bob johansen
8/24/2012 9:51:00 AMIt was nice to get a Ballinger Lake report. I fished it a few times years ago and caught a few fairly nice largemouth bass -- the biggest however, was only 17 inches. Most of my fish were caught on a top water Rapala. I also remember that the bass were a little strange looking -- kinda buggy eyed. Have you noticed that the bass looked a little different from that lake? I also remember that one time I almost got hit by a golf ball while fishing.
Jungle Jim
8/24/2012 1:27:00 PMI've only fished Ballinger a few times even though it's the closest lake to my house. Reason being there just does not seem to be many bass in that lake (or anything else). That south end of the lake looks like it should be stacked with bass and perch, but as you said.....nothing! Just my opinion, but even the trout fishing in that lake sucks. They can stock thousands of trout in that lake and you seem to be lucky to catch a couple an outing at any time of the year. Not sure what it is about that lake, but it just has never been very fishy, even though it LOOKS very fishy. Again, just my opinion. If you (anyone reading this) has had a stellar day at Ballinger, I'd like to hear about it.
oneshot
8/24/2012 2:29:00 PMi've done Ballinger now a few times (also close to my home) and it just doesn't produce.. i've tried for bass a couple times with no luck and caught 1 trout each time out i think. i need some bass fishin lessons.. :)
looking forward to your videos when you get around to it!!
looking forward to your videos when you get around to it!!
Stansjoy
8/25/2012 8:06:00 PMJungle Jim... I've done very well at Ballinger. If you read Ballinger reports, you would see a total of eight from me since I became a WALakes member... three 5's and two 4's. Just depends so much on the time of year. For the first couple of months of Spring, Ballinger can be dynamite. By mid-June the water temp goes through the roof and fishing will suck (for trout, anyways). I fished Ballinger through the Fall and Winter last year and caught some very nice trout (15" to 17")... once the water cools down it comes on strong. Caught two nice Cutthroat this past Spring (13" and 15"), and I've been told that people who know how can routinely catch large Cutthroat in SE corner and around the island... just takes patience . Cutthroat come into Ballinger via the stream that connects to Lake Washington. Did catch a 15" Bass from the pier, tossing a Rapala last Fall... although I am a trout fisherman... and to me... Bass are scrapfish!!! I know... blasphemy!!! Anyway, don't give up on one of MY favorite lake too soon! PTL!
Jungle Jim
8/29/2012 11:53:00 AMStansjoy:
Good to hear that someone does do well at Ballinger. It's a nice sized lake, close to home. Admittedly, I spend most of my time trolling for salmon in the salt, so I have not put in the time on Ballinger, or any other lake for that matter. It's probably good for you guys that do fish it regularly that guys like me think the fishing stinks. Good luck out there.
Good to hear that someone does do well at Ballinger. It's a nice sized lake, close to home. Admittedly, I spend most of my time trolling for salmon in the salt, so I have not put in the time on Ballinger, or any other lake for that matter. It's probably good for you guys that do fish it regularly that guys like me think the fishing stinks. Good luck out there.
