Quick AM trip to Rocky Branch

[bferg]

Put in at 5.30 and off the water by 9:00.  Water temp 80.
We fished gravel points and islands close to deep water.  Ended up with 1 smallie, a short Walter (both on Keitechs) and 2 spots (on a drop shot).  Walleye was in less than 5 feet of water which kinda blew my mind.  Really disappointed we didn’t see much topwater activity at all.  Fish seem very scattered- never saw a big group of shad/fish all morning.  But, it was beautiful this morning.  Going to the dam for a short trip tomorrow AM.  Taking a guy with me from Texas that has never caught a smallie or seen a striper- hope to find some schooling fish.  

[Quillback]

Nice brown fish, I'll be interested to hear if you see any stripers on top by the dam, haven't been out there in a while.  

[bferg]

On 6/20/2020 at 5:20 AM, Quillback said:

Nice brown fish, I'll be interested to hear if you see any stripers on top by the dam, haven't been out there in a while.  

Caught a few smallies by the dam Saturday AM.  Saw a few stripers hitting the top but they were VERY scattered in the spots we were- could not get them to eat anything.  Talked to another guy at the ramp who had a similar report.  There was a tournament Saturday so a lot of the points I wanted to hit were covered up with boats by 7:00 AM- which made moving around much difficult.  That sunrise is pretty early right now!  Left the house at 4:30 to get there on time.  You have to be somewhat crazy to try to fish this time of year...(and according to my wife I am).  

[Quillback]

I agree, sure helps to be out there early.

Interesting that there were that many tourney fishers on that end of the lake.  Tough area to get a bag of big fish to win a tourney.  

[EzFishN]

Since Father's day, I've been out last few weekends and been skunked with the exception a 20" 5lber quite literally in the middle of the channel. 

Waking up 3am, and on the water by 5am trolling big umbrella rigs around big island at the dam. My guess they are on the night feed. That's my plan this weekend to give it a try. 

 

[Bigfishes1]

I went Sunday with my cousin from Iowa, we caught 6 keeper sized on umbrellas, Monday I went alone caught several keeper sized again that I put back  plus one that was 15-20# pullin an umbrella. Caught another 15-20# on accident with a crankbait, while chasing him around I saw a pile of them on the graph. After landing the crankbait fish I tried to get lucky again but no more action with the crankbait. Tried a spoon still no luck, so I thought swimbait.....3/8 head with 3.3 kietech, 1st cast to em got hooked up several minutes later landed another 15-20# fish. Lots of fish sandwiches....

[EzFishN]

Nice catch! Morning fishing? 

[Bigfishes1]

Yes, on the water a little before sun up and back home (Mt Vernon Mo) by 11:30am, like you I’ve been thinking about a night time trip.....hopefully Saturday night