View Full Version : It's time I learned how to fish.
I just got my fishing license. I have a rod, some hooks and weights, a net, a thing to hold multiple fish, and some fish bait from 2007.
I tried this whole thing a few years ago when I lived in Aurora. I would go to Aurora reservoir, cast directly into the wind for a few hours, and never even came close to catching anything.
What I'd really like is some input on where a decent pond or lake or stream or something is, and what kind of fish are in it. I can look up the rest. I live in Westminster and would like something relatively close (< 45 minute drive) in case I want to go during the week and not take the whole day.
Can I get some insight from some fisherman on here? I suppose once I know what kind of fish I'm fishing for, I can look up the bait and techniques and times to catch them at. Thanks in advance.
P.S. I'd like to catch something that I can eat of course. Besides that, I don't really care what kind as I've caught maybe 3 fish in my whole life.
If you're lake fishing from shore, you can use spinners etc but I prefer to use bait. I really haven't had much luck from shore with spinners, but obviously it can be done, I'm not much of a "pro" in that area.
If you're going for bass etc, get live minnows and put one on a small hook (usually hook it through the mouth so it can swim around fine). Attach a bobber about 4ish feet up from the hook, cast out and let it swim around. Give it slack to swim around with. You can also do the same with worms, but obviously they wont be swimming lol.
For trout, I had the best luck with power bait and salmon eggs or worms. Normally I would use a small treble hook at the bottom, and a small single hook tied on about 1-2 feet above it with around 12 inches of line. Use eggs or power eggs on the single hook, and completely cover the treble hook with a nice morsel of power bait. Cast out and let it sink to the bottom, keep the line tight (get rid of the slack without reeling the bait in closer) so you can see when something is nibbling at it.
As for stream/creek/river fishing, I suggest either learning to use a fly rod (takes a LOT of practice, time and patience to get good at casting, learn what to use, when to use it etc!!!) or sticking with spinners. I have had EXCELLENT luck with a variety of panther martin spinners and decent luck with kastmasters. Generally speaking, you have a better chance of catching big(gger) fish (rainbow/brown trout) in bigger rivers, but you will catch more fish in smaller creeks (usually brook trout). Trout feed facing upstream, so they are watching food come down with the flow. With spinners, cast it upstream and reel it in downstream.
I suggest doing this in a small stream in the mountains somewhere, preferably where you can see the fish. Be sneaky coming up to the water, as they spook easily. Use the smallest size panther you can find, I find the ones with a yellow body and red dots, with the silver spinner work good no matter where you are. Also, use a small line, like 2-4 pound test max.
Thank you very much for those great tips. More good stuff for me to research!
So if I wanted to drive up 6th and fish Clear Creek, I could use a spinner and cast it upstream?
I'm interested in the way you are suggesting to tie the line and use multiple hooks. That is something I'm not really familiar with. Is there a website perhaps that someone can recommend I visit so I'm not asking so many beginner questions?
Yes, you can head up clear creek and do that, however I'm suggesting you try a significantly smaller creek for now (like maybe 6' or less across). Also, keep in mind with the high runoff going on right now, you are not likely to have much, if any luck. You want to be fishing it when you can see through the water.
As for knot tying, look online for some help, I'm sure a simple google search will give you TONS of how to's. Much easier to show you than to try and tell you, know what I mean?
I just don't know where smaller creeks are. As far as the knots, I'm okay with the knot itself, I meant the technique of two hooks.
After thinking about it for a while, I think what I'll do is just look up Rainbow Trout and Large and Smallmouth Bass, read up everything I can about those two fish, and see if I can teach myself to catch some of those. Much easier then just asking way too broad questions like I started with the thread.
Coloradofisherman.com you have to sign up to post and read good stuff.
Lots of info on Denver metro fishing lakes and ponds.
Pick a day when there will be a barometric pressure change. A large pressure drop will oftentimes lead to the fish taking anything you throw at them.
My honorary Indian name is "Fishes with Dynamite"
[LOL]
cowboykjohnson
06-17-2010, 13:39
for bass, wipers and pike I usually have good luck with Rapala shad raps and black with polka dot panther martins.
Multi colored panther martins usually work for trout as well.
