MASSACRE ON THE MONOCACY

It's been a while since I enjoyed these guys..welcome back!

I must admit...it has been a long time since I got into the small stream smallmouth gig. Back in the 1980's and 90's I used to hit the local creeks almost every week in my Mason Dixon region. We had 'Friday Night Fights' with smallmouths, and everybody came out a winner. I revisited this grand sport last week with an old friend, Judson, who put me onto some amazing small water action.

Jud works a creek smallie out of the current.

My good friend called and said that the river was in 'prime shape, and the bass were up'. You see, in Mid Atlantic streams and small rivers, you might go 5 or 6 years where the smallies are either caught in low water conditions or perhaps high water events that can sweep adult fish downstream off their spawning areas, completely wiping out a year class of these great gamefish. With river levels and water temperatures just right, Jud said that now was the time to get in on this potentially narrow window of hot bass fishing.

Hair and plastic...YUM!

We fished primarily with 1/16th oz hairjigs that we tied to imitate crayfish and threaded plastic crayfish trailers on the hook. Nothing special...light spinning gear and 6 pound mono. Bounce the jig along the current breaks and eddys and set the hook when you get a strike. We fished a stretch of the Monocacy River...a central Maryland tributary to the Potomac, and one of my favorite 'back in the day' smallmouth streams. Other local creeks, such as Big Pipe, Catoctin, Marsh, Conowago and the Gunpowder had all produced in the past. The Monocacy did not disappoint.

Jud shows one of our many doubles. He swears the big fish was his.

'I'll take 'em all day like this!'

A couple fish we had to chase when they got in the current.

Hairjigs & plastic did most of the damage.

This long, deep pool was a 'hawgspot'.

We got several 17 inch smalls on the day...cool!

To make a long story short, Jud and I covered about a little over a half mile of water and caught and released 60 smallmouths...high numbers just about anywhere. Many of our fish ran from 14 to 17 inches making this just crazy good ultra-light sport! Despite the cold and slow-to-develope-spring, we found pre-spawn smallies rockin' and rollin' as we donned our chest waders. Here are a couple more pics of our adventure...

Some bass took crankbaits.

'Yeah, I can go for this!'

Jud grabs one in mid river.

And...a few smaller ones for the mix.

One of the really cool things about this kind of fishing is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get in on a quality experience. You don't need a guide, or a bass boat, or a ton of gear or an overnight stay or a long, gas-guzzling trip. What you will need, however, is a little research for potential quality smallmouth streams, a good pair of chest waders, a handful of jigs and small crankbaits a willingness to walk, wade and bushwhack and finally...a good friend like Jud to share the experience with. Yes...you will need to work at it.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 27:19...'As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man'. If you could have seen the looks on our faces as we were hooking, playing and landing these fish, you would have seen two of the happiest, giddy, goofy, giggling semi-elderly old men you have ever witnessed. It was insane! And once the rain set in, and I had to abandon the camera, we went back out after a break and wore 'em out for another hour in a downpour. Yes... it was joy.

But the greatest joy I have ever experienced was not in the outdoors, but rather, in the presense of a Holy God and His incredible calming and overwhelming love for me. Sure...it actually does happen,  sometimes, in the beautiful outdoor world that He created. You, too, can have that incredible feeling of peace and love from this incredible Savior known as Jesus Christ...all you have to do is ask. Like the stream smallmouth gig, it's not expensive...it's absolutely FREE! But, you do have to ask, ask Christ to come into your heart, forgive you of your sins, cleanse you and change you, You will be different and you will change if you make that simple request. And when your life concludes on this earth, you will spend an eternity, dancing before the King! WOW! Now that's a catch of a lifetime!

Like the Massacre on the Monocacy...conditions have to be perfect. Today, right now, perhaps your condition is perfect for receiving this incredible gift. This may be your moment of salvation...

The time is right for New Life.

KEEPERS...

Matt with a pair of 'keepers'.

Perhaps the greatest fishing partner I have ever had has been my son, Matthew. Matt and I started fishing when he was about 4 or 5 years old and we haven't looked back. At our humble angling beginings at local farmponds for bluegills and bass, it is safe to say that, at times, we return to our roots. We did just that recently when we hit a nice 4 acre lake in the Mason Dixon area in quest of fillets. Yup...we needed fish-fry material. Keepers. What better way to break in the early season?

