Thread: Lake Russell-Water Temp

I don't have a fish report, but the water temp was 71 when I left at 10:00am this morning. Hopefully, by the next new moon it will be dropped some more and we can have some decent fishing.

Thanks fir the report FishnLine. I was curious what the water temp had gotten down to. With this full moon I was gonna hold off another week before nightstalking. I havent been since the Clash and am getting sorta itchy. I'll have to check the link I have bookmarked but if I remember right, the moon will be coming up so late it wont bother me none come next weekend since I dont usually fish past midnight. Let me know when Russell turns on for ya.

Nightstalked friday night near felkel. Caught two crappie and two catfish. Set up in thirty-two feet of water. This was my first time going to Russell. I have alot to learn about that beautiful lake.

During the Clash I had an eye-opening experience about fishing Russell. I just "thought" I knew places to fish but after watching all the guys that have never fished the lake take out their maps and strategously pick certain places to check out it got my attention. Since then I've also studied my map and have a couple more places to check out that I woulda never even given a second look at without the map reading. Who knows? Maybe it'll be good, maybe not. But atleast I do have a couple more places to check out. Looks like the moon wont be rising before midnight next weekend so maybe I'll get a chance to give it a try by then. After this time change next weekend I'll get on the water more too. Even during the week I'll get a couple hours nightstalking in. Maybe then I can start reporting something....good or bad.

Originally Posted by gabowman

During the Clash I had an eye-opening experience about fishing Russell. I just "thought" I knew places to fish but after watching all the guys that have never fished the lake take out their maps and strategously pick certain places to check out it got my attention. Since then I've also studied my map and have a couple more places to check out that I woulda never even given a second look at without the map reading. Who knows? Maybe it'll be good, maybe not. But atleast I do have a couple more places to check out. Looks like the moon wont be rising before midnight next weekend so maybe I'll get a chance to give it a try by then. After this time change next weekend I'll get on the water more too. Even during the week I'll get a couple hours nightstalking in. Maybe then I can start reporting something....good or bad.

I was just outside a few minutes ago and the moon is still not up. I'd like to be out there tonight. I'm like you, I haven't been since the clash and I'm looking forward to my next trip. Hopefully that will be soon!

I tried Russell this morning. Boy, it was cold and windy early on! Temp hit 69.9..I hit two brushpiles and caught a total of 3 crappie there. Managed a few more around a bridge. They are still not biting like they should be. I expect the bite to pick up as the lake temps drop. Can't wait to hear about the upcoming night stalks!

Good luck to all!

You know, it seems odd to me that Clarks Hill and Russell can be so different on a particular day. During the clash, we couldn't hardly buy a bite and I heard someone saying they had been catching 60-75 a day on Clarks Hill. I could understand a little difference. The only thing seperating them is a dam.

Originally Posted by FishnLine

You know, it seems odd to me that Clarks Hill and Russell can be so different on a particular day. During the clash, we couldn't hardly buy a bite and I heard someone saying they had been catching 60-75 a day on Clarks Hill. I could understand a little difference. The only thing seperating them is a dam.

There are some excellent places to troll on Russell. But to begin with you better know where your going to troll or you'll be tying jigs all day.
That's all I used to do till Night stalking this year.

We know that The Hill compared to Russell is desert compared to the amount of structure that Russell has in it. I like to troll in water no deeper then 13 ft. and as shallow as arund 10 ft.

I long line so half the time in order to make my swing I reel my lines back in make my turn and throw them out again. It's that tight between getting hung up. I've tried spider rigging but I don't have the rods for that.

Also I like to troll at about 1.1 mph or there about according to my GBS.
Also if that water is dead calm I have notice I'm not going to catch any thing. But a light breeze with a little ripple on the water makes the difference. It's the same the opposite way as well if I get out there and the wind is blowing me all over the place I may as well go home.

There fore in my humble opinion that's the difference between the Hill and Russell. Structure Structure Structure. The Hill can be a trollers paradise but Russell and be a night mare unless you know where to go.

beagler, I just sent you a pm.