SA Friday
06-17-2010, 14:00
When I first came back to CO in 2002, I got back into fly fishing... Deep. I did a few exibitions on fly tying and rod building for the shop I frequented weekly, Alpine Anglers in Aurora. It's closed down now sadly. Living in Castle Rock, I would go up to Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon regularly fishing. I also fished Spinny Mile (the Dream Stream) and Eleven Mile a lot. Grew up in Ft collins and Greeley, so I would take a trip or two up to the Big Tom every summer too. Went a few other places along the way too, but I fished the South Platte hard. I had a lot of 50+ fish days, all catch-and-release. Taught more than a few along the way. I taught my step-daughter how to fly fish when she was 10.
If you are fishing moving water here in CO for trout, there is only one way to do it right IMO, fly fishing nymph patterns. Top water and streamers will work sometimes if the conditions are right, but here in CO the bugs are small and plentiful. Nymphing is an art and once you get it down, you won't want to see a lake ever again.
My honorary Indian name is "Fishes with Dynamite"
[LOL]
Kewl, Yazzi said mine was "Fish Run From Bear"... but I'll catch something sooner or later!
[ROFL1][Beer]
Yeah, I'm not really interested in taking on fly fishing. When I have more time and money to take on another hobby, I will just go back to doing local shooting matches regularly.
Fish tremble in fear when they hear my Name....
Fish tremble in fear when they hear my Name....
Funny, I didn't even know fish HAD middle fingers until I went fishing......
And Stuart,, the Great Spirit does not take away from time that you spend fishing.
pm me if you want to go i live in lakewood and could show you some tricks to tying the hook, i use night crawlers myself and do pretty good, im of during the day and wekends so lets go fish
pm me if you want to go i live in lakewood and could show you some tricks to tying the hook, i use night crawlers myself and do pretty good, im of during the day and wekends so lets go fish
Sweet, where do you go? I grew up in Golden/Lakewood. I'd say let's go tomorrow, but I think I might need to make a quick stop at Walmart to make sure I've got enough hooks, weights, and maybe pick up a lure or two. Want to plan for something next week? I'm available from about 10 am to 5ish pm. What time do you usually go? Don't fish eat really early, lunch for a bit, and then at dusk?
yea i usually go early, im thinking of going tomorrow moring maybe to bear creek i had good luck there last year. we will see if i can wake up befor the kid and sneek away hahahaa
Well I drop Gloria off in the Tech Center around 8am, but then am free after that. How early is "early" for you? Maybe I can meet you there.
Oh yeah, I can't get out that early because I have to drop off our kid and Gloria. We'll work something out someday.
EDIT: Ooops, I also just remembered that I have Comcast is coming between 10 and noon. I knew there was a reason I thought tomorrow was too short of notice. I guess that was it. heh
I am getting laid off at the end of June, I will have all the time in the world to go fishing and shooting then. Let me know when you're free and I can go up whenever too. [Tooth]
I finally caught my first fish tonight!
Trying to fillet it with a Cold Steel GI Tanto and a Kershaw was a disaster.
Here it is.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3nJ8XAkYeYs/T7iAAErxQAI/AAAAAAAAAdA/J3TddG3ShxM/s903/IMAG0532.jpg
Wanna go fishing together? I usually fish at Standley lake during the week.
I used to fish a lot back home and it used to be really easy, but here in US the variety of fishing gear, variety of fish, variety of different fishing styles etc - it's just freaking overwhelming....
TriggerHappy
05-20-2012, 00:35
I wanna go.
Sturving: a filet knife is where its at.
Maybe we should try and get a shooting fishing trip together for this summer. would be fun.
Thank you but I work during the week and Saturday mornings, so it would be a nightmare to try and meet up with someone. However, how is Standley? I caught this fish at the rock quarry over in Federal Heights.
I know what you mean about being over whelmed. I've probably fished about 10 times since I started this thread, and this was the first time I ever caught anything.
A shooting fishing trip would be fun.
I feel like Colorado lakes and reservoirs are running out of fish -_-
Thank you but I work during the week and Saturday mornings, so it would be a nightmare to try and meet up with someone. However, how is Standley? I caught this fish at the rock quarry over in Federal Heights.
