Thread: Observations on Sardis

not at sardis.

I agree with Feelay, in all that mess I fished around yesterday didnt see more than a dozen fish caught in around 3 hrs. Folks at ramp all had 2 or 3. Neighbor said the same thing about Enid today. Whole lot of fishing but not a lot of folks catching.

I've been fishing Sardis for a few years and never experienced what I saw when I arrived Thursday. Never have I had to wait thirty minutes to get to the ramp. Being a novice boater, nerves set in prior to getting to the ramp with the "new to me" boat. Approaching the ramp, it seemed 6 inches wide, so i pulled up to wait for the gentleman to at least get his boat off the trailer. I overheard a gentleman tell another, "well he could go ahead and back in, he's got plenty space." In reverse I went and managed to inch my way in. Did I mention I was by myself which makes the launch a little longer. Motor didn't start initially and I could feel the tension in the air. After a few turns, she cranked, to the ditch I went, and proceeded to park a country mile from the ramp. Into the carousel of boats I went. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day. Caught a few and went to the house. So, from a novice's (Goob in training) point of view, I personally want to thank anyone on this forum who has ever taken the time to help a fellow fisherman.

Originally Posted by minnerchunker

I've been fishing Sardis for a few years and never experienced what I saw when I arrived Thursday. Never have I had to wait thirty minutes to get to the ramp. Being a novice boater, nerves set in prior to getting to the ramp with the "new to me" boat. Approaching the ramp, it seemed 6 inches wide, so i pulled up to wait for the gentleman to at least get his boat off the trailer. I overheard a gentleman tell another, "well he could go ahead and back in, he's got plenty space." In reverse I went and managed to inch my way in. Did I mention I was by myself which makes the launch a little longer. Motor didn't start initially and I could feel the tension in the air. After a few turns, she cranked, to the ditch I went, and proceeded to park a country mile from the ramp. Into the carousel of boats I went. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day. Caught a few and went to the house. So, from a novice's (Goob in training) point of view, I personally want to thank anyone on this forum who has ever taken the time to help a fellow fisherman.

Glad you had a good day.. I hate that boat ramp. My dad has a place down there and I stil refuse to put in at Holiday.. Would rather run down the lake from Engineers..

I'm 51 and been fishing at Sardis since I was 10. Used to camp at the camp ground with my dad in that first slot. Years ago the line used to back up past the camp ground before I even woke up, so a lot of this is nothing new. It just seems to go thru cycles depending on the water levels and "reports" posted. This website alone has helped spread the good word on the lakes successes and draw people in from out of town. Same with the Guides. Its a business and I understand that. Nothing wrong with making money fishing. I'm beginning to think Missouri and Illinois don't have any lakes--or at least they close down during spring. I also think a lot more than 5% are catching fish. Trolling takes a lot of fish out of the lakes. It used to be nothing for me to go out and catch 50 fish single pole fishing. I could fish in brush most didn't want to deal with. Finesse fishing. Its all gone now or at least water levels don't get that high like back in the day. That would be an absolute phenomenal day now--and not likely because as soon as I'd start catching boats would be all around me! The size limit has worked well in my opinion to help the overall size of fish, but the population is not near what it used to be. The fish can't hide anywhere with most of the brush gone. I have mixed feelings. One its great to see so many people enjoy fishing and it would be selfish of me or anyone to think otherwise. On the flip side, I think it would be naïve to think more fisherman don't put pressure on the lakes. And the changing conditions of the lakes in general make it much easier for those to troll and catch fish. They simply have a lot more lake accessible to troll than 20 years ago. Just my thoughts this morning. Enjoy the day and if you get a chance, take a kid fishing! Someone will need to carry on the tradition.

#15. My dad is still around and is my best friend, he's in his late 60's now and doesn't get around as well as he use to but is still out there going at it. Can wait until the week of 3/31 I get to spend 5 days of just him and I chasing crappie.

Originally Posted by cray

I agree with Feelay, in all that mess I fished around yesterday didnt see more than a dozen fish caught in around 3 hrs. Folks at ramp all had 2 or 3. Neighbor said the same thing about Enid today. Whole lot of fishing but not a lot of folks catching.

The fish got lucky on Thursday. COE shut the spillway down to 100 cfps that morning and took the current out of the lake....slowed the bite considerably. With Butla messed up and all the information flowing around on the internet, Sardis has been getting hammered since August 2012. It amazes me that it can take all the pressure and still produce good fish. Hope we're not watching a great fishery get crippled.

Originally Posted by BigBlue

Glad you had a good day.. I hate that boat ramp. My dad has a place down there and I stil refuse to put in at Holiday.. Would rather run down the lake from Engineers..

Im with you. I'd rather take a swift kick in the tenders as to launch at holiday. Did it twice and will never do it again.