Standing Timber Report 31 May

Well, decided to give it a try and see if we could find some fish in standing timber. Never did this on a lake before so it was a little different. Have done this in creeks with flowing water but not standing still. Found this to be a very snaggy affair and it takes a lot of patience. Got on the water around 1700 and fished until 2000. Fish were suspending in the trees that were in 20-25 FOW. My graph was showing a thermal cline at about 20-19 FOW so we fished just a little above that at 14-15'. It was hard to determine a real pattern. The first place we tried had a wind current coming across it and that's were we caught most of our fish. It seemed that the trees that were just under the surface were the ones holding the most fish. Those that stuck up out of the water by 1 to several feet did not seem to produce as well.

So a couple of things learned, use a heavier jig head to get down in the timber. Used 1/8 oz jig heads. Used 6 lb test hi-vis mono, will probably go to braid in the future. Used a 14' rod, will probably go to 12' in the future to muscle fish up thru the tree better and better control while moving among tree tops.

As it started to get dark it was real hard to spot the trees down under the surface of the water so we called it a night. Guess I have my days all messed up, this was last night on the 30th of May not the 31st.

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Bob D, I fished lots of old standing trees in Missouri, the tops that are below the surface are always better because they get passed by most anglers. Anything sticking out of the water gets hit by bait after bait. Good looking cooler of fish for a short trip!

Where were you fishing Bob D if you don't mind saying?

I think the trees that are below the surface dont move as much which can spook the fish. Waves, wind can move them around a lot and this might be a reason the fish prefer the ones that are submerged. JMHO

Nice job Bob! I'm guessing you were on Nelly Henry way up river?

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Was on the BCDA network of water sheds. There are a couple of places out there that have the timber on them. Don't really want to pin point it guys because a buddy gave me the tip and I don't feel comfortable giving up his spots without his permission. Hope you understand that. If it had just been me, I'd a put that in the original post.

Good info and great catch :ThumbsUp

Bob I totally understand. Thanks for even that much. I was just curious because I fish N. AL too.

I tried to give everyone the lessons I learned from this trip as much as I could. A couple more of these trips and I'm sure I'll have more info from the experience. I know there are other places around with standing timber so that's why I posted it the way I did. Give it a try, it was a lot of fun.

Great report, thanks for posting.

Thanks Bob, good to know you are doing well.Looks like you are working hard to make yourself a better fisherman.

I love to fish the BCDA lakes. I need to get back to fishing there. Thanks for the report Bob