I know what you mean about being over whelmed. I've probably fished about 10 times since I started this thread, and this was the first time I ever caught anything.
A shooting fishing trip would be fun.
Let me put it that way - I've never left the Standley lake empty handed...
I wanna go.
Sturving: a filet knife is where its at.
Maybe we should try and get a shooting fishing trip together for this summer. would be fun.
We should definitely do it!
I'd love to learn a proper way to fish!
TriggerHappy
05-20-2012, 00:46
Fishing the Big Horn a few years back:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/jake82/fish1.jpg
Quite a while back, like 12 years, Lake Trout from Alaska:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/jake82/fish2.jpg
I will try and find some more.
TriggerHappy
05-20-2012, 00:50
When I first came back to CO in 2002, I got back into fly fishing... Deep. I did a few exibitions on fly tying and rod building for the shop I frequented weekly, Alpine Anglers in Aurora. It's closed down now sadly. Living in Castle Rock, I would go up to Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon regularly fishing. I also fished Spinny Mile (the Dream Stream) and Eleven Mile a lot. Grew up in Ft collins and Greeley, so I would take a trip or two up to the Big Tom every summer too. Went a few other places along the way too, but I fished the South Platte hard. I had a lot of 50+ fish days, all catch-and-release. Taught more than a few along the way. I taught my step-daughter how to fly fish when she was 10.
If you are fishing moving water here in CO for trout, there is only one way to do it right IMO, fly fishing nymph patterns. Top water and streamers will work sometimes if the conditions are right, but here in CO the bugs are small and plentiful. Nymphing is an art and once you get it down, you won't want to see a lake ever again.
I got to fish Troublesome Creek that first time fishing here in CO. Its an expensive members only Orvis endorsed pond and creek. Lets just say it kind of spoiled in for me. I would be into some deckers fly fishing, if anyone wants to go.
Fishing the Big Horn a few years back:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/jake82/fish1.jpg
Quite a while back, like 12 years, Lake Trout from Alaska:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/jake82/fish2.jpg
I will try and find some more.
Nice!!
That is a big trout Trigger.
The last time I caught a fish was when someone set up the rod for me at the private lake above Georgetown almost 10 years ago. Actually now that I think about it, I was just there, I wasn't even holding the rod. The last time must have been when I was in Georgia at a stocked pond (maybe 1.5 acres?) on private property. They even fed the fish and it wasn't even fair. It was almost literally catching fish in a barrel.
TriggerHappy
05-20-2012, 01:17
I have seen and caught bigger. While growing up in AK my family had property on a semi private lake. Fishing was very hot and cold, but if you were patient you could catch some really BIG fish. Like 18-35" rainbows. We called them football and baseball bat fish. One being long and skinny and the other being nice and fat. We found that trolling with "cowbells" and worms were the most reliable.
Oh yeah, you reminded me. The fish were jumping out of the water all around me (giving me the finger) and I wasn't getting any bites. So I called my uncle and he suggested using a bobber with a night crawler. I just happened to have both, and within a few minutes (under 5) I was getting my first bites. This was after hours of just sitting there with a trout rig floating off the bottom. I had just picked up my phone to text my wife about how horrible of a fisherman I am when I got the first nibble.
In between the trout rig and the worm rig, I spent a bit casting with some lures. I don't really know how to reel back lures and wasn't sure if I was reeling too fast or too slow, or if the fish just weren't interested.
Also, I am now using the 10lb braided line that I talked about in my BOB thread (did we lose that?) and I had a difficult time with it. Braided line really likes to snag and knot itself while casting. I must have taken 20-30 yards of line off the rod from clearing some really nasty knots. The good part is that by the end of the night, I was getting pretty good at tying a fisherman's knot.
Finally, I guess they kick you out at dark, but I was trying to milk it and got caught trying to clean up in the dark with a small flash light. The guy was nice enough to wait for me and I was the last one out. It helped that I was carrying my small light in my mouth or he would have left and locked me in. I caught a toad on my way out and brought it home for my daughter. The fish tasted pretty good by the way.
Hey Irving, I found this link pretty helpful http://fishing.forumsmotions.com/t20-35-freshwater-fishing-rigs-images because they have buncha pics...
