I have been out of town for the past few weeks, so it has been killing me to read all of your posts on the great fishing up at the Berry!
The forecast is calling for a high of 27 on Saturday, with scattered clouds.
My boat has a full enclosure, and I have a small heater as well, so we should be able to keep warm. The question is whether it will still be worth the trip, or if the weather has turned too much for decent fishing?
--This may be a rookie question, but I have never open-water fished this late in the season...
Thanks for your feedback!
Also, if you are up there on Saturday, we will be in a 18-foot black and silver Crestliner with a sticker on the back that reads "Fish Guts!"
Happy fishing all!
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The colder the better at Strawberry.
The above reply is accurate - the later the better. The best day I've ever had at the Berry was late November - non-stop action trolling.
However I also remember that day because I didn't have 4-wheel drive and as I backed down the ramp, I was jack-knifing - the ramp was iced over! Only way was down!
Launched ok and barely made it back up the ramp (without trailer weight).
Very fortunately, the temps later unthawed the ramp a little, but had that not been the case I have no idea how we would have retrieved the boat.
Have Fun!
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Good to hear --I know where I will be on Saturday!
One more question: we usually troll with downriggers, but years ago we used to do well casting tube jigs into the shallows.
This year that method has not been very successful for us, but we may not be using the right combo. Can you please advise what brand, color and size of jig and weight you are using, along with how you "tip" them with chum meat?
Thanks!
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This is my favorite time of year to fish at the berry, all the way until its capped with ice. I throw jigs all summer tipped with minnows, but during November I use a bobber above my jig and then tip it with a piece of minnow. Set it at the depth you want for whatever area your fishing. Fish shallow! I've caught some of my biggest berry cutts fishing 3-5 feet off the bank in November. Start shallow and keep moving your bobber until your about 30 feet away from shore and then repeat the process. With a bobber it doesn't matter as much what weight jig head you use, but I would use 1/8-1/4 oz. If your not using the bobber technique then I would use an 1/8 oz this time of year so I could work the shallows easier and not get snagged! Good luck. Love November at the Berry!
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Throw some rock salt in the bed of your truck!
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[quote Drift4life1]Throw some rock salt in the bed of your truck![/quote]
I had this same thought but wondered if officials would frown on the use of rock salt on the ramps and in the water.
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What about sand?
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Rock salt is one way to go, not the way I would go however. "If" you get caught doing that the ticket can be quite sever "pollution of a state park water system" I believe is what it is. I would just go with the sand and maybe bring some chains with you and walk down the ramp to see how slick it is. If it is slick then chain up and launch your boat. That way you're not holding up the line and you know you can get out with chains on a four wheel drive (DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITH A TWO WHEEL DRIVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR).
As for the fishing, I was up at Strawberry today (sunday) and the fishing was good trolling through Strawberry bay, staying shallow (fish finder was showing them from 15 feet deep to 5 feet deep). We nailed them all day, three over the slot, one went 26 1/2" (all were returned). We fished a fairly slow troll (1.4 to 1.7 mph) and drug a 1/4 ounce white/purple pearl 3 1/2" tube jig behind us tipped with the tail of a minnow. This seemed to be the key for today anyway, we tried (and caught only a few) lucky craft lures, flat fish and a variety of other things. Total count with three of us was 23 fish in boat and 6 or 7 that came off before the boat. They didn't seem to be hitting until after 9:30 or so. Hope this helps all who may need it.
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