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Union Lake Smack Down Preview + Report
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| white mike |
Posted on 06/01/2013
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Senior Member
Posts: 244
Joined: 23.01.10
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Sunset on Union Lake
Whats up SJHT? As we approach the Union Lake Smack Down I figured I'd start a post sharing with you some of my experience this year on the lake giving you all something to look forward to come June 21'st.
One thing about Union Lake is that when you get hit hard you never know whatll be on the end of your line. Is it a smallmouth? A largemouth? or even a slob pickerel, maybe even a striper. As you play it closer to the boat and realize its a 4lb+ bass your heart starts beating and your adrenaline rushes as you just want to get that fish in the boat and admire it, or even better yet - throw it in your livewell.
Thats exactly what happened to me a few days out on Union Lake this year for some fun fishing and exploring some of the lake.
April 18, 2013
Water temp: ??????????
Depth fished: 2-10 feet
Water visibility: down to 2 feet
Wind speed: 5-15 mph
time fished: 6:30-1:30
This was my first time to the lake this year and certainly not my last. It was overcast skys and the wind was blowing pretty hard but it was right after a good warming trend so the water wasnt really too cold either. But the greatest part about that statement was that my depthfinder unit was left in my truck when I met up with pops so I had no idea what the water temp was. My guess is that it was around 60-63 degrees. Without the depth and the water temp I headed to a few areas where I knew how deep it was and exactly what I was fishing. Most of the grass at this time was only about 1-5 inches above the surface, so it was harder to tell where it was from a long distance. About an hour in I hooked into my first bass of the day which was around 2lbs. Followed by some pickerel. I was fishing the wind with fast moving baits because thats all I could really do giving how hard it was blowing. I moved into another area I like and then caught a few more monster pickerel. Having to be at work at 4:00pm that meant I had to leave at 1:00, so I was still searching for a bigger fish. Then my rod loaded up and i set the hook into about a 4.5lb bass. She looked so healthy and clean and it felt great. I ended the day with 2 bass and 7 pickerel and dad got skunked. 
May 28th, 2013
Water temp: 66-68
Conditions: Overcast, sight wind, rain developing into overcast/still
Time fished: 6:30am-6:00 pm
Hit the U for the second time this year last week. Pops had off work so I told him I was going and he was for sure down. It was overcast in the morning and started raining pretty hard a few hours after. Fishing started off somewhat weird as I had 2 fish break me off in the first 25 minutes. My guess is a big pickerel as I didnt even have a chance, I set the hook and there was literally nothing there. Clean break and not a bad knot either with 12lb test yo-zuri hybrid. We continue working a stretch I like and dad hooks into a 2lb bass on a topwater. Shortly after I hook into my first bass of the day also. We had a lot of pickerel break us off and caught a decent ammount too. We come into an area and im pretty wet now, hands rod and everything. A fish takes my bait hard, I go to se the hook and my rod literally goes nowhere!!! WTF?!?. The second I set the hook my rod went the other way and fell into the water. I saw it sinking shot down as fast as I could and grabbed it as it was sinking and wouldnt u know it the fish was still on there. LOL. It turned out to be the biggest pickerel I ever caught at union, maybe in my life. Belly was so fat and full of forage. It was raining pretty hard now and at about 1:00 dad decided he had enough so I drove him back to the ramp. I didn't have my fix yet and I stayed and kept fishing in search of some bigger fish. As soon as dad left the weather pretty much did a 360. The air was warmner, slightly calmer and the rain stopped. As opposed to the colder air earlier that day. I went back to the spot we hit earlier and my rod bowled over and I swung in a good fish. Was about a 3lb bass. I went looking around back near the creek mouth some and found the water temps to be at least 3 degrees colder. Around 64. I spent about an hour back there and picked up 1 bass and a pickerel. Decided enough was enough and went back to an area I like toward the front of the lake and set the hook in a nice fish. No scale, but my guess is around 4lbs. Fish was beautiful and healthy. I really enjoyed this day on the U and it showed me what a fun fishery it was. About my 10th or 12th time there ever. Every time I go i like it more. I ended the day with 8 bass 21 pickerel and 1 perch.
Its kind of hard to see but thats an 18" ruler...fish was pretty chunky
So as you can see the big girls are definitely out there this year. I predict the winner coming in with at least a 9lb bag. The question is who will it be?
Top 5 Anglers to watch for Union Lake Smack Down
1. Jackson Fu - The back to back classic champ has 3 first place finishes this year, a second place finish and a 3rd place finish. What more be there need to say? The Fu man definitely has something going on and I don't see him stopping anytime soon.