If you have any good source, please share.
If you guys ever get a chance to fish Lake Powell take it! Fishing a Striper boil is insane......they have an awesome fight an taste good. No limit on them either, in fact they advise people to keep all Striper.
Check out Wayne's Words.....
Just Googled Lake Powell, dude!!!! Looks like a lot of fun!!
Just Googled Lake Powell, dude!!!! Looks like a lot of fun!!
It's a blast! We try going every year, sometimes twice!
It's a blast! We try going every year, sometimes twice!
Is it ok to bring your own boat or you have to rent?
Is it ok to bring your own boat or you have to rent?
Yeah, you can and should bring your own boat....renting is expensive!
TriggerHappy
05-20-2012, 06:46
Oh yeah, you reminded me. The fish were jumping out of the water all around me (giving me the finger) and I wasn't getting any bites. So I called my uncle and he suggested using a bobber with a night crawler. I just happened to have both, and within a few minutes (under 5) I was getting my first bites. This was after hours of just sitting there with a trout rig floating off the bottom. I had just picked up my phone to text my wife about how horrible of a fisherman I am when I got the first nibble.
In between the trout rig and the worm rig, I spent a bit casting with some lures. I don't really know how to reel back lures and wasn't sure if I was reeling too fast or too slow, or if the fish just weren't interested.
Also, I am now using the 10lb braided line that I talked about in my BOB thread (did we lose that?) and I had a difficult time with it. Braided line really likes to snag and knot itself while casting. I must have taken 20-30 yards of line off the rod from clearing some really nasty knots. The good part is that by the end of the night, I was getting pretty good at tying a fisherman's knot.
Finally, I guess they kick you out at dark, but I was trying to milk it and got caught trying to clean up in the dark with a small flash light. The guy was nice enough to wait for me and I was the last one out. It helped that I was carrying my small light in my mouth or he would have left and locked me in. I caught a toad on my way out and brought it home for my daughter. The fish tasted pretty good by the way.
You don't need anything more than 3-4 lb test. mono line.
My honorary Indian name is "Fishes with Dynamite"
[LOL]
Dupont Spinners, works every time.[ROFL2]
Thanka for the link Dr.Fwd. I used #18. And Lake Powell is a blast if you've never been. Is the water level still dropping a bunch every year?
Trigger, I was using whatever the monofiliment came with my rod, and the only bite I got clean snapped mt line off before I even had a chance to pull and try to hook. After that I assimed that the mono was weak garbage and got something else. Turns out mono is a lot easier to work with though.
Wouldn't a 4-5 lb fish pretty easily break 4lb test mono? That stuff seems pretty weak.
I've landed 8 lb fish with 4lb test mono.
Not all mono is created equal, there are good brands. Also I throw away the first 5' of mono every fishing trip. If it sits in the sun or a hot car it gets brittle. Change your reel of line every season.
You can feel really brittle mono line against your gums, it feels rough due to all the small cracks in it.
That is a good tip, thank you.
Thanka for the link Dr.Fwd. I used #18. And Lake Powell is a blast if you've never been. Is the water level still dropping a bunch every year?
Trigger, I was using whatever the monofiliment came with my rod, and the only bite I got clean snapped mt line off before I even had a chance to pull and try to hook. After that I assimed that the mono was weak garbage and got something else. Turns out mono is a lot easier to work with though.
Wouldn't a 4-5 lb fish pretty easily break 4lb test mono? That stuff seems pretty weak.
Last year the Lake was full, not full pool but pretty close, they said that it was the closest to full pull since they completely filled it back in the 80's.
Not sure what it is this year but I hear that the fishing is different this year in a good way. Cant wait to go........
Wouldn't a 4-5 lb fish pretty easily break 4lb test mono? That stuff seems pretty weak.
Set the drag on your reel at 1/3 the breaking strength of the line and it's quite easy to land a fish that's only as big as the line strength.
4 pound line records, as of 2009:
Greater Amberjack - 26 lb, 8 oz.
Dolphin (mahi mahi) - 52 lb, 14 oz.
Black Marlin, 152 lb, 1 oz.
Striped Marlin, 218 lb, 4 oz.
