February 28, 2017
Lake Conditions: The lake has been rising over the past few months with the intermediate ramp now open on the Glory hole side of the lake. With the increase in water and the large trees and other debris, it has made the lake an obstacle course. I would recommend moderate speeds and certainly a life jacket for all. That being said the lake looked great with many of the smaller islands under water and water clarity up to 8’. Water temps at blast off (0830) were 49-50 degrees and by the day’s end (1430) the temps on the main lake were up to 54 degrees with the wind increasing throughout the day starting at the 5mph ending with a sustained wind to 15-20.
How We Caught Them: We started (client C. Norton) on a few steeper banks throwing senkos, shaky heads, jigs and reaction baits. Several fish came on the bottom baits as the fish were not aggressive early, it was more of a pressure bite. We continued this pattern throughout the day targeting the rocky banks and main lake points. I wound up throwing mainly reaction type baits from A-rigs, rip baits and Huddleston swimbaits with the top producer being the A-rig and Senkos. The wind picked up and blew us off a few areas forcing us into the coves on the main lake with the bottom baits continuing to shine. It was a productive day, a day figuring out the lake with the much-needed increase in water and a day learning a new technique.
Tackle Box Gear Used: Dobyns DX743SF and DX764SF paired with a Shimano 2500 and spooled with 20# J-Braid to a 7# Trilene fluorocarbon leader were the rods for the senkos and shaky head. For the A-rig and Huddleston’s a Dobyns 805 was the ticket. The jig rod was a Shimano CRC-72HA with 12# Trilene Fluorocarbon.
ProCast fishing Guide/Instructor John Loverin