2/15/07

Fishing action slowed by cold rain
By Terry Madewell

Cold and even colder weather does make fishing conditions a bit tough for us all. We’re halfway through February and typically we’ll start seeing some real positive indicators of spring in the next couple of weeks. But recently the cold weather has had an icy grip on fishing.

A few good catches have been made according to a few reports in the past week, but not a lot of reports of success are being heard right now. A few good largemouth bass have been caught and scattered catches of crappie have been reported. But traditionally, it’s time to start catching fish. I’d go ahead and get my gear ready and go fishing.

In addition, some fishermen have been trying the catfish to see if the blue cats will turn on. Basically only mixed reports have been received, a few scattered fish caught but not sensational fishing. However, some of the catfish have been rather large. Most of the catfish have been caught on shad, however, not a lot of fish are being caught overall.

Most of the reports on the crappie fishing have been from fishermen working deep water near the mouths of the larger creeks. Drifting minnows and trolling small jigs along the deep ledges have produced some fish. However, the fishing has begun to get a bit more consistent according to a couple anglers.

Most of the fish in these patterns have been taken in the 16-22 foot depth range.

There are some largemouth bass fishermen who never give it up and some bass are being taken. In fact, a few good fish are being caught, but overall, the numbers of fish hooked has been rather low. Crankbaits worked slowly and bottom-bumping lures have been the best lures recently. But we are nearing the season where some hawg bass will be taken by fishermen who have the patience to stick with the slow fishing. Look for the largemouth activity to perk up dramatically in the next two-to-three weeks. Right now, most of the bass are being caught on secondary points or in thick cover in water 4-8 feet deep. But the shallow water fishing is just around the corner.

The striper news is still quite slow. But this action should begin to perk up in the upper end of the lake soon.

Fishing along the inshore coastal regions is perhaps the brightest fishing news right now. Redfish on the flats are being taken using gold spoons and/or live bait such as mud minnows. The speckled sea trout are still being taken on jigs and mud minnows as well. The news on offshore bottom fishing action on black sea bass, snapper and grouper continues to be very good. If you can get in this action now, you can load up on some great eating fish.