White Marlin, 97 lb, 4 oz.
Tiger Shark, 159 lb, 0 oz.
Yellowfin Tuna, 55 lb, 1 oz.
Now that's impressive!
Actually, what is impressive are the 2# line records...
2freakin hundreds18# with a line that were supposed to break at 4#???!!!! It is damn impressive!
Is that so when the fish pulls, it just lets some line out, then you reel the fish in each time it rests? Interesting...there is so much I don't know about fishing.
That fish I caught, which I believe was a 9" Rainbow Trout, was so easy to reel in I thought that I lost it.
Last trip I've got 24" walleye! That was fun!!
SA Friday
05-22-2012, 19:07
6x and 7x tippit used in fly fishing are in the range of 2-4lb test. I've caught hundreds (ok, ok, its actually thousands) of trout on that light a line. Many were over 4 lbs. Good reel, good line, good technique.
Not that it would be easy to do, but you guys should take a trip to Junction and fish in the colorado - gunnison junction. People regularly pull out 3-4 foot cats and bigger all the damn time. I've never had any luck, but i've been fishing since I was little and maybe only caught a hand full of fish... bad luck...
Congrats stu!
Nothing better than a 4 weight fly rod and ultra light spinning setup and causing hell on beaver pond brookies.
I use the 50lb test line from walmart. It's actually thread. Use to catch a lot of big catfish.
TriggerHappy
05-23-2012, 01:09
We have caught all our trout on 3-4lb mono. You actually have to fight the fish, not just reel me in. It's more sporty...we have several pics of LARGE trout. Up to 12 pounders, same rigs.
I'll see if I can upload some.
Is that so when the fish pulls, it just lets some line out, then you reel the fish in each time it rests? Interesting...there is so much I don't know about fishing.
That fish I caught, which I believe was a 9" Rainbow Trout, was so easy to reel in I thought that I lost it.
yes that's the principal. it can be 2 steps forward 1 back for the entire time with a lively fish.
catching carp is a good way to learn alot.
yes that's the principal. it can be 2 steps forward 1 back for the entire time with a lively fish.
Which can equate to four hours or more with the right critter on the other end of the string...but the end result, if successful, is fairly satisfying.
Good choice, rain makes for good fishing
I waited around too long and was only out there for about 30 minutes.
In your (everyone) experience, do these work as well as live night crawlers in a pinch? And when used, should they be used with a weighted jig?
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/476278547/Fishing-Lures-Tail-Grubs-Soft-Lures-Soft-Bait-Grub-Worm-Lure-60-bags-360pcs-lot-2.jpg
Bump for question. Site went down and people forgot.
llostwolf
05-26-2012, 12:33
depends on place but they do work well. A lead headed jig is most common. They can either be bounced off the bottom or pulled through the weeds
ChunkyMonkey
05-26-2012, 16:07
Any of you want to hit local reservoir tomorrow?
Caught a large mouth Bass today. We were there for 10 minutes tops. I have three more significant bites on the line, and one of them I definitely should have been able to pull in but never snagged the fish. Caught the same way as the trout, with a worm on a hook and a bobber. Simple and effective, I'd like to catch a fish another way. Also, SAFriday, I saw a guy fly fishing in person when we were at Loch Lomand and it didn't look as complicated as I thought. I think I'm going to give it a try.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DMTGnMnubaQ/T96ojeRu6NI/AAAAAAAAAlk/6wAJvKDQHig/s903/IMAG0647.jpg
There is a tiny little pond behind Water World that is catch and release only. I guess there are Bass, Bluegill, and Crappy in there. Oh yeah, and a family of Beavers or Otters or something.
I'm going fishing right now, gonna go to Cherry Creek and try night fishing!
That sounds fun. Bring a flashlight that focuses into a spot light. If you catch something, let me know what you caught and how you caught it please.
Ok, just got back from cherry Creek. It was a fun experience! Caught 9 walleyes, the biggest was 12" and the smallest was 9.5. All fish were released.
I used night crawlers and leeches. "still fishing".
ChunkyMonkey
06-18-2012, 21:41
Ok, just got back from cherry Creek. It was a fun experience! Caught 9 walleyes, the biggest was 12" and the smallest was 9.5. All fish were released.
