2/24 MS Sneak Attack!

[RedHeron]

I was passing through south MS yesterday on my way home from Lafayette and noticed a small, interesting looking creek passing under I-59. Never heard anybody talk about this creek, and it's not mentioned in any float trip guide I've seen. I had a couple hours to kill, so I figured I'd give it a try. A little on the small side at the interstate bridge, it opened up quite nicely at a bridge further downstream. As I got my stuff ready, I shot the bull with a local old-timer sitting on his truck tailgate, whittling under the bridge...said he caught a 50lb "tabby" on a trotline, and a 20" "green trout" on a "broke-back" in the creek last summer. I figured I'd take whatever guidance I could get and tied on a J-11. Only a few casts into the morning, that J-11 yielded this nice 1-6 Spot.



Unfortunately, the wind picked up (understatement of the year right there) soon after, and I was only able to manage one other dink before I had to pack up and get back on the road. Managing good boat position in the 20mph gusts was getting frustrating anyway. However, while taking some refuge in a shallow backwater, I did spook a 17"-20" bass...maybe scoping out bedding areas, since the water was already 65F down that way. I couldn't tell the exact species, but at that size, I'm assuming it was a largemouth. That sight lent a little more credibility to the old timer's statements. As I was literally being blown back upstream to the bridge, I decided to just sling a buzzbait and see what happens. I got one huge blowup right at the boat, but it missed...I was already looking up to find my next casting spot, so I didn't even see what it was...startled the crap out of me.

Although my sneak attack didn't yield any new records this time, I will certainly be keeping this creek in mind next time I'm in the area. I think it has potential.

[Jump n Fish]

Those little unplanned trips are the best. My opinion on these tiny creeks has definitely been changing this year. I've got so many I want to try. I've got suspicion as to which creek that is, but would've never thought I'd see fish that size come out of it, let alone a 50lb tabby?

Interesting to know you spooked an even bigger one, and I'm shocked to hear of a blowup on a buzzbait already. That's crazy.

I want to go fishing something fierce right now, but I've got family staying with us until Mar 14th. If I can only talk them into trying a float with me. I think it would be pretty rude of me to take my day off and go fishing without them, when I only see them a couple times of year.

Warm enough to wet wade?

[RedHeron]

The fishing should really be starting to warm up in the deep south, so hopefully you can talk your folks into wetting a line. The water temps in this creek were right around 65F. So a topwater bite isn't all that surprising...they'll be on bed soon, at least in that creek. I wish I had gotten there right at daybreak b/c there was some topwater activity going on as I was unloading the boat and talking to that guy. I think I caught the tail end of the bite right as that front was passing through. I did wet wade a little in the shallow portion pictured, but most of the section I was on was deep...5-8' was about average, with the aformentioned really deep scour holes here and there.

[Bamaspot]

Awesome colors on that Spot!

[Boyscout]

Sweet looking peice of water! I have decided this year to do more small water floats. I love the big rivers but they are starting to get more crowded every year thanks to Drew!

[creekfreak]

Their are plenty of smaller rivers with big bass in them you just have to look. Great stuff Lance.

[Shoal Tide]

Very nice

[Donnie]

KY waters are blown out now so all I can do is live through you guys. That was a good looking little creek and a good looking spot.

[smiley]

Nice looking spot! And nice lokking creek. Gotta love exploring new waters!

[Bayou Shoal]

Awesome report! I think I know that creek...Definitely plan to check it out...

[turkey]

gottta love it

[T Mike]

I was raised in South Mississippi (Picayune) and have fished most creeks. I'm in Georgia now and not a threat to your area if you would like some info on the waters there. PM me.