2. Jay Niessan - The defending AOY title holder is definitely no stranger to Union Lake. With his first place finish last year on June 24th, and currently sitting in 3rd in this years AOY race he is definitely a contender. Not to mention his big win at Manasquan this year.
3. Brian Suthard - The 2011 and 2010 Union Lake champ proved he can grind it out on tough summer days. No novice to the fishery as well as many other fisheries such as Malaga lake in which he took 1st place this year, we should see a decent bag from the HOPPER.
4. Dan Fitzpatrick - Currently sitting in 2ndd place for AOY and landing a big bag and lunker at Manasquan this year when over half the field couldnt get a bite, Dan proved he can catch fish when its tough. Will it be a hot summer day with bluebird skys or a rainy day with some overcast? Only time will tell.
5. BN06 -Ish Monroe's distant relative has been showing the field what hes capable of the last two tournaments. With his third place finish at Lums Pond going 9.35 and limit on the Northeast River going 8.08 his confidence seems to be in the right place to boat some fish at Union.
I hope this post can get some of you excited as I am for the Union Tourney. One thing for sure is that judging by the weight and size of the bags caught in previous years here at Union the bite will most likely not be as on fire as it is there right now. Even with these last days of it being very hot im sure the water temp rose pretty high. And with 20 days away its only going to get warmer. I pray for some overcast or even rain on the day of the T. It seems I always do better there when its like this. But then again sun positions the fish better so who knows?
Im not 100% sure ill be fishing this tourney as I do have work that weekend, but will try my hardest to get off. I might even just call out, who knows. Either way i cant stop thinking about this T for some reason. Union has always been a fantastic fishery IMO.
tight lines -Mike
Edited by white mike on 06/01/2013 |
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| Murphy |
Posted on 06/01/2013
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Junior Member
Posts: 38
Joined: 20.03.12
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Nice post Mike.
It brought me back to the days of fishing with my Dad. He passed away last year,but was unable to fish for his last 3 years. But I do get my 82 year old Mother out a couple times a year. She loves to fish too.
As for the Union T, I'm sure you lit everyone's competitive fire.
Murphy |
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| Crappie Jon |
Posted on 06/01/2013
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Veteran Member
Posts: 530
Joined: 14.12.10
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Cool post mike, I'm totally in 2nd tho by .14 points  lol just busting bawls. See everyone at the U
"2nd place is just the first loser" |
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| jiggin den |
Posted on 06/01/2013
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Veteran Member
Posts: 697
Joined: 09.11.09
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Nice post Mike, you should add your name to that list to watch out for!!! I never do good at Union, I will definitely be fishing finess baits!!
Jiggin Den |
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| BigNasty06 |
Posted on 06/03/2013
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Super Admin
Posts: 2177
Joined: 09.11.09
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Great post and day at the U. you had Mike!!! 
Nicely written and great pics to go along!! 
Nothing like fishing with dad...(Good or bad weather). That right there is what it's about.
Like Jiggen Den stated, I would definitely add your name to that list as you are due for a great day on the water!!!
Those fish in those pics are really healthy. Kudo's on grabbing that rod before it got too far down in the water column. 
I have not been out since our NorthEast MD trip. Been on the road somewhat out in Memphis, Chicago, and Kansas City. I did get a moment to snap this pic of Lake Opeka located out in Rosemont, IL about 2 weeks ago. A older gentlemen was fishing for catfish and had some great stories of that body of water.
Here is another image of Shawnee Lake out near KC:
Can't wait to get back out on the water.
Thanks for the write-up and hope to see most on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Union Lake.
BN06
BN06, President |
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| white mike |
Posted on 06/07/2013
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Senior Member
Posts: 244
Joined: 23.01.10
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@Jiggen Den - good luck with the finesse baits. You will definitely gets bites this way but I hope you dont get broken off, theres some big fish in there 
@Dan - yeah I had it right the first time then fixed it so it was wrong then fixed it again
@BN06 - cool pics man that lake looks nice, its great you get to travel around a lot
I'll be trying to fish the SJBCA open buddy there next weekend if I can get off work also. I'm pretty sure it will be the first T there since the open season, correct me if im wrong though.
