The parks and Lynn Creek Marina reopened this past week. The fishing barge opened yesterday, and I went to check it out this morning. I took two rods and it quickly became apparent that was not going to work. Every cast got a bite for a couple of hours from sunup on. No way could I keep up with two rods.

The fish are in beautiful shape - fat as butterballs. While I did not catch any over 8 inches I caught a much bigger percentage of 7 inch fish than in previous years. It is obvious that they found plenty to eat while the lake was up, and the lack of fishing pressure was a bonus.

I released all I could, and gave the ones I deep hooked to a man fishing with his little boy. I went to a #6 barbless hook instead of my usual #8 barbed hook to make them easier to release unharmed.

The lake is at conservation pool and all the ramps are good. The state park remains closed.

Good deal...Im gonna have to go check em out soon!

Nice report "Smithaven". Sounds like you found some descent fish. Joe Pool's future is looking pretty good.

Good post/report. Also that is one fat Bluegill! Good job Sir.

Did you fish at the section where you pay?

I went there on Monday and caught a bass from the deck using a white Road Runner with a white grub. It was about 9 P.M.; I sat on the side facing the rocks and the parking lot. Fished parallel to the deck, sitting on the right side and casting left. It was a nice one, looked young. Two ladies catching Crappy right off the rocks with minnows. Some gentlemen catching small catfish.

Saw a bass swim right next to me to investigate some shad then swam away. Looked about the same size as the one I caught.

I fish off the spot you mentioned. I am not as nimble as I once was, so my fishing is pretty well restricted to docks and piers.

Ok, Thank you for clarifying it. Could you tell me what you used?

Nice report, glad to hear things are looking up there

All the fish were caught using small pieces of nightcrawlers.

I fished with nightcrawlers as well but didn't catch anything. I lost all my fish due to having to much slack when I set the hook.

Nice report and nice fish. Good job Sir.

Were you using a bobber? If so, maybe try and tight line them with 2-4 lb test.

This is the type of rod/reel I was using, Zebco Dock Demon Combo, with the second to the smallest size plastic ball bobber available. I need to cut a few feet of my string. It should tighten up the slack and increase tension.

Just add some weights below the bobber, split shot weights

I did but it really killed the "action". The fish are just to lazy to swallow it hole. I got far more takes without a weight.

I have since switch to a bobber with a weight on the bottom of it. Instead of running the line through both top and bottom, I just rig it through the bottom. I watched a video of "Uncle Steve" and switch to the same rig. Increased my takes immediately.