Chubbo bluegills make for good eats.

Our goal was to ice a dozen or more quality bluegills in the 9 to 10 inch range, fillet them up, and have a little fish fry. This is what we have done in my family for nearly 40 years, and about 4 -5 times a year. What a heritage...to catch, clean and eat the fish you catch from local waters! No store-bought tilapia, farm-raised catfish or proclaimed 'wild-caught' salmon on the high dollar. Naaww, we keep our fish and eat them, sometimes. That's the way it is.

Matt's first gill of the year, a robust 10-incher!

Despite cold northwest winds and 4 inches of wet, heavy snow the day prior, we donned waders and fished the wind-blown shallows with simple bobber/jig/bait combos on 4 pound test and let the wind do the work. Along the way, a bunch of 12 to 16 inch bass were in the panfish mix.

'And while I'm at it, gimme one of those 18-inch bass!

All the bass went back and at another pond, we got a few up to 18 inches. It was another father/son trip that had special meaning. A 'keeper'. And it led to some great eating! Here's the scoop...

Fillet nice sized bluegills so they are ready for the pan.

Fry em up in hot oil at 375 til crispy brown.

Drain on paper towels and fight over them with family members.

It was all 4 adults and 2 young uns could do to down 26 fillets from those big gills. But we did it! And after a long afternoon nap, I had to reflect on the past few weeks of fishing...

Matt's first bass of the year is a nice 18-incher.

On this day, most fish were right at my feet in the muddy water.

This plus sized girl gave me a spectacular leap in chilly 50 degree water.

Ooodles of 2 pounders along the way.

Big head and skinny body...needs a few meals.

Ole Swooptail showed up. We caught her 4 times last year.

And, of course, dinks are always available.

There is something to be said about patterns, dependable lures, local ponds and fishing with family. It all would never be possible without God's Blessing. You see...I don't deserve all these cool fishing trips, or big fish, or great times with my precious son or even a hearty meal of fresh bluegills. I don't deserve my beautiful wife of 38 years or early retirement or two beautiful grand daughters. The truth is the majority of my life, I have been a self-centered, egotistical, prideful, lustful, boastful and just plain sinful wreak of a man. In and unto myself, I bring absolutely nothing to the table to please God. He can do just fine without me. He simply doesn't need me to bring Glory to Him in my unsalvedged state. I deserve hell.

But the cool thing is...He sought me out, anyway. Just like he is seeking you, right now, through this blog you are reading about this broken-down, shell-of-a-man who just so happens to like fishing. And...I might have enjoyed these things even if I did not give my life to Jesus some 39 years ago. Don't know. But I do know this...my live was empty, but now, and for a long time, has been made whole through the life-changing process of submitting to Christ as King. It's called grace, forgiveness, and it's free. And no, it's not perfect on this fallen and sinful planet. As it states in John 16:33...

'I have told you these things so that, in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.'

That verse, my friend, is a 'keeper', one you don't throw back. Put that one in your live well and meditate on it. When you feel the pressures of this fallen, sinful world are crushing you, pull it out and admire it, like a prized catch, and take a photo of it for your memory. Accept and embrace Jesus...He will never throw you back, or release you once you accept Him into your heart. It will be the catch of a lifetime!

The Real 'MARCH MADNESS'

Well...it's almost April, but I must say that March has been good to us from the fishing standpoint. Despite my best efforts to locate and catch ice-out panfish, I seem to be covered up with quality largemouth bass. I'm hip with that...

March has been very good to me!

Just for kicks, we fished with fast moving Rattle Traps in sun-warmed shallows where warm surface water was stacked up in the warmest corners of small lakes and ponds. Water temps ran from 45 to 52 degrees F. Deep fish were only 3 feet down, and most bass were caught in 18 to 24 inches of warmer water. Crazy!
Here are a couple of party crashers...

Decent three pounder!

Huge head on this trim 4-pounder...should have been over 5.

Best day so far was 15 bass with nine from three to nearly six pounds.

This one hit just 10 feet off the bank!

