jude Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 Went into town for my weekend cup of coffee and, as is S.O.P., walked out onto the railroad bridge to fish-watch. I was watching an 8" smallmouth hover over a rock that was about 6" in diameter. He seemed very defensive of his rock. Some smaller fish would get close and he'd shoo them away and come back to hover over his rock. Then the rock came up for air. Turns out it was a soft-shelled turtle. I'd seen smallies hang out downstream of turtles and carp to feed on goodies that drift down, but this guy was right on the turtle. If it had been a sucker, I would have been sure that he was sucking on the turtle. But smallies aren't built for that. I watched for quite some time and then crossed to the other side of the river. Sure enough, there was a 12" smallie hovering around a 12" soft-shell. Same thing. Very aggressive towards any fish that got near him. The turtle would move a foot or two, and the smallie would follow. He wasn't hanging downstream, but was right on top of the turtle. Not sure what I was watching, but it was interesting. Any theories? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon p Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 Paid protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dodge Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 http://www.rosecrance.org/facilities/#rosecrance-harrison-campus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg S Posted August 22, 2016 Report Share Posted August 22, 2016 Theory-The turtles might stir groceries up from the bottom. Gregg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forrest Miller Posted August 22, 2016 Report Share Posted August 22, 2016 I think the moral of the story is you need to find a 20" soft shell turtle and put your fly in front of the smallie hovering over the top of it!!! -Forrest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jude Posted August 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 Theory-The turtles might stir groceries up from the bottom. Gregg That would make sense if they were hanging out downstream, like I've seen them do with carp. But these guys' heads were about centered on the turtle. I guess if a turtle crawling upstream kicked up a crayfish, it would escape upstream. Maybe the smallies were poised to beat the turtle to the morsels. Hmmm. I think the moral of the story is you need to find a 20" soft shell turtle and put your fly in front of the smallie hovering over the top of it!!! -Forrest Now that's thinking outside the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben K. Posted August 23, 2016 Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 I think the moral of the story is you need to find a 20" soft shell turtle and put your fly in front of the smallie hovering over the top of it!!! -Forrest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 I like Gordon's reply. I've seen smallies (and largemouth) follow feeding carp and snap up things they stir up. I think the fish were doing the same thing with the turtles and indeed defensive of their protection and river-stirring source. Neat observation Jude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Trybul Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 So what's the next thing they'll get us fisherman to buy, an underwater remote control turtle. Let's start an infomercial and pitch it on shark tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forrest Miller Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 I have been working on said remote control turtle. I made it 30" in diameter. Unfortunately, all I have been able to attract is the uber elusive common carp in the same size range as the turtle.... Updates to follow. -Forrest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dodge Posted August 30, 2016 Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 Let's start an infomercial and pitch it on shark tank. I have experience with making infomercials,,,,, https://www.facebook.com/terrydodge/videos/10202070011054708/?l=7501138815544515195 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted August 30, 2016 Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 I have experience with making infomercials,,,,, https://www.facebook.com/terrydodge/videos/10202070011054708/?l=7501138815544515195 D___ it Terry, I can't stop giggling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jude Posted August 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 Terry, you are a man of many talents. That was funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Trybul Posted August 30, 2016 Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 That is good family fun there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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