I played hooky from work and buck season last Wednesday. With temperatures forecasted to be in the upper 50’s and light NE breeze I had to go look for some walleye and mainly some panfish. After repairing the broke kayak seat pin that holds the back rest on I was at the lake by 7:00am and 28°. The next hurdle was the lake had dropped a few feet more since my last outing. I’m guessing 17-20’ below summer pool now. I walk the kayak about 15’ dwn tebank and waded ankle deep mud for about 5’ and got the kayak in the water. Pushed off, dropped the rudder and pedal drive and off I went. Only to realize I broke my rudder cable so I had no steering. Now that me and the yak are covered in mud I used half a paddle to drag steer while I was pedaling 3/4 mile to my honey hole.
After a half hour of a sold 5mph east wind it died down. With my favorite hand made/painted lure I started picking up a few 8”crappie. Followed by random small perch and bluegill. It seemed the fish were spread out over a small area on a brush flat holding at 14’ in 17’ of water. I could not find anything where it dropped off to 20+ feet. Then I started hammering the 12” crappie consistently. Probably my best day ever on 12” numbers.
Now, rest of the story. Off the water I had to drag the yak and myself back through the mud. I ended up going to the car wash before going home. Thanksgiving morning I awoke to severe back pain. Saturday I over did it changing oil in the vehicles and suffered all day Sunday with spasms in my back. Went to the doctor as soon as they opened this morning (yep, missed work again) got two shots in the buttocks and a muscle relaxer scrip. I’m ready to do it again as soon as the weather breaks.