Members stitch Posted February 28, 2014 Members Share Posted February 28, 2014 Sorry for all the questions, I have never been down there before, but it looks like Im going to be spending a lot of time down there from now on! We'll be around the first weekend in April. Were going to try and snag some spoonbill and then spend the rest of our time catfishing. If I were fishing one of our reservoirs here in Iowa that time of year, I would drift with fresh shad or shrimp. Will that be a good go to plan down there as well? Also, the crappies will still be out in deep water, correct? Do you guys drift/slow troll for them prespawn? Thats the name of the game up here. I appreciate any help, thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Crappie will likely be on the bank by April, at least on SOME banks. You'll love the catfishing here. We're fast on our way to becoming the catfish capital of the midwest. It's just that Awesome! You can drift for them if that's what you like to do, but the most consistent action tends to be still fishing, and slow-dragging points (similar to Carolina riggin' for bass). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stitch Posted February 28, 2014 Author Members Share Posted February 28, 2014 When you still fish them that early in the year do you fish the main lake or coves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 When you still fish them that early in the year do you fish the main lake or coves? Coves with a feeder creek, or long tapering points and/or bluff ends on the main lake are good places to start. I'll give a spot 15-20 minutes tops, if no bites I move. I honestly don't know of a single spot on this lake where you're NOT likely to catch cats. Just get some bait wet and move around until you start catching them, it won't take you very long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old plug Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Stitch. listen closely to this guy. He is a very good all around fisherman and a friend of mine. Also get yourself a cast net and learn to use it those catfish really love the shad. Think big you can put a 6+ inch shad on a hook and hang on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 The fresh shad statement is important. You can use shrimp, livers, etc but fresh shad is hard to beat, especially for nicer fish. It takes a little bit to get the hang of a cast net, but once you do you can throw one without even thinking about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 About the only mistake I see alot of people make when still-fishing is they set up on the bank or on a dock and hurl their bait out towards the middle of the lake. I believe you'll do alot better if you set up off to the side of where you think the fish are, whether you are fishing off the bank or from a boat, and cast more parallel to the bank. The best bait position is usually within 5-30ft. off the bank where wave action keeps the bottom structure swept clean of mucky silt. Everyone wants to use shad, myself included, but I'm beginning to think that cut bluegill are just as good if not better. So don't freak out and waste too much time when shad are hard to find....just go catch a few small gills from the backend of the nearest cove and get some bait in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old plug Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 since we are helping this fella. i want to bring up another way he might enjoy. i rarely fish for catfish with bait. i fish for them with spoons. there is a best time and place for that and it can lead to some real exciting battles. Here is how it goes. After your down here awhile you learn there are certain points the white bass gang up and feed feed on shad. because they slash through the schools they kill or stun about as many as they eat. Those dead and dying ones fall to the bottom. This can attract big blues. At this time they are a real sucker for a spoon jigged straight down off with small hops off the bottom. biggest blue I caught doing this was 48 lbs. I use lighter tackle for this. Usually 10 lb. test lime on a small medium action bait casting rod and a short wire leader. To me it is a poor mans salt water experience. I can guarantee you whatever you do your going to have some thrilling experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stitch Posted February 28, 2014 Author Members Share Posted February 28, 2014 We have reservoirs up here that I think are more or less identical to yours, but much smaller. I can agree that I think cut gills/crappies are atleast close to as good as cut shad. Ive heard a lot that the fact that shad is much more oily makes it a little better, but I have had similar luck with both. Ive never caught any cats on spoons except through the ice, but Ive caught a ton of nice ones trollings crankbaits for walleyes. There are very few blues in lakes in Iowa, but we get a lot of channels in the same areas the whites are busting shad in. We usually locate the white bass by following seagulls around and find about every other predator fish out there right along with them. Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Don't cut crappie for bait in Mo. I think that's some kind of violation. At least check to be sure before you do because I'm not 100% sure that it's considered "legal". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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