Baitfish On Fellows

[Lunkers Only]

I am looking to pick up some shad using my cast net. Any good times or places I should check out at Fellows Lake? Any tips would be appreciated. I am hoping to wrestle in a Muskie using my new custom live bait hook.

[Amish Bill]

You might better check before you start casting the net. I was going to do that last year and was told I couldn't do that.

[Fishinokie1]

You might better check before you start casting the net. I was going to do that last year and was told I couldn't do that.

yup... for a small lake, Fellows has more regs an rules than one would expect. This is a good thing, which keeps it a great little fishery and clean little lake. I have caught small shad early in the morning as they are cruising along the banks in large schools. I would take the tip of my rod and smack it in the water, spooking the shad and a few dozen at a time would jump right up onto the bank. It is crazy... I would take my minnow bucket with me every time I went. If you are trying for Muskie, these might be a bit small for your needs. The whites go nuts though. Caught a few eyes too on these smaller shad. Try and catch a smaller bluegill and use it for your muskie.

[smallwaterpro]

Wanting to try live bait on Fellows and McDaniels for muskie. Know white Suckers are a Muskie favorite, BUT where can you get them and how? Just asking

[Lunkers Only]

I never did find a bait shop with suitable live bait for muskies. I ended up using a few blue gill as bait, but with no luck. With all the rules and regulations I would probably stick to lures. I'm starting to mellow out in my late twenties and not too keen on getting fined by some over zealous Barney Fife.

The other problem with live bait is the complicated rig you should hang the live bait by. If you rig the bait wrong you could end up gut hooking a nice muskie that you have otherwise released unharmed. Just food for thought.

[Fly_Guy]

I was reeling in a catfish at fellows when a muskie came out of nowhere and mauled it. Thankfully the cat stayed on, but my subsequent casting with a large jerkbait proved fruitless. Go in the morning before sunup by the culvert under the road, and cast topwater. I've seen massive rolls out there. MISSING THE OZARK FISHING living here in N.C.