Deer Creek Topwater fun

[MasterDaad]

A couple of mornings over the last few weeks I've been hitting Deer Creek early with the tube and a pop-r for some topwater SMB action.

Wow is that fun... it's almost more hunting than fishing.

Each outing I've gotten a little better with my technique and this morning I managed to land 8 SMB between 6 and 8AM -- and I'm still missing about half the strikes on the pop-r.

Next time I'm going to have to go prepared to keep fish for a fry... even at the 8-9" size most are I'm catching enough for a nice dinner for the family.

And it seems as though the lake may need to have some SMB removed so they don't stunt.
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[danielc]

Not sure if this will help you hook more but the trick is and its very hard to get the hang of is wait after the strike and your pop r to go under the surface and then set the hook.
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[FattyGreens]

[quote MasterDaad]

Next time I'm going to have to go prepared to keep fish for a fry... even at the 8-9" size most are I'm catching enough for a nice dinner for the family.

And it seems as though the lake may need to have some SMB removed so they don't stunt.[/quote]

I would say please do! Unfortunately the fish have already stunted and have been for some time. There are still a decent amount a hawgs in there but getting past the little guys is a challenge. Topwater is definitely one of the funnest things in all fishing!
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[bornfishin]

I am wanting to get into some more bass this year and was wondering, I have never fished Deer Creek, where should I go on the lake? I have a yak.
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[DGonewild]

Wallsburg or Charleston. I like wallsburg do to it being a wakeless area. Easier to fish without the power squad buzzing by at mach ten. And there has always been plenty of bass there to keep me happy. Haven't been to Charleston in a while but that area has treated me good in the past.
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[MasterDaad]

I've been running the shores of Walsburg bay lately... but I caught a bunch around the island too and down by the railroad tracks at Charleston.

I think any of the rocky drop-offs at Deer Creek (which is about half the shoreline up there) will produce.

Shade or early/late times outside of direct sunlight seems to the best... but I've caught them everytime I've gone.
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[bornfishin]

do you have a map of DC? I am looking on google maps and trying to figure out what the labels are.
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[LloydE]

That is a lot of fun! When do you begin fishing and how long does the bite last?
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[Jordanporritt]

Catching those things on top water is a blast! We've been doing the same thing up at Pineview. You can catch quite a few bass and every once in a while a muskie, those things are awesome to catch on topwater!
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[RockyRaab]

THE trick with topwater lures is to not strike too soon. Because you usually have very little slack in the line when popping a Pop-R, try waiting until you feel pressure on the line before you strike. Yes, it's difficult to not strike when you see that explosion, but you'll just pull the lure out of the bass's mouth if you do. Waaaaiiittt.
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[TubeDude]

[quote bornfishin]do you have a map of DC? I am looking on google maps and trying to figure out what the labels are.[/quote]

[#0000FF]Hope these help.[/#0000FF]
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[bornfishin]

they help alot thanks TD
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[panfisher]

Do you have a picture of the poppers you are using.

Thanks
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[RockyRaab]

I have several, and they work great on smallies, as does a Heddon Tiny Torpedo. Here's the Pop-R by Rebel:


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[MasterDaad]

[quote RockyRaab]THE trick with topwater lures is to not strike too soon. Because you usually have very little slack in the line when popping a Pop-R, try waiting until you feel pressure on the line before you strike. Yes, it's difficult to not strike when you see that explosion, but you'll just pull the lure out of the bass's mouth if you do. Waaaaiiittt.[/quote]

I'll pay more attention to the timing because it's seemed to me most the ones I've missed have been because I've been late.

And most of my "misses" are on strikes happening right when the pop-r hits the water and there is slack in my line.

I was going to try using my longer, lighter pole next time to see if I couldn't get the slack out quicker without yanking the pop-r so hard it came out.

But I will pay attention to my timing and see if I'm missing some by setting early as well.

Yeah, it is hard to wait when the big splash (especially in the close quarters of a tube) is startling by itself for a newbie like me.
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[RockyRaab]

If the strikes are happening as the lure hits the water, try this: Lower the rod tip and "feather" the line so that you are pointing right at the lure and there's no slack when the lure plops down. If there's an immediate strike, wait until the line comes taut and then set the hook -- but don't try to launch the poor critter into orbit. Just a good firm sweep of the rod sideways will do it. Emphasis on sideways.
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[panfisher]

I have a few in different colors like yours, will go give it arty.
Thanks
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[MasterDaad]

Awesome. Thanks for the tips RockyRaab
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[gstott]

Not only wait until you feel the weight, but don't do a heavy hook set. Do a gentle sweep set and pretty much just reel into the fish. It's tough to wait, but it does the trick.
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[bassrods]

You need to learn more about bass and how they grow, first we don't have any lakes in Utah that any bass stunt in..
We do have a over harvesting problem, The SM bass only grow 1 1/2" to 2" per year and LM bass only grow from 4" to 5" per year..
The bigger bass are caught out then that leaves only the little ones (witch are not stunted) they just need time to grow.. + the spear so called fisherman has all but taken all the bigger bass out of Deer creek and Jordanelle..
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