There are NOT too many nice days in November like there was yesterday at the Pack. Actually, Sunday was even NICER which is why I didn't fish. Normally, when the sun is bright on a bluebird day (no clouds- blue skies), the fishing is not very good because the Smallies go deep- to avoid the bright light. What makes the sun even easier to penetrate the water is no wind. That's what was on the menu (weather-wise) for Sunday.
I launched from the State Ramp at 0830. The skies were clear, no wind, temps in the mid 40s. It actually felt warmer since the sun was bright and there was no wind. Water temp was a solid 50F. I haven't been up to the Pack to fish for the majority of the month of October..therefore, I didn't know how the fishing was. I stopped in Paupack Sport Shop on Sunday and they (Mark) said they were catchin' em (Smallies) on the typical cranks, spinners and spoons. So, that's what I had tied on to my lines/rods: crankbaits and small spinnerbaits- for the most part. I started at the Dam end of the Lake and worked the shoreline hard..with an assortment of baits and colors..not to mention sizes...nothin', not even a sniff. Then, I moved down to the mid-section of the Lake and worked the shoreline out to 15 ft. of water- NOTHIN'. Can you believe that? I worked the deeper points too- and NOTHIN'. The air temps rose to the mid 50s by 1000..then, it started to cloud over and the wind started picking up. I knew fishing could only get better..so I stayed out another 1 1/2 hrs..and NOTHIN'. I wasn't marking much on my fishfinder either. I slowed the retrieve on my crankin', maybe I was working the baits too fast. That didn't help..again..NOTHIN'. At around noonish, I had enough so I pulled chocks (flying term I learned from the military) and headed home. By the time I got home, the air temp was up to 60F and the sun peaked through once again. To tell you I was frustrated (at zeroing out) was an understatement. This is the first trip I caught NOTHIN'...a complete goose egg..ZERO..NO FISH! I was so pissed I called my friend Billy Albright up (Full-time guide on the Lake) and asked- What's up Billy? Bill agreed, fishing this Fall has been some of the toughest in recent history. Why? I have no idea. Normally, in the Fall (at the Pack) you'd catch BIG FISH using the same lures I was throwing yesterday..and I mean you'd catch 10-12 brutes per day.
Well, kudos to the Smallies for being stealthy and staying off the hook. They really kicked my ass this Fall. I guess that makes up for the fantastic Spring and Summer I had. I may not have caught BIG fish this Spring/Summer but the quantities were always there 5-10 Smallies per day averaging 2 lb. I hate to say it but I think that's it for Smallie Fishing for me this year..at least out of the big boat. I may take the kayak out and fish in the Cove when I'm up for Thanksgiving..weather permitting of course.
Until next report..Fish ON! Rob
