Rocky Gorge 4/7

joruzzi2019 · April 07, 2019, 09:04:01 PM

Just finished up a long day out on the Gorge. Launched at Browns Bridge and headed up about 3 miles without any luck. Threw everything I had but just couldn't seem to buy a bite. Anybody else have any thoughts or have any luck there recently? It has had my number lately and have been trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Would love some tips or help?
Thanks John

gshappell · April 07, 2019, 09:58:24 PM

I was there today also and threw everything except a mepps. Launched at suplee and went up past Scotts Cove. I mark lots of little fish on my finder and cast at them hoping something is following them for a meal. Actually my 3rd outing in a week. I threw lots of shad imitation also since I keep seeing dead shad floating. Ive had success in the summer and late fall before but I am dumbfounded.

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Reservoir Runner · April 08, 2019, 10:18:04 PM

The dead shad you see is the die off of them from cold water. Water temp has a big part in where the bass are, they may not have moved up on the flats to spawn yet, it takes a couple of weeks of stable warm temps to warm the water and move them up.

gshappell · April 09, 2019, 08:36:55 PM

Thanks... Fished nearby at Lake Elkhorn today. Temps seemed much warmer (although i didnt measure) and fish were in the shallows in spots. Hopefully RG can get there soon...

gshappell · April 14, 2019, 05:41:45 AM

So, went to RG at Scotts Cove yesterday. Some bass are in the shallows between Scotts Cove and Browns. Couldn't get any of them to bite. They don't necessarily look like they are on made beds but I guess it will be harder to see the beds with this type of bottom. I threw creature baits, worms, chatterbaits, shad imitations...the only thing that got some swipes was a heddon torpedo - lol. Not sure if they just aren't biting or if I am spooking them with my big green kayak. Have had some luck at other small lakes but 0 - 4 at RG

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Dropshot · April 25, 2019, 11:21:14 AM

The Gorge has been a tough nut to crack this year. I've been fishing this place for years and don't remember it being this tough in the spring.

4/6 - Fished the lower end of the lake(Scott's Cove to 29 bridge) from 11a - 6p with no luck. Worked main lake and coves to see where the fish may be positioned and could not connect. I threw a lot plastics, mostly texas rigged and crankbaits. Water temp 53 - 57 degrees.

4/7 - Fished mostly in the upper end(north of 29 bridge) from 7a - 2p and managed to catch a couple bass. Both fish came on a black jig on mainlake points. Threw other plastics, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits with no luck. Water temps were 53 - 55 degrees.

4/20 - Fished again mostly in the upper end and given the air and water temperatures were greater and we just had a full moon I was super confident. I did slightly better but only slightly. 2 bass, 1lb each on Berkley Pit Boss, green pumpkin, 1 bass under 12" on a lipless crankbait, and 1 striper on the same lipless crankbait back-to-back casts with the non-keeper. Water temps 60 - 63 degrees.

This place should really be on fire right now or getting very close. Certainly much more action than a handful of smaller bass. I'm not sure what excuse to use but hopefully I can crack the nut soon.

Doesn't sound like others on this site are having much luck either. Any thoughts as to what may be going on or how to adjust to catch fish?

Reservoir Runner · April 25, 2019, 03:06:47 PM

Early spring was always tough for me on the Gorge. They should now be getting ready to get on the beds to spawn. There is a huge flat on the Gorge just before you make the turn to go out by the 29 bridge, with warmer weather, you may want to give that a try. You need about a week for the water temps to stabilize. You may want to give some of the shallow coves a try, ones with direct sunlight, that will help warm the waters. One question- have you seen or heard the carp back in the shallows? That is one sign I used to look for, if they were busting the surface or rolling, you could find active bass in the vicinity. Another thing to consider is with triadelphia being closed, Rocky Gorge is probably getting pounded, so the pressure may also have something to do with it. Usually the best spring fishing there is April and May, after Memorial day most of the bass have spawned and after taking some time off will start looking for their summer hangouts.

gshappell · April 25, 2019, 05:39:35 PM

If it helps, I saw a lot of carp (10-15 maybe) in different coves a week or two ago in the shallows. They werent too noisy, but i kept startling them.

Dropshot · April 26, 2019, 11:53:57 AM

Good thoughts Reservoir Runner. Thanks. I'll be back there on Sunday(4/28) hopefully with better results.

Pressure was far greater than I'm used to on my first trip out but last Saturday I did not see another person above the 29 bridge. The whole day!!! I'm guessing people have figured out it's just not fishing well yet. I'm a little slow I guess.

I didn't see any carp in the back shallows. I did unintentionally snag one a main lake point up north. Thought I had a good bass on until I got to the boat.

Best of luck to all this weekend!