Hey, Hatch...

[swamp rat]

I have read that often, you are more likely to catch big bass in the winter. Do you suppose it is possible that the same could hold true for the next record shellcracker?
Swamp

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Swampy,

In my opinion, No! Reason being, I
believe it's going to take another big fat
female bursting at the gills with roe to
top the 5 pound 7 1/2 ounce record. But,
I could be wrong.*G* Warm regards, Jim

[dspencer]

I really enjoyed your article Jim. Keep them coming! I seem to learn something most every day on this site. Do you tend to let your midges sit for a while, resting on the bottom, and then moving it occasionally? Or do you swim it along, varying the retrieve? Thanks.

[ohiotuber]

Jim,
Nice article....You know it's only a matter of time until Dotman & I free up some days at the same time & show up on your doorstep! IMHO, there is NOTHING like super huge gills & 'ears!
Mike

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Spence,

As my waters are generally pretty
skinny, mostly 3 foot or less where I prefer
to fish, I often tie my thread midges either
unweighted or lightly weighted. After my
cast I let them slowly settle to the bottom
while watching my line. Once it hits bottom
I slowly raise my rod tip and bring it to
the surface 2 or 3 feet closer to the boat
and let it settle again. Most of my hits
are on the drop and if the fish are gonna
cooperate, I'll get them on the first or
second drop. If not, I cast to another
likely looking spot.

Hey Mike,

I'm all for it. Sounds like a good time
for sure. Bring your 6' 8 wt swamp rods and
a bunch of 2/0 scuds. You'll be all set.*G*
Warm regards, Jim

[dspencer]

Jim,
Thanks for the reply. I've got to try fishing midges more often.

[dixieangler]

Hey, great article, Jim. Ditto here on big bream also but I tend to get more Gills and other bream than Shellcrackers (Redear Sunfish). Maybe I'm holding my mouth wrong . But I did get a 10 inch Shellcracker last season that was the biggest Shellcracker I've ever caught. I get a lot of Stumpknockers (Spotted Sunfish), Redbreast Sunfish, and Warmouth too. I agree with you and Roger. Seems to me that Shellcrackers tend to be larger and seem to fight harder than most Gills or other bream.


------------------
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[swamp rat]

Jim-
Good point. Catching a buck that size would be an accomplishment beyond imagination!
After reading this and the scuds and midges thread, I think my mistake in catching huge shellcrackers is I fish TOO FAST! I guess I always fish for redbreasts, which tend to be more aggressive. I'll be ready in April...
Swamp

[Joe Hyde]

Jim, thanks for writing that great article. And especially, thanks for including the photo of the Twin Torpedoes (a photo you attached to a BB post reply you sent me this spring). Just looking at those fish again...they're awe-inspiring.

It was in that same BB reply, if memory serves, that you mentioned one of the rods you frequently use -- a 2 or 3-weight. Here is where my memory is on shaky ground: I recall you saying that the rod LENGTH is 6 feet. Is that correct? Do you actually fish for these monster 'ears and 'gills using a rod so light and short?

If so, how come? Does such rod shortness give you a tactical advantage when casting in swamp areas?

Joe

"Better small than not at all."

[Jim Hatch]

Hello Joe,

Yes, my rods range in size from 4 to 6 1/2 feet. There are several reasons I fish
such short rods. First because they are in
fact much easier for me in the tighter areas
of the cypress swamps. When you view the
reachable waters and the obstructions that
confront you most of the time, it really is
much like small stream fishing. But mostly,
I do it because I enjoy it so darned much.
My favorite rods are a 5' JP Ross slow action 3 weight and a 6 1/2' Diamondback
med fast 3 wt. The first I mostly use for
dries or scuds without an indicator and the
other for indicators and nymphs or scuds.
It just works for me.*G* Warm regards, Jim