Yeah, it's been awhile since I've had an over-20-fish day, but I had one on Friday, out with Steve Williams up in Angels Camp, at my dad's friend's private pond! (I think Steve caught around 10 or so??) Especially after having been skunked my last two times out, it was reassuring to know I hadn't TOTALLY forgotten how to catch fish! :+

This was the first time I've taken my KICKBOAT out onto this pond, although I've fished it from shore 2 or 3 times. I'd say it's about a 2-acre pond or so? No more than 3 acres, probably, in my estimation (of course, I'm no expert in such matters. Steve, what do you think?).

It was great that Steve was able to join me -- hopefully, he'll be able to make arrangements with this guy to get out there himself, without having to have me along. The guy seems pretty receptive to it, as long as we respect the lake and the property. However, he fell short of leaving an open invitation to any & all, at any given time. Until further notice, I'll continue to get the owner's approval in advance, as opposed to venturing out there unannounced. I'll let y'all know next time I head out; he doesn't seem to have a problem with kickboats out there -- again, as long as we leave the property unmolested.

A spinnerbait is not generally my go-to bait, but it became obvious early in the day that that this was the bait they just couldn't leave alone. I caught a few on the Senko, one on a jig, and a handful more on a texas-rigged worm, but that red 1/2-oz. Strike King spinnerbait I won up at Clear Lake was definitely the ticket! Steve didn't really start getting into 'em himself until finally switching over to a spinnerbait, as well.

None of my fish were over 2 lbs., but Steve had a couple that apparently were. Each of us also had STRIKES from what felt like bigger fish, but none of those were landed. My biggest from this pond was probably around 4 lbs., a year or two ago. The owner insists that there are a number of 6's & 8's out there. As a matter of fact, he has said in the past he would like us to KEEP all the 1- & 2-lb'ers, so the place doesn't get too crowded with smaller (and thus, *growth-stunted*) fish. One time a year & a half ago, my dad & I took about a half-dozen out & dropped 'em into the GOLF POND over by my parents' place at Greenhorn Creek. Hmmm... they oughtta be well over 2 lbs. by now!

Man, it'd be AWESOME to have a pond like this in my back yard! 'Course, I'd need a BIGGER back yard, but that's another issue altogether.

I'll let y'all know next time I head up there. It makes for a nice day, fishing among the COWS!!! :-)

- jeff

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Every day Congress convenes, we lose a little more of our LIBERTY!!!

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