Omaha Area Lakes – July 1 – Fished from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Lake Zorinsky in Omaha, Nebraska. Caught three small bass: 15, 14, and 17 inches – all released in good condition. Landed the first on a grey, pepper-flaked Zoom lizard near the northwest bridge piling. Second bass hit a grey, pepper-flaked tube on the northeast side of the lake in about 4 feet of water off of a rock-structured bottom. Third bass hit a white spinnerbait (with silver willow leaf blades) on the southeast side of the lake (off of timber in about 4 feet of water). The water temp was between 82-84 degrees at surface, air temp was 8 degrees Fahrenheit, wind was 5-15 mph, clear skies, water seemed high due to rains as of late (maybe a foot or so the norm?), and the water was tea/coffee stained. Weeds weren’t too bad on the lake, just a slow day fishing … so we pulled the boat and made a run south.
We headed south to Lake Wehrspan (again in Omaha) and were fishing by 5:45 PM … fished until dark. Threw a grey, pepper-flaked; a baby-bass, a root-beer, and a black 6 inch senko without weight (Texas-rigged) … lots of “looks” and miss strikes, but no takers. Launched a few buzz baits in chartreuse, white-black, white, and green pumpkinseed but again, missed strikes and no fish. Last hour or so, switched between a green and a black scum frog and missed a few strikes. Only a couple of the strikes were legitimate … the rest were swirls, but all the fish seemed to be fighting through the same weeds we were … us to get to the fish and the fish to get to the bait. Lake Wehrspan is thick with milfoil and hydrilla grasses … clogged the trolling motor all evening … the “no-see-um” gnats were out in swarms as well. The highlight of the day was that we got to watch a young boy (maybe ten to twelve years old) land a 3-4 lb largemouth bass (he was fishing a dark-colored sluggo in about 3-4 feet of water). Nice fish and I am certain there wasn’t a bigger smile on the lake that day. The few boats in the vicinity gave the boy some good cheers while he fought the bass to his father’s boat. After a few pictures with the fish, they released the bass unharmed.
My first time out in Omaha fishing (just moved here from Florida about a two weeks ago) … same fishing styles, just different areas and the fish tend to be smaller overall. As I get to know the area and try out all the little “honey hole” fishing spots, I’ll continue to keep y’all posted. If you have any recommendations or favorite spots for bass fishing from a boat (18 foot aluminum Triton), please drop me a line. Who knows? Maybe you’ll put us in the right spot so my sons have the opportunity for that “big-bass-fish-smile?”
In summary, we had a great trip out that day and we can’t wait to get on the water this weekend (though we know there’ll be plenty of pressure on the fish). My 6 year old and I just look forward to hanging out and spending some “dad-time” together and fishing is a perfect fit for the two of us. Feel free to check out our website at: http://www.cajuncustomrods.com/
Tight lines!
Jaesen V. Yerger