Are Bloody Shrimp Irresistible?

[Vinny]

The Columbia at Wallula Junction (between McNary and Ice Harbor) was windy and slow this morning, so I headed back toward home via the Walla Walla River.

I hooked a buck on a "Tiger shrimp/ Amerman egg sandwich." He took it just deep enough to bleed. So after a quick "bonk 'n' bleed," I removed the hook and there was this small bloody piece shrimp hanging on the bottom of the hook. I needed to clean it anyway, so I cast that scrawny, bloody piece into the current.

5 seconds later, "Wham!" Bobber down. It was definately bigger than the first fish. Now this was a quick stop on the way home, no need to bring a net. I got it into some weeds but not onto the shore. I gently pulled, it said "no way," snap. So there it lay, in the weeds, in about 8 inches of water.

I thought of the thread a couple of weeks ago, "Diving on the fish next to the bank." I tried to grab it but it wasn't worth getting wet.

I went home with just one fish.

[ 10-25-2001: Message edited by: Vinny ]

[Vinny]

Anyone else experience this blood thing?

Was this likely random luck or do you think the scent of blood in the water triggered the carnivor's instincts?

[Pilar]

Vinny this has happened to me in the Ocean. Once the first fish hits the deck we catch em pretty steady. I always thought it was the smell from the slime of that first fish.

It has to be a smell thing though for sure. Once you get the stink off the boat, its fish on.