Question for creek fishermen...

[Travis C.]

that have been out this year.

Have the crayfish gotten real active yet?

[SAMBOLIE]

that have been out this year.

Have the crayfish gotten real active yet?

They were very active at Fall Creek over a month ago.

[Travis C.]

They were very active at Fall Creek over a month ago.

Great, thanks Sambolie.

I am needing to get some bait and didn't want to waste my lunch breaks if no use.

[volandsmalliefan]

I went way up the east fork of the stones last weekend and caught a bunch of smallmouth and redeye. I bet two-thirds of the fish had crawfish sticking out of their throats.

[FOXZILLA]

Yea, crawdads are active. Salamanders are out too.

[Travis C.]

Thanks guys, i found some craws and some dobson fly larva. No salamanders though. I know they are in there. Didn't use the larva instead let them go and watch them wiggle/swim away. Truly awesome bugs from beginning to end lifecycle.

[jaystaler88]

Dobson Fly larva AKA helgramites are truly a cool bug! I've heard and read that there is literally not a more preferable food to a smallmouth than a helgie. The one or two times I've come across a live helgramite and put them on a hook, I literally had a fish on within seconds. They will give you a nasty bite if you aren't careful.

Case Plastics makes an AWESOME helgramite plastic bait that is super fun to fish on a UL rod in the creeks. You'll catch everything from bluegill, tons of redeye, and the occasional smallie. I know Creeksmallie uses them on the regular, but the Jack's Worm is a savage bait. Give case plastics a try.

[Travis C.]

Case Plastics makes an AWESOME helgramite plastic bait that is super fun to fish on a UL rod in the creeks. You'll catch everything from bluegill, tons of redeye, and the occasional smallie. I know Creeksmallie uses them on the regular, but the Jack's Worm is a savage bait. Give case plastics a try.

I have used the Case versions quite a bit and they work. I believe Trout Magnet has a version as well.

The presence of them in a creek shows a sign of a creek's water quality as they demand better water. At least it what I understood. Most around here if familiar with them only know them as the worm looking version with a pincher mouth. Go east and check out the full grown flying adults since they are more commonly seen. Wicked bugs and leave a wicked bite.

[XxthejuicexX]

I looked up pictures of them earlier and they are pretty creepy.

[Reel Tune]

Where do you guys get your case plastics? I've heard nothing but good about them for years, and have never tried them.

[Travis C.]

Where do you guys get your case plastics? I've heard nothing but good about them for years, and have never tried them.

http://www.fishingcompleteinc.com/

I ordered them online. They used to send a mixed bag of their other soft plastics along with your order to generate more business.

The Hellgrammites are good in (large/black) not small, Jack's worms are good and the Mad Tom's are deadly in small water. The Mad Tom's make a great sculpin imitation in the right colors. Get a shade of brown to match a sculpin then take a sharpie add a few stripes. The banded sculpin is a common variety around here in creeks.

[Reel Tune]

I've heard great words about their Flukes mainly that they sink better than the Zoom and other name brands. So Flukes, Hellgrammites, Jack's Worms and Mad Tom's is on the list. I want to do more small river and creek fishing this year.

[Travis C.]

I've heard great words about their Flukes mainly that they sink better than the Zoom and other name brands. So Flukes, Hellgrammites, Jack's Worms and Mad Tom's is on the list. I want to do more small river and creek fishing this year.

Me too.

There are a lot of small streams full of fish which a kayak hopping in and out of throughout would make for some enjoyable days.

[Reel Tune]

Yep, and I have a new reel coming I want to spool with 6lb test and get into some Redeye, and smallmouth with.

[SAMBOLIE]

Yep, and I have a new reel coming I want to spool with 6lb test and get into some Redeye, and smallmouth with.


2 lb.

[Reel Tune]

I can't bring myself to use 2lb yet, I'm not as good as you guys. I may try 4lb with the reel, we'll see how it goes.

[XxthejuicexX]

I can't bring myself to use 2lb yet, I'm not as good as you guys. I may try 4lb with the reel, we'll see how it goes.


4lb works really well. I was surprised by the strength of it. I fish the 4lb P-Line Fluroclear.

[Travis C.]

