conway in the cold??

[kicker]

i was goin to be fishin conway friday and saterday. only had my boat since summer so dont have much experience there in the real cold that will be comin. any suggestions other than slowin down and maybe downsizing. should i fish the same areas that usually produce for me??

thanks for the help

[JayLaw]

sent you an IM

JayLaw
2001 Bassact Sabre

[Bill2e]

I'm in the same boat. Was going to go to Toho on friday, now leaning towards Conway. Cold front comming with 17mph winds. I think I would rather get blown around Conway than Toho. Maybe will find some schoolers. They still out there Billfish?

Any info from anyone else?

Bill

[billfish]

Bill2e........Yes the schoolers are there. But, I will be honest with you, If you are fishing shiners, I would fish Goblets Cove in Lake Toho. Your chance for a big fish is very good these days. If you know how to fish for schoolies, fish Conway and if not.....it can be very difficult to catch anything. The schoolies are roaming and can be very difficult to catch because they are suspending in different levels of water depth. I took my neighbor last Friday and we caught about 45 bass, went back on Saturday and caught 20 or so, took my wife on Sunday and she caught more than 50 (I don't fish when I take my wife) and Sunday I took my son-in-law and he caught around 60 or more. Fri/Sat I used artifical lures and Sun/Monday mostly artifical and live shad. I seldom fish past 11:00 a.m. If you know how to throw a net and can locate shad, you can catch a lot of bait. Then you move out to about 12 ft. of water and anchor. Throw some bait out in the water and sit back and catch bass all day (as long as you have live shad). There is no secret, just experience. I had 20 boats fishing around us on Sunday with artifical and did not see more than 3 boats catch a fish or two. I have been fishing Conway for 40 + years and you learn a few things during that time. I wish you a lot of luck. The best place to find live shad is around the ski run/island in the north lake over the grass. If you use a net be ready to get your boat very dirty.

[Bill2e]

Thanks Billfish,

I am really torn. I got got my step dad & brother coming down. Friday is the only day we can fish and the weather looks horrible. I would probally rather go to Toho to try to find that fish of a life time, but am really leaning towards conway. It just seem a little easier to handle in the wind+ they are staying right by the airport. Thanks agin for the info.

Bill

[kicker]

hey thanks for the help guys. ill be there friday at the ramp off hoffner if anyone wants to meet. will have to make due with artificials though ive never even thought of bringing my cast net for fresh water(guess i hardly ever even fish live bait in fresh). saterday is a tourny so id like to find some fish that arent so stubborn and will be biting the artificials. im thinkin either suspending rapala or maybe drop shotting the deeper holes will be the ticket.

thanks

[Ba$$n]

The last time I read the FL F&G rules it was illegal to have a cast net in the boat while bass fishing. Might want to check that out or you may be in for trouble.

[Bill2e]

Looks like its conway in the cold for friday. I'll be at the ramp around 7:00.

Thanks for the info Billfish.

[kicker]

maybe ill see you there, if not good luck

[billfish]

SkeeterZX...........You bring up a very good point for those whom do not know the law. It is also interesting that the GFC Web Page has a section on how to catch freshwater bait fish with a cast net. It is best to talk to the GFC for guidance when using a net to catch bait fish. You do not want to have any legal game fish in your livewell or any other compartment when a net is on board your boat. The GFC officer can give you a citation at his or her discretion. Bill I wish you guys luck, as the wind will be strong tomorrow. Some recommendations if you are not having much luck with your own presentations. I would throw a 1/2 or 3/4 Hopkins or Krockdile spoon. Either swim the spoon in or let it flutter to the bottom and lift your rod tip and let fall again while picking up the slack. When swimming the spoon, shake your rod tip every now and then to give the impession the bait is dying or hurt. It works for me. Also, I would fish a spinnerbait 3/8, a Zoom Super Fluke in "BaitFish" with a keel weighted hook and let it fall occasionally. Also, a silver Rapala in 11 or 13S. All of these can be very good this time of year. Again, best of luck but most important be safe in the wind.

[Bill2e]

It good to know I'm on the right track, just rigged up and have most of what you just mentioned tied on already. Picked up a couple of spoons today and a new origonal J-11. Hopefully I'll have some pics to post after the trip.

Thanks again.

Bill2e

[Mickstix]

Ive heard more than once that its illegal to have a cast net in the boat, in FL.. But every time I look it up, I find that there are actually "very few" places in FL, where you cant have and use a normal size cast net to catch bait in fresh water.. (normal size=buy at walmart) The "illegal" nets are for big nets used to take bait for the purpose of selling them.. Here is the section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that I use to find these regulations..

METHODS OF TAKING BAIT

Freshwater shrimp and minnows of nongame fish (except catfish) may be taken by:
• Cast nets having a stretched mesh size not greater than 1 inch.
• Minnow dip nets not more than 4 feet in diameter.
• Minnow seines having a stretched mesh size not greater than 1 inch, a length not more than 20 feet, and a depth not more than 4 feet.
• Minnow traps not more than 24 inches in length and 12 inches in diameter, with a funnel entrance not more than 1 inch in spread.
• Any game fish harvested by these methods must be released immediately.
• Taking of bait for the purpose of sale requires a commercial fishing license.

And even in those "few" (water management areas) that your not supposed to be able to "net" bait, it makes a provision about "possessing the net", so it's not illegal to have it in the boat with ya, even in wma areas.. Here's what it says about taking bait in: "Fish Management Areas" Effective July 1, 2004..

4. The possession of nets (other than legal minnow seines, cast nets or dip nets), fish traps, trotlines or setlines is prohibited unless specifically authorized by rules established for a particular Fish Management Area.

(note the bold text about "legal cast nets")

So, take it for what ya will, but I dont see where it's illegal to catch bait for personal use, with a normal size cast net, in Fl's fresh waters.. And in the few spots ya cant "net" bait, it's not illegal to have in the boat..

[Bill2e]

Conway Today,

Boy was it blowing! Took out my step dad and brother today. What a day. Got 14 Bass and a Pickrell. No not the 50-70 that Bill fish gets, but still a great day and I think I figured something out today. Caught most of the Bass on shiners. Got one @ 25 feet on a spoon and the pickrell on a hard jerk. Met Brandon at the ramp (kicker)

Brandon it was nice meeting you we need to get with some of the other regulars and plan something.

Billfish thanks again for all the advice. You helped make our day very special. I really appreciate it. I think I figured something out I am sending you a private message.

Pics to follow

Bill

[Bill2e]

Modified by Bill2e at 10:31 AM 1/7/2006

[Bill2e]

apparently I'll have to try this again, they sure are some pretty red X's though

[Bill2e]

[IMG][/IMG] http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/...rc=ph

[Bill2e]

Alright I give up how do you post these pics?

[Bill2e]

Modified by Bill2e at 10:05 AM 1/7/2006

[jaqfan]

Come on Bill you can do it

[Bill2e]

Modified by Bill2e at 9:27 AM 1/8/2006