7-24-21
Hello Fishing Enthusiasts!
Welcome back to another fishing adventure blog! The past two weeks fishing at Silverwood Lake have been very similar to my last blog titled, “The Journey Continues.” My journey is to catch a wide variety of fresh water fish, and to share all of that knowledge with you. This knowledge will assist you to experience a lot of success in the sport of fishing. How you define success is up to you, but success to me is catching fish every time I go out.
While I was at the Marina casting a jerkbait, I noticed a lot of algae on it. This made me think that I needed to try a topwater lure because my jerkbait lures were in the algae most likely two feet below the surface of the water. I kept on switching back and forth between these two lures. After casting for some time and while I was fishing with the jerkbait lure, a Largemouth Bass grabbed on near the shore about ten feet out. The bass jumped a few times, but it was landed rather quickly being so close to shore (weighed in @ 4.40 lbs.). I had no strikes on my top water lure.
Two hours had passed since I caught that bass, and I realized the bite/action had died down completely. By opting to try a new spot with a different set up (jig-headed fluke), I was able to land an eight-pound Catfish on six-pound test line. The fight from this fish was certainly felt, as it pulled toward deeper parts of the lake and had my reel screeching. After I landed the fish, all I was thinking about was starting my hike back out to the highway because it was so late into the night.
This Largemouth Bass ws caught on a jerkbait & weighed 4.40 lbs. @ the Marina. 
This Catfish was landed on a fluke & weighed 8 lbs @ the Marina.
A few days later, a buddy of mine invited me out for some morning fishing at Silverwood. I gladly accepted because I usually night fish. We hiked down toward the inlet area fishing the coves before the inlet. There was so many fish jumping, but honestly not striking any lures. The only fish landed was a one-pound Striper which hit my jerkbait. Being out on the lake during the morning time was a pleasant, beautiful experience especially when the sun was rising.
Heading back to the Marina for some night fishing was my motive. After catching a large Catfish and a nice sized Largemouth Bass, I figured the action would be relatively the same. But “No,” it was very slow to the point where nothing came close to striking my lures. Right at the close of the fishing session is when a small tug happened. I may not have set the hook properly, and by pulling and reeling too hard the jig slipped from the corner of the bass’ mouth. I ended that night with a skunk, meaning I caught not a thing.
Coming back a day later with the intent to catch, I fished a majority of the night without a bite just like the day before. Right as I was wrapping up and casting a few more times is when I landed one right at the end of the session. It was a nice little one and a half-pound Largemouth Bass, and believe it or not the bass had some fight in it.
A few days later, I found myself fishing again this time with a buddy of mine at the Marina. He noticed some fish and called me over to see them. With the night being very slow in terms of catching I felt reluctant to change spots, but I knew I had to so I was very glad he asked. Within a few casts believe it or not, I was able to land a Largemouth Bass through sight fishing. He spotted the bass, shined his flashlight on it as I casted near it. I was thinking in my head there is no way this fish will bite when the light is so shiny, but I continued and the rest was history. I usually catch all of my fish by feeling the bite or by reacting when my rod tip bends, not sight fishing. My buddy yelled out, “With the assist!” as we weighed it up. That was the only fish we caught that night.
1 lb. Striper caught on a jerkbait near the inlet. 
1 lb. 7 ounce Largemouth Bass caught on a fluke @ the Marina. 
2 lb. Largemouth landed on a fluke (sight fishing) @ the Marina.
The jig-headed fluke came through for the win. Not a huge fish, but a fish landed on the shore is a win in my opinion any day. The Largemouth Bass weighed a solid two pounds, and as always for all of my fishing sessions these past two weeks all of the fish caught were released back into the lake.
Fishing the jig-headed fluke turned out to be an excellent strategy to target fish. I know when I created more action on the jig by rapidly moving my rod tip from side to side or up and down, I believe it helped trigger some strikes. When I created that type of action with my rod is when that eight-pound Catfish showed up. The jerkbait helped me to catch a four-pound Largemouth Bass too though. Keep these two points in mind when fishing with lures: 1) Be willing to try at least two different lures for each session, 2) When the bite is tough try speeding up or slowing down your retrieval.
I landed a total of five fish in five fishing sessions at Silverwood Lake. You know my goal is to catch a fish every time I go out. I know this goal is a challenge, but it keeps me motivated to learn and try as much as I can. I hope you can go fishing soon, and best of luck to you out there!