Weather and wind permitting, I'm going to dust off the old new boat and try Bartlett on Sunday. Ray (yogi) headed out with me. Going to try Cat Bay and up river as haven't seen the lake since it was 40% full. Will confirm by Saturday AM if I'm going. Reply here if you'll be out so I can be sure and bring my radio.
I would like to join you, as my lakemaster chips are being delivered today. Really want to try them out, but it's Sunday. I'll be on the couch watching the Hawks put a pounding on the Texans. I'm thinking I might go out Saturday though.
Quote from: sparkchaser on September 25, 2013, 09:27 AM
I would like to join you, as my lakemaster chips are being delivered today. Really want to try them out, but it's Sunday. I'll be on the couch watching the Hawks put a pounding on the Texans. I'm thinking I might go out Saturday though.
Let me know how those chips work out. I may buy them as well. Understood I think the lake may still be a zoo on the weekends.
I would plan on getting there early. When we went a couple of weeks ago we launched at 6, and the lake was full of boaters by 8.
Launched at SB Cove yellow cliffs boat ramp about 7am and fished until 1:30pm. My boat partner caught 4 keeper crappie, several non-keepers, bluegill, and lots of small bass in 30ft of water up river. Fished primarily with bare hook and minnow. Catching stopped around noon and we headed home about 2pm. Great looking lake at 98% full.
That's about what time I was got on water. Sounds like u guys had a better day than i did. I was only able to get 3 lil largies in the boat. Sure was graphing lots of fish between 20 and 30 feet. I did not come prepared with minnows so I hit the back coves for shad and found them all over the place big schools. Threw my cast net got about 2 dozen first throw. Them slabs did not want any shad I guess. I sent them right to the bottom looking for some slabs no luck. Quail seaon opens Friday so them lil pretty birds better watch out I'm coming !!!!
Nice going Matt.
Quote from: ArZFisher on September 29, 2013, 08:42 PM
Threw my cast net got about 2 dozen first throw. Them slabs did not want any shad I guess.
That sure would seem like it should work. I need to try that out sometime as you'd think going with actual bait from the lake would be better than minnows usually.
Quote from: mrokusek on September 29, 2013, 10:10 PM
Quote from: ArZFisher on September 29, 2013, 08:42 PM
Threw my cast net got about 2 dozen first throw. Them slabs did not want any shad I guess.
That sure would seem like it should work. I need to try that out sometime as you'd think going with actual bait from the lake would be better than minnows usually.
Sometimes it does and does not. I think it all depends on the size of shad u get. The ones I got yesterday were a lil to big for my likening. I think cause they were lil bigger that the bass were hitting em instead of crappie. I have had good results in past but the shad were smaller.
Hey ArZFisher -
How are you keeping those shad alive?
I have a 10 gallon bucket that used to hold 100 lbs of chlorine tabs.. I can keep shad alive in it but it is a pain in the !!
I noticed the smaller the shad the better but keeping them lively has always been my limiting factor to catching crappies with them..
Home made livewell. Took old 48 quart Coleman and added some pipes some valves and tubing and presto. I heard a large round container works well to just need some kinda of pumping system for water. With some free time and a lil bit of enginunity its pretty easy. I designed my system to work of one Ts-800 bilge pump. With the one pump I can aerate water, flush old water and I can use as a bilge pump if I take on water. Top three reason shad don't survive when we catch them is how many u catch and put in livewell. I noticed if I put any more than 2 dz shad in my well they die pretty quick. I also areate water every 5 mins for 30 sec. I also flush water with new water every 50 mins for 5-10 mins. I have good luck with this routine this year keeping shad alieve. I have kept them for up to a day and a half this way at Rosie on a weekend trip. Here is a couple pics of my setup.
Nice setup.
yes very nice setup. I'd say that should keep them swimming! Thanks for sharing.
Ya no problem. I know how difficult it can to keep shad alive.