Southern and westerly winds put warmer surface water into the northern shallows of any lake during early spring, drawing hungry bass that, like me, have had quite enough of this years winter. Rattle baits and #4 Mepps Aglias produce well now. Once water temps hit the mid 50's, it'll be another gig...likely with stickworms for pre-spawn girls out looking for a date.

Quarter ounce Rat-L-Traps catch big and small.

Lure cleaning required.

Bass Thumb indicates a good day on the water!

There are a  few hazards to the March Madness. I am refering to Bass Thumb, a chronic and debiletating  condition can make handling fish tough. Also...lots of weeds and algae to pull off the baits as they plow through the early greenery of the shallows. Toss these baits on 20-pound braid and you'll feel even the lightest strikes, as the lethargic, but girthy, bass seem to be waking up. Don't be afraid to fish shallow in your home lake shortly after ice-out...look for those sun-warmed areas on the northern shorelines with rip-rap or wood structure to hold the heat. You want the wind in your face, with 20 mph or better gusts pushing warmer water, and hawg bass, right into your lap. You might be surprised as to what you can catch out of 18 inches of water!

March Madness? What's to be mad about with fish like this?

Yes, March Madness has different meanings to different folks. I like the bass just out of the blocks from winters grip. Others dig the NCAA basketball frenzy. Yet others scarf up on the early crappie bite.

Different things, different people. Yup, we are all different, yet we all have one father. No...not our earthly father, buy rather, a heavenly father who ordained all the days of our lives before even one of them came to be, as pointed out in Psalm 139:16. And how cool is it to know this...as pointed out in Psalm 139:14...

I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE;
YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL, I KNOW THAT FULL WELL.

If you are reading this and you are down, discouraged, afraid or embittered, please know that you were 'wonderfully made' and that God loved you enough to allow His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for you some 2000 years ago. He has sought you out through this simple 'fish and faith' blog that He has allowed me to write. It is my hope and prayer that you will accept His perfect gift of grace and salvation and submit your life to the one who heals. No...life will not be forever perfect, and we will have troubles. That's because we live in a sinful and fallen world. But surrendering to the King will change your life, and also your death, for eternity. You will be a child of God from this day forth, and His works are wonderful...

                  YOU WILL HAVE THE GREATEST FATHER EVER!

NEW LIFE

My son, Matt, fishes an open backwater at an area lake.

It's been a long winter...for everybody. As I write this, it is 18 degrees F outside, yesterday it was 64! That's quite a difference in less than 24 hours. But these Mid Atlantic winters are traditionally up and down like that. At least all the snow has melted from the past 4 days of 55 to 60 degree weather. And now this. But it is what God brings. I would be lying if I were not to admit that I am desperately seeking spring, and warmer weather!

Ice is going and geese are pairing up...Springtime!

This fallen tree will be a crappie hotspot in another few weeks.

Despite the cold, we are seeing signs of spring, signs of 'new life' as the ice is begining to melt quickly and the Canada geese are starting to pair up. Soon, shallow backwaters and bays of our Mason Dixon area lakes will open up, and bass, perch, crappie and more will enter the warmer realms of this annual progression.

Nice, plump crappies made me happy on my most recent trip!

Amazingly, I found several small public lakes that had no ice cover at all. In a five day span, I was drilling through 12 inches of ice 20 miles to the north, then actually fished open water near home just 5 days later. And what a pleasure it was to fish on something other than a bucket with frigid temperatures! Plus, the crappie bite was on...a true sign of spring. Here are a few of a mix of bass, bluegill and crappie I got on the tail end of the most recent warm spell, on March 12...

Not huge, but nice!

The bass liked the 1/200th oz Trout Magnet...cool!

Despite chilly 41 degree water, the fish were on the bite.

Fish of the day was this 13.5 inch black-nosed crappie. Still snow in the background.

Yes...I found two small , public lakes that had just opened up, and I was right on time for some ice-out crappie. I used tiny 1/200th oz Trout Magnets with a pink trailer and a single maggot for these fish. I clipped a small, sensitive bobber on the line and drifted this bait 5 feet below the surface. Besides the crappies, I got seven largemouth bass and a bunch of bluegills on the same rig. All total, I picked up 42 fish with gills to 8.5 inches, bass to 16 and a fine 13.5 inch black-nose crappie. Most of the crappie were 10-11 inches. All fish were released on this warm, but blustery and rainy day in mid March.

