McNealy Lake

[joeyc1974]

Do you pretty much have to get in a boat and get away from the park area? is the better fishing around the point and down by the dam??

My buddy and i are gonna hit it in his grandfathers Jon boat on sunday morning... any other tips besides x-rap??? I know there are NO shad in the lake and craws are probably the main forage... so with x-rap/crankbai kinda stuff should i imitate bluegill?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[walkeraviator]

So today was a bust. I got one peejib on a buzzbait early. We fished the opposite side of the lake, but seriously couldnt find the edge of the grass... it pretty much just goes all the way across the bottom... down near the dam it lets up a little. Water clarity gets WAY better as you get closer to the dam. I swear it was 6ft visibility down there. We let teh wind blow us into the top of the grass at the dam and fished it. I got a few to follow my bluegill pattern swim bait, but none of them would commit. Everytime i through out the T-Rig i got nothing but mossy weeds back... and could never feel the bottom.

[BASSKING]

So today was a bust. I got one peejib on a buzzbait early. We fished the opposite side of the lake, but seriously couldnt find the edge of the grass... it pretty much just goes all the way across the bottom... down near the dam it lets up a little. Water clarity gets WAY better as you get closer to the dam. I swear it was 6ft visibility down there. We let teh wind blow us into the top of the grass at the dam and fished it. I got a few to follow my bluegill pattern swim bait, but none of them would commit. Everytime i through out the T-Rig i got nothing but mossy weeds back... and could never feel the bottom.

the grass will get thinner in the next month or so. dont give up cause at times it can produce. its a decent little place to get away from the crowds sometimes.

[walkeraviator]

Not yesterday... there was 3 kayaks, a canoe, at least 5 bass boats, and 2 or 3 of those little plastis two man boats, and us in our Jon...

[artcarney_agr]

I take a 10' jon boat and paddle around out there from time to time. Been on it maybe 3 times and have caught bass each time. Only bait that has been consistent for me on that lake is a weightless senko. It stays weedless for the most part, comes through the grass nicely, and those bass can't leave it alone. Golf course side is better. Have fished from the ramp to about halfway to the dam...usually go for just an hour or two after work when I feel the urge to do some grassroots fishing and leave the Ranger in the garage. Used to lug a couple of rods and a tackle bag, but really now all I take is a pack of 5/0 worm hooks, a pack of senkos, and one rod.

[walkeraviator]

I take a 10' jon boat and paddle around out there from time to time. Been on it maybe 3 times and have caught bass each time. Only bait that has been consistent for me on that lake is a weightless senko. It stays weedless for the most part, comes through the grass nicely, and those bass can't leave it alone. Golf course side is better. Have fished from the ramp to about halfway to the dam...usually go for just an hour or two after work when I feel the urge to do some grassroots fishing and leave the Ranger in the garage. Used to lug a couple of rods and a tackle bag, but really now all I take is a pack of 5/0 worm hooks, a pack of senkos, and one rod.

I through a weightless 5" Yum Dinger in watermelon. BUt I am not sure exactly how to work it... please explain.. where do you throw it? How do you retrieve?

[artcarney_agr]

Just throw it out there, let if fall on slack line, and watch for your line to jump or quickly tighten. It sinks slowly, so you have to work it slowly. Just let it fall along any of the laydowns, or down into any of the open "holes" that you see in the grass. It's not exciting, but it does catch plenty of fish. I prefer using fluorocarbon line to help it fall a little faster, and the water is normally pretty clear.

[findingem]

Sorry it has taken so long, but is the picture. http://mikesfishingpictures.shutterfly.com/pictures#n_5

[basshuntin]

What kind of shape is the ramp in? Ive heard that its a bear to launch even a small bassboat?

[walkeraviator]

doesnt seem that bad... see guys launching 18 ft fiberglass rigs all teh time... i can imagine that it isnt very long and could easily run off the end into the mud bottom if you backed in too far. we had no problems launching a 14 foot jon...

[huntingteacher]

I'm sure there are times there are good fish caught, but we always get skunked there. I am not a "good" fisherman, but good grief, that lake is a hard one to catch bass on.

[Catfish Bob]

I have tons of luck at McNealy. I take my flat bottom boat. Instead of putting in and going into the main part of the lake, I always go into that stream right by the ramp. Go under the bridge and come out on the other side is a shallow stream maybe 5ft deep.

Its always full of Lilly pads, use a top water frog and have fun!!! Put the fish back so I can catch um too!!! lol