Fishing solo, I launched the old Bass Tracker onto Mason Lake for a try at perch. First time I have targeted perch for many years. They are my favorite eating fish and so prolific I don't feel guilty keeping a few. I did, however bring my bass fishing gear. It was very cool and very foggy as I launched. Started by casting Rapalas on the clear water's smooth surface. Also fished jigs along the docks. No bass strikes. Mason has always been a tough bass lake for me but I did get lucky back on May 31,1998 and hooked a very nice 18 inch, 3 pound, 7 ounce beauty on a floating Rapala. That bass is still my current lake record. Anyway, back to the perch fishing. I needed some bait to catch the first perch so I dug around in our compost pit and found a couple. The first fish hooked was a little 5 inch sculpin. He was fileted out for bait and that meat lasted all day. Left the skin on the filets and it stayed with the hook very well. Next I caught some perch, some rock bass and one little largemouth bass -- all on sculpin meat. The fish were released except a few nice perch that I invited to dinner and a little 6 inch rock bass that I had to kill to remove the hook. Later the sun came out and it was very nice on the water -- except for one homeowner. He spotted me fishing along his dock and boiled out of his house like a raging bull. He ordered me to stay out 200 yards from the shoreline and to leave the lake immediately. He said he had got my boat numbers and was calling the sheriff. And, threatened that if I didn't leave immediately he was getting in his boat and come out for a confrontation. Now fellow anglers, I have always been very considerate of home owners and this jerk was the first ever to go into a rage about me fishing his dock. Not wanting a confrontation, I moved on down the lake. Hope the sheriff shows up, I'd like to tell him my side of the story.

Mike Carey

9/26/2007 9:51:00 PM

Bass Tracker,

What a shame. That guy could have made a friend, instead he thinks he owns the lake and shows he's a jerk. Must have a been a bad day (or life) for him. Very sad. But I'm glad you got to get out and fish. You always know how to savor your fishing days. :-)

KidLunker

9/26/2007 10:34:00 PM

Ditto, Mike. I'm happy to say I've never had that experience, and hopefully it's an extremely isolated one. Unless this guy's property encompasses the lake or you actually set foot on his dock, I don't see how a whiner is going to get any cooperation from the sheriff.

perchking

9/26/2007 11:31:00 PM

I was thinking about hitting the Mason this weekend, but it doesn't sound like you were too successful. What side of the lake did you fish? I would mind filling the freezer before winter.

bob johansen

9/27/2007 9:23:00 AM

Yeah, maybe the guy was drunk or high on drugs. I like to avoid crazy people like that with violent tempers. They are very unpredictable and are capable of almost anything including shooting at you. Perchking: I fished the east side of the lake and did catch about 30 or so with most about 8-10 inches. On previous trips I had done better with 50 or so with many in the 10-12 inch range. I think it would still be a good bet to give it a go. Maybe try the west side. I do know that there are lots of perch in that lake. I hate that launch ramp at the county park -- it is very steep. By the time your boat is up to the winch, the back of the boat floats over the side bunks. I solved that problem yesterday by adding extenders on my side bunks. Tight lines.

cavdad45

9/27/2007 11:23:00 AM

Bass Tracker,

Good job on sticking to the high road. Feel sorry for his wife and kids, though. Living in the same house as him.

Jake Dogfish

9/27/2007 11:56:00 AM

I hate people like that but I have seen it before. Some people have nothing better to do but harass others. He probably sits in his house all day and waits for some one to yell at...
Mason is an interesting lake. The fish seem to move around alot and if I am targeting on species I usually end up with something else...

MikeFishes

9/27/2007 12:45:00 PM

Actually, what that guy did was illegal. He could have gotten in trouble if he did call the sheriff. And, I supposed you were on the lake legally. Check out section 77 (specifically RCW 77.15.210 Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — Penalty.) http://www.washingtonlakes.com/Forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=692

ChrisB

9/27/2007 1:58:00 PM

Mason is a tough lake but can be fun. A friends family has a summer house on the lake. I caught a LM last year of 5.5 lbs, and this year me and my GF got some up to 4 lbs. Keep trying. I talked to a guy that lives on the lake had his biggest ever is 7-12. Its a tough lake like I said, but keep trying.

Bigbass Dez

9/27/2007 3:23:00 PM

Good job on setting an example of how to be the bigger man out there .. i still stuggle in life with that , i have a quick temper and i would have had some words with him .. but there again experience is showing me that a different outlook on life will always prevail us and keep ya safe from harm .. that sucks , but he is lucky your a cool cat !!...BBD

WAcatcher

9/27/2007 7:59:00 PM

Always carry your cell phone. Next time, you be the one to call 911 and talk to the sheriff's dept. about you being threatened. Your home owner would regret the day he confronted you.

jbball50

9/28/2007 1:18:00 AM

Ive had the same kind of thing happen before at Crescent Lake except the person just let out his big dogs to try to get us away from fishing his dock.

Trent Hale

3/4/2008 4:59:00 PM

Sounds like he is in need of 2-3 boxs of rock salt. Or some cat fish stink doe bait; Blood Cheese is ripe.

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save