El Cap (3/22)

[bfullerton17]

Hi all,

I've been slacking on the fish reports over the past few weeks, but I've been out there and have had some solid days on the water. I got out to Cap yesterday and continued working on finding the spring pattern. I was on the water at about 7:00 a.m. with the plan to fish the hot spots that I've been frequenting, but at this point, I don't really think you can go wrong. The fish are spread all over the lake, but if you want numbers, fish shallow and fish the rocks. I got most of my fish dragging a neko-rigged senko parallel to shore, but that's nothing new. I'm trying to get better at jig fishing, so I fished it pretty hard, mostly dragging it around rocks and in coves, managing several bites and a couple of fish. I didn't have any success dragging it parallel to shore like I do with the neko. If anyone has any tips to help me improve my jig game, I’m all ears! I also threw a bluegill flicker shad in hopes of finding the fun reaction bite I found a few weeks ago when the wind kicked up, but no dice. I was off the water at about 4:30 p.m. and managed an even 20 fish in the net. I should have caught at least 30, but I broke off and/or lost quite a few. Most were 1.5-2.5 lb. clones, but 3 fish weighing exactly 3 lbs. made it into the net as well. The hot bite for me happened in the mid-afternoon, as per usual, but my morning was a bit slower because I was experimenting with the stuff that I kind of suck at. Those of you who are a bit more well-rounded than me are likely in for a fun all-day bite. Also, seems like the spawn is in full swing, as I saw quite a few fish on beds, but I try to leave those guys alone. Still cool to see!

Tight lines

Brad

Stout one

[VinnyBass]

Hi all,

I've been slacking on the fish reports over the past few weeks, but I've been out there and having some solid days on the water. I got out to Cap yesterday and continued working on finding the spring pattern. I was on the water at about 7:00 a.m. with the plan to fish the hot spots that I've been frequenting, but at this point, I don't really think you can go wrong. The fish are spread all over the lake, but if you want numbers, fish shallow and fish the rocks. I got most of my fish dragging a neko-rigged senko parallel to shore, but that's nothing new. I'm trying to get better at jig fishing, so I fished it pretty hard, mostly dragging it around rocks and in coves, managing several bites and a couple of fish. I didn't have any success dragging it parallel to shore like I do with the neko. If anyone has any tips to help me improve my jig game, I’m all ears! I also threw a bluegill flicker shad in hopes of finding the fun reaction bite I found a few weeks ago when the wind kicked up, but no dice. I was off the water at about 4:30 p.m. and managed an even 20 fish in the net. I should have caught at least 30, but I broke off and/or lost quite a few. Most were 1.5-2.5 lb. clones, but 3 fish weighing exactly 3 lbs. made it into the net as well. The hot bite for me happened in the mid-afternoon, as per usual, but my morning was a bit slower because I was experimenting with the stuff that I kind of suck at. Those of you who are a bit more well-rounded than me are likely in for a fun all-day bite. Also, seems like the spawn is in full swing, as I saw quite a few fish on beds, but I try to leave those guys alone. Still cool to see!

Tight lines

Brad

IMG_7585.jpeg

Thanks for sharing and looks like you had a pretty fun day!
Tight lines always.

[Osidecoffee]

I can’t wait to get out there again. After fishing hard the past few weeks across the salt & fresh, I gotta put some good days in at work and at home with the family haha. Maaaaybe I can make it out there Friday morning, but we’ll see…

[KillinTime]

Nice report.
I have always pinpointed it down to confidence. I have fished techniques in the past that I swear I sucked at. This a few fish later I was roping them, thinking this is my new go to. Trip after trip that technique is now putting them in the boat. My way of fishing it did not change, it was my confidence in bait. Yes I may have finetuned my technique a tad, but never reinvented it.
Just my 2 cents=D

I have always done better fishing jigs slow slow in the spring and moving them pretty good in the fall, even ripping through the grass. When hopping or ripping a jig, defiantly like a more buoyant trailer giving a slower fall. When dragging I loved the Football with a 90 degree hook bend. Ripping and hopping more swim style or arky.

[CorsoEnthusiast]

Hi all,

I've been slacking on the fish reports over the past few weeks, but I've been out there and having some solid days on the water. I got out to Cap yesterday and continued working on finding the spring pattern. I was on the water at about 7:00 a.m. with the plan to fish the hot spots that I've been frequenting, but at this point, I don't really think you can go wrong. The fish are spread all over the lake, but if you want numbers, fish shallow and fish the rocks. I got most of my fish dragging a neko-rigged senko parallel to shore, but that's nothing new. I'm trying to get better at jig fishing, so I fished it pretty hard, mostly dragging it around rocks and in coves, managing several bites and a couple of fish. I didn't have any success dragging it parallel to shore like I do with the neko. If anyone has any tips to help me improve my jig game, I’m all ears! I also threw a bluegill flicker shad in hopes of finding the fun reaction bite I found a few weeks ago when the wind kicked up, but no dice. I was off the water at about 4:30 p.m. and managed an even 20 fish in the net. I should have caught at least 30, but I broke off and/or lost quite a few. Most were 1.5-2.5 lb. clones, but 3 fish weighing exactly 3 lbs. made it into the net as well. The hot bite for me happened in the mid-afternoon, as per usual, but my morning was a bit slower because I was experimenting with the stuff that I kind of suck at. Those of you who are a bit more well-rounded than me are likely in for a fun all-day bite. Also, seems like the spawn is in full swing, as I saw quite a few fish on beds, but I try to leave those guys alone. Still cool to see!

