Fishing at the Ledge

[Jim Krueger]

The Ledge at Rockport has so many fun venues Aside from the Ledge being a super spot for whitewater play ,or the downstream terminus of many a pleasant float from the dam, it's also a nice place to cast a lure.

In the past, I've made several fishing-only expeditions to the Ledge, and caught some nice Walleye around the deep boulders below Tiger Jaw, also have had good luck with the Smallies by parking on the boat on the rocks and fishing the pool above. Today, I was nursing a sore shoulder and really couldn't float, so we headed back to just piddle around and fish some. As it turned out, it was Crappie Day :) Friend Karla happened into the first, and probably the biggest Crappie then I managed to catch another seven in the next hour until we decided to quit for lunch.

For those of you so inclined, one just needs to show up a few hours before the daily flow hits and you'll have the place largely to yourself. My favorite location for the Walleye and Pan fish is on the other side from the boat ramp, below Tiger Jaw, the water is deep and slower moving. Good luck and happy fishing. :)

Best Regards
Jim Moose

[Jim Krueger]

Jim was too kind to mention the fact that I caught just one crappie. I got stomped into the dirt today by my hubby. Well, enjoy it while you can my love, the next time out it's my turn! :twisted:

Marlo

[Karla]

Jim, I got it started and warmed up for you catching the bigger crappie for the day. Enjoyed our morning and lunch with you guys. Hope your shoulder is ready for some more paddling in couple of weeks. Pray for rain.

Karla

[Susan Tinker]

Marlo: We'll go with you let him catch the most this time due to his sore shoulder! Sounds like Karls kept the girls in the game though!
Sure seemed like a beautiful day to be out ..... sorry to say, I had to work.
Hope to see you all soon and take care of that shoulder Jim. We need you for Surf & Turf!

I'm heading to Missouri to work all week. Wonder if they have any rivers to float in southern Missouri.
Susan T

[dan valovich]

It has been a known secret amoung men that the only beneficial exercise for a shoulder injury is fishing and a cold malted beverage.
a friend of mine caught a 4 lb black bass on the caddo last week while doing therapy on his shoulder

[Jim Krueger]

That's right Dan. I loaned a boat to friends paddling Dragover last week, only to hear about one of them landing a 23-24" Smallie :)

Although we don't keep the Small Mouth either, Marlo is upstairs as we speak, preparing some of those Crappie :)

Best Regards
Jim Moose

[freeman]

Well if you don't mind my asking, what bait/lures were yall using? I've caught a single largemouth just below remmel and thats it between there and the ledge lol.

Justin

[Jim Krueger]

Justin,

A couple of weekends ago when I was catching the Crappie, just below the Ledge, I was using a single 1/16th oz. lead head with an equally small tube jig. The jig I was using has a 'coca-cola brown head with a chartreuse tail' Keep in mind, for Crappie, one must fish the jig very slowly. Most of the Crappie were hitting it as I let it free fall slightly between slight retrieves.
For the Walleye and Small Mouth, I have been using a larger 1/8th oz. lead head with a 'motor oil colored Tiny Brush Hog' Also have had some luck with small multi-colored spinner baits like Rooster Tails and Road Runners.
In either case, we use ultra-light spinning rigs with 6 lb. line. Also have concentrated mostly at the ledge for fishing the last couple of years.

Best Regards
Jim

[lalyle]

I was about the ax the same question about bait. The answer reminded me why I'm so far behind in my knowledge of fishing; it's kind of technical. My experience has been cane poles and crickets.

Enough of that excuse, though, as I'm taking on midlife hobbies like rec boating, I'm also wanting to learn related skills like how to catch a darned fish. Next time I'm with a group, I'd love to see what all that tackle is - I'm a visual learner.