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New York Fishing Adventures

Silver Ambassador

8/20/22

Species
Smallmouth Bass
Season
Summer
Technique
Wacky Rigs
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
74°

This weekend's New York Fishing Adventure found Lori & I hosting & serving as weigh masters for the Henderson Harbor Summer Slam Derby, August 18 thru 21. We had the scales set up every day from noon until 4 PM. Last year I sat this derby out, but this year I signed up knowing I'd have about 3.5 hours in the morning to fish before I had to get back, put the boat away, and set up the scales for daily weigh-ins. I didn't get out until Day 2, then it was a tough day for me. I landed 11 smallies but nothing over 3.32 lbs. as far as fishing goes it wasn't too bad, but when you're on the hunt for a 5 lb. (+) smallie it came up a bit short. The morning of Day 3, I headed out and again fished my 3.5 hours and man what a session it was. I used the horizontal lures during intermittent sun, then when the sun popped out around 8:45 I used a dropshot rigged with a 5” Senko. for this presentation I like a Hayabusa FFP Straight Shank 2/0 hook & I thread the Senko on and leave the hook exposed. I landed 26 fish, broke three off, and lost two more on the jump. My smallest fish was a 3.72 lb. and I tossed back two limits of 4 - 4.25 lb. fish until I finally landed the 5.30 lb. smallie that I weighed in to take the lead for the bass division. This morning, Day 4, it called for SSE winds 10-16 mph with possible thunderstorms so I decided to put the boat back in the garage feeling confident my fish would hold up and it did. It’s always fun when a plan comes together. The gear used : TFO's Tactical Elite Bass 7’meduim power moderate action rod, paired with a Kastking BFS reel spooled with 8 lb. Cortland Masterbraid with a 36-40" section of 10.9 lb. Cortland Top Secret Fluorocarbon. For the business end of the dropshot rig I used a 1/4 oz. weight with a Hayabusa FFP Straight Shank hook 2/0, tied about 16 inches above the weight. I know most folks prefer a spinning rod for the dropshot presentation, but I enjoy the feel and control I get with this finesse baitcasting set up. A good bite's where you find it. https://burniehaney.com/