Got an message from Robert, aka Slingbait, the other day saying he and the family were camping this weekend and his better half gave him a fishing pass for today. Thanks Robert! A few others (Roger, Jerry, Lee, and Mark) and I joined him for some hybrid hunting this morning. I really enjoyed the trip, although I left early at around 2pm. Mark left about then as well. The fish were stacked up right outside of Tira cove, and a few of them found a fluke with a surprise inside. I ended the day boating 10 hybrids from about 17-24.5 inches (and a sandie...). I tried to get some pictures, but those dudes have a BAD attitude and won't hold still for long. I lost two off the board and another trying to get in on the stringer. Oh well, made it home with three of them anyway...

Pics.....












There's the die-hards out in the fish!



Last but not least.... Ok it was the least!

Very nice haul!

[img]http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/hshipes/media/Fish/20140119_122906_zpsxzrhrw6f.jpg.html[/img]
Wow.... Now that's the view I want to see on my fish finder. They were stacked thick!!!

Wow nice fish! I wish I could find them stacked like that on bebrook. I sure wish cooper was closer. Looks like you guys had fun.

Hank, I had a great time as well. I am finally getting the deadsticking down thanks to you guys helping me out. I started out slow but managed one nice sandie and 6 fat hybrids ranging from 19 to 23 inches. I enjoyed fishing with all you guys today.

It was a fun day, not steady action but some decent fish and good friends. Started off a little windy but settled out really nice mid day.......can't ask for more in mid-January.

Big fish for me today was 25". About 9 hubbies and a nice sandy - enough to keep things entertaining.



Hank with a hybrid



For those who have or haven't been to Cooper, it is extremely low. Note the dock behind me on the ramp. This is normally about half way up the ramp and the top at water level. This is the very bottom of the ramp. The rocks behind are normally at shoreline.



And you have to walk your boat into and out of the lake.....if you go, look out for a BIG hole.....just where Hank is about to step.

haha.. I no longer want a pair of waist high waders though!

Nice Catch. Good job.

Great looking fish! Nice work

Thanks Mike, I used your products for the most part. Those screw-lock jig heads really make the flukes last longer. I have the drop shot clips on every rig as well. I think about half my fish came on the top fluke.

I was fishing two rods, with the one in my right hand at the top half of whatever I saw on the graph, and the left in the bottom half. Typically that was about 16-18 on the right, and 25-28 on the left. I mark my braid every ten feet and try to stay consistent with the flouro leader length so I know where the baits are fairly accurately. Most of my fish came on the higher (right) setup yesterday so it was a pretty short fight. That's what I don't like about vertical fishing of any ilk... short fights. And they are very short when they hit 16' from the rod tip!

I did have a monster that broke my 17lb fluro leader early on that got my blood pumping. I tried to get my left rod in a holder and it got hit too. My inexperience showed right then and I didn't set the hook quick enough, so lefty was gone. Righty headed to whereever she wanted to be and took my fluke with her! I'm gonna change all my fluro before I fish again. Can't be having that!

The screw lock jig heads are really nice - me like.

Glad you guys found them thick like that! I got skunked my only trip out to Cooper. I'll have to connect with you guys next time.

Awesome, thanks for the Pics.