Kayak Trip Report, Cotaco Creek

[Ditch Basser]

I fished Cotaco Creek today. I’ve been planning to make the drive around the lake (I live in Madison) for a couple years, but just never got around to it. Great little creek, actually more of a small river. The creek for the mile or so I fished up stream of Sharp Ford Rd Bridge is about 10 to 15 feet deep with laydowns on both sides. The water was clear today, mild current and 47 degrees. I found one or two Crappie on just about every laydown. Best bait was a 1/16oz white Marabou jig. The fish were 4 to 6 feet deep and facing upstream on the laydowns and would give that beautiful “THUMP!” when they hit. No finesse today, but the fish weren’t bunched up so you had to keep moving. I kept a limit for the freezer with many more keepers returned for another day.

FYI for the Green Carp fishermen. I caught a couple dozen Bass today, most 12” to 15” (pounders), but lost one about 6 pounds trying to lip it at the boat. I’m guessing this creek is loaded with Bass right now gutting up on shad since they also hit my white jig.

[Spaceman]

Glad you finally made the trip. Good job!

[Ditch Basser]

Thanks! That Creek is great. I think I've got a new favorite for when the wind is up during the winter months.

[Bob D]

It's a great place to get out of the wind DB. Watch the flow, too much water pulling on Wheeler will really make the current sing in there.

[Ditch Basser]

Bob D,

Wished it wasn't a 35 mile drive for me.

Looks like there's an old closed trestle bridge at Curry Chapel Road upstream or also at Upper River Road. I may try one of those as a put in on my next trip looking for some less trafficked water. There was about a dozen and a half boats in my area today. How far have you gone up stream?

[Bob D]

Have not been up much further than the boat launch.

[Alboy79]

Good report.

[slabby]

Bob D,

Wished it wasn't a 35 mile drive for me.

Looks like there's an old closed trestle bridge at Curry Chapel Road upstream or also at Upper River Road. I may try one of those as a put in on my next trip looking for some less trafficked water. There was about a dozen and a half boats in my area today. How far have you gone up stream?

Hey Ditch the bridge on Curry Chapel road will be hard to get in I could give you directions but I would get you lost-lol the other bridge on the River road would be your best bet as it has a access road that you can drive down right to the bridge and put in there,from there it is mostly virigin water since not many people want to make the ride that farfrom the boat launch.Hope this helps from a local that lives about five minutes from Sharps Ford boat launch.

[Hitek]

Also could launch the kayak off Hwy 36 even further upstream. Have to turn on Red Oak road off 36.

[Ditch Basser]

slabby,
callshy,

Thanks to both, I'll give those areas a try when I have time in JAN and report results.