I'm a kid too, probably a little older. But I'm in the same boat as you. I don't know much about sandbass, and my dad hates fishing (crazy, right?) so I've had to learn on my own using books, videos, and this thread.

My advice to you is to READ. I read posts on this thread everyday and have done so since it was created. Nobody wants to give their secret locations to the world, which is completely understandable, I don't want to either. You've seen the pictures of limits, so it's easy to see most people on here know what they are talking about. Everything you need to know has been posted on this thread, it just takes a little reading, and scouting around the creek. This thread is pretty much a gold mine of valuable information, it just might take a little work

I was in that boat once. It's not easy at first. I'm 19 years old now and I guide the creek quite a bit in the spring. For all of you newbies looking to catch fish, I can tell you, location is not that big of a deal right now, fish are everywhere, from Miller to beyond George bush. I suggest starting around firewheel and go to where the heavier current is with deep pools below Rapids or swift water. All you need for bait are zoom flukes or fin s flukes that resemble the color of a minnow, so smoke, albino, Arkansas shiner, glitter, etc will all work, hang those fluke under a small peg bobber on a 1/32 oz jig head about 3-5ft deep to start. 1/8oz rooster tails are also the other go to bait. When all else fails, a medium minnow bumped on the bottom will catch fish. I can't stress the importance of 4lb fluorocarbon at least as a leader right now. Also during the day always, and I mean ALWAYS look for shade. Good luck to everyone and happy fishing, hope this helped.

"In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey"

I learned to fish the creek by monkey see, monkey do - at the creek. I'm the biggest monkey out there. If someone is catching fish observe what bait/ lure they are using, how they are reeling it in, and what spots they are casting to.


It is ok to ask them what bait they are using, just don't expect them to take time out to give a block of instruction on how they do it.

And to add onto that, the most valuable lessons you will have will be with a rod in your hand

This is best RC thread, enjoy reading your posts, good info and friendly what fishing should be.


I don't fish creeks, but just general fishing variation...
1. yes observe and immetate experienced fishermen.
2. Think like fish and their baits, how they see your presentation, ie does your jig move like minnows or shad?
3. Observe season patterns, time of day as you fish when they bite or not biting, these info will help you understand and be better fisherman down road.
4. fish where fish are, location is important so understand fish movement or where they most likely to hunker down will help you decide to move on or not.
5. experiment and vary your techniques when bites are slow, colors, downsize your line and jigs, depth of leaders, slowdown and vary your jigging, etc.


The good news is during spawning sandbass will hit about anything, so get out there and play, you'll catch fish. Just be careful and play safe, wear cleats.

To make this a little easier for new guys, this is what I was using at Miller bridge yesterday and they were nailing the hell out of it. Out of 10 people there, I was the only one catching anything from 11am - 1pm, not prime time but still...

Different variations of this work also. After changing to various other lures and catching nothing again, I switched back and even caught more.

Now, I don't know what the deal is with Miller bridge construction because there has been no construction crew there the last few days and fishermen all around it, regardless of the signs. But, that does not mean you won't get a ticket for trespassing because the signs ARE there. Fish at your own risk!

Went and hit the same spot this morning and for the same amount of time. It downright sucked. Kept 8 large sandies. Threw back 3 10 inch sandies and easily over 15 baby crappie.


Bite was nice and consistent but it seems like the crappie pushed the sandies out of the hole I was fishing. Probably air pressure change with the front coming in.

Ill be bass fishing the remainder of the week/weekend. Might get back to the creek or hit another creek next tuesday.

And how far up the creek were you fishing? ...LOL!

Posting for 2 days both fishing with KFJ. I got my limit yesterday and got 13 this morning. I will be back at it again in the morning. Good luck everyone!

Very nice!

Before my fianc�e and I get shot at is there a place for a kayak? Maybe even better spots than where you can go on foot? Excuse my ignorance I have never been on RC but I want to get into some action and my girl loves exploring creeks.

If your going to use a kayak you need to work the area between Miller and 66. Any other spots along the creek are going to be packed with bank fisherman.

McKinney, once again "You'd the man!" Thanks for your help!

Hello all,
Just wondering if I can fish RC with my catfish gear nothing fancy just rigged for catfish.
It's just a matter of rigging for hybrids and or crappie correct?

Light to ultralight gear works best. You might have a tough time if fishing with heavy load gear and huge poles.