Clinton Lake Report....

[Doyle]

Got on the lake at about 6:30 am, there were two boat trailers at Weldon boat ramp. The fog from the hot water made visibility very bad. Had to idle all the way to the discharge area where I netted my shad. Drifted for an hour and never even got a bite. Went over to a cove where I’ve had good luck before and anchored. Caught 6 channels and a drum. Only three of the channels were big enough for me to take home. Got back home 11:00 am. A fair fishing day. Still no Channels over 5.

[Graywolf]

Doyle; sounds like you had a pretty good day. Wish I could get out.

[IL Hunter]

Small fish are better than no fish, but then again nobody ever complains about catching big ones.

[Doyle]

Dick did well, he caught his first fish before I got my poles in the water. I enjoyed his company.:smile2:

[IL_CATFISH]

Dick did well, he caught his first fish before I got my poles in the water. I enjoyed his company.:smile2:

How bout a picture of that boat doyle?

[Doyle]

Next time I go out I'll take a couple.

[IL_CATFISH]

Next time I go out I'll take a couple.


Sounds good, what type of boat do you have?

[Doyle]

Its a crestliner 18.5. I enjoy using it but it doesnt allow me to catch anymore fish than my old one. I thought with a bigger boat I might try the bigger rivers but I don't think thats going to happen. My old fishing buddys have left me for parts unknown and I wouldn't think about driving a hundred miles and putting in a new spot with out reenforcement. Habits are hard to break plus gas is getting too expensive.:smile2:

[IL_CATFISH]

Its a crestliner 18.5. I enjoy using it but it doesnt allow me to catch anymore fish than my old one. I thought with a bigger boat I might try the bigger rivers but I don't think thats going to happen. My old fishing buddys have left me for parts unknown and I wouldn't think about driving a hundred miles and putting in a new spot with out reenforcement. Habits are hard to break plus gas is getting too expensive.:smile2:


Gas is getting very very expensive. I took a boat down to my parents place on the ohio (near golconda). It was over $100 in gas for the trip. What a joke!

sounds like an awfully nice boat Doyle. It would probably be a good boat for trolling for walleye, stripes, muskey....... at lake shelbyville, rend, or carlyle. Heck probably even there at clinton.

[Doyle]

I've never tried trawling except to leave the lines in the water when I repositioned my boat. I would think that it would require a lot more equipment that I am not willing to buy. Plus I would think it hard to drive the boat and watch the line at the same time.... too much like work for me.:lol:

[IL_CATFISH]

I've never tried trawling except to leave the lines in the water when I repositioned my boat. I would think that it would require a lot more equipment that I am not willing to buy. Plus I would think it hard to drive the boat and watch the line at the same time.... too much like work for me.:lol:

Understandable. in the spring and fall when the white bass get good at lake shelbyville we trawl with rod n hand until we find schools. We've caught everything from walleye to flattys and crappie to muskys. Its a good time

[Doyle]

Went to Clinton this morning. Never caught a fish, but threw my net in by the hot water and got a lbs and lbs of shad on the first throw. Let most of them loose and only kept a few. I was thinking that with all of the bait fish available, why would mr. channel bite on mine. He didn't. I think they are full of shad, maybe if I used something they might like for desert.:smile2:

[Luscious Jackson]

I hit below the spillway this morning and caught about a dozen little channels. Maybe 3-4 decent eater size. The rest were ones I'd like to find again in about two years. :smile2: Anywho, the bait shop in Clinton didn't have any shad and I don't have the ability to net 'em myself so I was stuck to livers and crawlers. I'm thinking that's why my sizes were smaller. I've heard some stories about this spot and expected a bit more but I think I may just need a better approach, but heck, I spent a morning fishing and that's all that really matters. :big_smile: Anyone know a bait shop locally that has shad on even a semi-regular basis? I've tried about four different places and nobody ever seems to have any. Also, if anyone has any other spots on Clinton(or anywhere else around Bloomington area) they would divulge to a shore bound catch and release guy, I'd REALLY appreciate it.

[SubnetZero]

...I don't have the ability to net 'em myself.....

Is it a physical thing or just not sure how to throw a net?
If its a knowledge, technique thing, go to wally world/dicks/etc and buy a $20 - $25 net. Then read the thread Jw (DreadNaught) wrote on how to throw one. 20 minutes practice in your front yard will have ya throwing like a champ... I used to use a similar way, but liked JW's a tad better and now throw mine like he does...

If its a physical thing, take a kid fishing and teach him :wink:.. He'll probably catch all the shad you could ever use and think its a blast hehe..

[Doyle]

Dan, Welcome to the BOC. Shad are some times a little hard to get from the bank. You have to have them school next to you. When I am banking, I am more likely to get a few blue gil or sun fish with the net. I think they are even better than shad because they stay alive a lot longer. I just don't visit the bait shops so I cant help you with what they sell. Good luck on what ever you use. When in a jam, use clawers, then use the first fish caught for bait, that works.:smile2: