Cold Weather Fishing

[bradthefisherman]

My wife and I are staying on Holiday Island for the next two weeks. I am an avid bank fisherman looking to get out on Beaver Lake for some fishing over the next few days. With the cold weather I wondered if anyone knows where I might locate some quality shad for bait?

Also if anyone is crazy enough get out in the cold an fish from the bank send me a message.

Any reports on catfish, striper, walleye, trout, or sauger?

[Quillback]

Are you looking for dead shad or live shad? Last time I was at Cabelas they had some frozen shad. None of the bait shops around here carry live shad as far as I know.

[Stump bumper]

If you head over to the Dam Store on the road leading up to the dam they will give you plenty of info about the trout fishing.

[bradthefisherman]

Are you looking for dead shad or live shad? Last time I was at Cabelas they had some frozen shad. None of the bait shops around here carry live shad as far as I know.

I'd be looking for shad that I can catch with my net and then cut it up fresh.

[bfishn]

Before the cold snap you could've hit the very back end of any long creek arm you could drive to (Prairie Creek, Avoca, Coose, etc). Probably not now. Best bet from the bank would be one of several drive-to spots at Monte Ne. The springs there may delay them moving back deep.

Added

Since you're already at HI, it couldn't hurt to try right there. With the sun out, a few might be up shallow on the flat at the mouth of Leatherwood Creek (turn right immediately across the bridge to pull out on the shallow point if the snow's gone). Also try near the old bridge pier on the north side (you can hit 15-20' water from there).

[rps]

Go to the point where Leatherwood Creek (the creek that makes the bay that almost make Holiday Island really an island) runs into the White River Channel. Stand as far out on that point as you can on the marina side. Throw your net toward the marina office. The break into the creek channel is about ten feet from the present bank and the shad usually pile up in the channel mouth. Unfortunately the channel break is much farther out if you throw straight out from the point towards the buoys. Good luck.

[Quillback]

I'd be looking for shad that I can catch with my net and then cut it up fresh.

That's a tough one, trying to get shad from the bank this time of year. Bfishn's advice is better than what I can think of. If you go to the Big M public use area on Table Rock, there might be some shad up by the shore in the afternoon on a sunny bank by the cove mouth, but it's low percentage.

[bfishn]

I don't know where you're used to pitching a net, but around here if you can't see a clean bottom, don't let your net sink to the bottom. Yeah, you might miss some shad, but better than losing a net. The spot rps noted can be real good, but throw just a little too far out, or let it sink just a little too long... bye, bye.

[bradthefisherman]

Thanks fellahs! All that info helps a lot. I fish mostly Lake Lavon and Lake Tawakoni in Texas. It's the same situation this time of year, shad are hard to come by, but there are creeks a few creeks that hold shad from the main lakes.

And like bfishin said you gotta watch where you throw and if you don't, then try and explain to the wife why you need another $40 for a new net. LOL. Thanks again, and maybe we can get some sun by next week. I will let ya know if I find any!

[bfishn]

Heck, if you have a wife there's no problem losing a net... just tie a rope to her ankle and send her out to retrieve it.