Center Hill Dam this morning

[jad2t]

Interesting story. Last night I was debating whether to wake up at 4am to fish the Caney for big trout and walleye. I thought maybe I'd wade for a bit and then hit the dam for the 6am generation. Before I went to bed I prayed and said "God, if it's going to be worth it wake me up. I'm not setting my alarm." Sure enough, I woke up at 3:45 unable to fall back asleep so about 4:30 I got out of bed, ate, and went fishing. I got to the dam right as generation started and caught this beautiful 19" rainbow. My biggest so far. I had many followers as well. Only one fish but a trout like that made the trip worth it!

I didn't do a good job holding it in the pic with me, it looks small haha. Trust me, it was 19 inches and it was a beauty! I caught it using a 3" pearl suspending xrap, all the followers were after that lure as well. Maybe a slightly different retrieve technique could have convinced a few of those followers to strike? I was casting as far as I could then retrieving it fast for 3 or 4 turns of the reel then letting it sit for a second.

[TroutFiend]

Great looking fish. Hopefully between yours and Old Sailors reports things are on the upswing. We're you fishing from boat?

[jad2t]

Nope, bottom of the steps right where the water was coming above them. There were two other guys fishing, one of them caught a walleye and that was the only other fish caught other than my trout. It would have been a much better day if I could have convinced some of those followers to strike! I saw a lot of large trout this morning.

[Cerealkiller]

Is that the countdown xrap?

[Travis C.]

Is that the countdown xrap?

The regular xrap will suspend on pause. I don't know for sure but he's probably fishing a XR08.

If so its got a white tail on the treble. What I'd do if you have more of them (they are $$$ though) would be swap the rear treble with a chartruse skirted or red skirted hook instead of the white. That way if you're getting lots of follows on the standard but no commits it would same bait but slightly different.

A lot of times when they follow they are interested but just not totally willing to commit. Also, if you have the same bait in a smaller size would be a change up as well. Sometimes changing up a retreive will help but they will eat it pretty early in the cast if they are going to unless one shoots straight up from the bottom closer to you in my experiences.

[Alphahawk]

Beautiful fish! I love to see the followers also....even if they don't commit. Looks like you made the right decision...LOL.


Regards

[txnative]

With suspending jerkbaits, you can also try giving them a short, very hard jerk then immediately pointing your rid tip back at the lure. This will put slack in the line, and you can actually get an x-rap to pull a 180 degree turn, almost like a baitfish turning around to see its' pursuer. If you have a follow, try it. The trout will either spook or try to destroy your lure. Just another little trick I've picked up over the years.


Chris

[jad2t]

The regular xrap will suspend on pause. I don't know for sure but he's probably fishing a XR08.

If so its got a white tail on the treble. What I'd do if you have more of them (they are $$$ though) would be swap the rear treble with a chartruse skirted or red skirted hook instead of the white. That way if you're getting lots of follows on the standard but no commits it would same bait but slightly different.

A lot of times when they follow they are interested but just not totally willing to commit. Also, if you have the same bait in a smaller size would be a change up as well. Sometimes changing up a retreive will help but they will eat it pretty early in the cast if they are going to unless one shoots straight up from the bottom closer to you in my experiences.

You're right, it's the XR08. 4 inches I believe and it has that white skirt. That doesn't sound like a bad idea to change skirt patters. Much like spinnerbait skirts, sometimes color is key! I love that Xrap, I've fished with it a few times and I love the way it swims but never caught any fish on it until today. Good way to break that lure in! Now that I know big trout like it, I'll be using it much more often

[jad2t]

With suspending jerkbaits, you can also try giving them a short, very hard jerk then immediately pointing your rid tip back at the lure. This will put slack in the line, and you can actually get an x-rap to pull a 180 degree turn, almost like a baitfish turning around to see its' pursuer. If you have a follow, try it. The trout will either spook or try to destroy your lure. Just another little trick I've picked up over the years.


Chris

That's very interesting, I'll have to try that out next time.

[bd-]

It seems to me that some days they follow, and some days they eat. Not sure why - it seems like it might have a little to do with how sunny it is, but I'm not sure.

Regardless, if they're in a following mood and not an eating mood, it's tough to change their minds.


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[txnative]

I see that with stripers, too. It's like trying to tempt a cat with a piece of string...sometimes the cat pounces immediately, other times it just stares.


Chris

[j19bill]

Nice catch. My biggest bow is 18" caught in a white rooster tail. Absolutely destroyed it. I had to replace the hook because he bent it up.

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[jad2t]

Nice catch. My biggest bow is 18" caught in a white rooster tail. Absolutely destroyed it. I had to replace the hook because he bent it up.

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I've heard of people catching trout that size on rooster tails but I've never been able to do it. The largest ever on a roostertail was about a 13" brown. Were you using the typical, tiny 1/16oz one or a much larger size to catch that large of a trout?

[Alphahawk]

I have caught quite a few 20 inch Bows on Trout Magnets.....and a bunch in the 16 to 18 inch range. My sons caught some monster Bows in East TN on same lure. I have no clue as to how small is too small when it comes to lure profile.....but the Magnet can certainly catch large trout....as do many small flies......and other small lures. I am aware Browns do prefer larger offerings......but not sure that applies to Bows.



Regards

[commdd]

Alpha...I have had much success with the TM for gills (no float) but have not found the secret for the trout...are you fishing with the float for trout? any tips or techniques from your experience are appreciated..thanks again... your posts are always informative.

[Alphahawk]

Alpha...I have had much success with the TM for gills (no float) but have not found the secret for the trout...are you fishing with the float for trout? any tips or techniques from your experience are appreciated..thanks again... your posts are always informative.

I have caught them twitching and with the float. Every time I lay off from trout fishing for a while and start back it takes me a while to get my head back into it....meaning trout are always near the bottom or are feeding on top. As far as I know from talking with seasoned trout fisherman trout will not be suspended somewhere in between....someone chime in here if I am wrong on that. I have to remind myself of that after a layoff. I usually start out fishing way too shallow. When trout are rising it is easy to set the float about 6 inches and catch plenty. When they are not rising though I have to force myself to let the Magnet get low enough. I only use a size B split shot when twitching. The first time I took my son trout fishing I was catching one below Percy on almost every cast. At first he was catching nothing. He soon learned that he had to be close to the bottom...be it 2 feet deep or 6 feet deep. In very deep water it is best to use a float and let it drift. tcintn is the best I have ever seen in fishing the Magnet in deep water. I have seen him with as many as 8 size B split shot under the float with 8 feet of line under the float...he uses a nine foot rod. He uses that many to get the Magnet down in a moderate current. In a heavy current.....meaning when they are generating....I would suggest fishing with something else unless you see trout rising all over the place. It is very difficult fishing the Trout Magnet in heavy current. If I was able now I would be happy to meet you and us fish side by side and see. I know tcintn has been cleared to fish now so if you see him around he will be glad to help you out. You cant miss him.....he is a tall...older man with long gray hair and a 9 foot rod in his hand...and he will in all probability be catching trout. But I will be back out there in mid March.


Regards

[commdd]

Thanks ALPHA!!! great information.

[jad2t]

I know the TM can produce large numbers in the Caney but I've had limited success. One day I used it at Betty's with no float and twitching it and had a lot of fun. Some days I use it and can't get a single hit so I go back to roostertails and start catching them. There's definitely more to know about fishing that lure than I've figured out as of yet. My available time to fish is severely limited by school but eventually I'll figure it out. Don't get discouraged if you can't catch 100 crappie like Alpha does, his results aren't typical lol. He has a special talent with those things.