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Since the sunrise didn't work last weekend, we figured we would give sun set a shot this weekend. Went out of St Joe leaving the dock just about 5 PM EDT. Got lines setup and running starting in the 120 FOW mark. Checked for thermocline and my Fish Hawk TD quit reading at 100 FOW and I never saw the big drop so we figured it was going to be below 100' (someone reading out numbers on the radio was saying the thermo was about 105 to 115). Set out a 10 color and a 300 copper along with a couple of Wire Dipsy's and two down riggers with free sliders on them. Trolled from 120 to 175 FOW and back and only had one hit before sunset - A decent coho hit on the flounder pounder free slider on a rigger down 115 feet. Had the coho about 30 feet from the boat when it managed to break a plug off the main line and shake itself off of the spoon. Lost the fish and the plug. That was the only action all night (well other than the coast guard flying up to us as we were pulling lines around 9:30 and asking if we were the boat that called in a distress call). So another trip of wash lures and make a donation to the lake gods. BTW if someone comes across a green splatter back plug floating along - you're welcome. It was a gorgeous night weather wise and a beautiful sun set I will post a few of the scenery pics for all to enjoy. I am defiantly way off my game this year

Beautiful pics, sorry to hear about the fish and plug. Seems awfully deep for a good thermo.

Thanks for the report! Nice pictures!

Tmik34 wrote:

Beautiful pics, sorry to hear about the fish and plug. Seems awfully deep for a good thermo.

I was kind of surprised myself being the thermo was about 70-75 FOW the week before. I would question it if I hadn't had the other guy on the radio chattering with his buddy about where he was seeing it running his fish hawk. With 90's again all this week, it may go deeper than that now. be interesting to see if others are seeing the same depths for the thermo.

Very nice pics Ed. Looked like a beautiful evening.

Hi Ed, we were out of st Joe Sat eve as well fishing the 100 to 120 for, My buddy on another boat and I were talking on the radio channel 68 .. it very well could have been us talking about the Temps. Interesting that thermocline moved up as we went east but ended up with a big goose egg.. it sure was a beautiful even.. kinda crazy how little radio xhatter is up that way .

Webster3 wrote:

Hi Ed, we were out of st Joe Sat eve as well fishing the 100 to 120 for, My buddy on another boat and I were talking on the radio channel 68 .. it very well could have been us talking about the Temps. Interesting that thermocline moved up as we went east but ended up with a big goose egg.. it sure was a beautiful even.. kinda crazy how little radio xhatter is up that way .

I am sure it was since there were only two boats talking. Josh I think was the one name we heard of the guys talking, I think you headed in about an hour before we did. It was kind of disappointing to lose the coho but at least we had a little action and I got it close enough to see. I am pretty sure you guys were chatting on the radio the week before also; we were out there before sunrise that Saturday and we packed it in just before 10 AM EDT. I want to say Josh started talking after the sun was up.

I just noticed your profile picture- The week before I am pretty sure I saw the toon trolling when were were heading in.

Hi Ed That was me (Josh) boats name is Webster.. yes we fished the week before in the am unfortunately. We blew past the fish, my buddy did pretty good we got a big goose egg...it was good to hear you had some action Sat even!

Actually, the deep thermocline is more due to wind and currents than heat in the atmosphere or sun. Usually, at the South End, we are more apt to have shallow T-clines during heat waves and deep thermoclines after some north blows send the warm surface waters to our end of the lake. Over by St. Joe, I'd suspect a west wind, especially with a bit of north to it would be a cline-killer.