Thread: Buggs

Bluestone and or Buffalo creek. Start near the boat ramps an go up the creeks till you start getting bites

I sure do appreciate your help

So many choices. That is the perfect time and there will be plenty of fish, ready to eat. The only issue is, finding where they are. Depending on how quickly the weather warms, will determine where the big ones will be. Of course, there are fish on every deep structure all winter, including most every bridge pilling. As the water warms, some good fish will move up and run all over the shallow flats, like in Buffalo and Bluestone creek, back of Butchers and Rudds and Eastland. That could be happening right now, especially Buffalo, as it seems to always start first. Perfect for long line trolling and spider rigging, where you are not concerned with shoreline nor deeper structure. You will be able to catch fish just trolling flats or following shoreline, close enough to cast to shore (or flooded brush if the water come up).

By the first week of April, there will be fish on shore too. If the shallow flat is going on you will know it by the boats following each other around like nascar.

Do you have side scan? If so, you can look around for structure with fish or marking fishing cruising open water.

If you don't, and you don't see a bunch of boats circling the flats, I would concentrate on 5-8' up to the shore. Troll whatever you like, and get close to shore. If you aren't catching, try the shore. Visible brush. if you and your crew can cast, I would test the edges of the visible brush (expect the water to come up over 300 so there will be beautiful brush all over in 1-3' of water. Put away the trolling rods for a bit and just cast to fishy looking brush. Of course, minnows under a cork will work exceptionally well. But if the fish are on shore, you can catch them by pitching your favorite 1/16 jig/grub combo, just like you are bass fishing.

If nothing else is working you can always fish bridges. Casting counting down or minnows.

Now, if you really want to have a blast, you can book a day with FishDoc. FishDoc's guide service. He catches fish and will show you were they are and how to make them bite. It's no secret that he likes to "shoot docks" and brush. It is worth the investment. i have fished with him and it was a blast. Book him at the beginning of your stay, be honest and tell him you brought your boat and will be fishing later, and he will put you on fish and give your ideas for the rest of your vacation. Just give him some space the next day while he is showing other a good time.

the time frame you are going is the absolute best. But can still be frustrating as the fish could literally be anywhere. 1'-20'. But they are there and will be hungry.

if you have some young ones with you, trolling is great for them. If you have to switch to casting, give them a rod too. Put a jig under a bobber (I like a slip cork). You can tip it with a minnow or just a grub. Let them cast behind the boat while you pick apart some brush. if there are in there, set the kids bobber shallow and underhand pitch it between bushes for them, let them work it back out. Use gold hooked jigs so you can straighten the hook when they get hung. When they do get hung, pitch your jig beside the hung up bait one time before you pull theirs out. The movement will will spook a few fish, and that is fine. They will ambush yours as they scatter. Other fish in the brush will be watching his jig, and just may eat yours when presented. If you do have kids, don't rule out minnows by the bridge pillings. And if you ask a crappie fisherman, where you can put your kids on some fish, they may just give you a brush pile to sit on. Dip some minnows and you will be busy as the hero net man.

Have fun. The fish will be ready for you.

Dayton