Fishing Reports & FAQ: Dig In Shallow Water Anchors

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FLORIDA: Most of the Fish we have caught have been in the 18 to 30 inch range

May 1st, 2012

Finally, the windy months of March and April are almost behind us and we can look forward to the great fishing weather that May has to offer us on the Treasure Coast. Other than the usual windy days, it has been a pretty mild winter and spring has arrived. Look for warmer temperatures and little less blustery days. As the water temperatures climb, the fishing will steadily improve on the river. It will provide fantastic mornings for top water and lazy afternoons to drift the flats. May is one of my favorite months on the water!

Redfish will be our main target throughout the month of May. The past several years have bought us schools of slot sized redfish along the Indian River. Most of the fish we have caught have been in the 18 to 30 inch range. They have been sunning on the flats and May gets their blood pumping and turns on the feeding. I always have three lures ready during May…DOA shrimp, CAL jerk baits and top water lures. Gold spoons will also be a great addition to the arsenal when fishing for redfish. As the fish school up, look for them around the edges of the flats. Most of the river here on the Treasure Coast has been holding redfish and you should be able to find some on your favorite flats. I tend to enjoy the east side of the river, but we have found many on the west side as well.

Snook fishing in the early mornings will bring some rod bending action as they head up on the flats for an early morning or late evening meal. Top water lures, Baitbusters and DOA shrimp are all great lures to tempt a snook into biting. Docks will also hold snook lurking around for an easy meal. Live shrimp is hard to beat around the docks. In the inlet areas, try around the seawalls and bridges with live bait, Terror Eyz, feather jigs or deep diving plugs. I love early morning for great snook fishing opportunities!

Trout will continue to feed on top water at first light and live shrimp on popping corks during the day. As the sun rises, they will head off the shallows to deeper water in the two to four foot range. We have had some nice gator trout of late and should see some still in the river in the early parts of May. I have had great success with CAL jerk baits and Deadly Combos this year in place of live shrimp. Both sides of the river have been productive in early mornings. Winter fishing for trout has been good this year and spring should continue to give you some great action.

Bridges will hold the usual Sheephead catch, while snapper will be moving into the river along with flounder. Jacks will be patrolling the areas and creating havoc all over the river. Beaches will produce whiting with still a few catches of Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Tarpon will begin their trek into the river and you can start looking for them in the St Lucie River, Big and Little Mud areas and into the channels of the river. May is a great month to fish the Treasure Coast….plan on a trip out on the river soon!

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,

Capt. Charlie Conner
Captain Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters
p: 772-284-3852

...: Florida, Inshore Fishing :...

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FLORIDA: Redfish Have Been Biting Well All Month Using Cut Bait

April 30th, 2012

Hello Everyone. This April was a great month for fishing in Clearwater Florida. We had a mild winter and a warm spring break which resulted in water temperatures a little warmer than usual.

Pelagics, Spanish Mackerel and Kingfish, arrived in early March and have been around all April. Although I rarely target Kingfish, because of the flats boat, I was able to get offshore on a few calm mornings with great success. Using a chum block and throwing live Sardines out the back of the boat was the secret to get good bite going. Kingfish and Mackerel fillets make a great fish spread.

Large Snook are showing up at their summertime homes near the passes and sandy beaches. A few large fish, up to 37 inches, were caught this month using Threadfin Herring for bait. Some days the Snook had a severe case of lockjaw.

Redfish have been biting well all month using cut bait along the mangrove islands at higher water levels. Also, I am looking for Redfish near small oyster bars and fresh water run-offs. Residential docks have also produced some nice fish this month.

The most abundant fish this April has been Spotted Sea Trout. On a recent trip out of St. Petersburg the two anglers caught and released over 80 fish.
Trout were schooled up in a small sandy cut, near the grass flats, that had a good tidal water flow.

Capt. Paul Hajash
Reel Florida Adventures
p: 727-251-2623

...: Cut Bait, Florida, redfish :...

