Mendota 05/25/09 and Smallies

[rk_diver]

Tami and I dove in front of the Edgewater on Mendota this morning.Saw mostly smallmouth in 11 to 16 FOW, some over rocks, others over the sand flats. I didn't see any legal size fish (except two Sheephead). I've attached a photo of a bass bed, no fish was on it. Tami though saw a few in the area she was in, with bass on them (no eggs). There's LOTS of trash in this area, one pontoon, iron pipe, bed springs, old dishes, boat ladder, wheels, buckets, all kinds of metal objects, an empty tackle box, etc). Bottom was all firm sand with rocks (some larger ones, lots of smaller ones) in shallower. Very few weeds. Algae particles are getting heavier. Pretty windy this morning! Could hardy get to the boat when I was on the surface, had to approach from underwater. If I got too close to anyone fishing there today I apologize. I'd planned on swimming a rectangular grid pattern, but that changed once I got below and started seeing shadows of objects, which I'd then go over to see what they were. I'd estimate there was about 10' of horizontal visibility. So I ended up being all over the place (and thanks to anyone there for not grabbing my two marker buoys. One was tied to an anchor, which I left at Warner for anyone who wanted one, the other marked where the tackle box was. May go back someday and look for any lures that may still be laying around). Rick