04-11-2003, 11:50 AM
[cool]I think current water level and conditions are going to be the main issues. If you can launch, and if the boating traffic ain't too heavy yet, you have a shot at some big boys (and girls). They really get porky in Quail Creek. But, because they can be touchy, the tackle you are taking should get the job done.
Sturgeon Kid hit it about this time last year and found some fish in stickups and trees. There were also fish staging for the spawn, close to shore. The weather has been warmer lately, so the water temps should at least be in the prespawn range. Maybe they are even on the beds.
Jig and pig and plastics are usually a good bet for the biggies at Quail Creek. If there hasn't been a lot of runoff, the water will be clear, and it will take a slow fall on light line to get bit. You might even have to use smallie sized baits in clear water. Wouldn't it break your heart to hang an 8# LMB on light gear?
If the water is colored, then the old reliable black, black and chartreuse and purple are the way to go. If the water is both cold and colored, then all chartreuse with a red head will wake them up.
Spinnerbaits are often a good way to bring em in in stained water, but are not as effective if the water is real clear in QC. The cranks can work well when the fish are holding in shallower water. The crawdad colors you toss for smallies should appeal to QC's largies too. In low light or stained water, the fire tiger color is always a good reaction bite stimulator.
In bright mid-day conditions, try using Senkos and white plastic swim or jerk baits. When the fish are using structure for midday shade, you have to sneak up and make quiet pitches into small spots. If they retreat to the depths...which they do with a lot of boat traffic, you have to dredge them up with dropshots or Carolina rigs. Kinda like smallies, huh.
I don't know if you have posted on the Utah board, but there are some new members from Southern Utah that keep tabs on what's going on down there. I would also sent Private Messages to a couple of them, for some "inside info" that they may not want to post.
Hope the weather gives you a break, and that you find some fishies that want to play. Take your camera and shoot a pic or two of any fat hawgs you stick. Those fish down there are "footballs". Hope you get into them.
By the way, did you ever get your new craft? And how is the leg doing?
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Sturgeon Kid hit it about this time last year and found some fish in stickups and trees. There were also fish staging for the spawn, close to shore. The weather has been warmer lately, so the water temps should at least be in the prespawn range. Maybe they are even on the beds.
Jig and pig and plastics are usually a good bet for the biggies at Quail Creek. If there hasn't been a lot of runoff, the water will be clear, and it will take a slow fall on light line to get bit. You might even have to use smallie sized baits in clear water. Wouldn't it break your heart to hang an 8# LMB on light gear?
If the water is colored, then the old reliable black, black and chartreuse and purple are the way to go. If the water is both cold and colored, then all chartreuse with a red head will wake them up.
Spinnerbaits are often a good way to bring em in in stained water, but are not as effective if the water is real clear in QC. The cranks can work well when the fish are holding in shallower water. The crawdad colors you toss for smallies should appeal to QC's largies too. In low light or stained water, the fire tiger color is always a good reaction bite stimulator.
In bright mid-day conditions, try using Senkos and white plastic swim or jerk baits. When the fish are using structure for midday shade, you have to sneak up and make quiet pitches into small spots. If they retreat to the depths...which they do with a lot of boat traffic, you have to dredge them up with dropshots or Carolina rigs. Kinda like smallies, huh.
I don't know if you have posted on the Utah board, but there are some new members from Southern Utah that keep tabs on what's going on down there. I would also sent Private Messages to a couple of them, for some "inside info" that they may not want to post.
Hope the weather gives you a break, and that you find some fishies that want to play. Take your camera and shoot a pic or two of any fat hawgs you stick. Those fish down there are "footballs". Hope you get into them.
By the way, did you ever get your new craft? And how is the leg doing?
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