Busy Saturday afternoon after work. I was 3rd in line to launch my Kayak, The two guys ahead of me had a total of 9 rods. Should I expect to get out fished 9 to one or just 2 to 1? I paddled hard only stopping to fish quickly to the edges of 2 spots before reaching the far dyke more than a mile to the east.
Fishing shoreline cover that was difficult or near impossible to reach by kayak or on foot respectively, I hooked 3 good bass loosing 2 while pulling upward really hard but easily landing the first one.
I worked though cattail labyrinths thinking I was working back toward the launch but actually being blown to the north by a wind from the south.
Small pike became active and I landed 3, two of which were easy, hooked with the popper outside their mouths. I was gathering up all the pike tools while the 4th one was cooling his heels a couple of rod lengths out when he blasted 4 feet into the air shaking like an olympic 10.0 and shook the popper loose. I had one bigger than average pike rush a popper close to the kayak but he wouldn't come again for a cast back.
The last good fish was almost 20 inches and hit just before dark. I did a good job keeping her under control without pulling any harder than needed.
