Thread: Herrington Lake.....

We went out again on Wednesday and nearly got skunked! I only caught one, my buddy, zero. They were breaking the surface everywhere but wouldn't touch a thing we threw at them. Guess next time we'll have to try live minnows.

Originally Posted by Big_Red

We went out again on Wednesday and nearly got skunked! I only caught one, my buddy, zero. They were breaking the surface everywhere but wouldn't touch a thing we threw at them. Guess next time we'll have to try live minnows.

Sometimes it be like that, on Herrington. They get a jones for one specific size of Shad, and they won't touch nothing bigger or smaller. A lot of times, too, when they are breaking everywhere ... they're so scattered that it's hard to get a bait in front of one, before they dive and move. I'm referring to casting to them, though. Never did much trolling for White Bass, at Herrington.

If the Shad they're after are "tiny" (1" or less) ... try 1/32oz Roadrunners, No Name Lure, Micro Spoon, or white wet fly -- and a split shot or two/three, up the line a couple of feet (for casting or trolling). Or tie on a deep diving crankbait, like a Hot-n-Tot, and tie a leader to the front hook eye (about 12-18" long) and put a jig or one of the previously mentioned baits on the end of the leader (strictly for trolling)

If the Shad are "small" (1-2" long) ... try 1/16oz Roadrunner, smallest Kastmaster or Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon, or 1/16oz jig on a popping float or topwater popper bait (8-12" leader)--- again, mostly for casting to the "jumps". Equivilant sized jigs (or these same baits) can be trolled (with split shots or behind crankbaits).

If the Shad are "big" (2-3" long) ... Pop-R's, small Silver Buddy's, 1/8oz Roadrunners, Kastmaster's, small crankbaits, Tiny Torpedo's, Zara Puppy's, and other baits similar to these, will work.

Having a minnow hanging over the side (while casting), may get you a strike or two, as well ... but, I'd have the rod(s) in rod holders --- sometimes White Bass will nibble on a minnow, like a small Crappie/Bluegill -- and sometimes they'll slam it :p

These are just some "suggestions" ... based on my experiences/success with White Bass at Herrington and Taylorsville. I leave the treble hooks on any topwater/diving crankbaits used, since it is possible to catch Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Stripers, or even larger White Bass on these (rather than the smaller bait trailing).

What area of the lake are you fishing ?? I've had my best luck out in front of Red Gate Creek, and around the Cane Run Creek area.
If you've got a 5gal bucket, aerator pump, and a 1/4" mesh cast net ... you may want to try and net some of the Shad, and use them. If the Shad are in the 1-2" length range ... you could also drop them down next to some of the standing trees, about 10-15ft deep, for Crappie. (even around some of the private docks, is a good place to drift around ... though you may want to fish a little shallower around them).

Thanks for the report, keep 'em coming !!

.... luck2ya ... cp

How is the crappie fishing at Herrington Lake? Was wondering if fishing around some of the docks might work. . I know most of the lake is deep.
Are there any areas with lake levels around the 20-25 foot range, maybe some standing timber?

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Going Monday so I needed to get this back on top of the page. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Downwind

Going Monday so I needed to get this back on top of the page. Thanks!

Herrington is a great lake for Crappie ... esp in the Spring. Summertime is usually nightfishing time, under your own lights ... or around private docks with lights. Don't worry about what depth of water you're in ... just try and figure out what depth the Crappie are suspended at.

Last time I was there, a few weeks ago, I took a buddy & his wife for some nighttime Bass wormin (her first night trip, first Bass fishing trip, and first time baitcaster use :p ) I noticed that, around some of the "close to the water" dock lights, the Shad were circling under them. They were pretty small, for this time of year. There were the usual Bluegill, smacking bugs on the surface ... a few small Bass, rushing in and snatching a Shad every now & then ... and what looked like some nice sized Crappie, coming from underneath the circling school of Shad, and getting their fair share. And this light is hanging over water > 20ft deep (could be 40-80ft deep, or more, I don't remember)

I always remember fishing at night on Herrington, back when I was young and going there with my grandparents ... that we rarely fished deeper than 12ft (usually 8-12ft) - under a two burner Coleman gas Lantern.

Seeing as how the Shad are still quite small ... I'd consider using small minnows ... and I wouldn't rule out using a 1/32 or 1/64oz marabou jig (casting the shadows, just outside the light, or Vertical Casting right thru the circling Shad). I don't guarantee any results but that's what I'd be doing, if I could be there. Wish I could go with you, but unfortunately I have to work Monday nights.

.... luck2ya ... cp

Crappiepappy: Thanks for the good advise! Not much on night fishing, but may have to give it a try. May also try to fish some of the shaded side of docks during the day.

What area of the lake are you fishing ?? I've had my best luck out in front of Red Gate Creek, and around the Cane Run Creek area.

Now sure of the name of the creek but we put in at Coffey's Cove Marina, went left up to the mouth of a creek by the campgrounds. This is where we saw so many.

Question, another friend told me that these are hybrids and not white bass, he claims that white bass do not have the prominate stripes. Anyone know?

Thanks.

Red

Originally Posted by Big_Red

Now sure of the name of the creek but we put in at Coffey's Cove Marina, went left up to the mouth of a creek by the campgrounds. This is where we saw so many.
Question, another friend told me that these are hybrids and not white bass, he claims that white bass do not have the prominate stripes. Anyone know?
Thanks.
Red

Not really sure where Coffey's Cove Marina is ... I do most of my fishing between Sunset Marina & Mcketchnie Creek (mid lake towards dam).
The shad I saw circling under the light, with the Crappie coming up, was at Kamp Kennedy (light was on the far left back boat slip dock - if you're on the lake and looking at Kamp Kennedy)

Yes to what you friend says ... they do appear to be Hybrids. Not so much the "prominant" stripes, that says so ... but the broken sections in the stripes (especially the lower band of stripes) would indicate that they are Hybrids. Both Hybrids and White Bass are pretty common in Herrington. The lake used to be world renowned for the Spring White Bass run ... but, that was decades ago. They tried Stripers, but they didn't survive long enough to be of much benefit (water gets too warm) ... so they put in Hybrids. Biggest one I've heard come from there ... weighed 14lbs.
If you hear any of the locals talking about "high birds" around Herrington ... they're probably not talking Dove shooting :p .... they're referring to the Hybrid Striped Bass.
I do know that they like to use the big Kastmasters (w/bucktail on hook) and the largest Rooster Tails, when fishing for Hybrids. They track them down with their electronics, back off and cast .... allowing the bait to fall to the bottom, then retrieving them at a fairly fast pace. They like for the bait to come by or thru the school at an angle (about a 45-60deg angle).

.... cp