Going to make a trip to cooper on friday. I haven't been out their in several weeks, and wondering how the fising has been. I will probally be fising from 3 till dark. Any suggestions on where to go for hybrids and what lures have been hot, sure would be appreciated.

Thanks Ned

We go to Cooper several days a week. The top-water bite has been more difficult every day. I figure it is big motor pressure. More and more people are running in on them with the big motor. Saturday looked like a day at Texoma. They have become so spooky lately that I can find a school and be all by myself and have them go down before I can get to them with a trolling motor.

As far as lures, we are primarily after the Sandies and are using Little Georges or slabs. We pull an occasional Hybrid, but usually undersized. I know some other guys have been catching some big Hybrids, but we have only caught a few of the big ones.

Water is really dingy colored compared to last year at this same time. Me thinks a lot of the hybrids went over the dam during the rainy season earlier this year. Just not the numbers there were a year ago...

I think Redfin may be on to something. I do not know about over the dam, but the big fish are gone.

Hey, thanks for the info. A couple of weeks ago same thing. The schools would stay up for only a minute or two and then dissappere regardless if a boat approached or not. We did land a dozen or so 4-5 lb. hybrids and a ton of nice sized sandies. Hope to have the same luck this friday, providing Edorado's wind will go away by then.

It's a different Lake from years past and i'm not sure why.

We have yet to catch a 7 lb. Hybrid this year putting in a day a week in places that produced numerous over the years.

Wher'd they go or where they hiding i have no idea.

You can catch Sandies by the bucket loads and numerous 12" hybrids but the big boys are gone.

Thank Cooper Lake guide for the new pressure and DMN for sending 100's of new idiots to what used to be a reliable fishery.

C.A.

Usually not more than ten boats on the lake ! If you cant still find some fish in a 19,000 acre lake to divide between ten boats maybe you should Hire Steve instead of blaming him.

With 19,000 acres of water all the boats are in a two square mile spot.

Saturday I had a friend that drove up to us and led us to a spot way away from the crowd where he had been catching some Hybrids. We were sitting there just the two of us, not catching a thing at that particular moment. One lone boat came out of the crowd and drove all the way down the lake and parked probably fifteen feet from us. We put our rods up and bugged out and went home.

Went to Cooper on this past Monday and drew a blank. Missed any early a.m. action as we got there about 8:30. Fished numerous humps, pits, points and drop offs. Saw fish but nary a bite. Witnessed sporadic top water action but the fish were only on top for a minute then back down. Shad everywhere. Fished lead in all shapes and sizes and even (I hate to admit it..) trolled a bit. Bupkis, zip, nadda, AARGH! But, the lake was beautifully still and we were the only boat on the main lake until about 4 when we left. Maybe next time.....

HEY! I represent that remark!
Really, I am from that area and I understand. I used to hate to see Dallasites come over. Now I is one.

Fished Cooper Saturday starting at 4pm. Fished the first hump and some yahoo, big motored up to casting distance from us. We moved. Stayed on second spot 'till we left. Total about 60 hybrids to 8lbs. and about 10 large sandies. Saw about 10 boats with only 3 not playing nice.

They are there!

Take it easy on Steve - Cooper Lake Guide. He has had little to nothing to do with "lack of hybrids" - or "the 100's of people fishing there." I have never seen more than 20 boats on that lake at any time of year and most guys are nice. ( There are a few idiots, but they are on every lake. ) The TP&W has stated that they will stop stocking or at the least cut it by more than 1/2 if the pressure/harvesting does not pick up. It costs about $20,000 for a stocking program and if nobody is taking advantage of it, is it a waste of money.
As far as Hybrids go we have had some very nice days with 30-60 caught - most in the 4-5 pound range. Last year we caught over 100 and several went 7#'s - there was a story about the fish loss while water was being let out of the dam - through a pipe not over the top. This along with a not so long life span might be the reason people are not seeing the large numbers of 7-8 pound fish, but I can assure you there are still many to be caught.

I don't mean to slam anyone, Pebley in particular but the folks showing up at Cooper are Idiots and have no idea how to fish.

I understand a trolling pattern, but In my opinion once you locate the fish why not kill the engine and cast or slab?

To continue to run back and forth over a ledge thru boats catching LARGE fish is ridiculous Skeeter, Ranger Off Shore Boat whatever.

Just got back from fishing from 12 until 4.

1 other boat on the lake all day.

Tally: ~100 Sandies to 2 lbs.

30 - 40 4 - 6 Lb. Hybrids but no Big ones.

Wind changed and came out of the North East then died to glass.

Fish schooled all over the lake, but were small sandies and lil hybrids and didn't stay up long nor did we chase them.

Just wished we could pattern the Big Boys.

D

Fished cooper yesterday evening the wind was bad but we still caught several nice hybrids. Over the last two weeks I have been boating a lot of nice hybrids. Had 5 that would go over 8 pounds. I understand all the talk about trollers and motor shy fish i have had alot luck drifting over fish. IT IS very aggrivating to have fish chasers run your fishing.