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I found a bunch of beds today with a bunch of Gills and Crackers on them. The water was real clear you could see them swimming around the beds, but they wouldnt hit anything. I even tried a roadrunner, they would chase it but not bite. It looked like 1 fish swimming circles in every bed and chasing the others off. So why arent they biting? Too interested in sex? I did get 20 nice ones but it took some coaxing. I would like to hear some input from the pros.
I have one place with clear water, it's a small lake. But I fish it from the bank, have to use a 16' pole and hide behind a tree to catch them, no weight just 2lb line with a hook and cricket kicking on top of the water. Smart fish.
They werent spooky, at times we had the boat right next to them just watching, I cant figure out why they wouldnt bite.
Those are males at the bed, and until the eggs hatch, they will protect their nests at all cost, and as you see they won't eat until the eggs hatch. Have done the same thing you did, and they would only grab the live minnow by the tail and move it out of the way, but would not inhale it.
Thanks for the reply S10. so when the eggs hatch it will be on like Donkey Kong? will that be next weekend?
Try backing up and using light line. Nothing beats a nightcrawler hooked in the middle on a #6 hook with no weight or float. If it is over 6' deep you can use a BB sized split shot up 1' or so above the hook. Toss it in the bed and let it do it's magic. Sometime that worm wiggling for a minute or two will be more than they can stand. They usually pick it up if nothing else to get it out of the bed.
I got a guaranteed solution for you. Like a previous poster mentioned, they are protecting the beds right now. Bust out the flyrod, a 9' 4X tapered leader, and a Betts Bream Getter fly in black. You'll tear em up.
NOT AN EXPERT BY ANY STRETCH , BUT A SINKING BLACK GNAT WILL GET SOME TO STRIKE .:ThumbsUp
Thanks guys I will try that
Topwater bream fly's will get em. Found myself in the situation a couple years ago, tied one on and tore em up.
They will bite on the bed, you just have to be away from them. If they see you, it don't matter what you throw. I pitch a 1/32 orange jig head with about 1" of night crawler on it. Bounce it off the bottom as you bring it back to you. It won't last long.
Thanks KC I will give it a try. Probably going tomorrow.
A slowly sinking black ant pattern works very well on the fly rod too.
About an inch of nightcrawler drug through the beds with a small splitshot 8-12" up the line usually works. The'll either eat it or try to move it away. Any buggy looking jig you have works too. You have several options listed here that I have used successfully. As said before. Keep back far enough not to be seen and be patient, trying different options till they bite. One that I have not had luck with when they get spooky is bobber fishing. Seem to get lockjaw on me...
Flyrod and a mohair leeceh!!!
Go smaller and lighter. 1/64 and 1/80 oz jig hooks with a cricket on 2-4lb line and tiny cork, or a micro jig bounced through the beds with or without a float. 99% of the time, it works everytime LOL.
Seriously though, lighter tackle results in more fish, especially in clear water.
cast net!:dono
I realize tis is an older thread, but if fishing these with a bobber, Do not use one with any color, as the fish see it and get spooked. Use a clear one, cast past the spot you want, ad drag it back to it. Works almost every time, and does not spook the fish.Quote:
Originally Posted by killum
They can see you far before you see them. It seems to vary from fish to fish for me. I've had 2 lb shellcrackers inhale a whole nightcrawler right under the boat in 3 ft of water and others would not bite regardless of my attempts. I've had success coming back to the bed an hour or so later after trying them the first time. Stay much further out and don't use a bobber. Just enough splitshot to get your bait there.
thanks for all who posted great info
Back way off, use an ultra light with about 4lb test. Small bream hook, and a single split shot, no cork. Bait with red wigglers. Start at the edge of the beds, if you don't get bit drag it a few inches. As you catch the ones on the perimeter you can work your way deeper into the beds. Most folks cast into the middle of the bed pattern catch one or two and spook the rest. Bull blues and shell crackers especially can be spooky. You will have to pay close attention to your line for the slightest movement or just a tiny tap or tick. Lots of times they just suck it in and sit tight.
I once heard that when fishing the beds use salmon eggs and the fish would pick it up. Supposedly they think it is one of the eggs they are watching and try to put it back. Don't know for sure just something I heard about.