I used night crawlers and leeches. "still fishing".
which side of cherry creek?
which side of cherry creek?
Right next to dum
Awesome Dr. Fwd!
Tonight I caught 3 more Large Mouth Bass and a Bluegill (I thought it was a Crappie). I only have pictures of two of the fish, but the first large mouth was an inch or two longer than the one last night. Also, I think I broke my reel last night, because it doesn't click anymore when the line runs out.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J-tY0NjtW7w/T9_x3uU2RzI/AAAAAAAAAmI/dc7qngsEyJg/s551/imagejpeg_2_3.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IGv3CqvUhK0/T9_x2ywM20I/AAAAAAAAAmA/449LV2Ju_ak/s551/imagejpeg_2_2.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5Xom7lbMlok/T9_x4hdzLGI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/G96DJIa53YA/s551/imagejpeg_2_4.jpg
So we went again tonight, and some stupid teenage girl catches at least a 1lb Crappie. I know because my daughter found it LYING IN THE DIRT, still with the bait in its mouth, with the bobber 24" up, and just the line cut off. I know it was that girl, because she told me that she caught "some green and gold fish" and when we found it about 20 minutes later, IT WAS STILL ALIVE! I confronted her about it later, and she said, "Oh, that wasn't my fish."
What the hell is wrong with people? All the trash that people leave around is one thing, but reeling in a fish, cutting your line, leaving it in the dirt, and just walking off? I don't understand. No wonder people hate baiters and spin casters.
Thanks for the poles Dr_Fwd.
So we went again tonight, and some stupid teenage girl catches at least a 1lb Crappie. I know because my daughter found it LYING IN THE DIRT, still with the bait in its mouth, with the bobber 24" up, and just the line cut off. I know it was that girl, because she told me that she caught "some green and gold fish" and when we found it about 20 minutes later, IT WAS STILL ALIVE! I confronted her about it later, and she said, "Oh, that wasn't my fish."
Wow! Idiots are everywhere!
Thanks for the poles Dr_Fwd.
Not a problem! I hope you will catch some nice fish with it! [Beer]
P. S. It was nice meeting you (again, lol) and your wife!
I had a nibble on one tonight, but I had a bad worm/hook combination and wasn't getting the fish to commit. The small Largemouth Bass I caught tonight was with an artificial lure. Even though the fish was tiny like in the pictures above, I'm just glad I was able to catch a fish with something besides a real night crawler.
You should try Standley (spell?) lake! So far I never left it empty handed.
Oh, btw try this kinda rig for bass http://www.bassfishingusa.com/Rigging/rigging1.html
It worked for me...
That's actually exactly what I caught one with, only I used an Atomic Fry instead of a long worm. My problem with the worms tonight was that the hook I was using was way to small and couldn't hold all the worm. The fish would nibble at the tail end of the worm and when I'd try to set the hook, I'd just yank the worm right out of their mouth. Too much worm, too little hook.
Fishing trip to Loch Lomand on Sunday was a bust. I tried casting with a lure for a while with one rod while the other had the 'ole worm and bobber. Then I went over to the south side and found some rocks that just went straight down about 10-20 ft and tried using a Crappie jig. I used the floating bobber where you run the line through it and it keeps your line vertical so you can bob the jig up and down off the bottom. I also tossed in a trout rig with the other rod and fished from the bottom since the weather has been so hot lately. Never got a single bite on anything. The only people that ended up catching anything at all did so with fly fishing.
Going to 11 mile again next weekend for some night fishing off the shore, and some trolling off a boat in the morning. I guess the trout have been biting like crazy the last three weeks or so, and I'm trying to get down there before they stop because of the heat.
Hey guys, what kinda rig do you use for catfish fishing? Thanks in advance!
Also interested in catfish techniques.
I've had great success with inflated worms on a sinker.
Sardines are awesome but illegal in some states.
Is that where you fill the worms with air using a syringe so they float? Is that so you can fish off the bottom but still get up out of the weeds?
Is that where you fill the worms with air using a syringe so they float? Is that so you can fish off the bottom but still get up out of the weeds?
exactly
Is that where you fill the worms with air using a syringe so they float? Is that so you can fish off the bottom but still get up out of the weeds?
