Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

I took my dad with me up to Candlewood Lake after our guide bragged to me last time about how great the topwater bite was this time of year. Well, we got a nice early start, but nevertheless we were only able to fish topwater for about an hour before it became too hot and bright. After that, we had to use my least favorite technique: drop-shotting. Between the three of us, we ground out 13 smallmouths, the biggest being about 4 pounds. The guide was marking tons of fish on the graph, but getting them to bite was a chore, to say the least. It's extremely frustrating when you can see that there are a dozen fish all clustered in one spot, and you know you're putting the lure right in front of their faces, and you still can't catch any. Overall a very tough day, filled with much more fishing than catching.

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

Love those father and son outings. The fish are second.

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

Dog days can be tough. Even fishing 2 foot deep ponds where my bait is passing within 6" of nearly every fish in the water, it has been hard to get a bite. Last 4 2 hr trips, I had 1 fish, 3 fish, 2 fish and finally 12 fish because I brought some killies. If I fished later in the day or very early it would have been better but I love sighting them with my polaroids.

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

I'll be there on Wednesday. Hopefully we can put on a better show.

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

Bring shiners.

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

I am of the opinion that this time of year the top water bite lives and dies well before 6 am, unless a very cloudy day. Dusk is another option. Given the dog days of summer are here, my outings are usually limited to 9-10 am unless switching to panfish on the fly...they are always hungry. I know there are the one-offs and a few in between, but who wants to cast and roast, cast and roast when there is an ice cold glass of lemon aid and a hammock to lay in the shade. Pick things back up near dusk if close enough

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

Will never happen.

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

great video...looks nice there

Re: Candlewood Lake 7/6 - Bait and Switch?
 

You caught some fish. Good report.