Fished “E4” on MSC map - a hump in 75 feet. Between 7:30pm and 9:00pm had a steady stream of fish between 52 and 60 feet - no giant school - just 4 or 5 at a time steady. Bait was all nervous as fish moved through and jiggled the rod tips. No fish, no bites, not even a pull down 
My first skunk trip of the year.
Oh well, it was a beautiful sunset for me and my first mate 
Going back out Wednesday evening if the rain moves through by then. Anybody else do any good? Anybody going Wednesday?
Thats how it goes sometimes. I took my two oldest boys Sunday morning. We caught about 6 fish but they were hard to come by. We fished two spots close to the dam. One spot on the ramp side and one on the Jakes side. We were fishing on the bottom two cranks up in 65 foot of water.the only fish that bit were on the bottom. The ones coming through at 50 foot or a little deeper would not bite. I had a couple rod at that depth because I also saw those fish that were up a little higher. The would come look at the bait and make them nervous but would not bite. If you get out again this week try looking from about 60 to 70, and target the fish just off the bottom I usually have better luck with them. we fished for about two hours and then the 3 year old got cranky so we headed in. Hope this helps.
Key West 1720 Sportsman
FISH: An animal that grows the fastest between the time it’s caught and the time you tell your friends about it!
Dano, were you in a pontoon boat on the bottom left of E4 …
We were at the bottom right at the same time …
We only marked a few fish here and there but we did manage to pickup two fish - both 24" - 25" …
Both 3 - 4 cranks off the bottom …
Nothing hit any of the baits that were higher in the water column …
Both fish came at times where there were no fish being marked on the FF …
Starting to wonder why I even bother looking at the darn thing … LOL
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Things didn’t improve any Monday morning. Fish were hard to find to begin with and then once you got on a few, they would just ease up to the bait and turn away. The one bright moment occurred when we were out near Frey Key when a striper migration occurred. For over 10 minutes my 7" display was stacked with fish from 20 feet to the bottom at 82 feet. We got two hits (the only two of the day)and two fish out of all that excitement at the same time. A 23 inch at 40 feet and a 21 right off the bottom. Then it was back to the old routine. Bait didn’t seem to be holding up real well.
Thanks for the tips! Yeah, I kept one “herring sandwich” one crank off the bottom - with 3 foot leader it probably rests on the bottom like cut bait.
Even with no fish in the boat - it was a beautiful evening!! I think the only disappointed person that night was my neighbor Clark. See, I promised to give him any fish I caught to clean Clark doesn’t care to fish - but he loves to eat em!
Lawcrusher - I am pretty sure I saw y’all out there. No pontoon - I have a 19’ Hurricane deck boat with blue stripe and blue bimini - 115 Yamaha. I was roughly in the center/right center of E4. If you are out Wednesday, call me up 727-9368.
Pattianne - I have been in a couple of those migrations at Frey Key in years past - near the number “4” in C4. One was especially memorable for the two “teenage” fish that broke my leaders on back-to-back bites [:0] My partner and I learned a valuable lesson that day to keep the drag loose 
<’)))))<
Tight Lines!
DANO
Hurricane 198 w/115 Yamahammer
quote:
Originally posted by danoLawcrusher - I am pretty sure I saw y’all out there. No pontoon - I have a 19’ Hurricane deck boat with blue stripe and blue bimini - 115 Yamaha. I was roughly in the center/right center of E4. If you are out Wednesday, call me up 727-9368.
Will do - Not sure If we’ll be out on Wednesday or not - having a hectic week at the office … I’m going to have to invest in a VHF Radio … Cell phones are a pain in the butt to deal with on the water … I’ve heard from more than 1 person that they wish more people used the radio …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Agreed about the radio. I know some folks have gotten away from them because they don’t want others knowing where they are or what they’re catching. There are ways around that such as using MSC club map coordinates as many folks do on these message boards.
FWIW - when y’all were marking the fish but no bites, did you try power reeling the bait up through the school. I’ve found that will usually trigger a reaction bite.
War Eagle 754 Ducks Unlimited - Yamaha 75
Yep Rick, I was one of those people that hoped the radio communications would take off again.