Do what now? Man, there's so much to learn!
Just like it sounds Dr. You take a syringe and fill the worm with air so it will float, thus allowing you to fish with a worm off the bottom, without allowing the worm to just sink (or dig) in the mud. I forgot I had ever heard about that until Wulf mentioned it.
Wulf, that was your response for fishing for Catfish right?
yes. also works with carp and other small bottom feeders.
the trick is to know where you need to put the split shot on to keep it just above the weeds
don't buy the fishing shop bottle with a needle like end. it sucks. get a real needle but be careful.
This was Friday night and Saturday morning at Eleven Mile. 8 fish total. Just over four pounds of meat after filleting.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WhwUH0vf1iI/T--p17xJqsI/AAAAAAAAAn0/ZG-5BF28wuc/s903/IMAG0671.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q-pvXtH4qKU/T--qPQMFykI/AAAAAAAAAoU/rmEVrRLxEF8/s903/IMAG0685.jpg
7 fish caught on lures. 1 fish caught with half a night crawler on leadline full of cowbells. All done at a trolling speed between 1.5-2.0 mph.
That first fish was the largest at 15" and 2lbs. This fish, and 3 others were caught on this Rapala (floating)lure. I lost zero fish on this lure. Generally the second hook ends up setting some where on the face and they can't spit it out.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P8BpH-1Y9TY/T--s2jmHwLI/AAAAAAAAAqM/5XbI5AZQw-g/s903/IMAG0688.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--1pz69LfQ9I/T--pw_DHzuI/AAAAAAAAApg/UI7E23OXamE/s903/IMAG0670.jpg
1 fish was caught on this lure. As soon as the one fish hit the floor of the boat, it spit the lure right out onto the deck.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CzKZHofdOnQ/T--s5wFU4EI/AAAAAAAAAqU/EiKUKl8iW34/s903/IMAG0689.jpg
2 fish were caught on this lure. This lure had two other fish, but I lost them reeling them in. If you let the fish jump out of the water, it lets the line go slack and the fish can spit the lure out.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/img/products/original/jakes_lures_spin_a_lure_brass_400094_1_og.jpg
Awesome! I bet it was fun!
SideShow Bob
07-02-2012, 05:09
Rod & reel ? Fly fishing ? In a SHTF survival situation I'm going with a throw net or small drag net. Or even trap cages.
Definitely a net for SHTF. I feel like I have to learn how to fish with tools, in order to fish without tools. Also, no trolling boats with SHTF.
A net, be it a cast net, gill net, take your pick, is ideal for some situations. A cast net is typically how we catch herring, mullet, and ballyhoo when going after the big offshore pelagics but I've not seen many situations in Colorado outside of those pay-ponds stocked with trout where a net would be as effective as a rod with some skill in this state.
Learn what fish eat. Once you can mimic that, you won't go hungry.
If you really want to go the net route, learn to throw a cast net BEFORE you get hungry, it's not something that everyone gets the hang of quickly. The Calusa net company probably has the easiest video tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le6P2nFZhsA
Also interested in catfish techniques.
raw prawn/shrimp. I caught so many catfish with this bait.
You should try Standley (spell?) lake! So far I never left it empty handed.
what do you normally use and catch here?
raw prawn/shrimp. I caught so many catfish with this bait.
Can you expand on where in the lake to fish for catfish, or are they all over?
Can you expand on where in the lake to fish for catfish, or are they all over?
I only fish from shore and just cast 20-25 feet out. I don't think they have specific spot.
Thank you. You don't have to be near where a stream is coming into the lake/pond or anything like that though?
what do you normally use and catch here?
Night crawlers or plastic worms.
Thank you. You don't have to be near where a stream is coming into the lake/pond or anything like that though?
Never fished where a stream runs into a pond or lake. Shrimp gives off a strong scent. Catfish loves it!
Night crawlers or plastic worms.
What do you normally catch, sir?
I was jogging at crown hill park this morning, there were several bass splashing about and bunches of frogs around.
You should have good luck if you like to bass fish around the reeds with a frog setup.
GilpinGuy
07-09-2012, 01:44
I was jogging at crown hill park this morning, there were several bass splashing about and bunches of frogs around.
