Elkhorn

[fishiefishie]

It's now early February and its a little chilly here in Georgetown. I want to get out and go fishing on the Elkhorn, but I'm from up north and I don't know what to fish with. Can you guys give me a few tips and tricks? Thanks, FishieFishie

[Carter1]

I've always liked small spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails, small jigs with Mr Twister curly tail grubs and Rebel Wee Craws. Hope this helps.

[timmbur22]

I find that the fish's metabolism is just too slow this time of year for them to do much chasing after moving lures. I have had success with tubes on the Elkhorn in the winter, letting them sit on the bottom like live bait and giving them a twitch now and then.

[jcb]

This time of year, I like a downsized, natural colored suspending jerkbait. In deep, slack water.

[Tim_T]

JCB do you have a preference on your jerkbait? A certain brand you like better than others? Hard bait or soft plastic? I have never fished a jerkbait in a stream before, not sure why, I just haven't.

[jcb]

JCB do you have a preference on your jerkbait? A certain brand you like better than others? Hard bait or soft plastic? I have never fished a jerkbait in a stream before, not sure why, I just haven't.

I'm a big Rapala fan so I like X-raps. I usually use silver, gold or the ghost color. Nothing against Rogues or any other brand, I have a few of those too, but no one around here sells those in the downsized version that I can find.

They aren't usually my first stream choice either, just when the water's super cold. Mainly because I think any significant current really changes the action.

[Tim_T]

Thanks for the info, I assume you are using the #4 size? If so, I think I might have a couple laying around.

[timmbur22]

Just a possible observation and question...

Although stream fishing can be very hit or miss in February, I have caught some real nice fish this time of year. No numbers and I'm often shut out, but when I do catch, they are often big ones.

Also, I seem to catch more spotted bass (Ky) bass in the Elkhorn and other creeks this time of year than smallmouth. I'm wondering if they are more active in colder weather (?) I do know they frequent the rapids more than smallmouth or largemouth.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

[jcb]

Thanks for the info, I assume you are using the #4 size? If so, I think I might have a couple laying around.

Yup, #4.

[artcarney_agr]

The small Rapala countdown minnow always works at Elkhorn, or at least it has for me.

I take two colors - Silver, and Fire Minnow. That pretty well covers any water color condition you run into.

I like the two hook version, that's about 2" long - you should be able to find them at Wal-Mart.

[MetalFish513]

Just a possible observation and question...

Although stream fishing can be very hit or miss in February, I have caught some real nice fish this time of year. No numbers and I'm often shut out, but when I do catch, they are often big ones.

Also, I seem to catch more spotted bass (Ky) bass in the Elkhorn and other creeks this time of year than smallmouth. I'm wondering if they are more active in colder weather (?) I do know they frequent the rapids more than smallmouth or largemouth.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

I've read before that the reason for bigger fish in these cold water months is because the larger fish have a slightly higher metabolism than the smaller ones. So while the smaller fish can survive a few days in the winter without eating the larger fish still need to feed. I too get skunked more times than not during the winter but it's almost worth it when you actually do set the hook into one and find out it's a hawg!

[fishiefishie]

I got some green Zoom curlytail grubs... I heard these are good. Where is Robinson Dam [address]?