Hybrid at Rough River

[Jackster]

I am heading to Rough River to fish Friday evening and am wondering if anyone has any information on fishing for Hybrids there in the late afternoon and at night. Any general information on locations in the creeks or baits would be appreciated. If I get no advice I'll post my results early next week.

[Fisherjoe]

I have not tried Rough yet, but this is what works at Barren. Find shallow coves and/or flats near deep water. Be there just after dark and/or around 11 pm. Listen for the shad to be working on top. You will here lots and lots of little splashing. This is the shad. Now listen for popping sounds mixed in...the more and bigger, the better. This will be the hybrids feeding. If either sound is missing, try another area. Throw a jointed topwater minnow, such as a Red Fin or Thunderstick. Retrieve just fast enough to create a V-wake on the surface, and to make the rattles work. Keep your speed steady...no need to twitch or jerk. Vary speed until you hit the sweet spot. If no luck on topwater, try soft swimbaits or crank baits with a minnow shape, such as Shad Raps or hard jerkbaits. Again, keep a steady retrieve so the fish can zero in easier. I have heard that spinnerbaits work as well, but I have not tried them personally. I am looking for that topwater explosion.

One place I would check would be the large island next to Laurel Branch ramp. All around its perimeter should be good, but I have never tried it myself.

One final note, they will not always explode on the bait. Sometimes they will just inhale it. I suggest using 6.5'-7' medium action rods with 12# test line. Make sure your drag is set on the light side as they will make a strong run when first hooked. Good luck.

Joe

[Jackster]

Fished Friday from about 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM. We marked lots of bait fish at the mouths of creeks about half way back. We trolled the Smack Tackle Gizz 4 and Rapala Jointed SR7 in shad color. Caught 3 hybrid two on Rapala one on Gizz 4 and 1 largemouth about 13". On yeah and about a 4 lb drum.

The fish we caught seemed to be on the channel in 20 feet of water near flats. Thanks for the initial info Joe it did help us hone in on some areas to fish.

Unfortunately we never saw or should I say heard the hybrids feeding anywhere after dark. There were a few sporadic splashes, but we couldn't find them actively feeding.

I must say the lake seemed aweful quiet for the Friday night before Memorial Day Weekend. Gas prices must really be driving folks away I guess.