Tight lines

Brad

IMG_7585.jpeg

For me the jig is about slow dragging around rock. I fish casting perpendicular to the bank generally, moving toward the deep water. In a few spots I know I’ll sit on the high spot at the end of a point and cast out deeper to work the jig uphill. Let that thing soak between moves a bit, many of the bites happen when the bait is at rest. The Keitech 1/4 oz tungsten rubber football jigs have been my go to. I use as light a weight as I can get away with to get more bites on the fall as well.

[Dannicus]

Awesome job mate!

[1Fishdude]

After missing the Barrett Bash and not being able to fish for weeks I am chaffing at the bit to get out there once again and soak my jigs once again. I think that as well as you did and others who fished the Cap Id love to try this week sometime. Is the mud still a major concern for launching my pontoon? Im still not 100% due to my technical issues and would hate to have to fish coyote style. Thats when I can only sit by the water and howl.......

[bfullerton17]

Nice report.
I have always pinpointed it down to confidence. I have fished techniques in the past that I swear I sucked at. This a few fish later I was roping them, thinking this is my new go to. Trip after trip that technique is now putting them in the boat. My way of fishing it did not change, it was my confidence in bait. Yes I may have finetuned my technique a tad, but never reinvented it.
Just my 2 cents=D

I have always done better fishing jigs slow slow in the spring and moving them pretty good in the fall, even ripping through the grass. When hopping or ripping a jig, defiantly like a more buoyant trailer giving a slower fall. When dragging I loved the Football with a 90 degree hook bend. Ripping and hopping more swim style or arky.

Confidence is a huge factor for me, and I'm trying to break the bad habit of not putting enough time into baits I'm not confident in for the sake of keeping my bass numbers up. However, I'm starting to build confidence with the jig quickly, and it's becoming something I pretty much always have tied onto one rod. Thanks for the tips, and I'll put them into practice when I throw the jig this weekend. Tight lines!

[bfullerton17]

Hi all,

I've been slacking on the fish reports over the past few weeks, but I've been out there and having some solid days on the water. I got out to Cap yesterday and continued working on finding the spring pattern. I was on the water at about 7:00 a.m. with the plan to fish the hot spots that I've been frequenting, but at this point, I don't really think you can go wrong. The fish are spread all over the lake, but if you want numbers, fish shallow and fish the rocks. I got most of my fish dragging a neko-rigged senko parallel to shore, but that's nothing new. I'm trying to get better at jig fishing, so I fished it pretty hard, mostly dragging it around rocks and in coves, managing several bites and a couple of fish. I didn't have any success dragging it parallel to shore like I do with the neko. If anyone has any tips to help me improve my jig game, I’m all ears! I also threw a bluegill flicker shad in hopes of finding the fun reaction bite I found a few weeks ago when the wind kicked up, but no dice. I was off the water at about 4:30 p.m. and managed an even 20 fish in the net. I should have caught at least 30, but I broke off and/or lost quite a few. Most were 1.5-2.5 lb. clones, but 3 fish weighing exactly 3 lbs. made it into the net as well. The hot bite for me happened in the mid-afternoon, as per usual, but my morning was a bit slower because I was experimenting with the stuff that I kind of suck at. Those of you who are a bit more well-rounded than me are likely in for a fun all-day bite. Also, seems like the spawn is in full swing, as I saw quite a few fish on beds, but I try to leave those guys alone. Still cool to see!

Tight lines

Brad

IMG_7585.jpeg

For me the jig is about slow dragging around rock. I fish casting perpendicular to the bank generally, moving toward the deep water. In a few spots I know I’ll sit on the high spot at the end of a point and cast out deeper to work the jig uphill. Let that thing soak between moves a bit, many of the bites happen when the bait is at rest. The Keitech 1/4 oz tungsten rubber football jigs have been my go to. I use as light a weight as I can get away with to get more bites on the fall as well.

Thanks for the tips, Jeremy. I got the most looks dragging slowly around rocks, and many of the bites came when the jig was at rest. It's pretty cool when you're letting it sit, feel a knock, and see your line suddenly start moving off in another direction. Definitely a satisfying way to fish, and I'll be trying your methods this weekend. Tight lines!