Big Al and I decided to throw the boat in the river and see if we could catch some smallmouth last night. We pushed off from the ramp about 6p EDT. Should have been perfect conditions but the smallies were hard to find. I had a couple blowups on a popper and one that completely threw the hook after a small fight, but outside of that not much was going on. We worked our way upstream at first so we could have a nice leisurely float for the way back. The beer was cold so even with few bites it was a nice evening.
We made it to the rapids that prevent us from going any farther where a big pool swirls that is normally good for at least a couple. I tied on a new 4/0 Weighted Moaner, screwed a Yum Fluke onto it and flip it out. A small jerk and a pause, a big jerk and a pause. Wham like a ton of bricks! I set the hook and the fight was on. I was using light line (6lb) and a small Daiwa spinning set up so it felt like a monster. We had waited on the first fish but it looked like it would be worth it. As I got what I thought was a nice smallie to the side of the boat I was suprised to see a long point snout staring at me over the side. I'd found a little 20" Gar. Go figure.
We caught a handful of smallies on the float back, nothing to write home about. But a memorable first fish on my Moaner Hooks no question.
WAR