I actually have yet to get anyone on Channel 72 in all the times I tried. I kinda gave up on it and seldom turn it on now.
Maybe it just takes me back to the old days when I fooled around with CB’s as a young fella. It was fun to listen to people even if you didn’t engage in the conversation.
Sort of like reading the posts on here when I have nothing worthwhile or current to contribute. I still like to hear what y’all are talking about.
I’ve always much preferred keeping in touch on the radio, but I don’t usually bother taking it along these days. I have a couple of friends that still use them and I bring it when I know they will be out or if I see someone mention here that they will be on there.
It’s so much more convenient to just be able to pick up the mike and talk with multiple people at once than be texting or calling back and forth.
And if anyone is worried about others knowing where they are fishing, they can always text or call.
It’s not like you are heading offshore, so you really don’t need a super quality radio on the lake. I think you can get one for a little over $100. The power output is the same on all, but the antenna will make a difference. I use a cheap 8’, but even the little 3’ will do fine if not too far away and in line of sight.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
A radio is going to be my next purchase. I don’t mind calling on the phone, but I’m not a big fan of texting. I’ve got a 7 yr. old flip phone, an el cheapo plan I’m on($.25 per text for anyone that’s not Verizon) I prefer a phone call.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
I am about like ya’ll - have one but never turn it on. Should we just all say that we will and stay on 72?
2007 TRITON 225CC
“Trailer Trash”
Tim, I have a 8’ antenna, but no radio … LOL …
I guess I’m going to add it to the list of things I need to get for the boat …
Let’s see here … downriggers, mounts, weights & lures for the downriggers, place for the Striper Tubes, a dozen more poles, VHF Radio, More LEDs, removable T-Top, travel tanks …
I think I just need to buy a new boat … LOLOL
No but seriously … I think a radio is going to be at the top of the list …
I’d sell some of my stuff to get money to buy more stuff but I use all of my stuff …
I have a VHF hand held I picked up at Dick’s for ~$100 with the 7" antenna. Works great on Murray! I keep mine in the boat, but rarely turn it on as I am unable to raise folks on it most times.
I’ll start to turn it on and call out on 72
My flip phone does not text - I prefer to talk - too hard to tap keys with scaly fingers
To Crabjack - I tried some power reeling on Sunday evening to no avail. I have found in the past while power reeling that either the rod in hand or one in a holder will get bit - I figure a reaction bite. Usually works pretty good on a slow bite, just not this time.
<’)))))<
Tight Lines!
DANO
Hurricane 198 w/115 Yamahammer
Every Saturday I talk on the radio and no one answers like all of y’all say let’s get back to the old days
Sounds good to me…going to start leaving it on any time I go out
This is a pretty good price if anyone is looking for one
Bob, did I see on another forum that you made a recent purchase of an item for your boat??
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I will have to start turning the radio on again. Got out of the habit since it never seems to have any activity.
Joby
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffBob, did I see on another forum that you made a recent purchase of an item for your boat??
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Why yes, I did Tim, and can’t wait to try it out on the lake. I beefed up the bow area on the Lund on Sat. Then had a buddy come over for the install. We played with it a little on the trailer. It’s cool.
I’ve still got to run the wiring from the battery up front. I’m going out tomorrow to get a 60 amp circuit breaker. Should be ready for the weekend.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
quote:
[i] .............. Anybody going Wednesday?<’)))))<
Tight Lines!
DANO
Hurricane 198 w/115 Yamahammer
I’m in!
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffquote:
[i] .............. Anybody going Wednesday?<’)))))<
Tight Lines!
DANO
Hurricane 198 w/115 Yamahammer
I’m in!
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
We’re going out this evening as well … I don’t care if it’s on our boat or someone else’s … I need to get the 
out of this office!!!
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Striper skiff and Lawcrusher - thanks for the weather update and company! I’ll remind my first mate to bring a jacket along for the ride home across the water.
Am suffering through a CPE class right now. The highlight will probably be “rubber conference chicken” for lunch
I’ll cut the VHF onto channel 72 and check in with y’all this evening.
<’)))))<
Tight Lines!
DANO
Hurricane 198 w/115 Yamahammer