[fishslap]

I put on the rain gear for the past two evenings and hit a local lake for some smallmouth action. Caught quite a few casting parallel to shore along rip rap. Most were small in the 8-12" range, with a couple larger ones. Lost several due to dull hooks from the rocks. I need to go through my streamers & sharpen or get rid of some and then re-stock. Fish were caught on standard small olive/white & all white clousers and firetiger bellyache minnows. Caught a few on an orange/gold crazy Charlie yesterday. Most fish seemed to come on the longer casts. Used my 6wt. Water was very clear so I'm guessing they're spooky, even with the rain & wind. No other species caught.



A few big hybrids from last week for some extra fish porn:

 

[Opry99er]

DAMN NICE PANFISH!!!! You're murdering it this Spring!

 

[pistoldog]

Very nice sir!

 

[CF LURKER]

Cool man. thanks for the porn

 

[rvinson]

That is a HOG gill for Colorado!! The current state record for Hybrid is : 10.75" long with a weight of 1-8.5.... That thing looks atleast 10" ? ? ?

 

[fishslap]

That is a HOG gill for Colorado!! The current state record for Hybrid is : 10.75" long with a weight of 1-8.5.... That thing looks atleast 10" ? ? ?

It was right at 10". Here's a big one from last year that was over 10"

 

[Oyey]

Sweeeet report man... I have slayed smallies during pre-spawn (just around the corner) on big topwater flies.

love those pig gills too!

 

[fishslap]

Sweeeet report man... I have slayed smallies during pre-spawn (just around the corner) on big topwater flies.

love those pig gills too!

Thanks. I'm going to go back out soon at try them on topwaters. I noticed some surface activity close to dark last night. I caught a largemouth on a popper last week. It's heating up!

 

[Opry99er]

Hybrids are great because they have the capacity to take larger baits and lures. The mouth on that one you posted last is quite impressive!!!

 

[JWurgaft]

Cool stuff dude!

 

[Opry99er]

Hey slap...

As someone who fishes for panfish pretty often, have you noticed a difference in pure species versus hybrids in their aggression or fighting ability?

Some have suggested that the hybrids lose some of their aggression, but I've always operated under the assumption that "hybrid vigor" has just the opposite effect.

Any thoughts?

 

[fishslap]

Hey slap...

As someone who fishes for panfish pretty often, have you noticed a difference in pure species versus hybrids in their aggression or fighting ability?

Some have suggested that the hybrids lose some of their aggression, but I've always operated under the assumption that "hybrid vigor" has just the opposite effect.

Any thoughts?

I'm not sure that they fight any better than a pure gill of the same size, maybe. They are definitely more aggressive and maybe use less caution/selection when feeding as compared to a similar sized pure gill. I catch a lot of my big hybrids each year on foam spiders. A lot of them come around over hanging trees. My biggest hybrid came on a cream colored crazy Charlie in open water though. The ones from a few weeks ago came on white/chartreuse clousers tossed under a tree.

 

[Opry99er]

Yea, I know the shellcracker or greenie in the hybrid is an aggressive-natured fish... plus the mouths are capable of far larger baits...

I'm hoping to find some hybrids this coming week. I'm going out to that spot you suggested a while back. I've been doing well just about everywhere else this Spring, might as well try that spot out. I'd REALLY like to get a big greenie this week.

 

[fishslap]

Yea, I know the shellcracker or greenie in the hybrid is an aggressive-natured fish... plus the mouths are capable of far larger baits...

I'm hoping to find some hybrids this coming week. I'm going out to that spot you suggested a while back. I've been doing well just about everywhere else this Spring, might as well try that spot out. I'd REALLY like to get a big greenie this week.

Cool. Let me know how you do there. I might try it next weekend. I was told there were pure greens up to 10" in there.

 

[Opry99er]

A pure greenie at 10 inches ought to put up one hell of a fight!!!

Since my new favorite hole just got overrun by slimers, I might have to hit that spot up later this week, if my back is feeling better. I've never had a full muscle tear before, but I imagine this is what it feels like. Been bed-ridden most of the day today.

Keep rockin the panfish brotha. Some of my favorite reports!!!

 

[JFDenver]

Awesome smallmouth and huge gills! Other than wiper they may the best fighting fish around.