Not a big change from last week (editors note - water temperatures - see here). About 1 degree at the top but about 2 degrees at the bottom. I noted that up lake at Moorman's the water was about 2 degrees cooler too. An interesting note is that I checked my reading from last year at HFB and the range was 56 top and 49 bottom for the closest date of 12/8/11. Looks like we're right on track. Another note is that the water dropped a little more and launching is getting dicey. May not get out soon and don't know any ramp that still works well.
So I tried to net some bait at Captain's Quarters but drew only water. Throws are still not good so I'm going to be looking for some coaching. Made it to Indian and saw fish scattered and in small bunches so started a trolling run. Passed around both sides and into the creek a little with no takers. I saw one guide and another boat working the area so I was confident I wasn't seeing things.
So I kept working up lake as far as Moorman's. The fish weren't in Moorman's as before but the stretch between Moorman's and the tennis courts shows lots of fish. Again, no big schools but scattered and small bunches. All the fish were down 30ft or below or on or near the bottom so I did a lot of slow trolling with A-rigs letting them get down there. Finally got one 27" boated near R67 (near the TC). He was around some small trees and got really tangled in the branches. I had to work back with the TM to get over him. I'd give slack and tighten up to still feel him down there. I finally got the small branch to break and fish and all in the net. That was around Noon so I worked the area for another hour with no more bites. Wow, things are tough all over. I keep wondering if the low water is affecting the fish that much. Later Joel
So I tried to net some bait at Captain's Quarters but drew only water. Throws are still not good so I'm going to be looking for some coaching. Made it to Indian and saw fish scattered and in small bunches so started a trolling run. Passed around both sides and into the creek a little with no takers. I saw one guide and another boat working the area so I was confident I wasn't seeing things.
So I kept working up lake as far as Moorman's. The fish weren't in Moorman's as before but the stretch between Moorman's and the tennis courts shows lots of fish. Again, no big schools but scattered and small bunches. All the fish were down 30ft or below or on or near the bottom so I did a lot of slow trolling with A-rigs letting them get down there. Finally got one 27" boated near R67 (near the TC). He was around some small trees and got really tangled in the branches. I had to work back with the TM to get over him. I'd give slack and tighten up to still feel him down there. I finally got the small branch to break and fish and all in the net. That was around Noon so I worked the area for another hour with no more bites. Wow, things are tough all over. I keep wondering if the low water is affecting the fish that much. Later Joel