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Went out early afternoon, launched at Main harbor and trolled the Roses Bluff area pulling mixed colored Bandit 300's from 1.8 to 2.2 mph. 3 hours , 35 to 65 ft. back on 30lb.braid and not a bump. I can't figure it out. I've pulled crankbaits on the rez 6 different times over the past couple of years and have yet to catch a single fish. No stripers, white bass, or catfish either. Am I too early for cranks here?:banghead
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35-65' of line is a fairly narrow window in my opinion. You're only looking at about 3-4' difference in depth. I'll pull anywhere from 30-150' of line. Bandit 300 chart calls for up to 160' line to get 18' deep.
Put a weight in front if you need to get down deeper, slow down too. I start at 1.5 and rarely get over 1.8.
What the depth finder showing, any fish at all.
What they said. I've cranked Roses Bluff for several years and I've found 85'-100' on Bandit 300s has produced this time of year, and only in about 3 spots. I've wasted a lot of time trying to make them bite when actually they aren't there. I've gotten to be a huge believer in my Side scan. 1.5 mph with some blue usually gets a bite.
The fish I am catching are on the river ledge and edges of the deep lakes. I am spider rigging jigs but I would think cranks would be even better(I just don't use them).
If the Thermacline is setup, don't fish deeper than 10 feet deep. Fish won't be deeper than 12 feet and they bite up
Hey Don...Quote:
Originally Posted by DonDon
Looking at my sonar it looks like the thermocline is around 14 1/2 ft right now. Going back out in the morning to try again.
I saw evidence of thermocline at about 14 feet this morning in that same area...
Not sure about the crappie there now... Saw a big school in the edge of the channel at the big bend a week ago, suspended between 7 and 10 feet... No stripers spotted yet... I have been catfishing there every other day or so, and only catching them in 12 FOW...
I rarely if ever set my lines to run deeper than 12' on the Rez year round except maybe a few times in the dead of winter. Granted I have hardly fished south of goose lake except for during the spawn and mostly stay north of three prong. I have heard guys talk about catching deep crappie down on that end though. Regardless of water depth I fish mostly 4-12' and catch the lions share of my fish between 5-9' down. I am going to try and push/pull some cranks down that way when I get home next week.
If that's true MidMS, I think Op's problem is he's fishing under the fish. Sounds to me like on the Rez nothing more than a 200 series is needed for straight flat lining mostly. Up this way a lot of times a 300 series (long lip / deep diving) crank bait isn't enough depth, no matter if you pull the max length of line out to obtain max depth. I would say fish with a lot less line out with the 300's delta or better yet start pulling 200's :twocents
Also, don't be scared to slow down a bit if possible, I used to pull with big motor my lowest speed was 1.7 / average 2mph, now with newer trolling motor some days slowing it down to 1.3 - 1.5mph makes the difference.
Most of the areas on the lake that I frequent, that is true my friend. Especially, like they were saying before, if that thermocline is set up. Most of the consistent deep water is on that south end of the lake though so maybe it is a bit different. EZ was talking about pulling some cranks 80-100' on that end so that's what, 14-17'. Some of the older gentlemen who have helped me over the years all seemed to say the Rez fishes like 4 different lakes. Upriver, Upper Lake, Lower Lake, and Pelahatchie Bay each with there own separate trends and patterns.
I'll be back on dry land Wednesday. Let's catch up and rips some lips. I need a crash course in crankin! Right now I am on Kentucky Lake watching it being done. Just met a tow in a fairly narrow buoy line and had a guy pulling baits through there like he owned the place. Gave him five blasts on the whistle and alerted the coast guard. Some people just don't know how close they come to death.
Yep, some folks just ain't got good sense, believe me if I saw your rig on the waterway, I would yield you the right away! Not to divert from the subject any, but while on my mind. I had my chance last week to pay back a ski boat, water flea, was the 3rd before the 4th last Monday it were, lol. I rolled them up and decided to head in after being a human bobber long enough with all the wakes and such. I see a ski boat with several aboard, they were sitting 100-150 yards directly out in front of the boat ramp, just chillin'. I watched them for like 5 minutes it seemed like surely they will move, nope!! So I barrel in on them with all she had, they start flailing there arms and hollering at the top of their lungs. I slowed down a tad just to hear what the fuzz was about. I thought they were hollering a skier was in the water. I was like yeah she been holding that ladder for the last 5 minutes tell her to climb aboard already. Then I shut here down to almost idle speed, just to make out what they were saying, they said there was a ski ROPE in the water, oh crap trim up trim up. I got lucky and missed it, but could they have not towed the line in within the five minutes it took me to get on top of them? Oh well, afraid I may not be suited for a hopped up glass boat, I'm afraid I may spend all my time tormenting water fleas and bass fishermen, payback is heck from what I heard!!
I pull bandit 300's or similar deep diver crankbaits on the Rez. I target 11' 90% of the time .
Your not pulling deep enuff. I use 4/15 power pro braid.
Look for ledges with stumps they are stacked up on them.