By Robert Johnson – Well he did it. Dave Moon got his limit for the stripers last Tuesday evening. I thank Mary Pat, she’s the editor for this report that I’m supposed to have it to her by noon Monday. I’ve been late a few times getting it in, but Tuesday I about pushed the limit with one trip all week and I’m scribbling down notes for the report, driving to Rogers to get in the water by noon. Trying to get in the water before calling in column over the phone.
As a guide once you hit the water, you’re on fish time. It was a mess but Dave and me met at Prairie Creek, Mary Pat calls as we’re getting in the boat, I can’t answer, got to fire up this outboard, can’t talk with the motor running or boat moving through the wind.
We ran out between the islands at Hwy. 12 bridge. Can’t get report in now till I get bait in the water. We dropped four shad 7–9 in. long and two shiners 4 in. long. All baits with just 1/2 oz. weights, 18 – 20 ft. deep. All baits in and I can finally see if I can call in last week’s report. If a rod don’t go down it might work. Had to get down low behind center console because cell phones don’t like the wind. We got ‘er done with no rods going down. Thank you, Mary Pat.
We drug bait both shorelines between the islands but what was there was gone now, not much bait or fish. We had pretty good northwest winds that been blowing most the day from the islands into Prairie Creek. We came in and what wasn’t there when we came out was there now.
Big balls of bait everywhere with fish going through them 18 – 24 ft. deep. Four shad, two shiners. Didn’t take long and they went to bending. We got his limit of three stripers and had at least six baits that had chunks of meat missing. We caught his last fish as the sun was setting. Not one shiner got hit. They wanted big shad and we gave it to ‘em.
We did not weigh but the two bigger fish were 34 and 35 inches long. Any fish almost three feet long is a big fish in my book. Water temp was 54° and I don’t know for sure what it’s running here at Holiday Island but a buddy hollered at me that the bigger walleye are getting pretty active, they like the cooler water, too.
Catching bass on spinner baits, jigs and top water. You can catch big trout this time of year close to Beaver. The Houseman Access trolling crankbaits like #4 flicker shad.
We’re still running our special of 1 person, 1/2 price. You can even bring along a couple kids under 16. Think deer season is about over. Fishing season is still going. We’re also selling gift certificates for Christmas gifts with a 10℅ discount which lets you or them choose their day in 2017. Thank You, Mary Pat.
Robert Johnson. fishofexcellence.com, (479) 253-2258