Sat/Sun Clarks Hill

[bhodges]

Saturday: Hopped on the 'Gimme 10' with DI about 0600 and were fishing in Big Hart Creek by 6:30. It was overcast but no rain, and only a light breeze. The bite was slow, but we did catch a fair number of smaller crappie, and 2 good keepers. Also ran through a school of white perch that made a nice little mess of our poles, we caught four of those. DI also hooked into two gar. One was probably in the 10lb range, but the other was a beast. DI has the pictures, but we guessed it was probably over 20lbs and 3+ ft long. Took DI about 10 minutes to get him to the boat on a 16ft pole with 6lb test line. We'd thought maybe he'd hooked a nice striper or something, but got a gator instead. He also did a fine job of tangling up our lines. Most of the fish were biting on black/blue/chart Kalins and black/chart, with a few coming on John Deere and Acid Rain Kalins. After that, the wind picked up some so we headed over to the bridge to try for a few cats. DI caught a nice 4-5lber on the first cast, then they quit. We called it a day around 1200. We didn't slay them, but I had a great time and learned a few things.

Sunday: Pretty much the same weather conditions as Saturday. Overcast with a light breeze. Got a little drizzle a few times but nothing substantial. Coming across little river bridge it looked pretty choppy and I didn't see any boats out. Got on the water in Soap Creek with my brother Chris at about 630 and there was very little wind back in there. We paused at a few points on the way to the back so he could get his carp fishing in. I picked up a pretty nice shellcracker just casting a jig to the bank. After that I headed straight for the power line because I knew there'd be fish there. And there were, but not many. We picked up 6 smaller fish really fast, all on black/blue/chart Kalins. Then those shut down, so we started trolling. Ran up and down the channel side for a while picking up a few small fish, mostly down near the bouy. After it appeared it was going to be a bust, we decided to scout out some of the coves to see if we could find any brushpiles or anything. I did find one very good one, but couldn't get anything to bite off it. Have to mark that next time for spring. It was partially exposed, but would have been totally underwater a month ago. We fished around some of the coves and picked up a few small bass. We called it a day at about 1130. Another slow day on the bite, but a nice day on the lake nonetheless.

[bhodges]

here's the gar

[reelcrappie]

Heck of a gar. Bet he added a little excitement to the day. I've heard tht they can be eaten but I guess I'll pass. You'd have to clean that thing with a chainsaw. Good post, looks like youall had a decent day overall. See youall at the fishfry.

[procraft1780]

Hey bhodges,
I had fun with a gar a few weeks ago fishing in Baker Creek. I saw him swimming along a downed tree I was fishing so I threw my jig right across his nose and hooked him. After a few minutes of fighting he decided he'd had enough and straightened my hook. By the time I got my pliers out and re-bent my hook he resurfaced about 20 feet from me. What a dumb fish! I cast right across his nose again and hooked him for a second time. I played around with him a few more minutes but he straightened my hook once again. I guess that was the best outcome though because I don't see myself trying to handle something with teeth that sharp. I probably would have just cut the line after I had my fun with him but at least I got my jig back, even though the hook is a little stressed. It's funny the things you will do for excitement when the Crappie aren't biting.

[bhodges]

heh, heard that. Bite has been slow on the Hill the last two weekends. Making another go at it tomorrow. Caught 0 crappie today.