SCGMC, I would agree with that statement. I get skunked all the time too. But he has fished every weekend for 9 weeks without catching anything. And the fishing has been really good on some of these weekends. Seems like it might be a bait problem or pulling too fast.
Agent,
Are your baits alive when you bring them in? Are you still using shiners or herring?
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
quote:
Originally posted by scgmcIMHO, as far as schooling- and birds- go, it just isn’t what it used to be. I know that isn’t a big help to a newbie but there was a time when just about every trip to the lake I would see huge schooling action- I’m talking an acre of rolling fish- but for me I haven’t seen schooling action like that in 7 years.
While I don’t have enough time on this lake to dispute what you’re saying I can tell you that I have seen an acre+ of Striper blowing up on topwater … That was just last fall … I remember Liz and I had the entire area to ourselves for an hour and a half … it was friggin’ awesome … I wish we had a Go Pro to record the action because I wasn’t putting down my pole to record with my phone …
I also agree that there are idiots … and I mean IDIOTS that will drive right on the school on full plane and not give a (**() about others who are working the school … We had that happen several times on multiple days and several times by the same boat load of morons …
If you can get a group of anglers who know how to work a school and are respectful then it’s a thing of beauty to watch 4 or 5 boats corral a school of Striper and be in position for everyone to catch fish …
I remember the first time we were able to do that last year … partially because everyone was working together, but mainly because I learned never to take a pole out of my Wife’s hands when there is topwater action within casting distance … We were sliding into position and I thought I was doing the right thing by casting my pole out to the fish and handing my Wife my pole so she could fish while I got close enough for her to cast to the school … I grabbed her pole to give her mine and you would have thought … well … let’s just say the language that followed turned some heads
Steelytom, we were towards the back of Bear Creek and no the bait was not very active when we would bring them in. However, they looked good when we put them out.
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomSCGMC, I would agree with that statement. I get skunked all the time too. But he has fished every weekend for 9 weeks without catching anything. And the fishing has been really good on some of these weekends. Seems like it might be a bait problem or pulling too fast.
Agent,
Are your baits alive when you bring them in? Are you still using shiners or herring?Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
9 weeks! Man, that IS tough- must have missed that part of the posting. You might be onto something with the speed. IMO I think it is better to err too slow than too fast. We have had decent sucess with drifting just using the trolling motor to adjust positioning.
I’ve always been told that herring were Stripers favorite bait and I religiously used them, but I recently started using shiners and can testify that they work just as well- at least for me. I have not caught anything over 10 lbs on a shiner yet so there might be a catch size difference to take into consideration.
quote:
While I don't have enough time on this lake to dispute what you're saying I can tell you that I have seen an acre+ of Striper blowing up on topwater ... That was just last fall ... I remember Liz and I had the entire area to ourselves for an hour and a half ... it was friggin' awesome ... I wish we had a Go Pro to record the action because I wasn't putting down my pole to record with my phone ...
Law- I remember that post! But I think that is the exception rather than the rule OR I just haven’t been privy to that kind of action like I used to. Maybe I used up all my "acre-si
What color were they when u put them out. There are 3 colors that herring will turn. I may be wrong but herring I don’t think have the chameleon characteristic and only change color during stress…the darker they are the greater the stress I have seen. I want the backs of my herring to be a mint green color. They will almost look weird when they get this way…lol…but are super healthy and usually very hyper.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I think your bait set up is your problem. Maybe the way you are handling the bait. Scoop one bait up, wet your hand on the bottom of the net, quickly put the hook in the mouth and out of a nostril. When you hit the right spot it just slides through. If it crunches and causes the mouth to open they most likely die. You can also go in one nostril and out of the other, but I find the hook goes back into the bait a lot. Do not cast the herring, flip it in and let the boat movement put the bait in place. This all has to happen in a few seconds. are you putting salt in your water? You may want to add a little prime to knock the ammonia down and some foam off to keep the foam down. When you bring in a herring they should be very lively. You may want to consider a bait tank. Even a 20g keep alive would be better than what you have. They are expensive and bulky, but worth it.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Five pages … anyone … maybe … LOL
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke