Liberty Reservoir Bass Fishing Reports

[BenFishing]

One of my slow days on Lib... Only caught 1 bass from 6-12:30. Did manage to catch a nice yellow perch (about 13")  on a sweet potato stick.  Saw tons of bass , some being very large  (6-8lb) . Also, the carp pop in Liberty needs to be thinned out!

Looks like it's time for me to smoke a few carp.  Great snack to take on fishing trips, or just to sit back with a beer.

[H8R]

Looks like it's time for me to smoke a few carp.  Great snack to take on fishing trips, or just to sit back with a beer.

Found some spots that were LOADED. if you wanna know the loc, let me know!  Saw some in the 15lb range maybe more.  I love liberty soooo much more then Loch... and I don't have to pay tolls to get there!

[BenFishing]

Found some spots that were LOADED. if you wanna know the loc, let me know!  Saw some in the 15lb range maybe more.  I love liberty soooo much more then Loch... and I don't have to pay tolls to get there!

Feel free to throw that info my way.  I fish both Oakland Roads, and off the east side, I usually see a lot of carp....often 10 to 20 per decent cove.  Though, I won't be keeping any large numbers.  Three or four 10 pound fish will be enough smoked carp to last me a few months.

[BigBee]

I'm curious as to the smoked carp thing.  I thought all carp tasted like mud!  My kids love to throw some corn on a hook and catch carp.  Especially in the summer when you sometimes have to really work for the bass!  Any cooking tips?

[BenFishing]

I'm curious as to the smoked carp thing.  I thought all carp tasted like mud!  My kids love to throw some corn on a hook and catch carp.  Especially in the summer when you sometimes have to really work for the bass!  Any cooking tips?

Whether I'm going to be frying carp up, or smoking it, I always cut them at the lake.  It seems the longer the guts stay in them after they're out of the water, the worse they taste.

If you're gonna fry them, fillet them, cut the fillets into thinner strips, and let them soak in some milk for a few hours.  I've served them at fish fries and had people think it was striped bass.

When I smoke them, I keep the fillets whole, but I rip all the bones out with pliers.  Soak it in a brine...salt, sugar, and whatever else you wanna add....I've tried garlic, chili peppers, onions, and all sorts of other stuff.  Smoke them low and slow...too fast, and the outside burns and the inside stays raw.
I have had a couple nasty carp before, but it's always been traced back to shitty water or older fish.

My grandpa used to pickle some, but I'd have to say that is an acquired taste.

When it comes to carp, most people have never tried it, so don't believe them when they call it a trash fish.  And if they've only tried it once, who's to say it wasn't prepared properly....I've had bad tuna before....doesn't mean all tuna is bad.

[BigBee]

Who woulda thought???  I may just give that a shot.  Thanks for the info! 

[H8R]

All right! Who wants to point me into a direction I could Shore fish for Smallies on Lib? Im itching for some! I wish I knew the darn depths of the place!  Im thinking North of the 32 bridge, the main point on the right seems like an ideal spot, barring the depth and bottom structure.

[Creel Limit Zero]

H8R, there is a map of Liberty on these links, as well as several other Reservoir maps.  Plenty of other useful Maryland links as well. 

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=97781.0

As for what shoreline to use to go for smallies, I always go out on a boat so I can't really offer any good advice.  I know a few shorelines that can be productive at times, but no idea if they are easy to access...

[H8R]

H8R, there is a map of Liberty on these links, as well as several other Reservoir maps.  Plenty of other useful Maryland links as well. 

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=97781.0

As for what shoreline to use to go for smallies, I always go out on a boat so I can't really offer any good advice.  I know a few shorelines that can be productive at times, but no idea if they are easy to access...

Thanks man! I just printed them out out work with our blueprint machine .

[H8R]

Welp, did some good work at Lib today. Caught 7 bass, all on Mizzmo Tubes t-rigged, Silver sparkle. Most were caught over top of veg. Med speed retrieve with short burst .

[BigBee]

For smallies - I'm a little nerdy about finding good spots....  I spend the winter studying bitmaps to find long points and steep drop-offs.  Then I get out in the late winter when vegetation is still off the trees and 'scout' those areas - maybe trim a few branches.  I try to cluster a few spots together so I can take kind of a walking tour if I have an hour or 2 to fish and hit 2 or three spots.  Most unfort. are looonngg walks!  Remember smallies are so darn different that LM!  Find those deep drops and ledges and you can catch them.  Last year I took a half day in late May and had 4 spots I wanted to hit.  Caught big smallies on the very first cast at all 4 spots!  So homework and maps can help!  Smallies do like the deeper water and are more bottom oriented - so you have to fish deeper and you will lose a ton of lures, so keep the wallet open!  That sucks.  You mentioned Mizmo tubes.  Smallies love 'em!

[H8R]

For smallies - I'm a little nerdy about finding good spots....  I spend the winter studying bitmaps to find long points and steep drop-offs.  Then I get out in the late winter when vegetation is still off the trees and 'scout' those areas - maybe trim a few branches.  I try to cluster a few spots together so I can take kind of a walking tour if I have an hour or 2 to fish and hit 2 or three spots.  Most unfort. are looonngg walks!  Remember smallies are so darn different that LM!  Find those deep drops and ledges and you can catch them.  Last year I took a half day in late May and had 4 spots I wanted to hit.  Caught big smallies on the very first cast at all 4 spots!  So homework and maps can help!  Smallies do like the deeper water and are more bottom oriented - so you have to fish deeper and you will lose a ton of lures, so keep the wallet open!  That sucks.  You mentioned Mizmo tubes.  Smallies love 'em!

