Finley Fishing Funk

[Daveinozark]

anyone else having issues pulling fish out of Finley or is it just me?

I've had a couple of early morning outings over the past couple of weekends and aren't getting anything but small bites. I've tried worms and plastic worms (4inch and cutting up one into a 2inch), floating/sinking, fast/slow. even some spinners and rooster tails. any advice for me? What size hooks are you guys using? I'm not used to fishing small streams, maybe I'm missing something. I've got a spinnercast rod with 8lb line. I like Finley because it's close to the house, but it's not working for me

[et84]

I've caught tons of bluegill on an ultralight setup w/ 4lb. mono, and a small grub on a 1/16 oz. jighead. Also pulled out some bass on 1/16 oz. bitsy bugs w/ craw trailers- none real big, though. I usually fish around the park, and Riverside Inn.

[Daveinozark]

  et84 said:

I've caught tons of bluegill on an ultralight setup w/ 4lb. mono, and a small grub on a 1/16 oz. jighead. Also pulled out some bass on 1/16 oz. bitsy bugs w/ craw trailers- none real big, though. I usually fish around the park, and Riverside Inn.

i did try by Riverside Inn, I went to the bridge and was getting bites directly under the bridge (but there's no trespassing signs over there, so it wasn't me, it was a guy I know) I also saw that clearing over there off the left side of the Inn. Pretty spot, still no joy though. On plastics, are you throwing a 4inch out there? That seems too big to me. I don't mind catching pan fish, I'd like something in a pan. I'm thinking of going back to live worms for there

[RSBreth]

Most of the easily accessed spots (like Riverside) get fished hard.

I know I sound like a broken record on this topic, but if you get away from the crowd you'll do better.

[smallmouthjoe]

I second that. Get away from all the easy to get to places.

[OzarkFishman]

Dave,

It was just last August when I got overcome by the fishing hunger. I was using a spincast with 10 lb mono, much like you. Since then I have learned why spin and baitcasts are better for bigger fish, but when it comes to worm and bobber the spincast will do (actually my 2 biggest largemouth were caught on a spincast 6 lbs 2 oz and 5 lbs 15 oz). Honestly, I have had more success in the heat of the day for panfish in the Finley. Don't throw out in the middle of the river, look for cover and shade. I have gotten away from fishing the worm and bobber, but at least 3 or 4 times a month I will go to "my spot" and catch upwards of 30 - 40 panfish on worm and bobber in the heat of the day (you will catch panfish, as well as small bass and creek chubs). IF YOU GUT HOOK A FISH THEN CUT THE LINE AND ALLOW THE HOOK TO WORK ITS WAY LOOSE, DO NOT RIP IT OUT. Don't be afraid to do a little wet wading, it will allow you to make more accurate casts with your spincast. Just keep your eyes peeled for snakes, last time a snake come cruising across the water and got within 10 feet of me before it noticed I was there. You feel a little helpless when you are waist deep in water . Have fun and no matter how good at fishing I get, I will always enjoy the worm and bobber. If you have any questions just shoot me a PM.

OzarkFishman

PS - You can ruin a fishing hole real quick in a river if you keep fish. Practice catch and release whenever possible, if you are going to keep any then keep just a few. To each their own, but try to think about the greater good.