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TEXAS: Black Bass are Fair on Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits

April 3rd, 2012

BASTROP: Water clear; 61-65 degrees. Black bass are fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on live bait, liver, and bloodbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

BELTON: Water clear; 60-64 degrees; 0.79’ low. Black bass are excellent on spinnerbaits in coves, and soft plastics on the bottom. Hybrid striper are good on live shad early and late, and during the day trolling Rat-L-Traps and chrome spinnerbaits. White bass are good trolling Rat-L-Traps and blue tube jigs. Crappie are very good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait, doughbait, summer sausage, and hot dogs. Yellow catfish are fair on trotlines and throwlines baited with live perch.

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 57-61 degrees; 9.91’ low. Black bass are fair on chartreuse Bass Hogg spinnerbaits and jigs, craw colored crankbaits, and watermelon soft plastics. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on Li’l Fishies and minnows over brush piles. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow catfish are slow.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 59-63 degrees; 25.77’ low. Black bass are good on blue/chartreuse tailed Whacky Sticks, white/red Terminator spinnerbaits, and watermelon soft jerkbaits along points and in creeks in 5-10 feet. Striped bass are fair to good vertically jigging silver Blade Runners and on live bait in 25-35 feet. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies, watermelon Tiny Traps, and live minnows in 18-25 feet. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. Channel catfish are fair on live bait. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with live bait.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 58-62 degrees; 9.04’ low. Black bass are good on yellow Terminator spinnerbaits, pumpkin Whacky Sticks, and watermelon jerkbaits along stickups in 5-12 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows. Smallmouth bass are good on blue/green flake curl tail grubs, smoke/red tubes, and watermelon Whacky Sticks over rock piles in 10-20 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows upriver in 6-12 feet. Channel catfish are fair upriver on minnows. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with live bait.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 57-61 degrees; 15.69’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards, and on small crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on minnows and live shad. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are fair on shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.

COLORADO RIVER: (At Colorado Bend State Park) No report available.

FAYETTE: Water clear. Black bass are good on watermelon and chartreuse spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are good on shad and shrimp over baited holes.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 59-63 degrees; 0.39’ low. Black bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms with chartreuse tails. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are fair on shrimp and stinkbait.

GRANGER: Water murky; 60-64 degrees; 0.43’ low. Black bass are fair on black soft plastic worms and white spinnerbaits upriver. White bass are good on small white jigs and minnows upriver. Crappie are fair on minnows upriver at night. Blue catfish are good on prepared baits on rod & reel, and on juglines baited with Zote soap. Yellow catfish are fair on live perch.

LBJ: Water clear; 59-63 degrees; 0.14’ low. Black bass are fair on chartreuse Whacky Sticks, blue/green spinnerbaits, and soft plastic jerkbaits in 4-10 feet. Striped bass are fair on minnows and green striper jigs early. White bass are fair on green/blue Tiny Traps and Spoiler Shads early. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs in 4-8 feet. Channel catfish are fair on live bait and stinkbait. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water stained; 63-66 degrees; 0.38’ high. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits along the shoreline. White bass are good on minnows in the creeks. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel catfish are fair on stinkbait. Blue catfish are good on cut shad. Yellow catfish are good on live perch and goldfish.

PROCTOR: Water fairly clear; 59-63 degrees; 1.05’ high. Black bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards. Striped bass are fair on green striper jigs. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 59-63 degrees; 0.21’ high. Black bass are fair on chartreuse spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on minnows. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 58-62 degrees; 13.84’ low. Black bass are fair on minnows, spinnerbaits, and Rat-L-Traps. White bass are good on minnows below Long Bridge. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 60-64 degrees; 48.34’ low. Black bass are good on white grubs, Senkos, and watermelon Baby Brush Hogs in 5 – 15 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on smoke grubs, small spinnerbaits, and Li’l Fishies in 15-26 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are slow. Yellow catfish are slow.

WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained. Black bass are fair on Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on silver striper jigs. White bass are good on slabs and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 58-62 degrees; 0.87’ high. Lake Whitney is currently experiencing a lake-wide fish kill event, caused by golden algae. The fish kill is reportedly affecting every species of fish; however the vast majority are non-game species. Anglers considering fishing Lake Whitney should be aware of this fish kill, and plan their trip accordingly. Additional information will be released as needed. Black bass are slow. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are slow.

Texas
Parks and Wildlife Dept

...: Black Bass, Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Texas :...

