Those videos of the tournament cheating are really making the rounds. Having never been involved in tournaments I don’t really have much of an opinion, other than to say it’s hardly surprising. People will do anything to get an edge, especially when money is involved.

I’ve tried the yough a couple times the past couple weeks since the water started cooling off. Barely managed a fish or two, and they’re tiny. I know the fall bite is supposed to be a thing but I’ve never been able to figure it out after the summer patterns stop working. It’s such a brief window. Probably done with the kayak for the season but I’ll try to get the boat out on the river a couple times.

I’m also gonna be in Chicago for the next week and I’m taking the new travel rod. Gonna maybe try the harbor and the river.

I was debating to hit the Yough. I too seem to struggle when it cools. I’m also not too fond of wearing waders in that river. Falling in the warm summer water stinks enough. If the bite was superb, I’d be a bit more willing.

Today was just a wash for me. I don’t mind a little rain, but the wind added, just makes things a bit tough.

These guys have been suspected of cheating since last season. Guess they finally got caught. How about the fillets they found inside those fish!? That means they killed fish out there, took a few bigger pieces and threw the rest away. Thats a couple scumbags for ya. This story is all over the web. Heck even TMZ picked it up. I didn't know that the other dude is from Hertimage. Anyone know him?

https://youtu.be/ung4qEQTaN0
 
This one?   Was on the Texas forum I'm on....lol
 
Warning....bad language.

Wow, that is nuts. Not at all surprising as others noted, especially when cash involved.

https://www.post-gazette....BXg#Echobox=1665015205

crappiefisher
https://www.post-gazette....BXg#Echobox=1665015205

Wonder the impact on the ecosystem. 

8 years from now there could be 65+ lb super predators just massacring forage? I dunno, I'm sure they thought of that already and factored it in. 

Exciting news. Gizzard shad only have flatheads and musky to worry about when mature. Pretty sure fully grown they are likely passed up for other forage by flatheads and musky too. Likely won’t be the case with the blues. Not that blues will only eat them, but was why they stock hybrid stripers in the rivers from what I had read years ago. To attempt to chow down on the juvenile gizzards before too big to not have predators. Being native, I am 100% behind return of the apex to they system. Likely means an end to the hybrid stripers in the rivers if it works. Probably won’t determine that for 10+ years though. Hopefully it works and clean enough for natural reproduction. Just means more hybrids in the lakes that they blues aren’t approved for.

Winterized my boat this weekend, didn't break the windshield taking off the T-top this time. Sunday morning I stopped at 20 mile, I saw a ton of fish in the holes near the lake. Steams are still low, not a lot of action, and a ton of pressure. I had the most action throwing a little Cleo that was half chartreuse, half silver near the mouth of the stream.   

Launched at Templeton yesterday and trolled up river through Rimer to #9 Lock & Dam. Two little bass. Jigged all around the Dam and power plant. 1 little walleye, so we trolled back on the other side of the river back to the launch by 4:00 PM. Another little walleye on the way back, plus a snag that cost me a new fire tiger X-Rap, first time I ever used it. River is down to 54 degrees surface temp.