Weekend Game Plan ( Campbell Point to Big Bay )

[BassBlind]

The weekend is within striking distance and only about 12 more hours locked in this cubicle before I hit the road and head towards Shell Knob. This will be our first outing of 2016 and looking forward to some time on the water, hopefully some decent weather, and a bite or two. Looking for some tips from the OAF masters...

 

Our Game Plan: 

- We do not have a boat that can cover a ton of water safely so we tend to fish Big Bay/ Big Creek down to Campbell Point and don't stray much further than that. 

- Going to be throwing NED around like crazy - Any tips here? We had some success with this rig in December and can't wait to get it back in the water

- Jerkbait? - I don't have much experience throwing a jerk bait? Any pointers - should we even be throwing it?

- We had a ton of success in December out in the middle of Big Creek - we would spot pockets of baitfish hitting the top of the water, run over there, throw a spinner and nailed about 20 fish

-A Rig - after reading that thread yesterday I really want to throw it, but don't think I'll have enough time to pull all the pieces together before tomorrow.

 

Below are a couple pics of the water we will be covering. Any tips on tactics and where we should be focusing our time would be much appreciated. Hope some of you guys are able to get out this weekend as well. Can't wait to read the reports. I love reading this forum bc it allows me to almost always try something new and learn a new tactic and learn more about the fish each time we go out. CHEERS!

 

 

[abkeenan]

Your plan of attack looks sound with the right baits. Babler gave an inordinate amount of tips, type of location and presentation in his thread from a few days ago that you mentioned. Go get a few A-Rigs. If you don't have A-Rig's or the equipment to throw it on you can do a few things. One you can go buy a couple of the Booyah Boo Rig which come in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2oz sizes and is basically an over-sized spinnerbait or undersized true A-Rig. Can be thrown on normal gear and don't need the super duty rods and reels. Also has the straggler bait with a cable leader in the back which Bill has had success on as you can see from his post. You can get these at Walmart for like $7.

 

Second, if the above is not an option swimming a 3-5" grub on a 1/4oz jighead on spinning would also be a good choice. It may not have the allure of the A-Rig but it's a shad profile and they seem to be on them right now. Swimming a grub virtually never fails at any time of the year.

Maybe have a crank tied on in case you find them in the 5-15 foot range. Wiggle wart, Rock Crawler, DT16, SK 5XD, Bandit 300, etc.

A finesse jig is also a bait I typically have tied on at all times as well.

Lastly, not sure of your sonar capabilities but a 1/2oz white or chrome spoon is another tried and true bait. if you happen to get on some fish and a school is fired up deep you can just drop a spoon on them.

If all of that fails throw the Ned with reckless abandon.

If all of that still fails call Dave because you are Nedding all wrong.

[BassBlind]

Can't thank you enough ABKENNAN! - I'll go pick one of these Booyah rigs up tonight. 

Thanks for the info man, definitely a couple new ideas here that I will try out. 

[dtrs5kprs]

The stick and umbrella will be better with wind. That little cove immediately east of the mouth of Big Creek has always been a favorite of mine. 

Bluff ends, or swing ends, big round main lake points, and the first few points and coves inside the creek would be worth a look. Same baits. Concentrate on the rock transitions, especially big rock or slab rock into chunk.

Don't be afraid to throw the NR shallow, halfway back or better into Big Creek. It really shines in shallow cold water, and there are many more fish up there than folks would believe. Lot of times they just won't chase a moving bait, or eat a big slow one like a jig. Just be prepared to not move it much. The 1/16oz is also very good in cold water, even out deeper. Gives them a nice long look at it.

[Bill Babler]

I just hope it has cleared up a little.  Sorry to say, that area of the lake including Big Creek was just solid mud last week.  I know several of the guys fishing the Winter Series drove up there cause its usually very good early.  ie wart and A-rig,  Everyone of them said it was a disaster and got the heck out of dodge.  Seems like Campbell Point to Point 5 are the slowest on the lake, with point 21 to point 9 being the worst  If I were you I would hop over to Shell Knob, launch at the bridge and work my way up the White River. Water color is just perfect. The bite is really on up there, with fish in the 15 to 25 ft. range on a jig-ned or an A-rig.  Not saying you can't catch them in BC, but for now, with a limited time to fish, I would fish where the fish are biting.

Take a peek at my Feb 1st. report and also the Shell Knob report that was posted

Good Luck

[BassBlind]

Thank you both - Will make a point to focus on the rock transitions DTRS... our dock is in the back half of the creek so we will definitely be Throwing the NED around back there while hanging on the dock and the shoreline. 

 

Sad to hear about the dirty water back there, hope it clears up. Babbler - your reports have been unbelievable!  Still going to give the wart and that Booyah rig a try back there and cross my fingers.

Babbler - I'm sorry to say this, but I was so relieved to read that even you get skunked out there here and there... but you battled back to have a killer day! 

Good luck to you guys as well!

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, BassBlind said:

Thank you both - Will make a point to focus on the rock transitions DTRS... our dock is in the back half of the creek so we will definitely be Throwing the NED around back there while hanging on the dock and the shoreline. 

 

Sad to hear about the dirty water back there, hope it clears up. Babbler - your reports have been unbelievable!  Still going to give the wart and that Booyah rig a try back there and cross my fingers.

Babbler - I'm sorry to say this, but I was so relieved to read that even you get skunked out there here and there... but you battled back to have a killer day! 

Good luck to you guys as well!

Have a great trip. Still beats not being at Table Rock.

The back ends might clear up too. Worth a look. Color will kill that stick bite as fast as anything else.

[marcus]

sitting in my cubical all jelous! good luck man take some pics for bragging rights and post them 

[Longball22]

Great, I'm headed down this weekend, and will be at Port of Kimberling.  Right in the middle of your "dead zone" Bill.  Any suggestions as far as which direction I should head to cut down on travel and get to catchable fish?

[BassBlind]

Well it is VERY muddy back here in big bay.  Any tips for getting on them in muddy conditions??  Or are we SOL??