Keith Melrose just told me that the Park Folks at Emma have shut down the water(pipes) for the Winter. If you're going down there, plan accordingly. I don't think the World Class showers are operating either.

Chad

Yeah, they told us about that last week. They still have the porta-potties, so I'm good. I'll just take a couple of extra gallons of water when I go down there.

They said they'll probably turn the water back on when the water comes back up.

Well, thats good to know for next weekend. My wife isn't keen on camping out in January as it is so I guess I'm getting a hotel and will fish the day use area. Is the 360 bridge worth hitting while I'm down there or is it not worth giving up bank time at Emma for?

Who is going this weekend? Who wants to go today?

I "want" to go. But after dropping a chunk of change on the lake property, and knowing how much I will be spending in the next year on it. I doubt I will be going to Austin much. Most of my fishing budget will go towards the ATC this year methinks.

Well if you want to make a day of it let me know, I owe you one.

Do you have a partner yet Mark? I am looking for a partner since I plan to fish the ATC

id like to go but iv gotta wait untill feb23

Not today, but soon...

I am new to carp fishing,but have been lurking on this section for awhile,it looks like a blast.Why is this park so good?I live about a hour from there,and thinking about giving it a try.When are they most active there(what time of year)what are yall using dough bait?
Any info would be appericated.

Thanks, Eric..

Why is it so good? Lol, I've no idea! It's just a fantastic place to hang out for a few days and fish.

Of course it helps that Lake Austin is a great fishery for all species, including carp and huge smallmouth buffalo.

The fish are active all year round.

But it's also not uncommon to go 24 straight hours or more without a single run there, any time of year...

...Only to have the bank explode and everyone start hauling.

The fish are nomadic, so when they come through, they often come through in force lol.

We don't usually use Doughbait or sweet corn or other soft baits at Emma Long, mostly because you normally have to make a very long cast to reach the fish, and you often need to leave your bait in the water for 12+ hours.

Normally, you need to cast beyond the far edge of the hydrilla/milfoil line to find the fish, or at least a place you can effectively fish for them. Then you need to battle them back in through it.

Right now, though, the drawdown and the "mower boats" have made it a lot easier to fish, and you could definitely fish doughbaits pretty effectively at the moment.

At least until they fill the lake back up, and the weeds start to grow back lol.

One of the most effective baits lately has been boiled field corn, that we fish on a rig called a hair rig. Essentially you poke a hole through the hard corn with a needle, thread a loop of line through that hole, and then keep the corn in place with a small plastic stop. The corn is basically tied to your hook, so when the fish suck it up, they suck up the hook as well.

And since it's a hard bait, you don't usually have to worry about bluegill or other small fish picking it up, and you can leave it in the water as long as need be.