Blue Marsh Lake, Reading Pa

[Cody Whitfield]

New to fishing this lake.  Anybody have any luck here?  It's a hard lake to fish with so much traffic.  If anyone would share some info that would be extremely awesome.  We launch from State Hill. 

[BryanM]

It is a tough lake.  I fish it several times a year and it's hit or miss. 

 

I have luck with dark color plastics.

 

Bryan

[Cody Whitfield]

I've only had one bass on this year there.  It was on a Lockett Lure Fattie (senko) it was black with a chartuese tail.  Had it texas rigged and i tried to get him to stay down, he just wouldn't stay down and then jumped and spit.  I was so upset but I can't give up.  I'm 14 and am so addicted and I love fishing ponds.  Raystown is where my cabin is and I use a green rebel deep diver crank and nail them in the early morning.  then about 2 it picks back up.  Got into some stripers and they were so fun even though they were only about 5 pounds.  Thanks for the info Bryan.

[BryanM]

Cody,  

 

I've been out there two times so far this year.  The first time I had 3 bass and the second was 4.   

 

 

I fish dark worms with slider head and tubes most of the time.   Once in a while I get one on a crank bait.  Never had any luck there on spinner baits.

 

 

There have been many times I got skunked there.

 

 

Here is one from my last outing

 

 

 

 

Bryan

[Cody Whitfield]

I caught 4 bass on the crank, but didn't try anything else. 

[plural_of_fant]

blue marsh is tough.. lots of traffic pretty much ruin the main lake after about 9 or 10 am this time of year. The Spring creek and Tully arms in the no wake zone are your better bet once the traffic gets going. I've been doing ok lately with some dark green tubes and jigs. Senkos are still getting some fish to bite, usually around the wood. Cranks can be good sometimes, but be ready for the tiger muskies if your throwing cranks. I've caught at least 20 of those so far this year.

[Cody Whitfield]

So if im throwing cranks, i should use a metal leader,  I texas rigged a black senko and i had a good one on.  Were are you catching the tiger muskies?

[plural_of_fant]

I throw cranks a lot and I don't use any sort of metal leader. I've only lost one so far this year from breaking it off and I'm pretty sure that it was about 90% my fault and not from getting bit off. I've been catching tiger muskies everywhere from right to the left of state hill launch all the way up to the launch on 183. The tigers I catch are usually hanging around the numerous lay downs. Just start banging crankbaits offa the wood and you'll eventually find some musky. I would actually prefer to not catch them. They are a pain to deal with and not worth it in my opinion. For some reason a lot of them don't even really fight hard until you get them right to the side of the boat. My advice is to make sure they are played pretty good before bringing them in the boat.

[Cody Whitfield]

OKay thanks for the info.  My buddy and I were suppossed to fish the tournament there tonight but its storming right now so I don't think we will be,  I will post pictures of our catch and where we caught them.

[BryanM]

OKay thanks for the info.  My buddy and I were suppossed to fish the tournament there tonight but its storming right now so I don't think we will be,  I will post pictures of our catch and where we caught them.

 

Cody,

 

Did they have the tournament?

 

Do you have to belong to a club to fish it, or just show up at 6pm?

 

Bryan

[Cody Whitfield]

You don't have to belong to a club.  WE show up at 5 to have to get ready, I didn't fish Tuesday though, something came up but my buddy placed 5th out of 50 with 2 big smallies as lunker.  I mean for being 14 and him being almost 17 were doing good.

[Koofy Smacker]

That first tournament your referring too had 29 boats, the second week had 45. You'll see the weights drop as the summer goes on along with a few high weights. All depends on weather and water temp to be honest. I fish almost every tuesday night up there, have placed quite a bit. If you have your spots, it can be excellent. Other days it can be brutally tough and you have to grind it out. To be honest, I hate fishing the creek arms. I will stay on the main lake 90% of the time, but like I said it is because I have my spots and I know how those fish act. They move around a lot more in the creek arms and you have to cover a lot of water from deep to shallow to find them.

[Cody Whitfield]

Sure do, I haven't been up due to being in florida and man oh man do I love fishing florida.  The bass are spectacular and now I come home to here and a 2 1/2 pound fish is doing good.  But Im heading up to the cabin this weekend to do some bassin' at Raystown.  Our cabin is 1 mile away from james creek launch and hopefully we can get some fish.  I have fish Susquehanna flats a few times this year and it was great.  My dads buddy lives really close to there and he said we have to get down there again soon because the bite was going good on top water.  Good luck

[Bassman815]

Hey guys! I've been reading your posts and I might be able to help. I fish blue marsh probably 3 times a month and rarely get skunked. No doubt it is a tough lake, but you can definitely catch them. Fish your strengths whether it be slow with a Texas rigged worm or cover a lot of water with a crank bait. I like to fish main lake whether its crazy with weekend boaters or not. I target smallies with spooks, poppers, crank baits, lipless crank baits, jerk baits and Texas rigged plastics. Depending on the time of year dictates what I do. But no matter what I begin the morning always with top water. When that water temp hits 45 degrees the top water starts for me. Fish main lake flats , points and bluffs with poppers and spooks. While throwing a spook there is always a great chance to hook up with a striper on top. That is a blast!! If you can't take the boat traffic on the weekend your best bet is to get out early or go during the week. No point on fishing for the smallies in the dark as they rely on sight for hunting prey. But first and last light you should be throwing top water. Or you can fish the no wake zone which you will find predominately large mouth territory. There are a lot of stumps lining the banks back in these arms so crank baits, soft plastics and spinner baits are great choices. As the guy earlier said you sometimes have to just grind it out but there are some real quality smallies in this lake. Hope that helps guys.

