Northwest Fishing Reports

OK, I cant stand it anymore. Gotta get out on the water. Any water. So, going to try Eloika this weekend rain or shine. Weather forcast looks like more rain than shine. Anyway, has ANYONE been out on Eloika since the ice melted? And if you have did you get any Bass? I have tried spinner baits slow rolled in the past when the water was this cold with NO LUCK. So, what else should I try? and down deep? or shallow? I know these are pretty general questions. And the answers will vary a lot with the location. But has anyone had sucess at Eloika this early in the year? If I'm going to get rained on, I would like to have a couple in the live well.

BIG creaturebait jigs, dropshot, Carolina Rig, worms. Crankbaits on a sunny day, & jerkbaits real slow.

Thanks AMX for the tip.

reddog wrote:OK, I cant stand it anymore. Gotta get out on the water. Any water. So, going to try Eloika this weekend rain or shine. Weather forcast looks like more rain than shine. Anyway, has ANYONE been out on Eloika since the ice melted? And if you have did you get any Bass? I have tried spinner baits slow rolled in the past when the water was this cold with NO LUCK. So, what else should I try? and down deep? or shallow? I know these are pretty general questions. And the answers will vary a lot with the location. But has anyone had sucess at Eloika this early in the year? If I'm going to get rained on, I would like to have a couple in the live well.

I'm not sure the ice will be melted. I live just east of Newport and the lakes here still have some ice on them.
My favorite bait for cold water by far, is my Sink-N-Fool baits. I get my first fish of the year on them in water temp from the high 30's to low 40's every year. My other favorite is a slow fall jig and pig setup.
I glue a foam body (I use pipe insulation) on a jig to slow the rate of fall and put on a large trailer with a lot of bulk to slow the fall even more.

FnF,
Thanks for the tip. I know slow is the key. Just gotta keep reminding myself of that.

Sorry Red... I called up there to Jerry's Landing today (31st) and the report is that there is still ice on the water. Looks like you and I will have to just sit around and feel sorry about it for another week.

Oh man! I was hoping (wishing) that on todays recon to the lake I would find open water. Just kinda assumed that with the recent heat wave, LOL, that we have had on the east side that it would be open. Oh well, could break up the thin stuff with the boat. (I've done that duck huntin b-4) But like you said, sit around in the boat and tinker with the rods and reels. Over analizing the "opening day" set up. Feelin sorry 4 myself.

Liberty is open and clear of ice, Newman is a year round lake like Eloika and should be at least 90% ice free, Silver is year round and ice free, Downs is open and ice free. If you don't mind a bit of a drive you got options right now.

Jerry said maybe tomorrow is the day!!! Man I can't wait to get out on El again.

aaron42ash wrote:Jerry said maybe tomorrow is the day!!! Man I can't wait to get out on El again.

Went by on the way home friday afternoon. South half of the lake is wet. Unfortunatly life got in the way of my fishing plans yesterday. And the "honey do" list had priority today. This week/weekend FOR SURE!!!!!