Went out yesterday (Thursday) fished near the island on the south side of the Vine.
Looking at the graph I could see tons of really nice suspended fish! These fish were hanging out just above the thermocline in about 18 to 20 ft over 35ft. Based on the size of the arches I was pretty sure these were large Blue cat or potentially some sort of rough fish.
Hooked on a whole 4-in bluegill slit his stomach open sprayed him with some Dead red for good measure and slowly lowered it down to the desired depth on a 5/0 gamakatsu circle hook.
Blamo!! Hooked up! Caught a really nice blue cat my hand held scale was saying that he was 9 lb. I stringered him up to the side of the kayak excited about eating him but a few minutes later after a quick photo shoot had second thoughts and ultimately he was let go. I'm thinking I'll stick to those fish there are 5 lb or under for eating for the most part. This one seemed pretty young and healthy she could be the next 60 pounder.
That was the only bite I had in that area all day however I did move shallower and was able to catch three decent channel cats to take for dinner.
Definitely making a mental note of these catfish suspending like that below bait and above the thermocline. I would think the only way to go after them would be to do what I did and act like you're dead sticking for sand bass or something and just lower the bait to the desired depth straight up and down fishing vertically.
All the action completely stopped by 10:30 I wasn't seeing fish chasing bait or really much of anything going on.
Water temp at the surface was 85° when I left at about 11:00 a.m. the water level is back to normal. Some of the spots that I was fishing when the water was 8 to 10 ft high are much less appealing now. I went and graphed them there's just not anything there of interest now.
Give it another run next week! Until then you guys keep it up good luck out there hopefully somebody catches into a summertime suspended giant!