[cdk82]

Hey guys! I've been reading your posts and I might be able to help. I fish blue marsh probably 3 times a month and rarely get skunked. No doubt it is a tough lake, but you can definitely catch them. Fish your strengths whether it be slow with a Texas rigged worm or cover a lot of water with a crank bait. I like to fish main lake whether its crazy with weekend boaters or not. I target smallies with spooks, poppers, crank baits, lipless crank baits, jerk baits and Texas rigged plastics. Depending on the time of year dictates what I do. But no matter what I begin the morning always with top water. When that water temp hits 45 degrees the top water starts for me. Fish main lake flats , points and bluffs with poppers and spooks. While throwing a spook there is always a great chance to hook up with a striper on top. That is a blast!! If you can't take the boat traffic on the weekend your best bet is to get out early or go during the week. No point on fishing for the smallies in the dark as they rely on sight for hunting prey. But first and last light you should be throwing top water. Or you can fish the no wake zone which you will find predominately large mouth territory. There are a lot of stumps lining the banks back in these arms so crank baits, soft plastics and spinner baits are great choices. As the guy earlier said you sometimes have to just grind it out but there are some real quality smallies in this lake. Hope that helps guys.

about how deep are they in the main lake this time of year

[Bassman815]

Not knowing the electronics you have but pay attention to them. The big fish in this lake follow the bait. July, August are the toughest on this lake. The big fish either suspend around the bait or go deep. I have caught big smallies in 20- 25 ft. You can find your bank cruisers early in the morning but rarely they get over 3 lbs. but to a lot of people that is a great fish. On occasion I have had some big fish explode on top but not hooked up that may have been over 3lbs. This time of year I would hit the banks ( main lake ) with top water until 8:30 - 9:00 or when that sun is over the trees, then I'm goin deep. DD22, sexy shad #6 , lipless cranks, Texas rigged smallie beaver and jigs are what I have tied on. I've heard of people doing good on a silver buddy in and around bait balls. I have not tried personally. I don't drop shot but seems like that would be a good approach also. Good luck guy! And hope that helps!

[cdk82]

Not knowing the electronics you have but pay attention to them. The big fish in this lake follow the bait. July, August are the toughest on this lake. The big fish either suspend around the bait or go deep. I have caught big smallies in 20- 25 ft. You can find your bank cruisers early in the morning but rarely they get over 3 lbs. but to a lot of people that is a great fish. On occasion I have had some big fish explode on top but not hooked up that may have been over 3lbs. This time of year I would hit the banks ( main lake ) with top water until 8:30 - 9:00 or when that sun is over the trees, then I'm goin deep. DD22, sexy shad #6 , lipless cranks, Texas rigged smallie beaver and jigs are what I have tied on. I've heard of people doing good on a silver buddy in and around bait balls. I have not tried personally. I don't drop shot but seems like that would be a good approach also. Good luck guy! And hope that helps!

i actually got the the hummingbird 798 hd si but i think i have to remount the transducer cause i dont get very good readings on the sidescan. i find baitfish all the time actually just not a wholelot of bass. ever have any luck on roadbeds? i know theres a few in there and they seem to be the only  deep structure i can find. i guess i need to start working on my deep water techniques. thanks for the info

[Phil_G]

Just purchased a Bass Tracker Pro 170 and have been on Blue Marsh 3 out of last 5 days. Only caught one sunny. Fished Spring Creek mostly. Just learning to fish bass and it appears to be a steep learning curve..I have learned from these reports that tubes, warms and crank baits way to go..Any help will be appreciated.

[Bassman815]

Phil, if you are a beginner at bass fishing, this is not the best lake to get started on. This lake could discourage some of the better anglers out there. Especially this time of year. In a couple weeks this lake will turn on. Take time to learn your new rig and electronics and get everything tuned in for the fall bite. Do you have a goto bait? If so what is it? Just curious.

[Phil_G]

Bassman8, thanks for the reply. I am totally new to bass fishing. So I'm learning fast. I mostly fisf for trout in the past and pike and lake trout on spoons on hunting trips to Canada but just got the 170 so hitting Blue Marsh hard and learning the boat and gear like you said. I did see Texas rig, crank baits way to go and I have crank baits. Will get some tubes and rigs.

[Bassman815]

Phil,

feel free to ask away. Use you tube to learn different techniques. It's pretty handy.

[Koofy Smacker]

Get out of Spring Creek. If your going to stay in the creeks stay in the Tully right now. Personally Id stay on the main lake fishing rocks or any structure you can find that is adjacent to deep water and fish all of it with the baits that you mentioned

[Phil_G]

Thanks guys. Was out Sat and al isn't had one in the boat on Tully no wake. daughters boyfriend caught a small one in Spring Creek early. Used crank baits and tubes plus some spinners. Al ost had one in the boar on a Meps spinner. Tried dam breast early with no luck.

[einscodek]

I used to live in this area and remember Blue Marsh as on/off.  Ontelaunee is better imo but no boats allowed..

[Koofy Smacker]

Thanks guys. Was out Sat and al isn't had one in the boat on Tully no wake. daughters boyfriend caught a small one in Spring Creek early. Used crank baits and tubes plus some spinners. Al ost had one in the boar on a Meps spinner. Tried dam breast early with no luck.

curious on that last part. you do realize you can get in serious trouble for going up to the dam in a boat to fish...