[Jimmyfish]

I'm really lovin this bass fishing thing. Caught my first yellow at the MMBC a few weeks ago. Went to Wet Beaver Creek this morning after a fill up on lures/worms at Fisherman's Choice. Hiked the Bell trail to the gauging station with a co-worker (sorry Skunked) and set up shop at some large pools. 3" Powerworms, spinners... nothing worked. Then went to the Kellogs Nutri-Grain bar (Apple-Cinnamon of course) on a trout rig. 2 pan-size smallmouth in a row. Tossed them back to grow bigger. Question- need help on lures or rigs for these smallies and browns. Any advice would be mucho appreciato. Thanks, Jim.

 

[Bayou]

That's great, Jim. You're going to make Ray a jealous fisherman. The hike along with the fishing in a remore area sounds really nice. For those stream smallies don't give up on the spinners that blanked you. Yellowjackets, panther martins, mepps spinners should work on the smallies and trout. Some small grubs work well also for the smallies.

 

[nudepygmy]

And light, clear line... One day, a couple summers ago, I was up on Oak Creek trout fishing and using 4 lb mono and the fish were swimming right up to the bait, looking at it and swimming off. But when you just threw a worm in the water not on your hook they ate it. I even threw a worm in that was threaded on a hook, but no line attached and they ate it and then spit it when they felt the hook. But they could see that line and they would not hit. Since then, I've used the 2-4 lb pure fluorocarbon and have not had that problem.

 

[Jimmyfish]

Thanks for the advice. I took the stock line off my $20 Popular Outdoor ultralight a few weeks ago and strung some 2 lb. clear Trilene on it for my trip. Now I'm itching to upgrade my stuff! It's easy to see how one could go hog wild with all the great equipment out there. It will take years to catch up to Ray!! Get ready for a return trip in the fall. Also would like to try the confluence area of Oak Creek and the Verde southeast of Cottonwood. I hear that can be rewarding at times.