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Left for Pelican with Sparky 4/24 and fished 4/25 by wading and float tube. Fishing for me was lousy!!! Never had that happen! Last year at approximately this time it was great. Last year was seeing bass and blues in the shallows and caught all I wanted wading. Didn't have a way of measuring water temp. but air temp. reached about 65-70 deg. Thiis was my only shot at trying now or waiting until mid to late May since I'll be gone. Wanted a chance without the bugs. Caught a few blues and no bass, saw nothing visually. Now then - there are several possibilities - just comeing off a cold spell (however we've had a warm spring), had to fish close to the bank ( Sparky at 9 mos. went crazy when I would try to leave him tied up so I couldn't go far/deep), only spent about 10 hrs fishing on the 25th (warming trend now), bass spawn over, blues haven't moved in yet, winter kill, lost my touch? Didn't sound like others were doing all that great!? As long as I was with the pup he was great, need to find away of distracting him to do my fishing, take a boat, bring another friend with a dog, leave him home (last choice).
Any constructive comments anyone? Oh - that's ok, they don't have to be construcive, have at me! It's all fun!
[crazy]Leaky
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I was planning on taking my son tomorrow in the pontoons. Any tips on those that you did catch? Were they big? Maybe two more days of heat will bring those bluegill onto their beds? Please any advice on where to fish for bluegill would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Windriver
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for the gills a small hook with a little peice of crawler 24" below a float fished next to the reeds should work
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Hey Leaky,
It might still be a little early, but I could be wrong. The last few nights out in the Basin has been near freezing so that might be the problem. I'm sorry that didn't do well. What was the water level like? Have you ever thought about getting a sit on top kayak. There would be eough room for you and Sparky. What kind of lures were you using. Did you get ahold of Kayote before you went. He usally know's some tricks to get those early blues and Bass.
[  ]Tincanfsh
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My best guess is that continued warming can do nothing but improve things but I think we need more time. Without a fish finder, fish deep, My favorite has always been a very small pearl curly tail on a 1/16 - 1/32 oz. jig. But once they are biting you can catch them on most anything, There are a lot of leech, grub, etc. flies and crappie lures you can catch em on making it even more fun. Fishing below a bobber a little off the bottom can help. The blues were about average but are big according to most standards.
Leaky
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Tincan,
I think you're probably right. Yea, I did contact Koyote. They did have success earlyer but my best guess is the cold snap turned em off. As far as the Kayack goes, good idea but I don't have the $ now. I do have an old Porta boat which I can use but I just didn't want to haul it with a motor if I can use a float tube. Besides, I just enjoy the tube. It's just so much more convenient and less cumbersome. I may very well take it though next time. It sure was nice not having the bugs. The blues still have those parasites but eat up good when cooked. As you guys probably know, they aren't a problem, best to cook em though. See my previous answer for lures, etc. A common, small bass spinner bait is good too.
Leaky
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Hey bud, just because you helped me out with advice before, I thought I'd chuck in my 2 cents. You told me how to fish the weber so I might be able to help you with Pelican. Plastics, Plastics, Plastics. Throw them early, middle of the day and late. I have gone out there a few times over the last couple years and every time I go, I just slay them on soft plastic minnow baits.....the smaller the better. I think you said you are a fly fisherman right?? Time to change tactics my friend..... [ ] Just teasing. Actually, I haven't seen the water yet this year but I would think that this is a little early yet for them, so they would be in the deeper dropoffs or sloping flats out from the weeds a bit. Like just at the edge of the water where you start to be unable to see the bottom anymore....did that make sense?? Thats where I have fished the last few times I've been out there and it seems to work. After a cold snap, it would help to fish Sloooooooowwwwww..... You know, I'm sure you already know all this, and I'm sure others will tell you all sorts of tips and tricks too but I thought maybe it might help to have a little reminder. I know how it is to have the dog along, sometimes its like being caught between a rock and a hard place but I totally understand about not wanting to do anything without them there....just doesn't seem quite fair to leave them at home...... Hope this helps at the big P. I just fish plastics and depending on the weather fish them fast or slow....... I don't know what to tell you fly wise on what and how to throw your style........
