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Website: Austin's Northwest Adventures

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06 - Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam Report
Washington

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Details

06/06/2014
Other
Shad
Windy
Jig
Morning
06/07/2014
4
1754

1st trip to Bonneville this year - fished from 7am - 2pm down the rocks at the "Combat Zone". No issues with the folks other than some late arrivals trying to pry their way in on some tight spots.
Although run is still early and windy conditions, every cast - you have an opportunity to hook one. Lots of snags and bunches that got away as usual, but had a good time. Filled a half cooler (100 quart) and called it a day!
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*** HOT TIPS ***
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Use 1/16 or 1/32 oz "Crappie Jig" as an alternative to the "Expensive" Shad Darts!!! (Red Eye w/ chartreuse/ orange body/ or red/ white body for certain conditions)
You can buy a bag of 10 crappie jigs for a buck vs. 1 Shad dart for up to a buck - the only difference is that one jig has a rounded head and the other is coned! Me and folks seen a guy with a crappie jig caught a ratio of 10 shad while a guy with a shad dart caught 1 (both quality fishermen). I've caught most of my fish in this trip as well on the crappie jig.
Seeing folks driving hours and spending $$$ on shad darts and losing them to snags, I just have to put this out there.


Comments

BentRod
6/7/2014 8:55:00 AM
Great report and good tip. Nice cooler of fish.
jojo
6/7/2014 9:33:00 AM
Nice job and I'm very jealous because I may not be able to go this year. My lazy friends didn't want to go down with me. Thanks for the post, it scratches the itch a bit.
tnga
6/7/2014 9:40:00 AM
Nice batch of fish for the time you put in. Thanks for the tip to use crappie jigs instead of shad darts. I would never have thought of using crappie jigs but they are much cheaper and come in a lot of different colors. We're you using crappie jigs with marabou or curly tail grubs? Thanks.
OGFboat
6/7/2014 9:52:00 AM
Just curious. What do you do with shad? Are they good to eat?
Westside Angler
6/7/2014 2:41:00 PM
Used plain jig (no tube, grub, etc), although I've seen a guy used a curly tail grub and did ok. A good portion of shad will be used as cut-bait for channel cats, and crab bait starting next month - the rest will be in my belly! Cooked them right, it might be one of the better fish you'll eat! (I.e. charcoal grilled & dip in your fav sauce, pan fry, baked with foil wrap & spread sauce over, lots of other way also), if you decide to eat them - very important to make sure you bleed them.
N E 1 FISSION
6/8/2014 1:54:00 PM
Nice report, my brother also went down there today, I wanted to but had my "Honey Do" list. Maybe next weekend, thanks for the heads up on crappie jigs,..
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Austin's Northwest Adventures

Phone: (509) 668-0298