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For starters I've just started fishing again recently and am still learning. My fishing reports might be way off from other people. Secondly I don't all the technical names die baits/lures I use abs may mis identify a fish from time to time. Any tips and input are welcome.
Made it out to the lake at 530 this morning. Started off with a gulp cappuccino colored worm on a Texas rig no bites in that so I went ahead and moved to a storm natural colored shad. After still not getting any nibbles I started trying a few different shads in my tackle box trying several different retrieves. At 800 I pulled my minnow trap in that I had set with hot dog and bread with an empty trap. I had some luck last week in this spot with a clear/blue shad catching 3 smaller lmb but nothing today. After pulling in my minnow trap I moved to a different cove on government wash. Was there till noon still not even a nibble. Just an off day for fishing I suppose.
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Welcome to NV BFT, Jjxx. Have you caught any shad (baitfish) in your minnow trap? If you can catch some shad, you'd more than likely be able to pull in some fish if you rig the shad up live.
Read through the stickies on top and as many reports as you can to learn about baits and tactics for Lake Mead. Shad and crawfish are the predominate forage at the lake so baits that imitate them will get the best results.
Here is a [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Nevada_Fishing_Forum_C39/Nevada_Fishing_General_F42/gforum.cgi?post=725989;search_string=spook%20;#725989"]LINK [/url]to a post with some photo examples of lure types and colors (courtesy of Whizzle).
If you don't mind handling bait, I'd suggest getting a second rod stamp and soaking anchovies/sardines while you're throwing lures around. Secure the pole under a rock and loosen the drag so you'll hear when you have a fish on.
If you do fish bait, I'd recommend using circle type hooks (live or dead bait). I like Gamakatsu finesse wide gaps which you can find at walmart.
My favorite tactics as of late have been drop shotting senkos, walking Zara Spooks, and burning lipless cranks like the super spot, Rat-L-trap, etc.
Again, read through as many posts as you can, there are lots of nuggets of info hidden about. Feel free to ask any questions you may have as well. Good luck.
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I actually did catch anything in the minnow trap at all today. I went back to the lake at about 4 and just at 8. I had the minnow trap out again but the line I had it tied on slept and it rolled off the drop somewhere. I tried going for a swim to find it but no luck there. I'll pick abother one up thursday before I spend a three day on the lake. Any idea what the shad usually go for in traps?
My tackle box right now is mostly shad look a likes. I'll take a look at the pictures and get some of those If I don't already have them.
Ive already gotten my second rod stamp and currently have 6'6 and 7' ugly sticks both running 10lb test. Something I have been skimming through but can't find is what is the suggested test for stripers?
Thanks for the nice long detailed reply. I'm looking forward to learning from you guys and possibly bringing something new to the table.
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No problem, Jjxx, I'm glad to chime in when I can.
I haven't heard of anyone catching shad in minnow traps at mead. I'm not sure that you won't, anything is possible. You might catch crawdads if the trap was left in rocky areas overnight, though I'm not sure.
Shad feed on microscopic organisms called zooplankton and phytoplankton. I don't think there is a reliable way to lure them into traps with bait. The only way I know to catch them is using a throw net, which requires a chance encounter of both luck and skill.
10lb will do just fine. Most anglers at mead will fish 10-15lb for stripers depending on the type of fishing... 25+lbs if they're trolling big lures (AC plugs) for monster stripers. The average striper at lake mead is 1-2lbs although there are a small number of larger fish lurking in the depths. Always set your drag properly and you will be ok for the most part.
Again, with the broken record, read lots of past posts and you will learn a great deal that will lead to success in your future trips.
Also, look up the Nevada Striper Club. They are a helpful bunch of folks that fish mead regularly and are always very helpful to people looking to get into striper fishing at Mead.
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Erawk - No need for luck on getting live bait bait. And for skill just make sure the net opens wide to get the most from your cast.
Pssst.......the Shad are up in the wash right now.
mostly on the far right side next to the dirt mounds. Try casting the nets in about 3 to 6 foot depth.
Then try a drift(carolina rig with light wire circle hook) from sand island to Gov wash with fish at about 60-80 foot suspended.
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