Got a 10 1/2" gill this evening...

[Connor4501]

I fished a private lake about 15 minutes east of South Lyon in search of some bedding gills...Unfortunately, I only found a dozen or so, but one of them stretched to 10 1/2". Also got a warmouth bass that was close to 10" and 3/4 of a pound...Probably a master angler fish but I'm not sure...Got half my fish on a size 14 black knat with a casting bubble, and the 2 big ones bit a small panther martin spinner with yellow...The problem was the fish were bedding on the dropoffs and were not in sight...Also got 4 bass up to 15" and a 7' perch on the spinner...And now for the bad news: I was walking down a small hill to get down to the water and slipped on some mud and did the splits and pulled my right quadricep muscle :rant: ...I'll be laid up for a few days as I can't walk right now... :sick:

[bluedevil]

" and a 7' perch"


Man that is a huge perch...:SHOCKED: lol.. I am sure you meant 7"(I hope)
10 1/2" gill is a nice fish congrats.;)
Bummer on the slip and fall:( I hope the family jewels are ok:lol: ..Seriously I hope you are doing well and i wish you a speedy recovery.

[Connor4501]

:D oops, 7" perch lol...I'm in so much pain I didn't proofread my post...

[YPSIFLY]

That's awesome!

Gotta love those private ponds!

[shametamer]

yep, that was a master angler warmouth, 11 inches is state record! Sounds like agreat nite! Sorry to hear about your fall, get well soon.

[Superintendent of Fish]

If you don't watch it-we'll start calling you Bill Dance Jr. Keep up the good work....Billy.

[GoneFishin]

If you don't watch it-we'll start calling you Bill Dance Jr. Keep up the good work....Billy.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just had a flashback of Dance's Blooper Tape and Connor would fit right in :rolleyes: ;)

[Ju30-30]

What is a warmouth bass?

[k8vol]

I think a warmouth bass is the same as a crappie or rock bass Most likey the same family. k8vol.

[YPSIFLY]

I've caught a few over the last couple of days and they are shaped liked a Rock Bass, but have the markings of a Bluegill. In other parts of the country, they tend to be a bit more green.

[MSUICEMAN]

yeah, they are usually the fish, when you catch it you go... I think its a rock bass.... no wait, what the heck?..... strange lookin fish if you ask me. Also, are fish caught from private waters eligible for master angler awards??

steve

[Byron]

Fish caught in private ponds cannot be entered for Master Angler awards.

Great catch, though, award or not!

Best Regards,
Byron

[DaveW731]

Got together with 3 friends last Friday, none of whom are fishermen, but they all like fresh fish. We met at the house of the friend who owns a pond with lots of nice (6#+) channel cats and BIG gills and warmouths. Anyway, caught a dozen big gills and warmouths using worms. Then got tired of slimy fingers, so switched to small chartreuse tube and caught more. Started culling "small" (less than 8")gills...gotta love it! Anyway, the guys were impressed, since I told them that I would supply a fresh fish dinner and I expected them to bring salad and drinks. ;)
Conner: my biggest gill wasn't quite as big as yours was, but I am willing to bet my leg feels better: I've had that injury before, so my heart goes out to you...get well fast :)
By the way....it SEEMS like private ponds tend to have an unusual concentration of Warmouths. My friend claims that they were never planted there and they now seem to outnumber the gills and pumpkinseeds. Same thing happened in my Grandfather's pond about 20 years ago. Any thoughts?

[Connor4501]

To all concerned, I got back on my feet yesterday...Still limping a little, and limped back to the same lake in the evening...Used worms this time and got about 20 with most between 8-9"...Still can't find a concentration of bedding fish, and still catching females full of eggs...Maybe a week or so and beds will be all over the place, and pulled muscles non-existent... :D

I've seen so many state records from other states taken from "Private Pond"s, that I find it tough to believe that any big fish caught in a private waterway would not qualify for a master angler award...Sounds like a question for Boehr...

[Byron]

Here is the very first rule for all entries listed on the MA form available at http://michigan.gov/documents/masterangler2003-PR8008_51760_7.pdf.

<Quote> 1. All fish must be taken by legal Michigan sportfishing methods, during open season, and in Waters of Michigan Open to the Public. <End quote>

Them's the rules!

Best Regards,
Byron