Advice, Springfield Area: Struggles of a Bad Angler

[Harps]

Try musky fishing.

[dan hufferd]

On 7/25/2019 at 11:16 AM, jimithyashford said:

have fished Lake Springfield and James River up as far as the 60 Bridge from a kayak many times.

You are fishing an extremely pressured area, and you say "I almost always fish in the summer", both of these make catching fish challenging . 

My suggestion is to go to "parts less known", more difficult access points, and  log jams and brush piles in the river.  These areas are places that are hard to reach. I think that is what kayak/canoe fishing is ideal for.  

Try some smaller moving water too. I know there is a few place around SPFD I grew up there.

good luck to you 

Quick glance t the map near springfield  I found this, have you looked at it ? see pic.

This is a video of mine,  it is a small body of water near me, mainly catch dinks on light tackle, but my heart rate goes down and the cares of life are gone for a moment, if you look there is no one there, and it is in the fall.

Try it !

 

[dan hufferd]

21 hours ago, Quillback said:

Bass were stupid in back then

HAHA,

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Jimathy, the ones who are posting are worth listening to, even though they are rough with the comments/responses.  I am actually impressed with the validity/quality that has been given.  

I think of fishing reports similar to gambling reports.  No one tells you when they lose, but always happy to advertise when they win.  

Btw,  you should feel privileged.   You brought Paul Dallas out of retirement.   That is no small feat. 

[Mitch f]

Daryk is correct. We are trying to save you frustration. If you hire a guide, he will probably know where the fish are located...that’s the biggest piece of the puzzle. Ask him questions, maybe you’ll get an understanding of why the fish are there. Catching them is the easier part of the equation. Saves you so much time. Or...have an experienced angler take you out. Internet forums are a permanent record and people are very reluctant to give too much info.

[Johnsfolly]

There is a lot of good information and some other stuff on this thread so far. There is a difference in do you just want to catch fish versus do you want to catch fish particularly bass in Stockton or the James or Fellows.... If you really just want to catch fish my suggestion is similar to Dan's go wade some small rivers or sections of rivers or big creeks. Use finese baits like small jigs, crappie sliders, etc. Even live bait will get you fish. Around you there will be waters that have largemouth, smallmouth, sunfish, etc... Now if you want walleye or bass on Stockton go hire a guide and learn from them. Your baits of choice target aggressive and active fish. May not be the best baits on pressured lakes or rivers.

[MOPanfisher]

Pomme de Terre River, Sept october.  Kayak diatance from the PP hwy access is enough white bass and crappie to keep your occupied.  Stand at the ramp with a sign that says will trade ham sammich for fishing trip.  Make sure you are ready to clean some fish.

[jimithyashford]

I dont mind if the advice comes with a side of salt and pepper, ya know, that's fine, just some seem to be pure mockery, which i guess i also dont mind, no skin off my back, just the assumption that i am joking/trolling? That's weird.

 

But I have already gotten some good advice here and put some of it into practice this afternoon. I didnt get anything, but i did try three new techniques and fished vegetation beds for the first time ever. I am trying.

Now hiring a guide is something ive been thinking about doing. But they dont have guides for, ya know, lake springfield or rhe random pond or creek or river i might find myself at who knows when. I feel like my basic bottom layer of fishing skills and knowkedge is so lacking that a guide would be a waste right now. I dunno.

[jimithyashford]

4 hours ago, dan hufferd said:

You are fishing an extremely pressured area, and you say "I almost always fish in the summer", both of these make catching fish challenging . 

My suggestion is to go to "parts less known", more difficult access points, and  log jams and brush piles in the river.  These areas are places that are hard to reach. I think that is what kayak/canoe fishing is ideal for.  

Try some smaller moving water too. I know there is a few place around SPFD I grew up there.

good luck to you 

Quick glance t the map near springfield  I found this, have you looked at it ? see pic.

This is a video of mine,  it is a small body of water near me, mainly catch dinks on light tackle, but my heart rate goes down and the cares of life are gone for a moment, if you look there is no one there, and it is in the fall.

Try it !

 

I am familiar with that area. That big weird C in the field is an old horse racing track. There used to be a livestock auction and horse racing operation on that land a long time ago.

A few summers ago i bank fished and wade fished all through there. Caught a number of little guys and in a hole near the rivercut golf course parking lot i caught the biggest smallie ive ever caught. 

[dan hufferd]

1 hour ago, jimithyashford said:

I am familiar with that area. That big weird C in the field is an old horse racing track. There used to be a livestock auction and horse racing operation on that land a long time ago.

A few summers ago i bank fished and wade fished all through there. Caught a number of little guys and in a hole near the rivercut golf course parking lot i caught the biggest smallie ive ever caught. 

Well there you go success !!