Thread: Oologah Archives

Anything north of Spencer Creek can be tricky with underwater obstacles. Just getting around to Talala from Spencer can be difficult if you don't know where you're going. There are areas out there that get REALLY shallow REALLY fast! Even in the middle of the lake. I personally don't even fish Talala much because I get tired of riding up on stumps as I troll around. Plus the ramp there sucks. Other guys who fish it alot seem to know where every stump is and have no issues. They catch alot of fish up in there as well. I catch plenty elswhere so there just is no need for me to hassle with all of the obstacles in there. Between the dam and Spencer there is more structure than you could ever possibly fish. If you want to really catch fish you will need a GPS locator. I use 2 Lowrance locators on my boat, they're both LMS-520c with internal GPS units and they're great. They aren't made anymore but you could find used and refurbished ones online for cheap or go with the current models but they're more expensive. Other guys like Hummingbird units. I don't think it really matters, just personal preference. Minnows almost always seem to out-produce jigs on Oologah. I don't know why but they just do. If you go to Eufaula it's the opposite, it's weird but that's just how it is. On Ooologah, jigs seem to work better in the winter. When I use jigs, which is not very often, I use Yum baits so I can't speak to the BG rigging question but lots of guys on here use them so they'll help with that. Good luck and if you see me on the lake come on over and say hi. I'll be the guy catching Crappie!

Collinsville'
The Bobby Garland Baby Shad baits are a soft fulll bodied bait. You would rig it just as you would a tube or a curly tail. Just start at the head of the bait and run your hook thru it as you would a worm. Its simple and with a few trys you will be a pro if not from the first time. Good Luck and let us know how you fair on Oologah....Ranger

Collinsville,

I can't speak to Oologah, but as far as rigging jigs, I always rig mine on loops rather than tight knots. To me, they hang with a better attitude in the water and have more action that way. Perhaps Odie will chime in, as he fishes BG's and is a very good Oologah fisherman.

There have been some good response already but here goes my 2 cents. On running the lake, from Spencer Creek to the dam there is not that much underwater hazards. From Spencer Creek north you better know where you are at. The east side is extremely shallow and there are several humps in the middle between Spencer and Talala Creek. Going north of the Winganon bridge is even more dangerous. The biggest hazard on Oologah is the WIND, very treacherous with anything over 15 mph.

As for jig fishing, that is all I use EXCEPT for the dead summer then I use minnows. I do like the BG baby shad, but now Bass Pro and YUM are making them also. Since none of the 3 are sponsoring me I use whichever one I get the best deal on. I do as Winger said, I use a loop knot on my top jig if I am using 2 jigs. It seems to give the jig more action.

Odie

Vertical jiggin and both hands full of rods and slow trolling it works well as Odie and Winger states, but I am a 1 rod man and 1 jig due to fishing woodpiles mostly..2 jigs get hung so much easier on wood..Its just who I am and how I fish...
I wasn't and never think that I was talking about the way others fish...I tie my jigs knotted to the eye of the hook..we are all different and have methods that work for us and thats whats so cool about this forum and fishing with eachother due to we all learn new tricks and methods....Ranger

Originally Posted by meatdragger

Other guys who fish it alot seem to know where every stump is and have no issues. They catch alot of fish up in there as well.

I resemble that statement.

Well at least Bobby Garland is willing and does give back to us such at the fall event at Gibson so I will use their stuff as much as I can and you guys should to I fully expect them to help us with our tournament events so buy oklahoma made if at all possible

Big George that's a good point (Bobby Garland) to keep in mind!