Encouraging News On The Upper End

[rps]

I was able to go out again today from 10 to 2:30. Today I immediately ran down lake to warmer water. At Holiday Island the main channel was 51 this morning, 53/54 at Devils Dive, 55 at Eagle Rock, and I stopped at the mouth of Roaring River (Point 26) when I reached 57 degrees. I fished inside the Roaring River arm but never lost sight of Point 26.

I lost count somewhere, but finished with 28 to 31 bass with some of each variety, of which 3 were keepers. Nothing worth taking a picture, though. The productive areas were within 100 feet of points, near deep water, with a slope with more rock than gravel. Best depth seemed to be 8 feet to 13 feet, although I did better bringing the bait down into that depth diagonally rather than I did simply fishing parallel to the bank at that depth.

Today was day two of my program to learn to fish the Ned Rig, so that was the only thing I threw. 1/16 ounce fish arrow head and a dirt colored half Strike King Zero. I found something I really do not like about this bait. The fish absolutely inhale the lure and I spent way too much time trying to extract the bait without killing the fish.

Last bit of news: No algae bloom in the Upper End (yet).

[J-Doc]

Sounds like fun. I've thrown the Ned once. Hung up a lot and I grew impatient. Went back to jerkbait. Will want to pick it up again soonthough.

[dtrs5kprs]

I was able to go out again today from 10 to 2:30. Today I immediately ran down lake to warmer water. At Holiday Island the main channel was 51 this morning, 53/54 at Devils Dive, 55 at Eagle Rock, and I stopped at the mouth of Roaring River (Point 26) when I reached 57 degrees. I fished inside the Roaring River arm but never lost sight of Point 26.

I lost count somewhere, but finished with 28 to 31 bass with some of each variety, of which 3 were keepers. Nothing worth taking a picture, though. The productive areas were within 100 feet of points, near deep water, with a slope with more rock than gravel. Best depth seemed to be 8 feet to 13 feet, although I did better bringing the bait down into that depth diagonally rather than I did simply fishing parallel to the bank at that depth.

Today was day two of my program to learn to fish the Ned Rig, so that was the only thing I threw. 1/16 ounce fish arrow head and a dirt colored half Strike King Zero. I found something I really do not like about this bait. The fish absolutely inhale the lure and I spent way too much time trying to extract the bait without killing the fish.

Last bit of news: No algae bloom in the Upper End (yet).

Some of that depends on the day, and improves with practice. Have only had two deeply hooked fish in my boat this week on the little rig. One of the hook tools popped one out, cut the hook off the other with cutters.

Once you get dialed in it is less of a problem. I have more problems with deeply hooked fish when split shotting.

Doc...guards are key at TR. They keep you fishing, not tying heads on.