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I've fished Celina several times, once last year and caught a few decent gills and ears. I normally fish Indian because I know the lake better and it isn't as hard to fish. Celina is such a deep lake that it's tough to fish IMO.
Over the years, I've heard of some BIG crackers coming out of Celina and Indian, but I've always wanted to get to know Celina better.
[QUOTE=redearhoosier;410473]I've fished Celina several times, once last year and caught a few decent gills and ears. I normally fish Indian because I know the lake better and it isn't as hard to fish. Celina is such a deep lake that it's tough to fish IMO.
Over the years, I've heard of some BIG crackers coming out of Celina and Indian, but I've always wanted to get to know Celina better.[/QUOTE]
I don't fish Celina that often for redear or gills either because it is so big. I have caught some nice ones while bass fishing, but the few times I've targeted them I have had little luck. Indian is much easier to pattern on imo than Celina. I do know there were several boats there yesterday targeting them like usual, but I do not know how good they were doing. I always see people fishin for gills in the boat ramp cove by the small trees in the water.
Try redear and gills near the dam on Celina. The dam has a shelf about 2'-6' deep across the face before dropping into deeper water. Target open patches in the weed as there is a lot of gravel on the shelf. I'm not sure of direction (north, south, etc), but the bank on your left (facing the dam) from the mouth of the last big cove (look for big rocks where people always camp) to the face will often have beds under overhanging trees. On your right (facing the dam), look for gravel banks dropping fairly quickly into deep water. This stretch is about 200 yds or so long. On both banks, the better redear have come off the deep side of the weedline. I have had the best results tightlining worms on the bottom with as little weight as you manage. Also, 1/16 oz Road Runners or lead head grubs S-L-O-W rolled tight to the bottom can draw vicious strikes at times.
Note that I have not been to Celina yet this year, but this is what usually works for me on a consistent basis. Good luck finding your 2#'er. My pappaw caught one out of Celina almost 25 yrs ago.
Joe
As usual Joe, great, great information for the serious panfish man. I've always fished Indian with pretty decent luck, it's just a little easier lake to get a handle on and it produces well. The dam at Indian produces well too.
I'm going to try and get to know Celina a little better, I just wish I had more time and more money to do it with.lol. What's your opinion on Saddle and Tipsaw for redears and bluegills? I've heard Saddle had some nice fish in it.
[QUOTE=redearhoosier;411087]As usual Joe, great, great information for the serious panfish man. I've always fished Indian with pretty decent luck, it's just a little easier lake to get a handle on and it produces well. The dam at Indian produces well too.
I'm going to try and get to know Celina a little better, I just wish I had more time and more money to do it with.lol. What's your opinion on Saddle and Tipsaw for redears and bluegills? I've heard Saddle had some nice fish in it.[/QUOTE]
I've fished for redear at Saddle, with my best luck coming from around the bend of the beach and the southern most tip of the dam in the corner. Look for the pipes. I've caught some monsters out of Saddle, although with the fishing pressure it is receiving now, I doubt there will be much left. It's sad, because I always throw my fish back in those lakes...
[QUOTE=redearhoosier;411087]As usual Joe, great, great information for the serious panfish man. I've always fished Indian with pretty decent luck, it's just a little easier lake to get a handle on and it produces well. The dam at Indian produces well too.
I'm going to try and get to know Celina a little better, I just wish I had more time and more money to do it with.lol. What's your opinion on Saddle and Tipsaw for redears and bluegills? I've heard Saddle had some nice fish in it.[/QUOTE]
I've had good luck at all 4 lakes, with Indian being my overall favorite. Not saying it's the best, just that it's my favorite.
At Tipsaw, my best luck has been the arm to the left (facing the dam). Start following the creek channel until you find them. In the right arm (facing the dam) past the beach, my best luck has been across the mouth in the deeper water. Look for sunken brush 10-16' deep. Early spring, the feeder creek by the ramp is usually consistent, especially if the water is up about a foot or so into the trees.
At Saddle, I don't have a particular hotspot, but I do have better luck staying "offshore". As someone else mentioned, Saddle has been getting a lot of pressure and my catching has dropped off some the last couple years.
Good luck wherever you go.
"I've fished for redear at Saddle, with my best luck coming from around the bend of the beach and the southern most tip of the dam in the corner. Look for the pipes. I've caught some monsters out of Saddle, although with the fishing pressure it is receiving now, I doubt there will be much left. It's sad, because I always throw my fish back in those lakes... "
Steve, Don't think it hurts to take enough to eat a few from these lakes but when we see coolers full leaving everyday it is just a matter of time till they will be going downhill fast. These are some really great places and need to be respected.