Fishing Forum

On advice from a fellow Utah fisherman, I'm going to post this here as well as the Utah Fishing Forum.... Oh, by the way, the girlfriend got me my FC4 last night... Its not even been wet yet and I love it already. [cool]

[size 1][black][size 2]My girlfriend Wendy and I are going to the Gorge for OUR FIRST TIME EVER!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. Its also going to be her first time in a tube and her first time actually fishing for herself. Does anyone have any pointers for fishing the gorge as far as picking up smallies right now? I usually fish plastic minnows or rattletraps for the smallies but haven't really fished for them yet this year. I kinda know where I'm headed because Leaky has given me a couple spots to try based on his past experiences. Also, he said something about fishing for catfish in the shallow bays... has anyone else tried this? Will they hit cut carp meat as well as worms? If Wendy and I want to shorefish for trout, is there a particular type of powerbait that anyone has used with great success? I just want it to be a good getaway for the two of us and I'd like to be able to put her on some good fish as well while we're there... who knows, if she gets into smallies or some good cats, she may just want to go fishing with me more.... this could lead to future trips as well. [cool] Any info you guys could throw me would be great since, like I said, I've never actually been there before... thanks folks.[/size][/black] [/size]
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[cool][#0000ff]If you go where Leaky told you, you will be in prime smallmouth country...also catfish. Throw any kind of plastic for smallmouth...from crawdad colors to plain white twisters. It is hard to find something they WON'T hit.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fish the cats in warm shallow coves or along the dropoffs in 12' to 16' feet of water. Bounce a jig with a piece of worm on it until you find the right depth and then stick with it. For bigger fish, soak big pieces of cut bait (carp) or minnows in the shallows near access to deep water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You will usually not find much rainbow action where you are catching bass and cats, but sometimes. Early in the morning, the trout are near the surface and will take a piece of worm under a bobber. Later you can float power bait up off the bottom in deeper water. Take several colors and change around. Some days they want one color. Other days it is different.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck with the new tubes and the new tuber. Don't overdo it and be sure to apply the sunscreen. First timers tend to get tired more easily so don't overfun. If that girl is the kind to spring for two new float tubes you don't wanna wear her out too fast.[/#0000ff]
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Great advice from TD.

In addition, you can use the same things you are using for the bass, for the trout. Just find some deeper water. Tip a jig with a crawler or power bait and find 30 ft of water, and you should hook up with some nice bows. Bounce the jig a foot off the bottom.

Also, if you go a little deeper, 60 to 80 ft or so you have a good chance to get into some macs. Find points that extend out gradually into the lake, and try and find the right depth. If you have sonar it should be easy. If that is the case also look for some rock piles. Tarponjim, expert mac fisherman and guide at the Gorge, recently said that if he only had one jig to fish all year for the macs it would be a 4" tube in gree or white. So I would go by what he says and try that. Can you imagine hooking into a 30lb laker from your tube? LOTS of 3-5lbers in there, and don't be afraid to take a limit.

If you want to find some kokes, find some steep drop offs and jig a castmaster over the deep water. Maybe 30 to 60 ft over 80 to 100 ft of water. If you catch one, stay in the same place. They school up, especially early in the morning. They can be tough to find, but IMO are the best tasting fish in there. If you are looking to eat some of your catch, I would go for them.

I hope you have a great time up there. Just remember that she is being spoiled with one of the best fisheries (if not the best) in Utah, and when you take her to Willard the next time out she might get dissapointed. [] Good luck to you guys, and make sure to post your report! I'll be doing the same thing a week from tomorrow! I only wish I could get my wife to go. []
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