Labor Day Reports Needed

[Rastus]

First, I did make a historical search for Labor Day fishing patterns....to no avail.

Next, I might seem a bit selfish, but I'd really like to see the ardent anglers here stike up some posts here of Labor Day successes (or not). My family and I are taking a few days vacation day after Labor Day and, though the shows may be nice, our boat is making the trip with us and I could use some tips on what action may be happening.

This is my first fishing trip here so....I would appreciate some pointers to stay out of trouble (including regs specific to this area!).

Also, even though we already have a place rented, I'd like to get some recommendations of where to stay for next time so that I can scope them out this time.....about the only real criteria is that I need a place for 5 or 6 and I need to have a safe place to park the boat, preferably under a roof. We make this trip at least once a year with about 20 other families, but this is the first time I've brought a boat.

Thank you,

Ken

[MOBass]

I would keep clear off of the main lake and dam area. Boat traffic will be heavy at best and dangerous at worse. If I were going down this weekend I would start early and fish up one of the river arms.

I prefer the James and fish from Cape Fair to the bridge. Unless I am fishing a tournament I fish for bites as opposed to big fish. In the morning I try to find some topwater fish then move on to fishing a rig or football jig deeper. Around noonish I'll fish the bridge pilling with a grub or drop shot if I can't get a bite elsewhere. There are plenty of docks to fish up the James also.

Good luck and be safe.

[Steve Smith]

What MOBass said... from Baxter to the dam will have so many boats running, you'll have a constant 4 foot swell to hold in. That ain't no fun at all. Get back in the rivers, creeks, or big coves to at least escape some of the party boats cruzing. To add the docks and bridge pilings suggested, look for bluff transitions from deep water to chunk rock with timber and fish early or late. If I was to fish this weekend [which I won't], I'd drag 4" Razor worms probably in red shad or watermelon colors real slow off bluff or point dropoffs. The best advise I can give is find a shady dock and pop a top on a cold one where it's safe. Good luck.

[riverrat]

Rastus states in his post that he is going after Labor Day so boat traffic shouldn't that great.

[champ187xr6]

If you are going after Labor Day you will have the full moon on your side. I have had some of my best fishing on the Sept. full moon. I have tore it up with a spinner bait thrown parallel (sp) to bluff banks that are taking on the moon light. I hope it helps.

[Rastus]

Thanks all....and yes it will be after Labor Day when we arrive. I've been staying off the water during holidays for, oh, say 30 years. Got too crowded everywhere in the early 70's....maybe $5 or $7 gas would slow it down...the only bright side of high prices.

Bleeding Shiner, thanks for that tip...I'll give that a try. What kinda spinners do you recommend and do these fish generally turn on at night this time of year. Might combine this with some perch jerking.

Thank you,

Ken

[MOBass]

I overlooked the fact you will be fishing after the chaos of the holiday. I like fishing deep during the day and would get a good lake map and find humps, saddles, and deep points to fish a foot ball jig or drop shot on. I also like fishing the bridges if there are high skys.

There are some post about whites around moonshine beach. I am not sure if that bite will be on or not but it would be worth a look. If it is on there will probably be a few boats on it. Just be respectful of whoever is there first and you can probably get on them in the same area.

[champ187xr6]

I have best luck with a blue with a hint of chartruse (sp again) Colorado blade.

[Rastus]

Looks like we're into cooler weather now for a few days. Hopefully that will get the fish moving when I arrive around Sept. 6th.