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TENNESSEE: Fishing Today was Unbelievable!

April 3rd, 2012

Not wanting to fish for bass this morning we decided to try for some crappie and I am glad we did. To sum it up the fishing today was unbelievable! All our fish today were caught at the edges of spawning flats in 4′ to 6′ of water on jigs and tubes using a float set at 3′ deep. Water temp was 54 degrees. We ended the day with 62 keeper crappie.

Chris Coleman
Chattanooga Fishing Guides
p: 423-593-7703

...: Fishing Today, TENNESSEE :...

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MISSISSIPPI: Big ol Bull Reds play One Heck of a Game of Tug of War

April 3rd, 2012

The Biloxi, Ms. charter boat WhipaSnapa (an it’s lovely guest). Seriously been hammering some huge, hard fighting reds. Just beyond the Mississippi Sound. Out at the beautiful,an very fishy, Horn Island.

You talkin bout a fight, them dang Big ol Bull Reds play one heck of a game of tug of war. PULL UP REEL DOWN!!!!!!:) We’ve had another large mixture of great folks aboard, Bachelor party’s, families, our great Air Force crew, an more. Mostly for the 6 hour combo trips, the past couple weeks. We hit the inshore light tackle stuff for an hour are so catching up 30, 40 nice croaker along with a few drum an white trout. Then make a short very relaxing boat ride, especially aboard the roomy WhipaSnapa!!! (It just rides so sweet)!!:) out to one of the Barrier Islands off the Ms. shores to get our chum on! Which the past couple weeks Ol Horn Island has been the secret spot. And well, some string pulling shonuff(w/a few those very descriptive words) slipping out every now an then!!! Pretty good mixture of sharks-(blacktip, spinners, atlantic sharpnose), king mackeral, jack cravelle, etc…. But its been a very consistent catch of huge smile pulling Reds. An a bunch of em! That had the WhipaSnapa’s great guest scrambling to get the reel that was screaming!!! So could be the one to lock an load. They were at times double and tripled up w/ the big ol reds an s!

We were chumming with poggies. Baits were a nice selection of golden croakers that were anchored on bottom w/about a 2oz sinker rigged Carolina style.. Kings, sharks ,an Jacks were mostly on the croaker as well. But freelined on the surface just behind the transom in the amazing chum slick, produced by our master baiter Mr. Austin F. Might have to replace the drags on the sticks after this week. Moan we saved a few for you an your great WhipaSnapa boating adventure !! Thanks ya’ll lovin every minute of it…

So what you waiting for here is your invitation:

Getcha self on down here, load up on the ol’ WhipaSnapa an let’s get it on!!!

Capt. Robert McDaniel
Whipasnapa Charters
p: 228-229-6978

...: Bull Reds, Mississippi :...

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MISSOURI: James River – Umbrella Rigs Continue to Produce on Windy Days

April 3rd, 2012

Kimberling City Area:
The 3″ – 8″ of rain this past week have raised lake levels and lowered water temperatures throughout the lake. The Corps of Engineers have been running four generators since the weekend, pulling water and in turn fish out of flooded brush inundated by flood waters. The best bite has been on main lake and secondary points with Jewel football or spider jigs, split shot rigs and Jewel Squirrel heads. Most of the fish have been from the old bank line out to 20′ deep, work all of the baits slowly along the bottom to draw strikes.

James River:
Umbrella rigs continue to produce on windy days, look for fish to be suspended around standing timber 5′ – 15′ deep over as much as 30′ feet of water. Most anglers are having success with Zoom swimming flukes or Tightlines UV shad baits in natural colors. Jewel football jigs and Chompers Tubes are producing on main lake and secondary points as well, fish are being caught 10′ – 15′ deep, any shallower and moss becomes an issue.

White River:
Much like the James fish continue to be caught on umbrella rigs when the wind is blowing, points with isolated wood cover have been the best locations. In the very back of larger creek arms and up the Kings River Chompers McCutchen spinnerbaits have been very effective around laydowns and other cover. The beds that showed up last week in the Kings River have been vacant all week; cooler, dirtier water has moved fish off for a few days but they should be back by the end of the week.

