? regarding clear lakes

How do you fish really clear lakes, especially when the fish are less than 10 ft deep? I was at Holiday Lake State Park yesterday and man that water is clear. There are some really good lay downs in the lake that I would love to fish and the WT is right for shallower fishing these days. Casting laydowns is difficult bc I get hung so much. I would like to verticle jig them but the water is so clear I don't think the fish will stay as my boat approaches. Just wondering how you guys approach really clear water especially when the fish are not real deep?

I have fished Holliday Lake only once and when you say clear I know you mean CLEAR LOL... If I were going to vertical jig on that lake I would use my anchor to hold my boat away from the laydowns as to not spook the fish and use a 12-14 foot crappie rod to jig the brush. If that is not an option for you then I was consider using a cork to try and keep your bait just above the snags. I feel the same holds true at Smith Mountain when the crappie get really shallow. Hope this helps...

Do you ever titeline on Holliday? And do you catch any good Yellow Perch when you do? Like I said in the other thread I love fish different water! :)

Blake

minnow/slipbobber, Trolling motor into the wind toward the structure, that way when your taking the fish off the boat moves away from the tree, not to spook em, thats how i would attack it.

I'd use a weedless jighead & shad or bluegill colored plastics in the 1/16oz / 1.5" variety. I'd stay as far away from the tree as possible, but still within casting distance. I might also consider using clear mono, over my normal hi-vis, if it was still possible to see the line under the prevailing conditions. But, I still would not go below 4lb test.

I rarely ever encounter a situation where the wind is blowing away from the object I'm casting to :Doh: ... so anchoring or tying off to the nearest standing tree (within reach) would be preferrable to constantly running the TM.

If the wind is blowing towards or across the downed trees ... I'd consider a very small float, BB sinker, #4 hook & a minner ... casting to where the wind would blow the rig towards the tree.

I'd also consider fishing it when the water over the tree was in the shade. Also of note, is the fact that a little wind ripple wave action is preferrable to a slick water surface, as is a overcast sky.

... cp :cool:

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Originally Posted by crappiepappy

I rarely ever encounter a situation where the wind is blowing away from the object I'm casting to...a little wind ripple wave action is preferrable to a slick water surface, as is a overcast sky.

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+1 +1

old saying -" If you aint getting hung up, you aint catching fish" Sounds strage but I tell the guys reel the bait where its "just about hung up"

I'd try to stay at least 50 feet away from cover and cast a slip bobber rig just past the cover and slowly work the bait back over the cover with Your rod.CF

I fish Holiday a lot and catch much more crappie in open water than on the laydowns there. But when I'm fishing them I use a slider head with a Kalins grub. We should get together there, I'll show you a couple spots.

i fish at holiday a lot when i am not fishing buggs. i can usually troll up to fish slow and pick the one out that i want to catch all you need are white tubes and crappie boogers. tight line with fair sucess but long linning is your best option...just ask kenny a

if u need spots let me know there are certain laydowns, rock piles, and humps that work

plus i think white works the best in clear water just ask gene that is all he uses..

When is the bite best at Holliday for the crappie??? I have been wanting to make another trip up there. It has been several years since I went and we weren't crappie fishing on that trip...

Blake

White works year round there also so acid rain is my favorite color too. Let me know when you are going there i will try to help you out there. Now till May you can spot fish the crappie. Just PM i will share!

I want to do some long lining and titelining... when is the best time to go there for that?

Long lineing is the best at this lake over tight lining. Start in front of the swimming area in the channel. You will catch everything to include catfish, yellow perch, crappie, bass, pickereal, big bream, and green carp. This is usaully the spot that stays warm/hot the most out of this lake in my opinion. If you need more info let me know!

HC - you sure are showing a great attitude. Good on you for being so generous!

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Originally Posted by The Mountain Man

I fish Holiday a lot and catch much more crappie in open water than on the laydowns there. But when I'm fishing them I use a slider head with a Kalins grub. We should get together there, I'll show you a couple spots.

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Mountain Man, sounds like a plan! PM me when you are ready.

great info and suggestions all on the clear lake techniques. Really appreciate you guys that fish this lake giving good info and offering to help too! I am going to start fishing here a little more I think; my little lake in Amherst Co. just doesn't have very many keepers in it.