Fish Gotta Eat, Mazonia Lakes

It’s been a rough spring, as far as fishing weather goes. 

Some die-hards would say there is no bad weather. That fish have to eat. I’ve been that guy. But around here, when rivers rise drastically fish can turn off the chew. Lots of rain and wind can make it tough. 

Regardless, I had had enough, so my buddy Matt and I planned to get out no matter the forecast. Rain had spiked the flow of the river we wanted to fish. We pivoted to plan B - a new to us lake. Maybe the still water would prove more consistent fishing.

We trolled and casted along a long and good looking rock bank. Wind blasted our backs. I wasn’t cold and I don’t think Matt was, but it wasn’t pleasant.  

The electronics on my bass boat are currently out of commission. I need to install the new one I have on the shelf. But fishing sounds more fun. Matt tells me about using a Garmin Live Scope for the first time. It sounds awesome. But I don’t mind fishing blind. 

After working the shore with jerk baits and paddle tails we took a chilly and bumpy ride to the West end of the lake, against the white caps. 

We pulled the boat out and moved to a new area 30 min down the road, Maziona Lakes. 

A maze of old pit mines, the fingerling lakes were a much better option to get out of the wind. After our pivot Matt landed 3 small but healthy Largemouth on a jerkbait. I boated one fish the same size on a Savage Gear 4play swimbait. 

It was chilly, and windy, but we got out and found a way to make a great day. We explored new water, and adjusted according to conditions midday. 4 Largemouth and new water shaded in on the blank map of my mind

The weather has been tough this spring, but the fish still have to eat. And that's a good enough reason for me.