I think I set a new Lake Murray record not catching a single fish both January an February. I fished every weekend but came away with NOTHING!
Went out today again and watched a boat near me around Buffalo Creek catch one after another. Is this really that complicated???
What is the trick to catching fish on bait??
Sorry to hear about your troubles…my advice is to look at your presentation and other people’s…what are they doing different? Is your bait just alive or is it alive AND healthy…This is the biggest difference between people who catch some fish and lot of fish in my opinion…how does your pulling speed vary from others; to fast/too slow?. Can your bait swim freely? (Hook size to big for bait size).
There are many different things that vary from boat to boat. But when it all comes down to it you just have to figure out what works for you…and put it to use…and above all things put your time in on the water for trial and error over and over again and again…and when all else fails try to get on a boat with someone who is catching and ask many questions…many people on here love to get their brains picked about fishing…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Before I could help, I would need to know everything-- rods, reels, line, rigs, bait well setup, rod holder configuration, hooks, sonar, choice of bait, pulling speed, etc… Yes. It can be both complicated and simple at the same time. The main thing is to do what you do best and get the bait in front of the fish when the bite is on. There is a plethora of information on these boards from which to draw. Perhaps there is something small youre doing or not doing that prevents success. One thing to remember this time of year is that depth of water is of little consequence. When I say we’re catching fish in 15 to 115 feet of water, I mean just that. The fish are cruising high in the water column picking of schools of threadfin. Flatlines and small splitshots pulled on and off boards can be very effective.
Above all else, you must develop confidence in what you are doing. When you figure out some of the variables I mentioned, you will achieve that and have more success. I like Murrymaker’s suggestion of getting on the boat with a good angler and watching every little detail.
Here’s to better fishing! Spring is coming!
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Agent, First let me say I am no pro but I do catch some fish here and there. I dont know what methods you are using or what gear you have. I fished that area Sat with some sucess. I posted Sat afternoon “BUFFALO CREEK REPORT” read that report. I went back and did a few edits, the description in the report is exactly what I did Sat to catch fish. If you have any more questions PM me and I will try to answer to the best of my ability.
Key West 1720 Sportsman
I’ve been very fortunate to be friends with Fogman and his Dad for years and basically feel like one of the family when I’m out with them. Fog took me fishing this past summer while I was recovering from surgery and showed me how to catch stripers on downrods. I was very surprised to see the set-up. I thought he was using hooks that were way too small and rods that had too much flex and not enough backbone. Thank goodness I kept my mouth shut, until now, so he wouldn’t know how much I didn’t know! Same thing happened when he showed me planer board fishing. I wondered how can this possibly work? I can’t wait to see him free lining and cut baiting one day!
Oh yeah, Fog, thanks again for the remedial striper fishing education and all of the fun fishing trips. I hope to be feeling better next weekend. If you have room in the boat for an old guy give me a call. Stripers or perch, either one would be great. If not I’ll just have to go terrorize the perch with the CC spoons.
Ditch the lures and start using live bait. Just about everything you need to know is in this link. If nothing else read Ed and Waylon’s guide to fishing lake Murray. Right now most fish are caught on freelines and planers.
http://www.midlandsstriperclub.org/Tips.html
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
First of all i would like to say thanks to all of you for showing an interest in helping me with my delema. To answer your questions Fog I usually fish alone so 2-4 rods at a time is about all I fish. I have a Seahunt Ultra 196 with trolling motor/Lowrance Elite-5 and the Shakespeare Striper rods from lake World. I usually use 12lb. test with #2 or #4 Eagleclaw hooks. Yesterday I was trolling at about .8 mph with large shiners however I also use herring but have a hard time keeping alive just using the factory Seahunt livewell with bubble machine. Do you think its the bait not being live enough?
Agent did you put in at the da m yesterday? Seen an ultra putting in as we were taking out
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
No, put in at Southshore Marine in Leesville. looked around Hollow Creek and headed to buffalo Creek after seeing Controlfreak report.
I know people say shiners are great in the winter, but I have used them 3 times and never caught a striper on them. I also prefer herring over shad, but have had success with both. I wonder if you are pinching your aerator hose off. Aerator in a 15g livewell is not the best, but should work for a 2-3 dozen this time of year. If you aren’t catching any, 2 dozen should be fine. You should consider getting a vest bait tank if you want to get into striper fishing.
So what kind of Agent are you?
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Steelytom, I’m an insurance agent at Turbeville Insurance in Lexington office.
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomI know people say shiners are great in the winter, but I have used them 3 times and never caught a striper on them. I also prefer herring over shad, but have had success with both. I wonder if you are pinching your aerator hose off. Aerator in a 15g livewell is not the best, but should work for a 2-3 dozen this time of year. If you aren’t catching any, 2 dozen should be fine. You should consider getting a vest bait tank if you want to get into striper fishing.
So what kind of Agent are you?
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Tom,
I have caught a 35 and a 37 lb’er on shiners, and I don’t know how many over 20 lbs. And, you can keep them alive for a month in a 5 gallon bucket!
There are days when they like herring better, and days when they like shad better. But there are days when they prefer shiners.
That is just my experience.
Rick K
Agent, I use my 33 gallon in deck live well for keeping bait with the Marine Metals 12 volt Power Bubbles. My simple setup does just fine with up to 8 dozen average herring, and I have successfully kept everything from crappie minnows to 12-14 inch gizards and trout for a long day fishing. Shiners do fine in tap water, but for herring and shad I use lake or well water with 2 cups of softener or pickling salt for 30 gallons. In the summer, I add ice accordingly. At the end of the day, I scoop out the leftovers, pull the plug, drain, reinstall the plug before motoring in, pump in fresh lake water, ride in, and pull the plug before putting on the trailer. The well is ready for the next outing.
What size is your baitwell?
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Oh yeah. I do take my scrub brush and remove excrement from the live well sides before rinsing. Yes Rick K. I do need to buy some more Foam Off:smiley:
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Fog, you read my mind, again!
Rick K
Fogman, my baitwell is 15 gallons. I usually only buy 2 dozen bait. Wish I had a reason to buy more Lol!
A 15 with the bubbler I mention should be fine for keeping 3-4 dozen herring if the water is good.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Agent, I have three built in livewells, the largest of which is 28 gallons … Since I could not run the livewells during the summer due to the top water column temps and quality I had to figure out a way to aerate the live wells in order to maintain herring …
After much trial and error I got one of these and it works spectacularly …
It’s only $38 and has minimal battery draw … Since my starting battery compartment is next to the main livewell I was able to mount the aerator in the battery compartment next to the battery and run the air tube under my back casting deck and into the top of my livewell … Just clip the aerator clips onto the battery and you have more than enough air for your bait …
This particular unit can actually run two livewells but since I didn’t need to I teed the two lines together and ran only one line into the tank …
This unit should be more than enough to run a 15 gallon tank since it runs on my 28 gallon …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Crusher, that is exactly what I use and how I have mine rigged. Not brain surgery at all:sunglasses: – just a mini version of what a lot of the bait boats use.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Yep … It’s a good product … Price is a little lower now at $33 … Now to be honest, I no longer use my OEM livewell for bait … I use a stand alone Grayline tank for my bait because it has a filtration system … But I do use the 28 gallon to put my keeper Striper in … Haven’t lost any live Striper that I’ve put in that tank (yet) … Cheaper than buying a Striper Tube, not that I have any place to put a Striper Tube on my boat … LOL
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke