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JVD is 10th after first day of ClassicWhile all eyes were on Kalamazoos Kevin VanDam going into this weeks Bassmaster Classic, it was nephew Jonathon who appears to be the VanDam to watch after Fridays first round.
At least for now.
Jonathon sacked 20 pounds, 11 ounces that included two 2 ½ pounders that he couldnt cull out, good for 10th place. That left him less than 7 pounds behind leader Randall Tharp, a Floridian who once lived in Alabama and has a winning reputation on Lake Guntersville.
JVD could have done better, losing a 5 1/2 pounder at the boat and another 7 pounder later in the day.
I caught two 5s right off the bat and then lost the two big ones near the end of the day, said Jon. Without losing those fish, I could have been right there with the leaders.
Kevin also battled the lost-fish syndrome, losing more than a dozen keepers throughout the day.
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You wanted ice? You got it. In spades.
In fact, theres so much ice and snow on our lakes that its discouraging most recreational fishermen from getting out.
But not the diehards. The folks going out are catching fish and this warming trend could improve fishing dramatically.
Heres what you need to know. Theres 12 to 24 inches of ice on the lakes, and within that ice is layers of slush and water as well as rock hard ice. That will make drilling a chore and waterproof boots are required, but get in the right area and youre going to have a ball. The fish havent been molested much this winter.
A fishfinder will help you locate those large schools of roaming bluegill, crappie and perch that others are catching. The best action is coming in deeper water and off the edges of drop-offs.
Bryan Williams at Trailhead Mercantile in Niles said action has really picked up the past couple of days.
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I was proud of the sportsmen, clubs and businesses that pledged support for the DNRs proposed access site on Eagle/Juno lakes at the Ontwa Township public hearing last week.
The hall was filled with supporters, and according to an unofficial tally, 26 people spoke in favor and 13 lake residents spoke against it. Several letters and signed petitions of support also were presented to the board.
The DNR has the option to buy land that it wants to develop north of the Juno Chain channel and across from Eagle Lake. It calls for a new Eagle Lake ramp with safer access than a former site, a ramp into the channel going to Juno Chain, restroom facilities and shore fishing area.
Every sportsman that addressed the board spoke respectfully and followed the rules of conduct the township set for the meeting; some lake residents opposed to the access were less respectful, using their time the microphone to chastise anglers and the DNR for threatening their lake.
Spokesperson for the Eagle Lake Improvement Association said her group respected angler rights and wants to work with everyone on an equitable plan. However, it wants the 16 parking spots the DNR proposes cut in half; a park environment, boat cleaning station and additional environmental restrictions.
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It appears as though Ol Man Winter is going to give us a good ice fishing season for a change.
A check of Michiana bait shops Thursday indicates anglers are starting to move around on most lakes in northern Indiana and southern Michigan lakes.
However, the snow cover still makes it a guessing game, especially on those deeper, slower freezing lakes and those where the geese and swans have worked hard to maintain some open areas in the middle. Anglers are strongly urged to tread carefully when walking on lakes they havent tested.
Ice thicknesses being reported range from as little as 4 inches to as much as 10 in areas where people are fishing.
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Just when ice fishing season was gaining momentum we got hit with a rain and a warm-up.
Welcome to Michiana weather.
However, colder weather coming in prior to and during the holidays could make conditions even better.
When it gets cold again, I expect an awesome ice fishing season, but it depends upon how much damage this rain does to the ice we have now, said Darrin Schaap of Clear H20 Tackle in Edwardsburg.
Prior to the rain, fishing had been pretty good across northern Indiana and southern Michigan, although ice conditions remained mediocre at best. Many of the channels and bays were getting hit hard but only a few anglers were venturing onto the main lake areas.