Saw the forecast for low winds and warm weather in the Basin last week, so I booked a campsite and headed east, my sights set on big bass.
Mostly, tho, the bass were contemplating theirnavels. Gill plates? Peduncles? Anyway, uninterested in feeding. Lots of frustrated bass guys out there, all saying some version of "I was hoping this weather would wake them up" 
I gave myself an impromptu birthday present and booked Hilltop lake thru Red's (caught some big ones there several years ago) and had it all to myself...almost. There was a substantial wait for the boat launch:
They apparently had demonstrated their disdain for the BBQ grill and everything it represents:
The calves were adorable, although the bull seemed to take issue with me videoing them, lol.
They seemed edgy until I put the Judd's version of Cow Cow Boogie on speaker for them, which they appeared to enjoy before dispersing.
As everywhere I fished (hard!) for three days, I saw tons of big bass, but not bedding or eating. Just hanging out in 3-6' and ignoring stuff. Water temps 58-66°.
Some nice crappie around, tho:
My most consistent bass lake (earlier this spring a smell of decomp led me to a garbage bag of deceased Golden puppies not far from the access, so let's call it Noem Lake) had a few players, but only one sort-of on top; hit a wiggle bug on the first strip/dive. It had a literal frog in its throat:
Also, the vault biffy at Noem Lk was occupied by this 12" cutie:
I finally gave up on bass and spent a couple hours catching countless panfish on a soft 4wt glass rod and either a black booby or black leech. Dang but they put up a fight for their size!
Spotted the biggest carp I've ever seen - had to have been almost 3' long and 8" across the head. Carp are still on my bucket list, but maybe not that one
Anyway, hard not to enjoy the perfect weather with or without cooperative fish!
Mostly, tho, the bass were contemplating their
I gave myself an impromptu birthday present and booked Hilltop lake thru Red's (caught some big ones there several years ago) and had it all to myself...almost. There was a substantial wait for the boat launch:
They apparently had demonstrated their disdain for the BBQ grill and everything it represents:
The calves were adorable, although the bull seemed to take issue with me videoing them, lol.
They seemed edgy until I put the Judd's version of Cow Cow Boogie on speaker for them, which they appeared to enjoy before dispersing.
As everywhere I fished (hard!) for three days, I saw tons of big bass, but not bedding or eating. Just hanging out in 3-6' and ignoring stuff. Water temps 58-66°.
Some nice crappie around, tho:
My most consistent bass lake (earlier this spring a smell of decomp led me to a garbage bag of deceased Golden puppies not far from the access, so let's call it Noem Lake) had a few players, but only one sort-of on top; hit a wiggle bug on the first strip/dive. It had a literal frog in its throat:
Also, the vault biffy at Noem Lk was occupied by this 12" cutie:
I finally gave up on bass and spent a couple hours catching countless panfish on a soft 4wt glass rod and either a black booby or black leech. Dang but they put up a fight for their size!
Spotted the biggest carp I've ever seen - had to have been almost 3' long and 8" across the head. Carp are still on my bucket list, but maybe not that one
Anyway, hard not to enjoy the perfect weather with or without cooperative fish!
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