I need someone to take me fishing in the lower lake and show me how to catch fish…warning: I might be a jinx…
I fish this morning from condos to Jakes…marked fish…on bottom in 50’ of water…could not get them to bite…caught a couple of dinks…that’s it…
I got to find out what I am doing wrong…
Don’t give up yet! You sound like me when I get the chance to get on the lake(which might be once or twice a month, if that).
From what I’ve read, the fish seem to have lockjaw fairly often. When I was out a couple of weeks ago, I fished the Lexington side of the dam from the beach to up around the mouth of Jakes. Marked fish, turned on the new spot lock, and couldn’t buy a fish or a bite. I finally gave up & went to the towers, where I saw the guys 20-30 ft. away from me pulling one in about every 10 minutes. Once again, no luck for me, even though I was fishing at the same depth as they were. After about an hour and a half, I decided to give it up. Dumped my live bait in a baggy into the cooler & as I was putting my next to last rod away, the last one pulled down, a 21 incher or so.
That was it & I went home. Hopefully, I will be out again on Sunday, trying it again.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
When you have fish come through your baits and you cam actually see them go from bait to bait checking each one out and they still are not interested I usually change the bait out. Sometimes I am changing bait every 5 mins. This helps alot
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Yep, what chip said. We are getting to that time of year when the bait only lives a short time in the water. But some days they do have lock jaw. I went out 2 weeks ago and had a 2 man limit of nice fish in a few hours, Sunday I went out and only caught one about 12". Funny thing is I marked way more fish sunday. I’m going to give it a try again tonight
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
thanks guys…I need all the help I can get…the screen was covered with fish from 25’ down to 50’…and not one would bite. On checking bait…bait was still swimming…when pulling bait up to check–a small striper would hit around the 20’–10’ range…
I fish early mornings…have never tried afternoon or night fishing…that’s another learning experience for me to try…
OH—and several boats at landing had their limit of fish as I was coming out…
There is a big difference between good healthy bait and alive. I know a lot of my hits come on the bait I just dropped in. What kind of bait tank do you have. Are you keeping the water cool? Does your bait look dark or is it light/silver
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
What tom said. I switch bait out that is “swimming” all the time. You want that bait fresh as can be in the summer.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Yep, what they said … If I’ve pulled the bait up then I’m changing it regardless of the condition of the bait … I just make note as to whether or not it’s still doing okay … If it is then I maintain my schedule - if they’re dead then I check them more often … We always get more bait than we need anyways so it’s better to use them up rather than dump them out …
I’ve also heard that if you’re marking fish but not getting a bite then to try hooking a dead bait through the back (if you don’t have a dead one a quick thump against the side of the boat with a live one will do) and dropping it down and then reeling it up 15 to 20 feet real fast … It’s called power reeling and there are some variations to the theme so don’t quote me 100% on this …
I should also state that I’ve never actually done this so I have no first hand knowledge that it works … I’m just going off of what I’ve been told and/or read here on the forums …
One last note … on the morning bite … if you’re just getting on the water and others are coming in at the same time and they’ve already limited out … chances are you’ve missed the morning bite and it’ll be slow to none by the time you get bait in the water …
The morning bite seems to be reel hot reel fast reel short whereas the evening bite is more spaced out and steady …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
carl are you using flouro leaders? makes a big difference–dont forget about what i showed you with the boards at night --its still working on the hill – but our fish seem to be a month behind in their patterns this yr
84 HYDRA SPORT 1800SS
89 Yamaha 150
‘BAD HABIT’
89 TRACKER 17 TX
MERC 50
‘OL LEAKY’
Also try lighter weight and smaller hooks. You don’t need 3oz of weight on Murray. I switched to 1/4 oz weights the last time out because everyone around me was catching fish and I wasn’t. As soon as I switched, I couldn’t keep the rod in the holder. Also was using a 1/0 circle hook so the herring could swim more naturally.
That doesn’t always work, but in my experience, when they are lockjawed and won’t eat, making it look less like a bait and more like a natural herring definitely helps.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by tigerfinAlso try lighter weight and smaller hooks. You don’t need 3oz of weight on Murray. I switched to 1/4 oz weights the last time out …
You’re not moving/drifting/spot-locked if you’re only using 1/4 OZ weights - right? …
I use 1 OZ weights if I’m going to anchor and/or fish in one certain spot …
If I’m drifting then I’ll use 2 OZ weights …
But if I’m trolling, then I have to use 3 - 4 OZ weights to keep the lines more or less sorted out …
Now that being said, I’m also using at least 3 feet of fluorocarbon leader and 1/0 circle hooks … but I think everyone does that anyway … LOL
You are correct, not moving. If trolling or drifting then you’d have to go heavier on the lead, but just enough to keep it down in the range you want to fish.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I forget the name of them(Cajun something?), but Sportsmans has some egg sinkers that are actually a long skinny cylinder shape. I think about an once is the heaviest, but I have put 2 or 3 on a line and they have less water resistance than a typical egg shaped sinker, so you don’t get as much lift as you drift.
I used to love to just go out on a summer evening, throw the drift sock out and just drift the river channel, but I just haven’t seen the numbers out there to make it worth it…that’s not a bad thing though.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Google Mojo Carolina rig weights. They are like what Tim is talking about. I used to put them 8-10’ in front of lures when trolling. They are nice for this. Wish they came in larger sizes though.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Yea…that’s the ones i was talking about…
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I’m sure one of my main problems is that I haven’t “learned” the lake yet. Plus, I’m still learning how to use the GPS/sonar. I usually go to areas where I’ve caught fish in the past & hope for the best.
What I really need to do is to stop taking on so much side work and spend more time on the lake. The trouble is, I enjoy it and it gives me a little extra cash to play with.
Unfortunately, I just don’t play as much as I should.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Bob, I’m sure there are plenty of guys on here who would be more than willing to take you fishing in exchange for some of your excellent handiwork …
I for one would love to do that, but cash is more valuable than anything I could ever show you … However, there are others on here who’s time and experience are invaluable …
quote:
Originally posted by Happy BobI’m sure one of my main problems is that I haven’t “learned” the lake yet. Plus, I’m still learning how to use the GPS/sonar. I usually go to areas where I’ve caught fish in the past & hope for the best.
What I really need to do is to stop taking on so much side work and spend more time on the lake. The trouble is, I enjoy it and it gives me a little extra cash to play with.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
You are welcome with me anytime! I know a seat back that somebody made that you might fit in! Biggest problem I have is finding time to go - and short term, the money!
Darn lightening!
2007 TRITON 225CC
“Trailer Trash”
Thanks for the offers guys. I’ve been trying to hook up with Tim(striperskiff) for a while, but like I said, I always seem to be doing side work instead of going to the lake. Maybe by Labor Day things will slow down for me and I can do some “me time”. That’s when I’ll start calling in on all these offers I’ve been getting.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
I was talking to a guy oneday and he said when trolling, instead of using a weight he would remove the treble hooks on a deep running crank bait and tie it to his line a few feet above his bait. It acts as both a “teaser” and a downrigger. I’ve never tried it but it seemed to be a good idea. 
I know on Greenwood 16 - 18 ft seems to be the magic depth. Any lower and your bait is dead in minutes. Pulled one up after 15 minutes of trolling and the eyeballs were gone when I was around 24 ft. Not sure about Murray though, totally different beast there.