dan hufferd

Yep lots of suspended fish, I think they are just living at the grocery store right now. Who wants to bite a nasty lure when you have 50 million bait fish right over you ?

I bought this exact same unit for my 75 hp merc. I love it ! I could only troll at 3 mph with out it now I can get less than 1 mph. I would caution you on this one thing, don't forget and leave it down. I was unloading the boat in a tail wind, and forgot to flip it up, then I put it in forward and punched it. Not good ! It was and easy fix, I just flipped it up at the dock and stood/jumped on it now I am back in business. For me it was the best was to go. I use it every time I troll. I also use it in conjunction with my trolling motor (my trolling motor has a handheld remote) I use a bungee on the steering wheel so it won't creep then I only us the trolling motor for steering, it's awesome ! Something else to consider... My previous boat was lighter it had a 40 hp yamaha with a 45 lb 12 volt tolling motor. bought an extra reconditioned battery ($50) and wired it parallel I could troll all day and not have to listen to the motor. Hope this helps check out this video I made while trolling for walleye it's pretty funny it works !

One more thing the ramp at cc is full of trees but many of us got in, no dock.

tried it saturday ( turnback ), no luck, 1 pm temp was 47. water is very high, and dark green, fish could be in the grass. Some folks were having luck with crappie under friend bridge. I was looking for fish with teeth.

Red Green is my hero !

Sounds like you had to work for it, but I would have loved to had a day like yous. We had one white bass in 70' of water at 40' that was it for the day, the sunset was awesome though !

Sometimes when I get the "Can't go fishing blues" I do a little planning with this map. It is a little clumsy to use but the contour is good. I use Topo Quest for Table Rock too.

I agree, it looks crazy, and active, but not real. It still might work. Think of the spoon, or a crawler harness, neither are life-like, but both work well.

Thanks, I thought it would go like that if I went. I think an overnighter is in order for the wife and I. I agree friday and saturday looks like some unbelievable weather.

I have not caught 1 fish for this month, there has been a lot keeping me off the lake ( those dang responsibilities ) , and when I do go conditions are not ideal. Maybe I can live vicariously through someone else. Going to try next weekend, maybe ??

The only way to stop now is DEATH. That's just the way it is, life will never be the same.

Last weekend At Ruark Bluff the water was like chocolate milk, about 3" above 215 state park area, was about 3 feet and it was windy. I will be there Sat. I intend to put in as near state park as possible. I hope this helps

Yow-zha !

I hope to give it a try again this weekend. I can't wait to do a little rethinking. Hopefully we can meet out there sometime.

Thank you for your encouragement, yes you are right, it would feel great to brake the code. I just need to slow down and go deeper. I have much to learn about this lake fishing thing, I really appreciate all the help. I know it represents many hours fished, I do not take it lightly. I did catch/snag a shad with my spoon last trip, so I must be close. Thank you very much !

Thanks FYI Water clarity was 3' north of 215 at Ruark it was 3" but the shad were still thick in the dirty water the gulls were loving it.

Thanks I have talked with him a few times at the ramps, he seems like a good guy. I did see a couple really nice walleye that his clients caught this summer. I might have to give him a call, thanks !

I put in at Crabtree and Ruark I think Hawkers and Stockton (RB) all had docks. Really windy, and I could not get a bite. I guess I will have to pay someone like JR to show me how to catch fish. This is starting to affect my self worth.

Go now, I would not be able to wait. I put in a Ruark. I should have went further north for the fish but it is always good to be on the water. I had to beach the boat to get in and out, no dock but it was doable.

Ruark Bluff. It seems like the water was still coming up. I will get my walleye for January......I hope.

We went today too. I wondered how far the mud went. Thanks for the post.

Those are some dandies, I love creek fishing for smallmouth !

RPS has helped me a lot with his shared info'. I haven't seen it posted in this topic or maybe I have over looked it ; I would add this to the bottom bouncing technique, unless you are fishing on a flat where the depth is fairly constant, it would be a good idea to hold the rod at all times, regularly dipping to check your relationship to the bottom. Also this will allow you to follow the bottom as you cross points and other structure. Say the top of the point is 14 ' but 50 ' on either side. By holding the rod and crossing the point you can let line out to say 35' deep, then slowly reel in as you cross the point ticking the bottom regularly, then follow it off the other side and down to what ever depth you feel is right for your set up. In this way you will be able to reach fish that may be staged up along the face or edge of a transition. I have not had much luck putting my poll in a rod holder and driving, unless I am after suspended fish in deeper water, or on a very regular bottom. I am sure you will find all this out soon, trolling works good for spring crappie too. Wait for the sun to come up and just troll down the middle of a cove. That is when I use the poll holder.