Thread: Lop

Bayoumonster do you anchor out there or drift?

I never anchor--don't even bring one. I will troll around an area on top of where I locate fish and when they play out, I drift/look for another area where fish are. It has been extremely rare that I see someone anchor and do well. I'm no LOP expert by far..... Just my experience.
JBJ

Folks, I didn't do too well either. Only caught 3. Agree with Bayoumaster.......think the front that blew in a couple days earlier may have negatively affected the bite. Lots of boats but few catching any. Spoke with one guy that caught 10, but he worked really hard for those. He caught his on white jigs and Cajun Cricket jigs. Minnows didn't seem to do the trick. I've never had any motor problems but my main battery died on me. Had to get a tow back to the launch. One of those "off days" I guess. Not the best outing I've had but still....was good to be out on the lake.

Redchamp
Roger

Originally Posted by redchamp

Folks, I didn't do too well either. Only caught 3. Agree with Bayoumaster.......think the front that blew in a couple days earlier may have negatively affected the bite. Lots of boats but few catching any. Spoke with one guy that caught 10, but he worked really hard for those. He caught his on white jigs and Cajun Cricket jigs. Minnows didn't seem to do the trick. I've never had any motor problems but my main battery died on me. Had to get a tow back to the launch. One of those "off days" I guess. Not the best outing I've had but still....was good to be out on the lake.

Redchamp
Roger

Yeah. Don't feel too good about a trip but you really appreciate being out. Like dat. You will feel better with a new battery. And by then the weather will be better. And the anticipation of the next trip begins today. Congrats. I'm excited for you!

I use a 1 oz capps and coleman rig out there yesterday. What works best and will it still be good out there through winter?

Yes, it will stay good,and likely get better. I use a 3/4 oz. weight with a 3" dropper about a foot above with a medium sized minnow. Unless it's calm, 1/2 oz is TOO light. I've used lines with 2 hooks and don't find it helpful--just wastes more minnows. I am off on the weekends and try to go when the wind is "predicted" to be less than 10mph. I'm in an old brown/white "hawg trough" made in 1973 with a '73 mercury 65hp on it which I actually really like to use on LOP for drifting. Holler if you see me. I saw your boat on the "post your boat pics" thread. It looked really nice--more pics needed! I am rigging a "new" boat which is a '98 VIP boat. Gotta install rod holders, stick steering, a decent troll motor, and a depth finder and rod box and storage compartments. Will post a pic when I get it finished. It looks like a bass rig but has no decks. I don't like sitting on a deck for crappie fishing---I like to sit low and have my tackle at my fingertips instead of having to reach down into compartments.
I have only fished LOP for a couple of years now, but it is something I look forward to all year. You will figure it out in short time... I am not catching huge fish like some folks, but catch a lot of fish around 16-17". I'm trying to figure out how to catch larger fish consistently. This year I've had a lot of problem catching fish that I don't really want to keep because they're too small for my taste--- but still have to keep them as required. Haven't had that problem in the past. I don't usually go where all the boats are stacked up, it's just not necessary. I find the river channel and troll around on its edges in 32'- 28' as best I can until I run into a school, which usually doesn't take long. Sometimes you have to get through a school or two of yellowbellies before you find 'em, which is a pain. Only one day have I found the fish really bit as well as I like (Tues. before Christmas)---the rest of the time they have been a little slow and you had to stay on the school. WHen they are biting well, you can drift or troll around on flats at the depth you find they are liking, and just catch and catch until you have the limit. From my experience, you will know when they are biting because you'll only catch pretty much all good fish, and you will only be able to keep 2 poles baited ( I normally use 4). The next time I go and find they're biting good I'll holler. Seems this year, the best bite has been after noon to 3pm, which is really odd compared to past years.
So, anyway that's my LOP "long version".
JBJ

Thanks a million...I head back to work Monday night for 2 weeks...I plan on getting my use out of that $ 60 fishing permit when I get home...Hope to see you out there

Cajun Cricket Jig? Can anyone tell me or have a pic of this jig? Thanks