Jerking in March

Can someone pinch me?  I still can't believe the weather this past week.  Last week, we hit the Delaware and it was extremely slow.  A handful of fish was tough to accomplish.  Only the walleye guys were catching BIG eyes by jigging shiners.  The water temperature was a chilly 36 degrees.  Well, fast forward to Saturday, March 12, 2016 and the water temperature started out at 46 degrees.

First few casts I chucked a hair jig but learned quickly that it was not happening today.  I then whizzed my shadow rap to the shore, reeled and jerked once, sit, sit some more (about 5-10 seconds), and BAM!  Fish on!  It was as simple as that ... when packing up the boat to head home we talked about how it was a "Jackie Robinson" kind of day.  42 fish total!  Can't wait for April!  Most fish were between 14 and 16 inches.  There was an occasional 17 and my buddy Maurice landed his personal best 19", 3.5 lb. chunker!

1st fish of the day!  Whizzed a "shadow rap" to the bank, reel and jerk once, sit, sit some more, BANG!  Fish on!  5-10 seconds on the pause and they were smashing our lures.  

Maurice's Personal Best 19", 3.5 lb. bronzeback!  Congrats! 

Nice 17" smallmouth

Notice the color of that "shadow rap!"  Just saying ... water temps rose to 48 degrees today.  WOW!

Dark brown bronzeback ... only one that was this dark today.

Yes, it became windy in the afternoon.  See the "ick" or fungus on this guy's tail.  Damn shame!

 Thanks for viewing - steeler!