I hear ya. The hardest thing so far is finding some sort of current . Ive found some 18+ ft of water about 20 yards off shore with gravel and a hump.. No current though. If I was boating, it would be much easier for sure. I think I'm gonna focus my efforts closer to Nico, as opposed to Oakland rd. A lot of that area is prime LMB stuff. Not a lot of flow though and pretty steady bottom for the most part.

Ive caught many Smallies on Mizmos , they're my favorite. I also have done well on Rebel craws and bitsy bugs. Really, anything that looks like a craw. I need to remember to down-size my baits. I usually fish Deep Creek and Harpers Ferry for Smallies.. Trying to figure out a more local spot on the Shoreline. lol

[FishNMd]

I'm trying to get out to liberty this weekend for the first time.  Anyone got any info for shore fishing? Where to park/what area to fish etc. 

I've never fished there before, but would like to try somewhere new.  Thanks

[H8R]

I'm trying to get out to liberty this weekend for the first time.  Anyone got any info for shore fishing? Where to park/what area to fish etc. 

I've never fished there before, but would like to try somewhere new.  Thanks

Send me a PM.

[FishNMd]

Send me a PM.

sent

[20inchbass]

How's everyone doing with the bass?

Also I saw some stripers are getting pulled out, and some big ones, anyone here get any?

[H8R]

Hmm. Good to hear about some Stripers. Sounds like I'm gonna be doing some live lining! ; )

[BigBee]

Speaking of stripers - hooked into my first on Sat morn - 6" jerkbait.  Nailed 2 smallies average size and then this big guy.  Stayed down the entire fight then hit the surface when it was about 10 feet from me - spit it!!  Not huge - maybe a couple feet long.  Really pretty fish!  Bummer I could not land - but peaks my interest in fishing for them...

[20inchbass]

Anyone do any good this weekend? I didn't get out

[H8R]

Anyone do any good this weekend? I didn't get out

I went to Liberty and Centennial... put in a full day fishing.. and caught ZERO.
The first time in a long time I got skunked. I fished the Nico area as well as 32 bridge . I threw tubes, Senkos , crankbaits, Spro frogs , jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, Ribbits... you name it... zero.
I was just off today and very frustrated. Worked my arse off for no fish..

[BigBee]

Darn Summer blues!!  I hate the hot weather - and water!  I managed to drag myself out of bed before 5 am on Sunday and hit my fav spot around 5:40 after the mile walk.  First half hour was crazy!  Caught a 12 inch LM on first cast.  Then I spotted a nice LM and cast a jerkbait in his direction.  He crushed it!  10 second of fight and he spit it.  Hooked into 4 more strong, HEAVY fish in the next few minutes - all on suspending jerkbait.  Get this - all 4 spit the hook!  Never had such a flurry of activity and land only one fish!  Was a blast though.  Then - bite off!  Nothing until I called it quits around 9ish.  Just a beaver, big blacksnake and me for the last 3 hours.  Summer at Lib can be a challenge from the shoreline!  Get 'em early, or wait for a cooler, cloudy/rainy day....

[H8R]

Darn Summer blues!!  I hate the hot weather - and water!  I managed to drag myself out of bed before 5 am on Sunday and hit my fav spot around 5:40 after the mile walk.  First half hour was crazy!  Caught a 12 inch LM on first cast.  Then I spotted a nice LM and cast a jerkbait in his direction.  He crushed it!  10 second of fight and he spit it.  Hooked into 4 more strong, HEAVY fish in the next few minutes - all on suspending jerkbait.  Get this - all 4 spit the hook!  Never had such a flurry of activity and land only one fish!  Was a blast though.  Then - bite off!  Nothing until I called it quits around 9ish.  Just a beaver, big blacksnake and me for the last 3 hours.  Summer at Lib can be a challenge from the shoreline!  Get 'em early, or wait for a cooler, cloudy/rainy day....

Ohh yea! I knew fishing was going to be tough at Lib with all of the rain we've been getting, coupled with a spike in water temp. Also, It didnt help that I didnt get in the water until about 8:30. That darn snooze button ! I was hoping the rain would've cam yesterday a long with some wind... I love throwing spinnerbaits! Its really the first time in about a couple years that I put in a full day and had nothing to show for it! My legs are torn up from sticker bushes and such. The great things is though... not a single skeeter bite. I'll be hitting Lib Thursday am, and Im gonna make sure my luck is different. Might grab some shiners and see If I cant find some bigguns ( i never fish live bait).

[BigBee]

Yeah - my legs always look like I've been through a war.  And the dam poison ivy!  Last year I got a nice bout of Lyme disease too!  Oh well - what we will do for fish!  I don't do the live bait thing much either - but I used to Carolina Rig live bait some and found it better than say live lining or slip bobbers.  I used to live line one rod and move a Carolina on another??  Rocks can be the only obstacle.  Good luck!

[Aesoprocks247]

Big ole brown turd slammed it while dead sticking...wish I had the camera ON...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tv4je-IFh8&feature=youtu.be
Dont mind my busted chin...haha

[BenFishing]

Yeah - my legs always look like I've been through a war.  And the dam poison ivy!  Last year I got a nice bout of Lyme disease too!  Oh well - what we will do for fish!  I don't do the live bait thing much either - but I used to Carolina Rig live bait some and found it better than say live lining or slip bobbers.  I used to live line one rod and move a Carolina on another??  Rocks can be the only obstacle.  Good luck!

Last year, my dad was up visiting, and I took him walking around Liberty to do some fishing.  I forgot that he is allergic to poison ivy, and I'm not.  I don't think he'll wanna hit Liberty this year.