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Post by ramartin on Jun 23, 2014 20:42:26 GMT -5
My apologies for the botched thread opener. PA angler new to this forum. Primarily fish Struble, Marsh Creek, and the Susquehanna. My problem is Hopewell Lake in French Creek State Park. We nearly always pull good numbers of largemouth from Hopewell,but have great trouble finding any big fish.
1. Are there lunker largemouth in Hopewell
2. What must I change to get them. I am sure there are many anglers on this forum who have more experience than myself. Any contributions, no matter how vague, will be appreciated.
We fish the usual assortment...lizards, senkos, frogs,flukes etc. Almost always inside and outside edges of the lily pads, rarely open water. Thanks in advance for your contributions.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2014 6:41:59 GMT -5
On the picture banner at the top; the middle picture is of a Bass I pulled out of Hopewell 2 weeks ago. There are decent Bass in there but you have to sort through many 10-12" Bass to find them. I have also caught bigger Bass down there in previous years. So yes; they are in there but there's a ton of smaller Bass as well. My favorite baits down there are Senko style baits and mini-swimbaits. But don't hesitate to break out a soft plastic worm or crayfish and crawl it slow on a Texas Rig.
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Post by ramartin on Jun 24, 2014 21:18:03 GMT -5
Thanks a lot frogman. It is appreciated. Good to know there are nice fish in there. And weeding through oodles of 10" bass is still more fun than catching nothing. Next time out I will take your advice with a swimbait. Thanks again.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2014 7:56:37 GMT -5
As far as Swimbaits; I mention "mini" swimbaits; I typically fish with a Berkley Havoc Beat Shad on a 1/4 oz jighead. They have saved the day for me many times. As far as the 10" Bass; yes, I can stand catching them all day as well. If I want to fish for big Bass only then I will head to Struble; you won't catch near as many there but typically the average Bass there is much larger.
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Post by ramartin on Jun 25, 2014 20:16:46 GMT -5
Frogman, I usually have a pack of Trigger X® Slop Hoppers in my box....I believe that may be similar to your Havoc Beat Shad. I will need to tie that on next time out. Struble Lake has my number, or perhaps I have been jinxed. I have long heard "Fish Struble for fewer bass, but larger bass....Do not give up on Struble after a bad outing." Frogman, I have trouble getting one good bass from Struble in 3 outings. This is probably partly because the confidence levels are a bit low there, and partly because I fish mostly the shorelines. I know full well that Struble holds nice bass, I just cannot seem to beat that lake for some reason.
Thanks again
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2014 13:31:32 GMT -5
Here is some awesome free advice on Struble (I have been told in the past some of my posts are rather vague)! I typically only fish shorelines at Struble as well. Here's my tip on Struble.......launch the boat and head straight towards the tunnel. Once you reach the tunnel stay out from shore just a bit so you can get a long cast in at the shoreline (Casting accuracy is a must). Tie on a Bass Pro Shops XPS Lazer Eye Super Shallow Crankbait. Hit every square inch of that shoreline from the tunnel down to the dam. Most Bass lay in that area (closer to the tunnel - the first 100 yards) because there are a lot of stumps in there under the water. The key is the bait; your crankbait will be landing in very shallow water and that crankbait only dives about 12". Also if you're going to do this don't expect it to work at 11:00 in the morning; you need to get down there just as the sun is starting to lighten the sky a bit (5:30 AM) and you want to be the very first person hitting that spot. That's my key for Struble Lake and its been working for many years. I may only catch 4 or 5 Bass but typically at least one of them is going to be a beauty. I don't mind sharing this info because I really don't hit Struble that often anymore but it will work. It may not work every time but you will catch bass there with this technique. I am sure a lot of people will read this and possibly give it a try so just make sure you get there early early early! Get some of the crankbaits (Chartreuse Perch color) from BPS; they cost $4.29 each and they are phenomenal. Lastly; try it out and send me a message to let me know how you make out. Good luck! Now that being said; anyone out there have some good free advice on Kaercher Creek for me?
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Post by wishing2bfishing on Jun 27, 2014 12:45:16 GMT -5
Frogman,
What is "the tunnel"?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2014 9:38:56 GMT -5
Frogman, What is "the tunnel"? Back right hand corner of the lake there is a tunnel where a creek comes in.
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Post by hawghunters on Jun 28, 2014 12:33:12 GMT -5
I use that crankbait a lot. It really works well around cover. If you keep your rod tip up it is like a wakebait
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Post by mike325 on Aug 15, 2014 16:49:01 GMT -5
i go to hopewell 3-4 times a week kayak fishing and get alot of bass with plastic frogs in lillies and weeds
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