It's been a while since I've been down to the puddles fishing, so I thought I'd give it a go. They usually stock little stuff between the big stockings so I had no urge to get down there but there are still big Lightning Trout to catch from the last plant!
They just stocked lake 2 and you could tell from all of the people fishing that one. Lake 3 had the next most recent plant, but there still was a few people on that one. I decided to try the next lake and see what it had to offer.
(https://i.imgur.com/0y2xciQ.jpeg)
I didn't get a single bite on the bait rods, but saw a boil within casting difference. I didn't know if it was a trout, bass or Red Ear, so I cast my spoon out there and got bumped! Two casts later and I was on!
Not huge, but a legit 2.25# trout!
(https://i.imgur.com/CMaXJyq.jpeg)
I watched a kid catch a bass and some guys down the shoreline from me lose a trout but otherwise it was quiet and nothing going on. I think the Pelicans and Cormies got most of these fish.
I was ready to leave when I saw another boil and re-deployed the micro spoon! It slammed it on the first cast but gave me a shock when I netted it! It looks like it might have been grabbed by an osprey.
(https://i.imgur.com/SekjQrB.jpeg)
I went home to grab some lunch but would be back since I paid for a permit and I was literally right around the corner.
I tried another lake to get a feel what was going on. It was really slow until about 30 minutes before closing.
I got picked up and the strike indicator was in the water, but no one was home. I put a new inflated crawler on and recast to get bit almost immediately! Definitely a typical stocker that was under 2#.
(https://i.imgur.com/QIA1FGQ.jpeg)
But this one had a weird foggy colored head.
(https://i.imgur.com/uccHU0r.jpeg)
I think these guys are the weird ones that don't get all of the genes for whatever strain they are shotting for.
I then have another hit. I get him all the way to the net and breaks the 2# test right at the shoreline and I consider it a Sportsmen's release.
Now the Rangers are saying last call and pack up so I slowly start reeling in my one rod that's still out there. Well, I felt the trout hunt it down and slam it! Last minute stocker!
(https://i.imgur.com/vAvAisE.jpeg)
This one also had an off-colored head. Apparently, this last stocking was all of Santa's misfits!
(https://i.imgur.com/AP31EkU.jpeg)
Well, I say it was a limit with the C&R broken line, but I had 4 fish for the smoker... or actually one for the hoop net. lol
I was planning on going back this morning, but decided to sleep in instead. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
Nice! Some funky stuff going on with a couple of those but overall very successful outings.
Those trout are getting beat up from you and other predators too !