Fishing Forum

Launched a kayak with my buddy out of Govt Wash about 7am. There was a bit of a current and our anchor line wasn't as long as it should have been. So we fished the mouth of the wash in about 30 feet of water and no bites. There were a few other boats in the area, but didn't see anyone pulling in fish. They eventually all took off towards Hole 33.

We decided to fish some deeper water across from the Wash. it was the only time we got bites. We were in about 80-90 feet of water and the bites were at about 60. We had a huge chum bag at about 50 feet and were using nice sized chunk sardines. Only a few bites but no takers.

We saw a ton of fish jumping in a cove so we went to check it out. It looked like it was a school of over-sized pan fish. They were round and looked like they were jumping out of the water more than actually chasing baitfish. We figured they were tilapia?

Anyways, it was a beautiful day to get out on the lake. But some tight lines would have made our day. Picked up a 20lb box of sardines from Seafood City and WOW! I swear, I could have gone all day without changing my bait. That stuff really sticks on your hook. Amazingly different than the crap they sell at the bait shops....and cheaper!
[signature]

Thanks for the post. Better luck tomorrow!
[signature]

Those jumping fish are medium/large size (1-1/2 pound) Gizzard Shad.

They jump like Carp do to clean the mud out of their gills. When gizzard shad get bigger they eat plants and use their "gizzard" like a chicken does to break up the plants for digestion.
[signature]

Yup. you know it's gizzard shad when they jump like dolphins
[signature]