Nebraskaland Magazine
I gotta admit, this June heat wave has dampened my enthusiasm to do anything but sit someplace cool. But, then there is the realization that it is still just June and there is a long summer ahead of us–better enjoy it! So, even in the middle of the day, right at the worst of the heat and humidity, my kids and I went fishing. We kept it basic, just dipped and dabbled for some panfish, but the fish were willing and proved there are fish to be caught even when it is hot!
We fished a pit, and yes, by now the aquatic vegetation was “up”. I have to admit that I have little patience with anglers who complain about fishing “moss” or “weeds” (They Ain’t “Weeds”!!!!!!). All kinds of aquatic vegetation is great fish habitat, the fish are in there, they love the stuff, go in after them! Oh, and “moss” grows on trees!
We spotted some Bluegills hanging around beds yet, but it looked like most of the spawning activity was tailing off. That meant they were more likely to chase baits!
If you cannot see enough in that photo to steal our “secret technique”, have a closer look:
There were a few surprises mixed in with the Bluegills. My son caught a Hybrid Sunfish, a Redear X Bluegill Hybrid! A very nice fish at that!
Oh there were some pure Redear Sunfish swimming around too!
I do not know, we did not fish hard, did not tally every fish caught, but between the three of us we easily dried-off a couple dozen, thirty, nice-sized Bluegills and Redears in a couple of hours of fishing. The largest of those were just a fraction of an inch short of 10 inches. They were all released so they can grow a little more before we catch them again.
If you gotta know exactly where we were, do your homework, 2016 Fishing Forecast!
Yes, my summer fishing trips are planned around the heat and humidity, and when it gets brutally hot I will be on the water less. But, that does not mean I will quit, and that does not mean there are not fish to be caught. There is a lot of summer ahead of us and I plan to GO FISH!
