Fishing Forum

I have been fishing this 600 acre reservoir the last couple months. The lake is known to have, bluegill, crappie, sun fish, catfish, lg mouth bass, walleye and pike.

About a half hour before dark to a half hour after dark there are tons of little swirls on the top of the water with several big WHAM!!!! type snaps. The bugs get pretty bad right about this time too. My theory is the pan fish are coming up to eat on bugs, and the bass and pike are coming up to hit the pan fish. BUT I CANNOT GET A STRIKE!!! I have tried poppers and buzz baits but cannot get anything to hit.

As a side note this is happening in all different depths of water so I don't think it is snapping turtles or anything like that.

Suggestions?
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I suggest a DRY fly. Like a Royal Wulff, Adams, Mosquito. If spin fishing use a water bubble to help get it out. I am betting a Royal Wulff would be killer.
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I say try a 4" lizard on some light line and wing it out there
If you do end up getting follows and yet no strikes try the figure 8 technique,good luck!,try matching the color of your bait to the baitfish.

You should catch bass with the lizard.

[#008000]Live lizards work good too thats if your state permits,check your local laws[][/#008000]
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Have you tried those lures in black? Also try first thing in the morning at day break. Thats when I get a better topwater bite. IF it's on. But topwater can happen all day long as well, if you catch that special day. When I fish Champlain a buzzbait is always on the deck.
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no I have not tried the buzz or popper in black. why do you suggest the black?
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Not sure if you're spinning, or fly casting.
I've had some fun with Gills on a surface popper, but putting a midge or something below as a double drop is entertaining too.

Been trying for bass/musky with bass-type poppers, or other floating buzzbaits, or walk-the-dog surface types. Still looking for the love.

BUT- I've ran across a few panfish-sunset-boils, and (with stealth) been able to sneak up beside - and if I cast ACROSS then reel through - bobber/fly, small jigs, spinners even (of course) - I've gotten some bump-de-bump action. But the key seemed to be - not come close , or cast across the top, then pitch BEYOND and pull through. Found some reel nice bull gills that way in fall.

Nothing like a good topwater slam!

Good luck!

The black silhouettes better against the night sky. I've had some nights where they won't hit a topwater, but they will hit a spinnerbait bulged under the surface. I'd give it a try.
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[quote DCJ3831]no I have not tried the buzz or popper in black. why do you suggest the black?[/quote] Because your fishing in the dark. These will work better in low light.
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Okay....educate me here (this really is helpful) I was thinking the oppisite way, fishing with brighter color or more reflective finishes so as to increase visability?

You are saying to do just the opposite? Why?

I feel like my question to you is comming across sarcastic but I don't mean it to. I wouldn't have posted the question if I didn't know what I was doing was wrong. So please teach on!
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A white/light lure may be easier for YOU to see from above, but the fish are looking up and a still-light sky. For THEM, a black lure is easier to spot.
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silhouette …thats how they see it

Quote:a black lure is easier to spot.

as it is darker than the cover of night!
I've done well with bottom fishing a white finesszoom worm at night but then again a blk worm does well too![crazy]

Try larger baits and some with rattles..should help them see it better,jointed rapala vibrates well should work,rip it through the water a few times you'll feel it!
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here is a simple rule, match the hatch, Black hula poppers match the critter the fish are most intrested in right now, black crickets...

wax worms fake and real work excelent right now even tho they are white, they mimic the eggs and larva of many incects year round.

turn over a few rocks to find a couple crickets and tip your hook, you wont have time to set the rod down. [:p]
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[quote DCJ3831]Okay....educate me here (this really is helpful) I was thinking the oppisite way, fishing with brighter color or more reflective finishes so as to increase visability?

Rule number 101 bright days bright colors, dark days dark colors. Sunny days I'll get fish on a white spinnerbait. Over cast days or any low light A brown color spinner will get fish, as well as a black senco.
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Try the lizards in pair. May be you will get a shot.
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