Another nice one!

I need to brush-up on my self-photo efforts!

Ahh,,,yeeesss! New life! And it can come in many ways. It can be the warming sun of spring or the warming knowledge of the heart. It can be that welcomed shower that leads to new growth, or that gift of life from a loving God. When I try to 'jump-start' myself, through my own efforts and ideas, I fall miserably short. When I let God take control, the highway is much easier. Proverbs 16:25 says this...

'There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.'

Yes, I wanted spring to come, have new life, live for a purpose. But it wasn't until I gave my life fully to Jesus Christ that I found that path, that way to life and truth and happiness. No, I'm far from perfect, and I have my ups and down, good days and bad ones. But the way that 'seemed right' to me is no more, as it was slowly leading me to destruction. I submitted, giving my life and soul to Christ.

Maybe this is the first time you have ever read this blog, and maybe you're thinking...'boy, this Gronaw is just a Jesus freak'. And you know what? You're right...I am a Jesus freak! And one day, I am assured that I will dance before the King and sing praises to His name for eternity. That new life, my friend, is far greater than anything the world has ever had to offer me. I believe that, and I know that. It is my prayer that you, reading this right now where you are, would have that same joy and love that has filled my heart. Consider a life in Christ...tomorrow may be too late.

With new life, the cold and the gray will fade.

Up From the Inky Darkness...

Trophy bass through the ice on a brutal day...it happens!

Ice fishing below the Mason Dixon Line is about a once every 7 year gig. This is one of those 'seventh' year occasions, when ice thickness surpasses the 4 inch benchmark for safe foot travel and fishing. As a result, I have been out for 5 trips to local ice venues and have yet to get skunked. But I haven't caught a ton of fish either. Largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegills thus far, and mostly bass...some big! As I type this, it is 50 degrees outside, so the 6 to 8 inches of ice won't last long.Here's a recap of the last few trips...

Quality yellow perch like to hang around weed beds. Nice!

A handful of nice yellow perch liked my 1/12th oz. Gold KastMaster spoons at a southern PA lake. The fish were in the weedy areas about 6 to 10 feet deep. A buddy of mine smashed the perch a week ago, along with a trophy in the 16 inch class. We settled for 11 to 12 inchers as our best fish.

Pretty soon, they will be ready to spawn.

Perch of the day went 12 inches.

I have really been trying hard to locate and ice enough bluegills to make a little fish fry for the wife and I. Hasn't happened yet. I get one or two really nice gills every time out...just not enough for a meal. Big fish, though...

Big gills like the smallest Ice Rap with maggots.

My best 'ice-gill' in years was this 10.5 incher. Cool!

Usually, big gills are a ice-fishing staple, but not this year. Every time I try to ice a few the bass come ramblin' in...here are a few of the 25 I caught this past month...

A nice 19-incher on a warm day.

A little bigger at 20 inches.

Another big bass on the Kastmaster spoon!

Most of these fish are coming from a very small area.

All-time, personal best 'ice-bass' at 22 inches. It's 15 below with the wind chill!

What is really amazing is that I caught all but one of these fish in a tiny area about the size of a sheet of plywood...that's it! They, too, took the KM spoons tipped with maggots. And the biggest fish seemed to always bite on the coldest days...5 to 10 degrees out with 15 below wind chills. Crazy! All bass, however, went back down the holes...

Free, indeed...

I was pretty shocked when it seemed like all I could catch were the bass, and most of them were of quality size, including my best 'ice-bass' ever at 22 inches. Also, they were caught in 3 1/2 feet of water...pretty shallow for January. The strikes were featherlight, barely moving the wire strike indicator. Sometimes there was just weight and the fish was just there.

Yes, being set free from capture is a lot like being set free from the bonds of slavery, the shackles of sin. Romans 6:22 puts it this way...
'But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

Wow! The result is 'eternal life'. Can there ever be a greater reward than such a freedom as this? Today, I pray, that if you are reading this, and have not crossed over from death to life, that you would do so by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your life and heart will change, your salvation secured and you will never, ever be held captive again. You will be set free...indeed!