Canyon Lake

[Bendo]

Hit Canyon Lake on the 4th of July, 6am to 10:30am with my buddy, Hoppy. As those from the area know, this Lake was recently hit hard by Golden Algae. The extremity ponds are still in fair shape but seem to be affected. We hit the Jump Lagoon first right at sunrise. I hooked and dumped 4 four Bass right away on Topwater. In this case a ZMan Chattershad with a Gammy 4/0 EWG Hook. That Chattershad would ball up preventing a good hook set even with 30 Braid and 20 Flouro Leader. I switched over to a 4/0 Spearpoint hook and instantly started Landing Bass along the shore opposite the dock. In short order, I thumbed 8 by skip casting way back under the trees and listening for a crushing boil. I wait until I see my line moving out and the set the hook, Hard! There is no easy way to extract these pissed of Bass from that far back in the mess. I pull hard and use the rod to guide them thru and around the snags and lift them over Lay Downs. The flouro leader quickly becomes nicked up in these situations and my fingers have become knot tying machines. I have the Alberto Knot down where I can tie it in the dark. I replaced the flouro twice on this trip. I did not land a bonus Bass this time, those being 8 pounds or over, relatively common here.
After getting the Tubes out we ran over to Bass Cove and launched at the Park. I have done well all year here and was looking forward to a stellar jig bite. Main Lake Bass have been fat and feisty. We fished, and fished, I felt my jig land on a rock, making that light “tick” that means a Bass has sucked in the jig. So as to not set in a snag, I lift my rod and see if there is life at the end of the line. Nope just a rock tick. Hoppy is looking bewildered as am I. Not a touch, bump, tick, or tug. That Golden Algae has either killed the Fish or put them in some serious Lockjaw. We spent an Hour giving (No) Bass Cove the old college try for nothing. Time for lunch and festivities, we called it a day. Final total I landed 8 nice Bass and Hoppy scored 5 on a small Crank, all from the Jump Lagoon.

[VinnyBass]

Very nice job!