Looking forward to seeing you guys on the 23rd.  |
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| BigNasty06 |
Posted on 06/07/2013
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Super Admin
Posts: 2177
Joined: 09.11.09
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white mike wrote:
@Jiggen Den - good luck with the finesse baits. You will definitely gets bites this way but I hope you dont get broken off, theres some big fish in there
@Dan - yeah I had it right the first time then fixed it so it was wrong then fixed it again
@BN06 - cool pics man that lake looks nice, its great you get to travel around a lot
I'll be trying to fish the SJBCA open buddy there next weekend if I can get off work also. I'm pretty sure it will be the first T there since the open season, correct me if im wrong though.
Looking forward to seeing you guys on the 23rd.
Hope you can make the 23rd Mike. and yes, the SJBCA is hosting there annual Father's Day Open Buddy Tournament. Always seems like a fair showing.
Good luck if you do attend.
BN06
BN06, President |
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| jackson |
Posted on 06/08/2013
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Veteran Member
Posts: 529
Joined: 08.02.11
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Nice big U bass Mike. I struggle at Union if its not an open.  It hihstorically doesnt fish well post spawn. I think its only going to take 7lbs to win there. Good luck to all. |
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| white mike |
Posted on 06/08/2013
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Senior Member
Posts: 244
Joined: 23.01.10
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Ever since this weather got warm I cant find any big fish. Your probably right about the 7lb bag. |
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| trapper |
Posted on 06/13/2013
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Member
Posts: 168
Joined: 12.11.09
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Good Report and a great day fishing  |
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| white mike |
Posted on 06/13/2013
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Senior Member
Posts: 244
Joined: 23.01.10
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Fishing the SJBCA fathers day open as a solo angler on Sunday. Hoping for another good day at the U. I'll report back here when its over  |
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| jiggin den |
Posted on 06/15/2013
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Veteran Member
Posts: 697
Joined: 09.11.09
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Good luck Mike at Union. Can't wait for your post!!!
Jiggin Den |
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| white mike |
Posted on 06/19/2013
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Senior Member
Posts: 244
Joined: 23.01.10
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SJBCA Open Buddy results
Water temp: starting 71 rising to 74/75 during afternoon
water visibility: down to 2 1/2 feet
best lure: flipping tye baits
Well as promised fished the SJBCA fathers day open. There was a field of 40 boats some teams, some solo anglers. To put it in a nutshell it was a very interesting day. When I pulled up to my spot I had 4-5 boats fishing around me, but i kept focused and tried to focus on the fish. I'm glad I was down at the flats palying bumper boats with BN on the NE River tournament because now im used to playing bumper boats and it dosen't affect my confidence. I started off fishing fairly fast, and picked up one 11 1/2 inch bass early. Missed a couple fish on the same lure which didnt hook up which seemed decent size. About 2/12 hours in i put the bait down and started fishing slower. Then i pitched it into what looked like a nice hole and pulled out a 3lber. I stuck with that for mostly the remaining time of the day, throwing a few different things and didnt get bit again. It's so hard to put somthing down when you have so much confidence in it, even if your intuition is telling you to throw something else. I shouldve put the bait down faster and went to the bait I caught my 3lber on sooner, and maybe a few thigns wouldve been different. I fished my hardest, only stooped fishing for maybe a total of 2 minutes out of the 8 hours. I tried to make every cast, every pitch count. At 1:57 with only 1 fish of 3lbs to show, i simply let her go, as it would be unrelaistic to win lunker or place in the money with just that one fish, plus no need to put any more unnecessary stress on it.
The water temps being as cool as they were sort of shocked me, thought it would be a lot warmer. Must have been those rain storms we had that week and all that water rushing down the maurice into the lake. There were some decent fish caught including a 2 1/2 lb smallie and a 4.13 lunker LMB. Tale of the tape is below.
On another note ill be fishing this Sunday with you all. Hoping to have a bit of a better day out there. At least hopefully ill have some more space then I did this past sunday.
waiting to take off in the morning
free hot dogs & drink and weigh in festivities
tale of the tape |
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| BigNasty06 |
Posted on 06/20/2013
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Super Admin
Posts: 2177
Joined: 09.11.09
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Nice report Mike. Thanks for sharing. Fishing outside of our normal waters only makes us better anglers in the long term.
For the record, depending on what time you caught that 3lber fish, you may have won the morning lunker. Morning lunker was only a lb. And some change. 
Never throw back bass in an open budddy style tournament. You just never know what others are bringing to the scales.
Congrats for reppjng SJHT!
BN06
BN06, President |
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| jiggin den |
Posted on 06/22/2013
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Veteran Member
Posts: 697
Joined: 09.11.09
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Nice post Mike, shame you tossed that 3lb fish go, like BN said, never throw a fish back in any tournament, especially a good one.
Jiggin Den |
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