Dam Area:
The deep bite is still hanging on but has waned over the past week with stained water and fish moving closer to the spawn. The best bite has been on gravel and mixed gravel and rock points near spawning locations. Jewel spider jigs and Squirrel heads, Tightlines UV beavers and finesse worms on split shot rigs and UV or Chompers tubes have all been very effective baits. Work the baits slowly along the bottom to draw strikes. Further upstream in Long Creek fish are beginning to move closer to the spawn, most of the beds seen by anglers before last week’s rain are vacant but fish are cruising the shallows looking for spots to make new beds.

Capt. Eric Prey
Focused fishing Guide Service
p: 417-860-4743

...: James River, MISSOURI, Umbrella Rigs, Windy Days :...

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COLORADO: Drifting Pop’s Buggers, Caddis Patterns & Egg Patterns Are Best Bets

April 3rd, 2012

Last week’s warm temperatures broke all the ice on the upper San Juan River and the flows went from 150 cfs to 850 cfs this morning. Run – off is starting. As the lakes start to lose their ice, the fishing should be good on them. Most of the high country lakes do not lose their ice until late May or June. With that said the Forest Service roads generally do not open until May 15. If the roads are dry they open them earlier.

The best fishing over the next few weeks will be in-between cold fronts that slow the run off, and clear the river. Drifting Pop’s Buggers, caddis patterns, and egg patterns are often my best bets. Look for parts of the river where the fish can get a break from the current. Often you will find fish stacked in one section. If you find one these places, you can be sure there will be more fish holding in similar spots. I will assume that this is a “pattern”. If you think you have the “pattern” figured out, move up or down river looking for similar water. I don’t waste time fishing up to the next spot that might have stacked fish. By the time you get there, the bite could be over! With higher flows, be careful wadding the river. It might be a good idea to wear an inflatable life jacket.

Of course the fishing below the dam on the Lower San Juan should remain good with flows around 500 cfs the wadding will be good until the flows get higher after the lake fills up. Last week guide Steve Baird did best on chocolate KF, black UV, and some of his no-name midges. The fishing was best during mid-day for him.

Navajo lake is where the pike action is. Reports of good catches started back in Feb. when we still had powder days at Wolf Creek on our minds. As the lake fills and warms up the action should continue. It is also crappie time! My neighbor Jim Mudrock caught 20 last Saturday.

If you are planning on a guided trip this summer give us a call and we will help you plan a great fishing trip. Our trips range from fishing the high country streams for cutthroats, private property trips on the San Juan River, Floats & Wade trips on the Lower San Juan River, and Lake trips on Navajo Lake.

Tight line,

Capt. Scott Taylor
High Country Fishing Charters
p: 970-946-5229

...: Caddis Patterns, COLORADO, Drifting Pop's Buggers, Egg Patterns :...

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FLORIDA: Sheepshead & Jacks Crevall

April 3rd, 2012

Over the past few days I’ve been out with some great clients and they’ve been bowing up on a variety of fish including Sheepshead, Redfish, and Jack Crevall. Spring break is coming to a close, and with it goes the sheepshead bite.

It’s been a great 5 weeks, and I have to say it’s been one of the best Spring Break fishing seasons in a long time, with exceptional fishing as well as some great clients.

Every year I look forward to Sheepshead season for many reasons, with a couple of them being they are great eating and are much fun to catch on light tackle. Sheepshead are great for kids and families who just want to go out and have a great inshore fishing adventure.

Even when the sheepshead bite turns off, there will still be a wide variety of fish to target for more fishing adventures.

The kids are back in school now and spring break is over, but the fishing just keeps heating up.

Till the next adventure.

Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Inshore Charters
p: 850-341-9816

...: Florida, Jacks Crevall, Sheepshead :...

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S CAROLINA: Put Six Real Nice Sea Trout in the Boat

April 2nd, 2012

Had a good trip Friday with old client AJ Bland, and his friend Byron. We put six real nice sea trout in the boat, and then went and caught four Redfish to top off the trip.Our water temps continue to rise and the Cobia will show in the sounds shortly. I’m ready to give them a try.

Capt. Rick Percy
Reel Chance Charters
p: 803-535-6166

...: S CAROLINA, Sea Trout :...

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