14Ft Flat Bottom, Best To Fish Cc Or Sons Creek?

[sublimez]

I have a 14ft Flat Bottom boat with a 9.9 motor on it and a small trolling motor. One of my buddies was telling me that I should be fine to take my little boat around in Sons Creek or at CC without having to worry too much about getting knocked around by big water or big boats. I've only fished the Stockton areas once previously and it was in the main lake so I'm not too familiar with these areas. Hoping to get up there and do some bass fishing this weekend, what would you guys suggest? Though I love fishing at Bushwhacker Lake, I've fished there about every weekend since May and I'm ready to try something new. I'm up for any suggestions and very grateful for any information you guys can provide! Thanks in advance

[Thunderin Gobbler]

Either one would be ok in my opinion. The only problem with Son's creek is getting from the ramp to the creek. That is pretty open water and can tend to get a little rough on you. I've fished both areas quite a bit and you should NO problems at CC. Lots of good fishing in that area right now too.

[straw hat]

Once again Thunerin' Gobbler has it right. I have seen a lot of rigs like that at both areas. Great fishing to you and look forward to reading how you do on your fishing trips.

[MstStudent10]

I have spent the last 3 years fishing both Stockton and Table Rock out of a 14 ft flatbottom with a 9.9. First of all, take a look at what the weather is going to be doing and what the expected wind speed and gusts are going to be. I've made numerous treks across the Main Lake anywhere from Masters to Maze, and State Park straight across the lake. If the wind is supposed to be calm or even if it less than 15 miles per hour I have honestly never had a problem, even crossing the main lake. If you feel like making a longer run, Maze is a good place to fish this time of year, with a lot of options that a smaller boat like ours can have access too. If you're set on staying close by the ramp you put in at, Ruark Bluff has great access to Son's, being right at the mouth. Another option is Masters. I have had Great luck IN the whole master's cove in late August early september for bass.

On another note, I've even been out on the main lake on Stockton even on those days people would say I'm crazy. Sometimes things can get rough but also just keep a good mind about yourself. If you use your head, take it slow in the times you need to, ride the waves right, and just be smart about it you should be alright....Now TOTAL Gail force winds and nasty thunderstorms are another thing.. Just stay away from those situations.

And always wear your PFD in them small boats while running, I even sometimes wear it even when I'm just fishing if its windy, you know how them gusts can push that small aluminum boat all of a sudden and bam you smack a stump and fly out the boat!...May have happened to me at Lake Fork this Spring. Haha. At least this time of year the water is warm!

Good luck out there!

[MstStudent10]

Also, another issue with the wind you can use to your advantage with some foresight. While fishing out of a small boat if you know its gonna be a windy day, before you go out take note which way the wind is blowing from in general. For example, if the wind is coming from out of the Northwest, it may be a good idea to stick to banks that are on the northwest, west, or north sides. This way you have trees and other such things to protect you from the wind. So if it's blowing from the Northwest, the north and west banks of Son's Creek would be well protected from the wind. If the wind is blowing from the Northeast, Masters Cove or the bluff banks across from State Park could be a good option because they are on the Northeast side and thus out of the wind... I know this goes against the "Bass rule of thumb" of going to banks and points with wind beating on them because it pushes the nutrients and shad to that side and the bass follow... But sometimes in a small boat like that there's really not much you can do and ya just gotta go with whats presented to ya...

...On another note, using this concept and letting the wind dictate where you put in at and go on the lake, you can learn a lot about a lake and find areas that you may not have normally fished. This has been the case with me a lot while fishing out of a small aluminum. I may not have wanted to fish a certain area, but it was the only place out of the wind for me to be able to fish and control the boat, and I found something new.. Anyway, get out there and have fun exploring and hopefully catching. Stockton is a GREAT lake.

[sublimez]

Thanks for all the info guys! I think we are gonna venture out there this weekend to check it out. I will definitely make sure to check the weather before we head up and check the wind as well. It's encouraging to see that I'm not the only one with a 14ft out there, and good as well to see that your able to take it beyond the rivers and smew all bodies of water I've been fishing for the past few months. Hopefully I will have some good news to report back first of next week.

[JRay]

There's a decent ramp at the Hwy 39 bridge on up Son's Creek. You won't have to worry about the wind or boat traffic up the creek that far.

[Predator1]

I use my 14' flat bottom with a 15hp. I fish it everywhere except on TBR MAIN LAKE and I will not go on LOZ.....As long as you don't weigh it down to much, you should have no problem. Make sure you have a bilge pump in the rear of the boat. Believe me...it will come be handy. My boat usually packs two people-200lbs each, 15 hp envinrude, 6gal gas tank, two batteries, 54 lb thrust trolling motor, big ice chest with 2 frozen gallon jugs, two power aid frozen water bottles, several bottles of water, a little ice, couple of power-aide drinks, few sandwiches, big full tackle box loaded, paddle, fire extinguisher, flare gun, first aid kit and two wheel rotors to anchor both ends of the boat, cast net, fish finder and 6 rod and reels. Boat also has 1/2" particle board flooring with astro turf.

Hope this helps.