that I spoke with had their limit and one guy easily filled out his limits for BOTH of the two passes he had purchased that morning! To be able to call a day like that "slightly slower" than any other day you could have on any lake is just unreal.
But what about today (2/6/11)???? Was the wind bearable on the tube???? Was it worth passing up sleeping in??? WAS IT WORTH MISSING THE SUPERBOWL PREGAME SHOW??? You be the judge...
I'm not a huge football guy so the answer to all of those questions is a definite and obvious YES for me!!
I got to the lake about 6:15. SUPER light crowds and the surface of the lake looked like a mirror. Full cup of joe in my belly, caffeine coursing my veins, 4 rods rigged and ready...let's go get 'em!
Made it to the "super secret spot" and almost immediately the fish were going berserk on the dropshot Eagle Claw Crawler (threaded, 12" leader and a #5 splitshot). Giving your bait a REAL tap seemed to get the fish interested. I wouldn't even call it a "tap", more like a "thump"! Something like...thump, thump, thump, thump, pause....WHAMMMMMMOOOOOO FISH ON!
Just an amazing day of fishing. My biggest fish was just over 4.5 pounds and my limit pushed 14 pounds. With the light crowds I was able to work all kinds of nooks and crannies that are typically occupied by shore anglers or other boats. Would have been a great day for anyone to get the feel for working the plastics.
Closed the day out in an epic way...vegetarians and pig lovers shield your eyes...
GOTTA LOVE SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!
What a weekend. And above all of the great fishing I had, I can't say enough how cool of a crew I get to fish with out there at Corona. Just a great group of boaters, float tubers, and shore anglers that all really enjoy fishing. It's too much fun to share the bendos, laugh about the tangles, and tip the cap and give a wave after another great day of fishing with you guys. Just another reason why I am happy to call this lake "home"!
The fish are there and they are really on the chew for those willing to work the plastics. The bait and wait guys are producing fish but nowhere near as consistently as those pitching the plastics. And if that isn't enough of an incentive to give the trout worms a try if you aren't already, just know that trout fishing doesn't get much better than driving the hook home on a fish that just took off with your small sliver of plastic!!!!
Have fun guys and for those able to get out during the week this week, slay a few for me!
