Gaston Advice

I am headed to Gaston this weekend (4/12/12-4/15/12) and taking the boat. I was looking to "just catch" some fish. I am looking for Bass, Crappie and Catfish. Any advice would be awesome as I would love to keep the catfish and crappie and have a fish fry one day. I haven't seen a lot of info on Gaston so figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. I am new to fishing for crappie, as some of you know, and taking my boat. I have never fished Gaston so anything will help. Also, for dock fishing ...any tips, pointers, and advice there would be great as well. I have most the basic equipment just headed to pick up some BGBS and maybe some other stuff before heading out. I appreciate all the help here and apologize I haven't posted lately, been traveling and not a lot of fishing going on. Promise to keep everyone updated on fishing trips as I have them though. If it helps, I will be staying on Pea Hill Creek (Lake Gaston Lodges).

Thanks in advance and tight lines all,
Brian

Man, I hope this isn't that bad a sign. I was afraid no one fishes Gaston because it isn't that good for crappie ...looking like that might be the case. Anyone? I am thinking it should be good to hit the docks with some jigs and shoot them up under there. I will definitely let everyone know how I do but I am looking just to fish Pea Hill Creek unless I get someone saying another spot on the lake is better.

I know that people have posted about Gaston in the past... do a search and see what you come up with... Never been on the lake myself so I can't help you out...

Blake

I agree with Blake, use the search feature and you may find some old reports. Not many post about fishing that lake.

I use to fish it a lot but never did very good in Pea Hill.

Have heard that crappie can be hard to find on Gaston. They are there. Dock shooting and longline trolling is what I have heard works best. One problem Gaston has is that it is right next to Kerr/Buggs Island lake which is a crappie power house. I think everyone considers Gaston an ugly step child when it comes to crappie but they can be had!CF

Thanks guys, I did do a search and saw a couple posts. I was afraid that it wouldn't be that good for crappie but already going so I have worked a game plan up. Heading that way tomorrow and will let everyone know how I do.

fish pea hill the docks near Va boat landing,then go under bridge toward back and fish those docks,look for ones that sticking out farer or bigger and shoot in the darkest spot. Lizzard,stonehouse and creeks above eden ferry bridge are better than pea hill.Ride to back of creeks and do not stop until water dept gets 10 or less in middle,then look for shady dock nearest to deepest water there. If dock has a lot of shallow water in front,forget it,but the dock can be shallow and fish may only be 3 feet of water but 4 or 6 feet in front. do not spend much time on a dock but a few good shots at a dock,at this time of year a good shot will letyou know for he is defending his spot,so color or type is not very inportant but retrieve is.also be aware of a tap first ,he is running bait off ,and can be a big fish instead of a bream,shoot back and he will eat it by the second shot

Gene, if you were at the eden ferry bridge and then went north there is a creek that goes off to the left. I can't remember the name of it but we caught some nice ones in there a long time ago.

BB, the lake runs west to east,and so I am not sure which creek you mean but all 4 creeks there are good. At Eden Ferry bridge facing east on north is Lizzard and facing west is Songbird on north which is one of the best ,go under its bridge and it split 3 ways ,the one to left going in and the one straight are the best. now if at Eden Ferry bridge facing east and go south is Stonehouse which I mostly put in. In Little stonehouse I shot under one dock and caught a big fish 19 straight times before one did not hit,I was glad for I was alone and love to keep searching,don't like to fish in one spot to catch many fish,I know ,every one thinks I am crazy ,wife does, just that bass searching in me just won't leave,but I am changing a little,have to,because of her

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Originally Posted by genec

Ride to back of creeks and do not stop until water dept gets 10 or less in middle,then look for shady dock nearest to deepest water there. If dock has a lot of shallow water in front,forget it,but the dock can be shallow and fish may only be 3 feet of water but 4 or 6 feet in front. do not spend much time on a dock but a few good shots at a dock,at this time of year a good shot will letyou know for he is defending his spot,so color or type is not very inportant but retrieve is.also be aware of a tap first ,he is running bait off ,and can be a big fish instead of a bream,shoot back and he will eat it by the second shot

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Wow, Genec! That is a lot of really good information. Very helpful for a beginner like me. BIG THANK YOU.Thumbs Up

genec,

That is awesome advice and more than I was hoping for. I can easily run to those creeks so depending on how I do I might head that way. I figured since this is the first time really fishing this lake that I would limit my area at first and work out from there. I have got so worked up to go and excited that I am afraid I am going to go and not get a thing. Hopefully, I can get out early tomorrow and work the day...my plan was to go up as far as I can in Pea Hill and work the docks that are on the edge of deep water and work back to the main lake depending on how I do. I am really looking to keep some for eating as I have not had crappie yet and really want to fry some up this weekend while there. So, if I can get into some good eating sizes and have some fun doing it I will be more than happy. I know exactly what you mean about the searching thing, I am a bass fisherman at heart and love to move. My wife is the same way, once she gets a bite she wants me to anchor right there until she doesn't get another bite. Me, I am looking for the next best area and trying to figure out what they are patterned on. I will be mixing the bass fishing with crappie and some catfishing this weekend. Well, I am starting to pack now so won't be on for a while, I do get the replies on my phone though, so I will tell everyone to have a good weekend and be careful while out enjoying the fishing. Weather is looking like it will be good for some enjoyable fishing. Wait, when is fishing not enjoyable? :bash

Tight lines,
Brian

Well, I apologize for taking so long to reply. I only ended up catching one crappie and he wasn't a keeper size. I stayed in Pea Hill Creek and fished for catfish and bass some as well. Did get a lot of sunfish hitting the jigs though. I think I was where the crappie were but just not fishing the jig right. That and I need to practice the shooting technique. It was windy as all get out and I had a lot of trouble keeping the boat in position. I enjoyed it and caught enough catfish for dinner one night but will definitely be working on my shooting technique for the next time I am there. Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciated it.

Tight lines,
Brian

brivabeach, I use to practice in my livingroom,i had a chair that had a bar across it about 5" and I would shoot under it ,then would make it narrow and shoot under it. Use a 1/32 jig but cut point off,you want to get good enough to shoot in a small can so you can put bait where others can not. Sorry you did not do well ,I wish you could have went to Songbird or stonehouse but wind was too bad. In shooting it is not as they say by the aim of rod but the AIM OF THE JIG TO TIP OF ROD,keep it low to the waterand in straight line with your sight like you would do a bean shooter

genec, thanks a lot for the advice. I definitely will do some practicing. No problem on not doing well, I truly believe that a bad day on the water is the better than the worst day not on the water. I enjoyed being there and fishing. As it was my first trip there I really didn't have high expectations and was pretty happy with how I did. I also don't think I was letting the jig fall enough before retrieving but it was a learning experience. Every time I go I learn something new so nothing lost. I appreciate the tips and advice greatly though. All very good information.

Tight lines,
Brian