You should have good luck if you like to bass fish around the reeds with a frog setup.
Back in NY we pretty much fished for Bass only. We used rubber worms almost 100% of the time and they worked great.
I miss the old days of Bass fishing. I'd love to know of some good spots in CO. I'm basically a trout guy now since I'm in the hills 99% of the time.
GilpenGuy, can you post a picture of the rubber worms you used? Are they the same jig type that I posted earlier in this thread, or the ones that just look exactly like worms?
GilpinGuy
07-09-2012, 02:29
GilpenGuy, can you post a picture of the rubber worms you used? Are they the same jig type that I posted earlier in this thread, or the ones that just look exactly like worms?
Here's a good demo. In NY we used 6" or 8" rubber worms for this and routinely dragged out 5 lb. bass. Frankly I'm not sure what would be best in CO, but I'd go with 6" or so. The guy in this video uses a 12" worm which is HUGE.
5h-GD2QP5hw
Here's a few pix of what I have on hand:
Note that you need 3 things for this rig: the cone shaped weight, the hook and the worm. The hook in this pic is a little small for this rig (all I had at the moment), but you get the picture. We always used straight shanked hooks, not the off-set ones that the guy in the video used. But they are probably just as good.
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/juanez3248/DSC01543.jpg
Here's what it looks like with the hook in, but not on a line, obv.
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/juanez3248/DSC01544.jpg
To keep it "weedless" you push the tip of the hook through the body of the worm until it just barely comes through. That way it won't snag on weeds.
To work these jigs, we would cast the rig out and let it sink to the bottom. Then we would reel in a few feet and stop, giggle the worm a time or two, then reel in a few feet, giggle a time or two, over and over again. Best bass set-up I ever used. Good luck!
My neighbor Tom with our catch from Standley Lake 7/8/2012
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z45/taintedmeat4/IMAG0991.jpg
I caught my first walleye (barely a keeper at 15") and my biggest smallmouth (about 18").
We used a night crawlers on a Lindy Rig and back trolled around 18-24 ft deep.
My neighbor Tom with our catch from Standley Lake 7/8/2012
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z45/taintedmeat4/IMAG0991.jpg
I caught my first walleye (barely a keeper at 15") and my biggest smallmouth (about 18").
We used a night crawlers on a Lindy Rig and back trolled around 18-24 ft deep.
Nice! Can I cast from shore using night crawlers?
Funny story: I caught a small blue gill once. As I was gonna reel it out of the water a huge LM bass swallowed the blue gill. 2 for 1!
Nice! Can I cast from shore using night crawlers?
I'm pretty sure you can, but I'm not sure if you'd come up with anything of size. The first fish I caught yesterday was in about 15 ft of water and it was a 4" smallmouth. [Tooth] I guess it depends on where you are.
I'm not sure what other people fishing from shore were using, but I saw quite a few people out there.
I'm pretty sure you can, but I'm not sure if you'd come up with anything of size. The first fish I caught yesterday was in about 15 ft of water and it was a 4" smallmouth. [Tooth] I guess it depends on where you are.
I'm not sure what other people fishing from shore were using, but I saw quite a few people out there.
I'm going for fun and enjoy the lake. Catching a fish is just a bonus =)
Are there catfish there?
I'm going for fun and enjoy the lake. Catching a fish is just a bonus =)
Are there catfish there?
Agreed. It's great to be on or near the water with a fishing pole in hand.
http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/ParksRec/Parks/StandleyLakeRegionalPark/Fishing.aspx
Looks like they have some channel cats in there. My neighbor thought that big walleye was going to be a carp. We're glad it wasn't!
Agreed. It's great to be on or near the water with a fishing pole in hand.
http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/ParksRec/Parks/StandleyLakeRegionalPark/Fishing.aspx
Looks like they have some channel cats in there. My neighbor thought that big walleye was going to be a carp. We're glad it wasn't!
LOL no limit on carp. Seems like size isn't an issue.
Seems like size isn't an issue.
That's what she said. [LOL]
I think the only regulation on size is for walleye. 15" minimum with and only one keeper over 21". (see CDOW fishing brochure)
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