Thread: Smithville Lake 3/29/16

Originally Posted by MustangJimmy816

Ahh ok, no wonder, when i went yesterday, there was people walking all the way around trying to get to the coves I guess. I use a strong headlamp that is 2200 lumens. you dont think thats good enough? the light shoost directly to where I move my head but im guessing you meant a light that expands out to the lake huh? I use to use actual lamps powered by propane but those are a hassle. is there any other lights out there other than the propane lamps? oh yeh! you guys help out alot.

There are walking trails all around Smithville, so many folks are just walking for exercise. I use both the yarn and the rubber bobber stops. The yarn is a bit more visible if you leave some of the tags on it and don't cut them too close to the stop knot-plus the tag ends come in handy when you have to re-tighten it. When using slip bobbers, you need enough weight to pull the line through the bobber ntil it gets to depth-but not so much weight it keeps the bobber from riding high on the water so you can still see it easily. After you pitch or cast, give some slack so the line will feed through the bobber straight down. Also- I use at least 8 pound test line and gold hooks that can be straightened out by slowly pulling when you get snagged. Then re-shape your hook and get back at it.

I've tried using the rubber bobber stops before, The smallest ones they make. (never the yarn/thread ones, though) But....I still have problems with the bobber stop catching on the eyelets and fouling the cast. Ends up being more hassle than its worth so I either skip bobbers altogether or go with a traditional "strike indicator".

How do you guys avoid that?

I'm just the opposite, have never used the rubber stops always use the yarn/string type, never really noticed it interfere with the cast. The knot sometimes wants to go in the bobber so I always put a bead between the stop and bobber, still carry the old clip on type in case I want put one on quick without having to retie.

Originally Posted by Clownfish

I'm just the opposite, have never used the rubber stops always use the yarn/string type, never really noticed it interfere with the cast. The knot sometimes wants to go in the bobber so I always put a bead between the stop and bobber, still carry the old clip on type in case I want put one on quick without having to retie.

I carry embroidery thread with me and I can tie that on the line without having to snip and re-tie on terminal tackle again. Make an overhand knot with the thread over the standing fishing line running the thread through the thread loop 3-4 times instead on once, tighten it, then tie another overhand knot with a couple pass-throughs, tighten and snip some of the length off the tag ends. This works very good and I use these knots on my dabbling long rods as depth markers- Orange at 10' and blue at 20' for example. The thread may go through the line guides better than the rubber stoppers, but they can loosen up if you don't re-cinch them down every now and then.

ahh! seems nice to have one but I also think they're not needed.
just bought some yesterday : )!
I just wanna fish in time during the spawns as I always been busy with college/work but now that I quit my job, life seems a bit better.
Yeah, these local MDC lakes are usually stocked with catfish/trout unless there is some other lake out there with nice crappies that I don't know about. James A Reed seems interesting but never been there. Thanks!

Originally Posted by stratosverian

"lights" for crappie is referring to floating lights or submersible lights you can put in the water. They attract little bait fish, and those attract big fish. Not sure how to use them from the bank. you need a battery and a way to keep them out from shore. Sounds like a pain to use and personally, they aren't needed.

Get rid of the kiddy bobbers and start using slip bobbers so you can cast them out where you need to. I've used both rubber stop and the yarn. Try and see what you like best. To each their own.

Its still early and the water is real low. Bank fishing is best during spawn and summer months in my opinion. Fish are just to far out and scattered right now. There will be many days on "the ville" where 1 fish is all you see. Don't be discouraged by that! You should get on MDC and find some ponds to fish, they will be warming up sooner than Smithville and offer a better opportunity to catch more fish.

Originally Posted by Joedog

I've tried using the rubber bobber stops before, The smallest ones they make. (never the yarn/thread ones, though) But....I still have problems with the bobber stop catching on the eyelets and fouling the cast. Ends up being more hassle than its worth so I either skip bobbers altogether or go with a traditional "strike indicator".

How do you guys avoid that?

Throw harder...

Originally Posted by vic n

Throw harder...

Vic, get back to me when you've caught a fish!!

Well, if you wouldn't mind smaller crappies, but more of them, you should try Watkins Mill. You can take 30 home, but they may be between 7" and 9" for the most part. MDC wants you to take 30 as often as your possession limit allows.