PB Larry & Smallie - Spruce Run

[logs22]

Work has been crazy the past month or so and I have not had a chance to post anything but I thought catching my PB Largemouth back in early August and more recently landing my PB Smallmouth (two weeks ago) warranted a post. Both fish were caught at Spruce Run from the boat I bought back in June (my first).

I have been hitting SR pretty hard all season since I store my boat there and while that lake hasn't produced much in terms of quantity, I can't complain about the quality. The Largemouth was caught in about 15' of water on a wacky rigged senko. She taped out at 21" and I wish I had a scale because she was thick as well. I have caught one longer Largemouth (22.5") but this one was definitely heavier. Landing the fish solo at night was quite a challenge. The Smallmouth was caught at about the same depth on a 1/4 oz black/blue jig with a rage tail trailer.

Funny story about the smallmouth - I had actually cast the jig and let it sink to the bottom before putting the rod in a holder while I fetched a fresh beer. My buddy and I decided to relocate at that point and it wasn't until I started up the trolling motor and we were headed out that I realized I hadn't reeled in the jig. I figured it was snagged on something because I heard the drag peeling. I turned off the motor and grabbed the rod to reel in my lure so we could be on our way and that is when I saw the line still moving despite the boat being stopped. My buddy and I had been fishing for hours at that point with nothing to show so we both were extremely pumped when I reeled in and he netted the beauty pictured. She taped out at about 18".

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the hybrid M&G!

[AndyS]

WOW !!! Congrats on the PB !!!

[Eskimo]

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Congratulations - awesome bass.

It still amazes me that one of the most heavily fished bodies of water imaginable still produces some exceptional wild-born bass. Especially given the water levels are constantly changing. I've caught-and-released a few great bass there this year.

That reservoir is so damn crowded, paddling my kayak across open water is like trying to walk across the highway at rush hour. The boaters are courteous to paddlers (usually) but there is so many of them, a paddler has to really be alert to be sure he's not going to get run over.


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[FASTEDDIE29]

Oh boy! PB's on LM and Smallies! That's a good time for sure! You put the time in and will be awarded eventually! Beautiful fish man, simply beautiful! The head on the LM is huge! Could be a 6+ lber in late fall! Congrats!!!

[thmyorke1]

CHUNKS



Nice Personal bestz!

[NJSquatch]

Look out Ike!!

Good stuff congrats on the pbs

[Blackfishhead]

Solid fish!!! Good to hear of nice fish still left in there. Headed up with the Tracker and a tent for an overnighter myself this week . Going to hit MC as well.

[Skunk City]

Great pics and nice fish. I love that place.

[logs22]

Originally Posted by Blackfishhead

Solid fish!!! Good to hear of nice fish still left in there. Headed up with the Tracker and a tent for an overnighter myself this week . Going to hit MC as well.

I have Thursday and Friday off this week and wife working + son in daycare = me spending two days out on the boat at SR:-). I was actually considering checking out MC as well since I have yet to take my boat out anywhere but SR and MC seems to be the closest and best alternative.

Is the official campsite at SR the only place you are allowed to camp? There are some nice secluded areas in the southwest portion of the lake that look great for camping and have lots of good spots to beach a small jon boat like mine. Is that allowed?

[logs22]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

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That reservoir is so damn crowded, paddling my kayak across open water is like trying to walk across the highway at rush hour. The boaters are courteous to paddlers (usually) but there is so many of them, a paddler has to really be alert to be sure he's not going to get run over.


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My little 12' flat bottom jon boat isn't much better than a kayak in terms of dealing with larger boats (and their larger wakes) so I feel your pain. Fortunately I fish SR almost exclusively at either crazy hours of the night or during the week on my occasional day off so I have never really had an issue with crowds. I have yet to deal with a queue at the launch.