Well thanks to all of you who responded w/tips about Fairfield, especially you Martin. Fished Fri afternoon, Sat, and Sun morning. Had some big storms blow us off lake Fri evening but other than that had a great time. Caught "about" 40 reds (guessing) over the weekend and netted countless eater size tilapia. Kept 21 reds for the freezer and released at least that many that were less than 20". Biggest two were 31", bunch of 24-28" fish and smallest we kept was 22". Most keepers caught in deep water off main lake points and smaller fish caught in coves on shallow flats. Best bait by far was shrimp and also caught a few on shad, tilapia, and ghost minnows. Also just like most folks said last week the best bite was last two hours of daylight. We didn't do very well in mornings w/only a few short fish early. Here's a few pics.

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nice catch.

Were ya'll using live shrimp? Since i've not fished Faifield in a LONG time, how do you catch the Tilapia?

frozen shrimp and cast net for tilapia

Head on bait shrimp at most grocery stores for $2.50 a box.

Been getting some good info from Don, but I forgot to ask if you rig the tilapia through the mouth or in the back? Thanks.

Littlebass..... great report. Looks like you guys spanked them pretty hard. I have not been to Fairfield since last summer how are the boat ramps?

Boat ramps are good. Lake is really up.

This was only my 3rd time on Fairfield, highest I've seen the water. I think it's "normal" level. Both boat ramps open and both have brand new docks. Great fish-cleaning table at farthest boat ramp which we used. Also supposed to be a covered cleaning table at southern boat ramp (haven't used that one). North ramp was great. We launched a 22' cent console w/no problems. Saw another boat even bigger, maybe 24' launching w/no problems.

That's good to hear, because I barely could launch last year. BTW, I never got ananswer on how to rig the talapia. Can anybody help me out? Thanks.

I usually hook them through the mouth. Some times I'll hook a bigger one through the back. I'm sure everyone has their own preference.

Has anyone tried it this week?