Last fall I took my little sister in law to a tiny lake next to town to catch her a few fish. The edges had just iced up and underneath this layer of glass I saw a big heavy female brown that is easily over thirty inches with several football shaped 25 inch males swimming around her. The pond is right next to town and gets fished a lot, and stocked a lot. I couldn't believe that big of fish could survive in there with so many fisherman. I couldn't even fish for them because of the ice, but they were a sight to behold and I have been dreaming about them all winter.
It is my sister in laws birthday and we are making the five hour drive back down there and I hope to try for those big fish.
There are a lot of wise fisherman on this site and I was wondering if anybody had any experiences catching a great big fish in an overfished puddle that I can almost toss a rock across. I thought maybe a whole sucker on the bottom in the middle of the night like a slimer that wasn't handled properly? A huge rapala? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Cody
I hope to post some pictures of what would be for me the fish of a lifetime!
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Big bait after dark sounds like a decent plan to me. Depends on if the fish has eaten recently and has much of an appetite. Worth a shot.
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Match the hatch. Big browns LOVE eating stocked bows.
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I know what will work. Just P.M. me where the pond is and I'll meet ya down there.[
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I don't know about a pond but I have fished the Green River right by little whole where there are hundreds of fisherman fishing that whole. I have caught many big browns buy night fishing. Using Gold count down Rapala. Size 5 or size 7.
I know the river is probably much different that the pond you are in but I have also had luck in other lakes and ponds with the gold Rapala. Good Luck
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I agree with Jmaze on match the hatch. In a planted pond if thats the case they have to only be eating planters. Ray Johnson caught all his record book Browns at the gorge at night. Find out what fish are in there, what they plant and what size they are, get the closest match to that and fish at night. Thats my suggestion. Take lots of pictures and good luck. Fishon
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I'd bet that a big ol' brownie might smash a frog or mouse imitation fished at night... or even a live one <check regs first>!
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[cool][#0000ff]Just a couple of inputs. First, as you likely already know, browns are not like planter rainbows. They ain't stupid. And they don't get big by falling for stupid fishermen's standard lures, flies, baits and presentations. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Second, browns often develop unusual feeding habits. The bigger ones especially feed more at night...or in foul weather...when predators (anglers) are less likely to be out looking for them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Third, as efficient predators...that often feed on larger prey...browns are not constantly on the prowl for something to eat. They are more likely to raid a school of minnows during the night, eat their fill quickly and then lay up somewhere while they digest their meals. In other words, if you don't happen to put a suitable offering in front of their nose during that 5 minute feeding period...whenever it may be...you ain't likely to get up close and personal with Mr. Brown.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Many species of fish will respond to something colorful or noisy...a reaction bite...when they are in an inactive or neutral mode. Not so much with browns. When they are off the chew they simply ignore your wacky stuff or move off to get away from you and your foolishness.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Knowing there are big browns in the waters you fish is enough to keep you awake nights...when you should be fishing. But knowing they are there is no guarantee you can catch them. You gotta be good and you gotta be lucky...good and lucky.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck. [/#0000ff]
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Fish at night .... and hit it several times in a few days if possible.. they dont get that big by exerting alot of energy so they may only have 1 window a week or so to pick that fish up, but when she is hungry give her a MEAL... . Fish something fairly large, you want to replicate whatever it is they are eating , planter bows is probably the main course so a big swim bait or a jointed crank will work.well .. and darker colors prevail at night. Also fish a subtle topwater, big brownskis love mice
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Brown's do love mice. Go to 3:40 of this video.
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You already got plenty of good advice.
Let me add one suggestion I haven't seen: Grasshoppers!
well as your name states depth charge lol either a big gold rap or if your into flys a jointed zonker type fly
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I can also attest that you have a good chance at night. I'd also fish the periods of light before the sun comes up and right after it goes down.
When fishing at night try to mimic a mouse. I've caught some nice browns at night on topwater baits. Also caught some pigs on floating rapalas at night... reel pause, reel pause...rinse and repeat.
My question is this: I have done fairly well in the fall but never thought of trying night fishing this time of the year due to it being much colder. Do browns feed just as much at night this time of year?
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Try running a mouse pattern across the shallows at night. It works on the Snake River.
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Mouse and no need for gentle presentation. But don't forget Muddlers.
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flygoddess.
Do they feed at night this time of year just as well as later in the year?
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I am no authority on their feeding habbit sorry, I am betting Riverdog, or Syn probably know though.
I kinda figured night was the best time any time of the year, but Browns are all I seem to be catching in the rivers, And that is around 8 to noon.
I just know, old school was always a Muddler minnow which some have kept on to to mimic a mouse.
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I don't think time of the year is an issue. Browns have better night vision than most other trout. They feed much later in the evening and earlier in the morning than I would have thought.
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Well it is warm enough now at night that I am going to give it a shot. The best holes on the river are 4-5 mins from my house so it is not a big hassle going down at night.
Maybe the Original Poster should try some night fishing as well. Tonight I caught 1 pretty much right as it was getting too dark to see on a Rapala.
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