First Time Fishing Big Sugar

[derekburleson]

will be this weekend. I know it's gonna be crowded, but what are 2-3 must have baits for the area? I don't keep any fish so I'm not asking how to fill the fryer!!!

[Phil Lilley]

We're going tomorrow. Will report tomorrow night. I'm taking jigs.

[derekburleson]

We're going tomorrow. Will report tomorrow night. I'm taking jigs.

How big? I've got a ton of jigs I use when lake fishing, 1/2 oz., 3/8 oz. I'm guessing those will work in like a green pumpkin? Do you use a trailer?

[Phil Lilley]

I fish for trout here using jigs... 1/8, 3/32, 1/16 oz throwing them straight and smaller under an indicator. I've used them on smallies and other warmwater fishes in these streams... sculpin or brown #1 color, olive, brown/orange, black are more colors I'll have in the box. 2-4 lb line. Work the riffles and deep holes.

[chub minnow]

Bitsy tubes on a weedless jig. Like Lilley said 1/16, 1/8, 3/32 are the right weights. All of my biggest fish have come on the trick worm rigged on a spot remover, in the same weights. Right now the water has enough color to use #6 fluoro or copolymer with no problem. I would recommend staying away from the #2 line, you might lose a monster largemouth.

For the most bites go with the jig or very small (2.5") bitsy tubes or the YUM craws in the green color. I have caught huge #'s of fish on these (50+ days). As I said before though, you'll catch the big boys on the trick or finesse worm.

As for people on the river, the canoe hatch should be coming on pretty strong starting tomorrow. If you go above Cyclone, it's not going to be too bad. Below that, it could get pretty busy. If you are thinking of fishing on the Elk below Pineville it better be real early in the morning. By midday the canoe hatch will be in full swing with everyone depositing their hatch (aluminum cans) on beds (river bottom). It's a real problem on the Elk that is improving, but I don't even go down there during the 'season'.

[derekburleson]

Bitsy tubes on a weedless jig. Like Lilley said 1/16, 1/8, 3/32 are the right weights. All of my biggest fish have come on the trick worm rigged on a spot remover, in the same weights. Right now the water has enough color to use #6 fluoro or copolymer with no problem. I would recommend staying away from the #2 line, you might lose a monster largemouth.

For the most bites go with the jig or very small (2.5") bitsy tubes or the YUM craws in the green color. I have caught huge #'s of fish on these (50+ days). As I said before though, you'll catch the big boys on the trick or finesse worm.

As for people on the river, the canoe hatch should be coming on pretty strong starting tomorrow. If you go above Cyclone, it's not going to be too bad. Below that, it could get pretty busy. If you are thinking of fishing on the Elk below Pineville it better be real early in the morning. By midday the canoe hatch will be in full swing with everyone depositing their hatch (aluminum cans) on beds (river bottom). It's a real problem on the Elk that is improving, but I don't even go down there during the 'season'.

darn canoe hatch.

Thanks for the responses guys, it's very much appreciated. We'll be putting in at Cyclone, so we'll see. I'll let you guys know how I did afer the weekend.

[chub minnow]

Watch out for strainers! Also, don't waste your time fishing until you are @1/2 mile past the low water bridge at Cyclone. Then it's on. Pay special attention to the blufflines, particularly where there is a gravel bottom between the bluff and stronger current. You'll see what I mean. There are some nice little rapids right in front of The Owl's Nest (You will recognize it as a redneck port-of-call). All of the deep water after that will have some fish holding near the big boulders.

There are also lots of goggleye on this stretch that will take small jigs and the 2.5" craws like candy. They are always about 2" from the bank under cover. It's sure fun when you get into a nest of 'em.

[derekburleson]

Watch out for strainers! Also, don't waste your time fishing until you are @1/2 mile past the low water bridge at Cyclone. Then it's on. Pay special attention to the blufflines, particularly where there is a gravel bottom between the bluff and stronger current. You'll see what I mean. There are some nice little rapids right in front of The Owl's Nest (You will recognize it as a redneck port-of-call). All of the deep water after that will have some fish holding near the big boulders.

There are also lots of goggleye on this stretch that will take small jigs and the 2.5" craws like candy. They are always about 2" from the bank under cover. It's sure fun when you get into a nest of 'em.

I've got spot removers and different shaky heads, but I think they may be too big to rig up with the YUM craws I have. I guess a smaller jig head would be best. The ones I have have like 3/0 or 2/0 hooks....

[hoglaw]

I feel like I'm a pretty well versed trick worm and shakey head fisherman, but what exactly is a spot remover?

[derekburleson]

I feel like I'm a pretty well versed trick worm and shakey head fisherman, but what exactly is a spot remover?

Just a jig head, but it's flat....Allows the worm to stand straight up.