04-13-2006, 10:29 PM
[cool][#0000ff]For the bass, I might try Senkos or tubes, flippin' or pitchin' right next to reeds coming up out of water 2-4 feet deep. Go for cover on the north side of the lake (facing south sun). Try either dark or chartreuse. They have to see it and respond with a "reaction" bite if they are not actively cruising and feeding. Sometimes the small jigs will do the same thing. But, you usually have to put it right on their nose. They don't move far to chase lures yet.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Catfish. Early in the day, when the water is coldest, try anchoring a short cast away from a deeper hole and toss in a piece of weightless bait...from your anchored boat. Be patient and let them find it. Later in the day, when the water has warmed along the north shore, that "honey hole" might have some fish in it. However, it is still early for the best action on bobber fishing. Better to cast the unweighted bait and let it settle slowly to the bottom. Later, when the water is warmer and the fish more active, they will some up off the bottom for a bobber/bait rig...or a plastic jig.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can "drag" bait with your boat, but it is difficult to get the same results as from a tube. The breeze is never just exactly right. It is usually too fast and it does not allow you to stop frequently and just let the bait rest on the bottom. You need to be able to move easily, to cover more area, but you also need to be able to stop the motion. Most of the cold water cats we have taken in the last month have hit while the bait is motionless. Later in the year you can move right along and still get plenty of hits.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The best way to use this system from a boat is to anchor up and make your best cast. Let it settle slowly to the bottom. Every 30 seconds or so, lift the rod tip with a shivvering motion to raise the bait off the bottom and move it a foot or so closer. Then let it settle again. If you feel a tap, open the bail and let the fish play with the bait a bit before attempting to pin his lips. Of course, if the fish takes off like a freight train, you can close the bail, let the line come tight and then cross its eyes. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Obviously, you can't catch them where they ain't. If you do not get any interest within two or three slow retrieves to the boat, you need to lift the anchor and drift a few yards and then ease it down again. Better to go slow and work each area thoroughly, rather than sail through, drifting too fast.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Things are changing quickly now. Within a few weeks the fish will all be more active and you'll have a lot more options. For another couple of weeks still, we have to serve up their bait low and slow, and give them plenty of time to move in to find and eat it.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Catfish. Early in the day, when the water is coldest, try anchoring a short cast away from a deeper hole and toss in a piece of weightless bait...from your anchored boat. Be patient and let them find it. Later in the day, when the water has warmed along the north shore, that "honey hole" might have some fish in it. However, it is still early for the best action on bobber fishing. Better to cast the unweighted bait and let it settle slowly to the bottom. Later, when the water is warmer and the fish more active, they will some up off the bottom for a bobber/bait rig...or a plastic jig.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can "drag" bait with your boat, but it is difficult to get the same results as from a tube. The breeze is never just exactly right. It is usually too fast and it does not allow you to stop frequently and just let the bait rest on the bottom. You need to be able to move easily, to cover more area, but you also need to be able to stop the motion. Most of the cold water cats we have taken in the last month have hit while the bait is motionless. Later in the year you can move right along and still get plenty of hits.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The best way to use this system from a boat is to anchor up and make your best cast. Let it settle slowly to the bottom. Every 30 seconds or so, lift the rod tip with a shivvering motion to raise the bait off the bottom and move it a foot or so closer. Then let it settle again. If you feel a tap, open the bail and let the fish play with the bait a bit before attempting to pin his lips. Of course, if the fish takes off like a freight train, you can close the bail, let the line come tight and then cross its eyes. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Obviously, you can't catch them where they ain't. If you do not get any interest within two or three slow retrieves to the boat, you need to lift the anchor and drift a few yards and then ease it down again. Better to go slow and work each area thoroughly, rather than sail through, drifting too fast.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Things are changing quickly now. Within a few weeks the fish will all be more active and you'll have a lot more options. For another couple of weeks still, we have to serve up their bait low and slow, and give them plenty of time to move in to find and eat it.[/#0000ff]
[signature]