So here’s the deal. I need to take one of my employees out fishing for all his hard work this quarter, but need some help. I went out yesterday, and for the first time of every fishing on Murray I didn’t even get a bite. Pulled boards and looked for schooling all morning, but never went out into the big water. Stayed on the west side.
The last time I went, I only caught 3 shorts. Now the time before that I went in June and caught my limit in 45 minutes of 25" fish. I just haven’t put in the water time lately to confidently spend a day on the lake and show him so fish. So either I need to pay someone to give me a few spots for this time of year or pay a guide. Any help is appreciated.
I really don’t even need spots, just some tips of water depth, DR vs. planers, general vicinity, etc. and I could probably pull a 1 man limit out of an all day trip.
LOL Mudball!! … Geronimo, I noticed you said you didn’t fish the big water. That’s the key right now. If you ride the river channel, you’ll see intermittent schools of bait and fish on your locator. Set up a drift with the wind or ease very slowly with your trolling motor, keeping your downlines as vertical as possible. Yesterday, that was at 50 feet for me not matter the water depth. Don’t rule out freelines either. They didn’t work yesterday with the post front bluebird conditions but did the previous weekend. Good fish can be had from the face of the dam to the Gap right now. Tight lines!
Thanks guys. Usually I have no problem finding fish. And usually their are enough reports that I can figure out a plan of attack without guessing. It’s just been quite lately, and I had zero luck with what I “thought” was a good plan.
Looking at my reports form last year, I was catching fish in the big pool by drifting, and jigging them up with spoons. Probably need to stick to that, Chip’s comments about pulling boards a few weeks ago threw me off, so I pulled boards all morning. Shouldn’t have put away the down rods so early I guess.
Geronimo, I always run a mix of down rods, freelines and planers. Even when I’m pulling extremely shallow I’ll leave out the down rods. I’ve caught fish in 4’ of water on down rods. They seem to like to ambush them from the shadow of the boat, similar to putting out a transom line.
Thanks Tom, I will say the day wasn’t a total loss as it gave me plenty of time try out the tack back feature on the ipilot. That is a very handy feature, and thanks to whoever gave me the tip about driving your path with the outboard first. Worked like a dream!
Thanks Mudball! I have scaled back quite a bit on the info I share compared with a few years ago. People used to say, “Fogman’s a pretty good fisherman, but he talks too much!” Now, I will tell how many, how big, the techniques, and general part of the lake. There are still many things I do that I don’t share that sometimes make a huge difference. We do compete in tournaments and like to keep some things close to the vest. However, I do hope what I share is interesting-- good and bad outings included-- and enough to give folks some ideas on things to try. The thrill for me is in the fishing. Satisfaction comes with catching.
The fish are always moving and changing depth based on weather and water temps, especially this time of year. Every day is different, just have to keep moving and changing techniques. Went out with Chip 2 weeks ago. We didn’t catch anything decent on freelines and planers, the next day that was all they wanted.
It literally can change from day to day this time of yr. Also not to mention they dont tend to stay in the same areas real long during this time. As per james’ report fish were just off the channels as they were 2 weeks ago. With what we already know about stripers and this time of yr that tells me they are on the move. They may be there may not. They are prob using the channels as most fish do when making big pattern moves…its a fish interstate. .lol…
I am going out sat and the 1st place I am gonna look is the biggest natural funnel on Murray. Alot of fish there this time of yr usually. Then bounce around here and there. Then sunday afternoon will be spent casting a net…time to round up some gizzards. …
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
You guys are absolutely correct. The fish are on the move using the river and large creek channels as expressways chasing bait balls. Funnel points are a great places to try. Though I’m as capable of getting skunked as anyone, 30+ years of experience chasing stripers on Murray has taught me where to find high percentage areas and how to fish them. Nothing beats hook time!
Geronimo, I always run a mix of down rods, freelines and planers. Even when I’m pulling extremely shallow I’ll leave out the down rods. I’ve caught fish in 4’ of water on down rods. They seem to like to ambush them from the shadow of the boat, similar to putting out a transom line.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I’m going out on Sunday & am going to try out my home made boards. The 1st one I made was tested by someone who knows what they’re doing, and it worked as good as store bought.
Now, since I have never fished with planer boards and only have about half a clue as to what I’m doing, here’s my question: When I’m pulling boards, have down rods, and free lines, where do I put what? I figure the free lines go off the transom, but do you put the boards up front or mid-way in the boat? I plan on running two of each.
Thanks, Bob
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Bob with that set up I would put freelines off the transom, planers middle of boat and downrods up front. When slow trolling with downrods up front the weights will swing back under the transducer that way u know exactly what depth they are running. And stagger your fr freelines. Put one farther back than the other and prob put a med size (1/8-1/4oz) on one of those freelines (put it on the one that is closest to the boat. This way they wont tnagle or swim together. Also that targets another depth.
I am headed out sat morning. I will give you a call when I get off the water and let u know what I found. Got a feeling you may want to put 3/8-1/2oz of lead just above the swivel on those planer board lines.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
… Geronimo, I noticed you said you didn’t fish the big water. That’s the key right now. If you ride the river channel, you’ll see intermittent schools of bait and fish on your locator. Set up a drift with the wind or ease very slowly with your trolling motor, keeping your downlines as vertical as possible. Yesterday, that was at 50 feet for me not matter the water depth. Don’t rule out freelines either. They didn’t work yesterday with the post front bluebird conditions but did the previous weekend. Good fish can be had from the face of the dam to the Gap right now. Tight lines!