So I just got off the water, I went from about 8:45-12:15. Not the best time to go, I know. I started off at the dam, throwing senkos and dropshotting. I had no luck so I moved a little further down the shoreline near some logs. I tried the same thing and had absolutely no luck so I switched to a tube jig. Still not a single bite, so I tried the new rapala "rainbow trout" colored slashbait. No takers on that either. I eventually got to frustrated to have a good time, so I left. Is there any obvious mistakes I made? I read all these posts of you guys doing the same thing and catching a lot of fish and it just really upsets me. Any help would be VERY appreciated.
Fish often close their jaws when there's been a storm front.
You didn't do anything wrong... just wait for two or three days of beautiful weather then the fish's on!
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Thank you man, I appreciate the response. Any other opinions or input? Or are we all in agreement that today was slow solely because of the weather?
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What color of plastics were you using?
Sometimes, reading the reports we put up on Jordanelle makes it sound like one can catch a bunch of fish without any effort, (and often it is that good) but it isn't always easy and a bit of work is needed. I might suggest trying different colors if it is a slow bite. I do believe that does frequently make a difference. Also, you may discover that using colors different from what everyone else's "favorite" is will help you find some newer and better favorites of your own.
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Thanks, that does make a lot of sense. I was using YUM 4" Dingers in Watermelon Pearl Laminate for my Senko type worms. I used YUM crawbugs in Watermelon Seed on a 1/8 oz. jighead, and I was dropshotting both 4 1/2" bold bluegill roboworms, and some little crawfish colored 3" worms with curly tails. Are any of these popular at Jordanelle or are they pretty obscure?
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Those are good general choices that I would usually expect to get bit. (and yes, very popular) FWIW, in my trips up there this year, the very light/bright colors like chartreuse/shad and whites have been on fire, especially in the evening.
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Dudes, I was on the water at the same time today. I was fishing with a buddy who missed several fish. The only one I got was an 11 inch smallie on a drop shot. i had seveal hits on soft plastics and a family fishing some steep points, 40 feet of H2O, brought in several on night crawlers. Very non typical day for the Nelle, but I am sure the recent storm had a lot to do with it. Remeber, some times the real thing is much more productive than all the fake plastics.[
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Good luck next time on the Nelle
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I hope they don't lock this up just cause I try to help...
Color and type of lure and location and how fast you work the lure can make for a slow day or a great day...
The last time I was up at the nell I had to let my senko type bait set on the bottom for a count of 15 to 20 before they would swim away with it...
I fish it wacky with open hook..
And the only drop shot rig I could get them to take was the gulp minnow but I had to let it set on the bottom and shake it (alot) on a semi-slack line...But you must know that there are bass at the place you are fishing...
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The colors and lures you were using were good choices. Having said that, I almost always start with a topwater or crankbait- that's a good way to locate active fish. I fished Jordanelle Tuesday and Friday last week and it was slow with plastics. We caught most of our fish on cranks and topwaters. Fishing from the shore can be really tough. Move around until you find active fish. A week of good weather should really turn on the fishing.
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Dude, the water temps crashed over the weekend. I left the same time you did today. We had water temps from 55-59 at noon. I used six different lures and only one was a Dinger. I had 12" perch with a Drop shot. Biggest one of the year. I had a perch and rainbow spit little perchies, so they are eating well. All the smallies I've caught this have been real healthy and plump.
Keep throwing what ur throwing. Just keep moving around. Fish are there. The front have just made them spooky.
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Yeah I looked at my fish finder and was amazed to see it at 57 degrees, I forgot to mention that. Okay great, I am happy knowing that I'm not the only one that struggled. 2fishon, what kind of crankbait would you recommend? What brand, size, color would be a good starting point. Also I am not fishing from shore, I have a 14' crestliner aluminum. What type of structure do you guys do well at out there? I saw some dead trees submerged in the water that looked pretty good, but I wasn't sure where to try. Also, I did use a little Rebel Pop-R for a while at the dam. There were fish jumping around me but none wanted the Pop-R. And do any of you guys have any success with spinnerbaits at jordanelle?
They were picking up the topwaters and crankbaits within a couple feet of shore. If you didn't cast close enough they wouldn't hit it. I generally do well with LC pointers, but last week they prefered a Bomber Model A in royal shad. They have a pretty fast wiggle. All the fish we caught were in less than 20' of water, but we only got a couple of good ones- mostly dinks. Sounds like it was just an off day. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll get into them for sure.
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RE" I saw some dead trees submerged in the water that looked pretty good, but I wasn't sure where to try."
One more suggestion. Yes, the dead trees and stick-ups are good. Also, the rocky points and shorelines. (especially now) However, these stick ups and points will be pounded to death by every angler on the water. Do not overlook other areas. Soon, the bass will be moving into the short aquatic grasses in flats, then slightly later, large weedbeds will begin to appear that can be good. Also, subsurface channels and humps that are usually overlooked are often golden. Your fishfinder can be invaluable in helping you find where you need to go.
Good luck.
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Awesome, thank you guys! You are all a huge help for the new guys. This site ROCKS!