Put in a little after 2 this afternoon, at the park at Newport, and went up. Heavy overcast, very little wind. The water was clear, but stained. Caught the first fish just a few yards up from the ramp. I wouldn't exactly call the action blazing hot, but between 2:30 and a little after 6:30 I caught an even dozen short bass on a green/yellow Swimmin' Image crankbait. Threw a black/yellow Snagless Sally for a while, a predominately white Fat Free Guppy, a red/white Bass Oreno, and a red/yellow 1/4 oz. Rattle-Trap, nothing on any of them.
At 6:30 on the dot, a four pounder tried to inhale my Swimmin' Image. Right after that, the sme plug got a attacked by a hand sized redbelly. Those were the only two keepers, although some of the smaller bass may have ben legal. I didn't measure them.
Think next time I go to this river I'll take a flyrod, or a spinning rod. Those little bass could have been a lot of fun, but were outclassed on a 12 lb. casting outfit.
I think the pushpole is going to go the way of the trolling motor for getting the canoe around on the river. I've found a paddle to be more efficient, quieter and faster than poling, and a paddle can be stowed out of the way. The only advantage to the pole is being able to stake out, rather than anchor.
Fished until 7:30, but didn't do anything after sunset. Even the small bass shut down.
St. Marks River 3/23
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
