Baxter to KC, 10-31-15

[Champ188]

Saturday for us was one of those baffling Table Rock days when the fish were feeding down despite dark skies, 4 hours of near-steady rain and a decent wind at times.

I had been on a decent squarebill pattern that was producing nothing but keepers, but they weren't having any of it Saturday. Nor were they the least bit interested in my Whopper Plopper, although I did manage one keeper spot on a Fin out of a cedar top. Donna got no love on a 5-inch Keitech swimmer either.

We did catch 25 or so, including 3 or 4 keepers, pitching a jig on boat docks. The farther back into the dark corners, the better. The fish were 6-18 feet deep and although we did catch some in deeper slips, they were suspended no deeper than about 15 feet. The better docks were inside deeper pockets and feeder creeks. Not sure how many we could've caught if we had not kept trying to make them do what we wanted, but it would've been a bunch.

Yes, every bit of conventional wisdom suggested there would be a good shallow bite and maybe there was for someone. But for us, the ticket was fishing like it was a bluebird bright day with no wind. Go figure.

[Hammer time]

Thanks for posting Champ. The Rock is a finicky girl and I have left  scratching my head many times. Glad you figured out a pattern and caught a bunch.

[176champion]

Sounds like you had a good day...Thanks for posting... I havent been able to get out..transmission went out of tow vehicle Monday night..maybe get out next weekend...

[merc1997 Bo]

3 hours ago, Champ188 said:

Saturday for us was one of those baffling Table Rock days when the fish were feeding down despite dark skies, 4 hours of near-steady rain and a decent wind at times.

I had been on a decent squarebill pattern that was producing nothing but keepers, but they weren't having any of it Saturday. Nor were they the least bit interested in my Whopper Plopper, although I did manage one keeper spot on a Fin out of a cedar top. Donna got no love on a 5-inch Keitech swimmer either.

We did catch 25 or so, including 3 or 4 keepers, pitching a jig on boat docks. The farther back into the dark corners, the better. The fish were 6-18 feet deep and although we did catch some in deeper slips, they were suspended no deeper than about 15 feet. The better docks were inside deeper pockets and feeder creeks. Not sure how many we could've caught if we had not kept trying to make them do what we wanted, but it would've been a bunch.

Yes, every bit of conventional wisdom suggested there would be a good shallow bite and maybe there was for someone. But for us, the ticket was fishing like it was a bluebird bright day with no wind. Go figure.

with bass fishing, certainly nothing is ever written in stone.  i too would have figured the shallow bite would be on.  pretty good example of not being too set in our ways to change to whatever method is necessary to catch them.

bo

[Pepe]

Lily & I plan to head to the lake on Tuesday.  It sounds like we need to run down lake. Champ, if you don't mind, we would welcome advice in what to pitch in around docks for suspended fish. 

I'm still hoping the shallow bite picks up. 

 

[Champ188]

11 hours ago, Pepe said:

Lily & I plan to head to the lake on Tuesday.  It sounds like we need to run down lake. Champ, if you don't mind, we would welcome advice in what to pitch in around docks for suspended fish. 

I'm still hoping the shallow bite picks up. 

 

PM sent.

[Flippin]

Champ I also fished out of Baxter on Saturday.  I went up river instead of down and found most of our fish in 5-15 fow.  We could not get any takers on the flats so ended up targeting 45 degree chuck rock banks and some bluff ends.  My partner caught a couple on the spinnerbait but all the rest were on the little varmit.  We fished from 07:30 to 1:30 and manage to come away with 4 keepers.  One of the keepers was a 18" SM that was a hoot to catch on a light rod and spinning reel.  Fortunately I was not around trees so I could let him show his muscles until he finally wore out.  The weather reminded me of a Spring day on the lake.

[Champ188]

Thanks for the report, Flippin. Was definitely a "looking down" day despite the promise of being great blade/topwater/power fishing weather. Oh well, I've definitely seen them act that was before under the same weather conditions.

Congrats on the nice brown fish. They are always a lot of fun. Except in a tournament when you just want them in the boat. LOL

[Ham]

I would have slung the Vomit Rig on a 1/16 oz head around those docks. Just sayin.