2lb SOS is one tough line. Most of the hurdle with light line "if" your using proper drag/rod for it is just a mental one to jump.

I can see where in the summer low water creek/small river setting it could get you an extra bite or two.

[Reel Tune]

I've got everything from 2lb up, the reel that's coming in is a baitcaster and don't know how well it will handle 2lb.

Just placed my Case Plastics order with Fishing Complete Inc., I thought the shipping was a little high at $16.85, but from what I hear about the plastics they are top notch.

[Travis C.]

I've got everything from 2lb up, the reel that's coming in is a baitcaster and don't know how well it will handle 2lb.

Just placed my Case Plastics order with Fishing Complete Inc., I thought the shipping was a little high at $16.85, but from what I hear about the plastics they are top notch.

That seems steep but they are good baits.

I like the Mad Tom's on a jighead hopped along the bottom in spurts, Hellgrammites fished on a miniature dropshot setup below riffles into heads of pools and the jacks on a slider head jig.

[TroutFiend]

The 2lb SOS is great on my trout rods and the with the small TM hook is easy to get a good hook set. On my creek rods I use the 6lb. P-Line flouro-clear. I have been wanting to go ahead and try the 6lb. SOS line on larger creek lures- shakey heads, craws, flukes etc. Any of you guys tried it yet?

Andy

[Reel Tune]

That seems steep but they are good baits.

I like the Mad Tom's on a jighead hopped along the bottom in spurts, Hellgrammites fished on a miniature dropshot setup below riffles into heads of pools and the jacks on a slider head jig.

I got a little bit of everything you listed and Flukes, and a few more soft plastics by them. I may need some advise once it all comes in. Like rigging and presenting Jack's Worms, Micro Sticks, Mad Toms, and the Hellgrammites, both sizes and a couple different colors.

[Travis C.]

I got a little bit of everything you listed and Flukes, and a few more soft plastics by them. I may need some advise once it all comes in. Like rigging and presenting Jack's Worms, Micro Sticks, Mad Toms, and the Hellgrammites, both sizes and a couple different colors.

Sure man just give me a shout.

[bfish]

Jack's Worm (or half a wacky Jack, hint hint) fished drifting downstream or cross current on a 1/0-3/0 EWG hook or a light jighead with wide gap hook.

Madtom on a football jig or as a trailer on sparse (5-7 strands) rubber jig. Great in washed outs and pockets within swifter water areas, but also fish in standard jig area.

For the SSS Fluke I used a 3/0-5/0 EWG, particular like the Z-bend/R-bend style hooks. I also like rigging with the eye of the hook 1/2" or more back from nose tip. Gives it more pronounced death circle on the drop (hint you can do the same thing with triple/quad dipped tubes). Great twitched, but even better dead drift in areas where the current drops out. Also a great follow-up bait for missed topwater bites or when a second fish follows another hooked up fish. Keep them dry, they will leach out salt and won't drop as deep. Also skipping them way up under the shaded areas or deadfall works fantastic. Take the time to learn to skip them in and immediately rip them back out of the super nasty stuff, it is a killer technique.

Helligies, use a large aberdeen hook, put a C-shape bend with the hook going through the helligie's collar. Use a small split shot 6-12" above the hook (I like water gremlin bullshot). Drift it through moderate current areas, mid water column to hovering above the bottom. You can also use a small jighead (and a bobber) but I prefer the first method.

6-8 lb test is fine. Flint's (RIP) candy is great Jack color. Hot mustard is another favorite. For flukes, in addition to the pearl hues, pink and watermelon redflake are great.

EDIT to add: the regular grub is good, but don't skip over the RS King grub is a pretty great if you want to "swimbait" on the river.

[bfish]

Also on the fluke, you can remove the thin plastic on the tail and make the split bigger, which gives it a better waggle on the fall.

[Reel Tune]

Thanks bfish, the first time I had heard of Case Plastics was from you and I know Mike Dial is a big fan also, two of the best river/creek fishermen on this board.

[jaystaler88]

They used to have a "mini jack" that was deadly. I like the frogs for fishing topwater in the summer, I feel like it's a little tougher than some of the competition and doesnt get beat up. You can catch multiple fish on one before it wears out. Good stuff!