Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I had to get out while the level was doable, so I decided to get out early this morning.  The level at Point of Rocks was under 6.5 feet and dropping.  Cloudy morning with partly sunny afternoon with temps ranging from low 60's to about 80 degrees.  I was on the water a little after 6"00am.  I was hoping for green water, but it was still pretty stained with about 1 foot of visibility.  I fished a nearby island to see if topwater was an option.  That was not to be, so swimbait, ned rig,  tube, crankbait and a spinnerbait (I made).  After less than an hour, I got a dink on the ned rig.  About 15 minutes later, I threw a tube and got slammed by a 21"er.....catfish.  It fought hard and did not roll or destroy my tube, so I was happy.

After no more bites, I ran upriver and worked a flooded island where the water was slightly clearer.  I caught a 14.5" smallie on the swimbait.

I hooked and lost a bigger smallie on the swimbait that looked to be about 18".  It jumped and threw the bait near the boat.  Next I tried one of my homemade spinnerbaits (1/2 oz, with double white sparkle willow blades).  About my third cast, I hooked a 17"er.


That was my first fish one a spinnerbait I made.  I worked the area for a while longer, but no more fish.  I ran up further to an area that has held fish in high water in the past.  The river was muddier up there and I only managed one small SM and a catfish about 16" on the ned rig.  I ran back down river and made a few casts at the flooded island form the other direction, but no takers.  I floated the next island and ate my lunch.  the sun came out and the water was pretty stained.  I got no bites  for a while.  I finally hooked one more small fish on the ned rig and had something bite the tail off a swimbait.  It was getting warm and I decided to head back.  Of course I had to try a couple casts at the next island, but was phoning it in.  I got off the water about 2:30pm with moderate congestion at the boat ramp.  Water should be good in another day two if the thunderstorms are not too heavy.

Last edited by drxfish (May-18-19 3:13PM)