Shell Knob 8-1-22. Current Fishing Report

[rps]

I do not know the science, but, over the years, I noticed the same late summer pattern. The males outnumbered the females. I always assumed the females were deeper and less active until nighttime. I also wondered if the females stayed down and fed on the cripples left when the other fish cut through schools.

Oh, and to second another point you originally made, Chuck, my early walleye mentor, taught me that when I was catching bluegills, walleye were somewhere near.

[skeeter]

You nailed it when you said the Lake was almost "James River Green" !  Had the Econo Lift crew convert our lift back from the Tri-toon BARGE to accommodate the new/used Skeeter and the shallow water above white air tank on the submerged econo-lift was Pea Green and the lake bottom at the slip site, which is always visible, has disappeared entirely.   Assuming this is temporary due to a Phytoplankton bloom from the extended heat wave ?

[dan hufferd]

On 8/1/2022 at 1:03 PM, Bill Babler said:

Got out prior to the crack of dawn this morning hitting the SK bridge ramp at 5:15. There was a small derby going out but they graciously let me get out before take off. 

Surface temps at 83 degree water is really stained to almost James River green. Fished from the bridge both up the White and up the Kings. 

Fish were deeper this morning from the last time I was out. Most everything was at 30 plus early and with the sun, by 0800 had moved to middle 40's mostly suspended. 

Lots of LM suspended today with the K's and some of the walleye on the bottom, however I did catch a load of walleye suspended. 

Gills have moved in on the flat run outs and they were thick in that same depth range on some locations, not all. You catch gills, you catch walleye.  If there are many gills, there are very few bass. 

Walleye are really for the most part just in crazy amounts up the White and the Kings. 

Randy, this is a totally different fishery than it was when you were here. The walleye numbers are staggering. They got to be for a dummy like me to catch as many as I have been. 

All on artificial to boot. 

I fished a white War Eagle or a white Dixie Jet 1/2 oz. jigging spoon all day and nothing else. 

On one location up the White I had 8 keeper walleye in 8 drops, up to 24 inches. Couldn't believe it. They would streak off the bottom and hammer the spoon a good 10' before it hit the bottom. At times there were a dozen streaks headed for the spoon. 

I caught 20 plus walleye, easy with 15 keepers. Kept 2 that swallowed the spoon. Just no way to prevent that with the number of fish I caught and how aggressive they are. 

I learned something this morning. When you hook a bass at times the entire school would follow it to the surface.

When you hook a walleye totally different reaction. They mill somewhat, but go back down very fast or just stay where they are if they're suspended. Interesting, it really lets you know what your looking at. 

Lots of bass boats out this morning but most with the exception of the several guide boats I saw were beating down the bank. 

Probably lost one of the really good deep runs today cause a guy I did not know from Adam or had not seen came over as I was pulling my trolling motor. Said he had been watching me from across the lake and had never seen the like of fish I was catching. 

He wanted to know what I was doing, by that time we were drifting in 80' and I told him I was targeting deep suspended fish with my Live scope, which I was to some extent. 

Said he had no idea that fish lived that deep. He was running straight birds and wondered if he could find them with those units. I told him sure, just got to keep looking. 

If

That's true. 

Its not only me, the guides are catching walleye by the bushel basket and here is where I need some splaining. All the keeper walleye are males. In speaking with the guides as well as what I've cleaned not a single fish has been a hen. Every single fish is a male. 

Idea's?  I'm going to have to talk to Shane about it. 

Well, that's all the good news. The bad news is both Becky and I have Covid. We must have gotten it on our Colorado trip cause we are both pretty miserable with head congestion, cough and sneezing. We have had 4 vaccinations each and still got the durn stuff. 

My taste buds were only a little off, but Becky couldn't taste or smell anything for a week. We're doing better now, but staying away from people or wearing a mask when we have to go shopping. 

Good Golly, the fish are biting, if you get the chance go catch a few. 

Good Luck

Thank you ! Sounds like my kind of fishing !

[dan hufferd]

On 8/1/2022 at 11:44 PM, rps said:

First, and most important, get well!

Second, I absolutely believe you about the walleye. The continued stocking, the limit rules, and the limited natural spawn have made that lake a true walleye fishery. As the long time regulars know, there a a variety of methods that work, but this time of year, with the fish so deep, jigging spoons and drop shot crawlers are the way to go.

Here is a link to a 2018 article:

Your report made me realize that I have not caught a walleye in over three years.

I was with you one day, I remember ! I remember you catching one on your spot and me not on mine 🙂

[wily]

We’ve been at Campbell point for a week...leave in the morning.  Fishing has gotten slower for us as the week has went on...good quality but slow in numbers.  

We’re fishing drop shot fish doctors and finesse worms mostly.  Watermelon Candy and green pumpkin.  Fish just seem sluggish.  Can’t hardly tell when or if they bite.  We’re fishing our usual spots...main lake 25 to 30 feet on gravel...between here and Baxter.  

19.5 smallmouth and a 25 inch walleye were hilight of the trip.  We don’t fish in the morning...only in the evening until about half hour after sunset.

No goggle eye.  Not sure what’s going on with them.  They’re one of my favorite fish.

[Bill Babler]

If your used to catching Gog’s in August your going to have to let us in on your secret. 

Lots of conversations on the Gog’s this year as in prime time March thru May they we’re stingy this year

Starting last week a 1/2 or 3/4 oz. white jigging spoon has been out preforming the artificial drop shot worms. However 3.5 to 4 inch purple or morning dawn worms will still catch ‘em. 

3.5 or 4 inch Yamamoto purple laminate cut tail is still the bomb  

Like most everything else Keitech has some of the best worms I’ve ever used. Durn things are expensive and they tear up easy but you can just bite them off and keep retreading them.  When you put them in the water they look like they’re shivering. 

Mornings have been way better but a lot less fishing pressure in the evenings. The boats have just stirred the water to a froth by then. 

Sounds like you did really good though, thanks so much for the pictures and report. 

Good Luck

 

[dblades]

Get well Bill, thanks for the reports.