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[cool][size 1][#0000ff]Hey Leaky, sorry the ol' pond treated you so shabby. But, like any water, it can have its ups and downs. I think your experience might have been a combination of factors. I had heard a couple of good reports before the downturn in the weather.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]First, it is a bit early for prime action in the shallows. I always did better starting about the middle of May and into the month of June for flogging the shallows with flies...or small plastics. Shouldn't be much spawning yet, for either bass or gills. Water temp above 65 is their preferred range. Doubt if it is there yet.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Second, the series of fronts that has gone through has likely made them a bit touchy. Especially early in the year and with water temps still below what they like for major activity. They are fair weather and warm water fishies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You were definitely handicapped by being limited to fishing near the shoreline. When the fish are not shallow then they are out farther. No brainer. Whenever I had trouble finding customers near shore, I had a couple of deeper slots way offshore that I would dredge with deep nymphs or small streamers. Sometimes the fish school up near one of the springs. But, if you can find them you can catch them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We gotta get you rigged up with sonar too. If Pelican is full, there are some spots that you can't see deep enough to find the fish with only your peepers. That is even more true when there is some color in the water. And, those fish do like to hug the bottom in the deeper pockets when the weather has been off.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck on your trip to Cajun country. I am betting that when you get back that the weather and the fish will both cooperate with you on Pelican.[/#0000ff] [/size]
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Hey Leaky,
Sorry to hear it wasn't good for you. I tried to tell you to wait until your mid may trip LOL. It has been very cold in the basin lately. When I reported we were starting to get gills, they were deep and scattered. I can almost always catch bass there, but early gills are tricky. Good news is it is supposed to get up to 80 today. This should change things quickly. Better luck next time .
Good Fishing, Kayote
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RiverRat,
Hey guy - no way!!!!! I'm only a part time fly fisherman, mainly in the winter!!! I have used flys at Pelican for the blues just to have fun but mainly use plastics. As I mentioned, my favorite is a very small pearl curly tail on a 1/16 - 1/32 oz jig. I'm about a 95% plastics guy from about mid spring to early fall, fishing for pan fish, wipers, small mouth, large mouth, perch, etc. My trade mark is slow and slower fishing plastics. I see lots of bass guys running and gunning, beating the area to a froth, leave without catching any thing, then I walk up there from shore or in a tube and catch lots.
Actually, you sound like you do exactly what I do only that day they were inactive and probably deep. What I did catch was a brief excursion out deep for about an hr. while I had my pup shut in the truck with the windows open a ways. Couldn't stand it though, kept on worrying about the pup. Tried a long lead tied off to the tent trailer but he just went crazy trying to follow me. Sparky and I will work it out though, just like I've done with my other Goldens. He's just a pup and is learning. Maturity will solve a lot. He's already doing everything my others did at the same age and more. I just coudn't stand to leave him home!
Thanks for the input!
Leaky
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Sounds like you have it pegged man. I only fished hardware until this kid named Adam at the Provo Sportsmans Warehouse turned me on to plastics....now I'm like you and i throw them all the time for anything..... We should hook up one day and just go fish plastic somewhere. Pelican or one of the rivers.... that would be a good time I think. I haven't gottne up to fish the Weber but I can't wait, I think it will be a good time. I may go to Diamond Fork (Upper) this weekend or maybe fish creek again... I can't get enough of that place... gotta be careful to not overfish it. I am planning a trip to Pelican probably in June. Shoudl be good fishin by then. I drive a Gold 3/4 ton Chev if you get a wild hair and decide you want to come fish.... If the weather is nice, then Diamond Fork will be the place. Maybe I'll see you one day at a BFT get together or something...... Any big plans this weekend??
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Leaky looks like you plenty of advice about fishing but nobody addresses the problem with the pup! He's still very young and has energy to burn, and he is obviously attached to you and probably feels left out when you head out into the waters without him. Pups aren't know for patience, and they don't like to be left out. I'd either take him out on a boat so you can get some fishing in and still have him with you or bring along a friend to occupy him while you venture out and do a little fishing. If you've got access to a boat thats prpbably the best way to satisfy both of your needs. Your need to fish and his need to be with you.
Good luck
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Moose,
That's exactly how I figure it!!!!! Went through the same thing with Bud, just a little milder with Bud. Am planning a trip with a friend to Pelican mid May and he has a 2 yr old golden that Sparky is best buds with and they cn romp together while we fish. If nothing else my fishing partner an I can take turns fishing and watching the dogs. The dogs jsut have go with us, not about to leave em home!
Thanks for the input!!!
[ ]Leaky
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Sounds like a good plan to me. Best of luck with fishing and the pooch.
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