Weekend Report (Blues)

[OzarkFishman]

Got to the lake around 4:30 on Friday (34 mile marker on Osage arm). Started getting the jugs all set up with swivels, leader, hooks and the weight at the bottom. My dad and some buddies had been there a while and had already caught some bait. Went out and set them and then enjoyed the typical night at the lake (plenty to eat, nice weather, a boat ride, etc.).

When we went to check in the morning, we ended up with a 5, 8 and 10 pounder. Almost all of the rest of the hooks were empty. I had a feeling about what the problem was (the bait was too big). I am a fan of using live bluegill or green sunfish. Usually 3 - 4 inches are perfect, but when we baited up Friday night almost all of them were getting close to 5 inches. Here is my theory, a catfish comes by gets most of the fish in its mouth just not enough to get the hook set (I use 7/0 octopus circle hooks).

Luckily we had brought a few baitfish with us and we put smaller bait on the jug that had produced the 10 pounder. Then, it was off to find SMALL bait (2.5 - 3.5 inches). We were gone for maybe 2 hours (checking a couple of other jugs and catching bait). When we returned to that same jug there was a 14+ pounder on it. We rebaited all the jugs.

We then checked the jugs one last time about 6 Saturday night (rough, rough, rough water). It was so rough that we couldn't even bait a few of the jugs (safety first when fishing set lines).

Next morning, we went out and brought in all the jugs and a few more catfish (the same jug that had the 10 and 14 had another 10). Location is key and each time I go, I find out more about the feeding habits of these fish.

We ended up catching 65 pounds of blues (the biggest was the 14+ pounder). It could have been a lot better, maybe the big mommas were spawning. Still a great weekend.

OzarkFishman

[CapnKenny]

Hi, I haven't tried jugging for blues this year - but checked my jugs a couple weeks ago and have them all ready. I fish around the mid-lake area too. I set my hooks anywhere from 6-15 foot deep off my jugs and many times the 9-12 foot range gets most of the action. I'm curious, how deep are you fishing? I typically use fresh cut shad and have pretty good luck on that, I'll have to give the live bait a shot. Thanks for the report.

[OzarkFishman]

I set either 2 or 3 hooks on each jug. If I have 3, then I set them at 4, 10, and 16 feet (like you said the 10 usually catches the most). If I set two, then I set them at 6 and 16 feet.

Good Luck,

OzarkFishman

[Jim Fish the Zarks]

Sounds like a good time. Im at the 34.5 mm, and have caught blues with trot lines on my dock. Im at Sunset Palms on the dock closest to the Bridge.

Like I said in my other post....if you ever need a tag along I can be a pretty decent 1st mate...and am willing to pay for gas, food, ice, equipment, beer, pop, etc.

Im really getting into blue fishing...as my wife calls them "sharks of the zarks".

[Jim Fish the Zarks]

I have a boat as well...not much of a fishing boat, but would work for trotlining and it handles waves like a champ.

[OzarkFishman]

That sounds like a plan ... next summer. I only get up there once or twice a year and this year it is going to be once. I will definitely hit you up next year when I make it up there.

Good luck the rest of the summer and into the fall.

OzarkFishman