Need A Confidence Boost

[fozzype]

I am on a streak of bad luck and/or bad choices. Since the fish have moved to the Bank, it seems I can't find the good'ns. Went out Thurs for a few hours to Indian Pt. with 2 keeps on the blade and several short fish on the sammy. The moss was bad and effected my great desire to fish the shakey head. Went to Kimberling on Sunday for a few hours and tried the common "ledgey" pea gravel banks that I have commonly found spawning and/or post spawn fish on for years and only 3 shorts. The moss really screwed with me.

I am no pro by any means or even claim to be a very good hook. However, I know the DAM area to Cricket Creek pretty stink'n well (lived in Clevenger for 5 years) and usually can find fish and catch them in the Spring. This Spring I am flat out struggling. Can catch several numbers, but the quality fish are really inconsistent at best. I really see hope in the reports that the SMJ are picking up. They don't win much money, but there is nothing I love more to do than rip SMJ lips. I have had good luck in years past fishing for the main lake whites, but it seems like I missed them this year. Anybody else feel the same way?

Anyway, enough bitching. I am going to stay in my "home waters" for the next few weeks. Really appreciate your reports on here, they give me a boost that I'll figure them out. Going to fish the next few days, I probably have some very unhelpful information.

[Spinnaker]

Well I can't say I will boost your confidence, but my first time out this year was last week. I did not have much luck either. The moss messed me up as well. I fished by the dam area as that is where I stayed. I have not yet fished the James or west end. Maybe next time out. I was quite rusty. The spawn messed with my mind because I did not know where I was going to find fish but I eventually did find a few in my special spots. The fish are there as I did manage to catch a 20 inch LM so luck was with me. You are blessed to live there. Its a 3.5 hour trip from Kansas City. Hope you have a good report soon.

[motoman]

Hey fozz, we were down a couple weekends ago, and had a tough go of it. We caught plenty of shorts, but not the SMJ keepers we typically do this time of year. Our typical SMJ spots were near deserted..............weird!?!? They've never let us down before, and we typically have consistent results every year in these spots of ours. I don't think it's just you.

[focused fishing]

Guys until the moss breaks up you really only have two options; fish above it or out beyond it. For the past couple of weeks the better fish have been suspended above it so baits like a fluke, grub, topwater or jerkbait have been producing. You absolutely need to stay above the moss to get bit, once there is moss on the bait the fish will ignore it. With that in mind I have been using a wieghtless fluke and down sizing the head on my grub to a 3/16 oz. on windy days and a 1/8 oz. on calm day to keep my clients out of the moss. There are fish on the outer edge but most of what we've been catching out there have been shorts on a shaky head or split shot.

Fozzy, try heading up stream a little from Clevenger, once you get above the 86 bridge the moss isn't nearly as thick and you can use a shaky head.

Hope this helps,

EP

[fozzype]

Guys until the moss breaks up you really only have two options; fish above it or out beyond it. For the past couple of weeks the better fish have been suspended above it so baits like a fluke, grub, topwater or jerkbait have been producing. You absolutely need to stay above the moss to get bit, once there is moss on the bait the fish will ignore it. With that in mind I have been using a wieghtless fluke and down sizing the head on my grub to a 3/16 oz. on windy days and a 1/8 oz. on calm day to keep my clients out of the moss. There are fish on the outer edge but most of what we've been catching out there have been shorts on a shaky head or split shot.

Fozzy, try heading up stream a little from Clevenger, once you get above the 86 bridge the moss isn't nearly as thick and you can use a shaky head.

Hope this helps,

EP

Thanks EP,

I am just too hard headed. I've been up long and cricket and caught several large stringers early in the spring. But when the fish move up, I like the clearer water. Don't know why, just seem catch more quality fish there once the spawn begins. However, this year Long Creek is much clearer than it has ever been. It just seems like since the fish have moved up, I haven't been able to stay on a consistent 'big' bite.

I appreciate the help, I like to fish the wind and it looks like Thusday I may get my wish (44 mph gust, I'll probably use all 36 volts.

Brett