Stumped!

[Cyklops99]

i've been fishing a large "creek" by my home, waters slightly up, not bad... visibility is pretty decent... and haven't caught crap... slow moving water, average depths range from 7 - 15 feet (with 8-10 being most common) not a whole lot of structure on the bottom from what I can see in the depth finder - i've thrown everything from rubber worms, crankbaits, topwaters, spinners, tubes, jigs... not one darn bite. I'm stumped!

 

there is one spot where a creek runs into the creek i fish, drops from 5-6 ft, to about 11, occasionally seeing fish suspended near the dropoff, but still no luck. i've fished shallow, i've fished deep i can not figure it out. 

 

to my knowledge it's not really fished that hard...i could be 100% wrong tho. it's an easy spot to put the boat in, the only way to fish it is from a boat - unless u own the land along the creek. just stinking stumped. 

 

both rods have baitcasting reels, they were my dad's before he passed and the line is at least 10lb test, more likely 15lb (mono i assume)  any help or tips would be appreciated.. never fished a drop shot, but going to hopefully be back out there friday, and will throw one then... any tips would be helpful... no clue what the water temp is... I'm assuming 60's

 

the creek is loaded with darn asian carp, will that affect the fishing? I went to unhook a snag i had this AM, and apparenlty spooked one, when he jumped he didn't miss my head by 10 inches... would hurt like mad... probably weighed 10lbs.  but i digress. any help is GREATLY appreciated. 

[Raul]

Catch as many carp as you can and kill them.

[flyingmonkie]

Agreed.  We're lucky enough to not have the asian carp invasion down here yet (I dread it), but we have tons of grass carp.  When i see them in the area, especially during their spawn, I go elsewhere.

 

Might be worth taking some live bait out  and confirming that there's actually something there worth catching?

[Missourifishin]

I agree about the carp, as well as about trying live bait. I almost never use it. But this is a situation where I might try it, out of curiosity.

[Bluebasser86]

Are you sure there's bass in this creek? We have some of those large creek/small rivers around here but there's very few bass in them if any. Tons of asian carp in several of them now too. I'm sure what bass there are probably gorge on the YOY carp though since they're really similar to shad. 

[Cyklops99]

i've caught bass previously.... the MDC states it's a great place for both large and small mouth. (though the smallies frequent areas way up stream) I may try some live bait.... thanks. minnows? worms? 

[Fishes in trees]

It may be just my opinion, but I think that the MO department of conservation indulges in a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to bass populations in creeks.  Perhaps their idea of what is a strong population and my idea of a strong population is different.  I don't know.  It is a possibility that there isn't a strong population where you're fishing.

 

Anyway, on to more pertinent matters.  Did I read right, that the line on your reels is that same line that your dad used, and he's gone now?  Son, you need new line.  If you're not certain about what kind to get, go to Paul's on Chippewa, tell them where you're fishing and buy the kind they suggest.

They will put it on for you as well.  Start fishing with a known quantity, that being the age and condition of your line.

 

Next, fishing in creeks, live bait is never a  bad idea.  Minnows & worms - maybe.  Me, I'd start out with the biggest minnow I could get - 6" or so.   Research how they fish shiner minnows down in Florida.  That works everywhere.  You might want to downsize your bait a little, and use a float - depends on cover.

 

Next, my buds who live in southern Illinois and bow hunt on the Ohio river tell me that Asian Carp are good to eat.   You may want to get into carp

fishing.  I have gardener friends who will take all the carp can bring them - apparently they add nutrients to your compost pile.

[VAHunter]

I have gardener friends who will take all the carp can bring them - apparently they add nutrients to your compost pile.

Wow.  I'm sure they do add nutrients, but I would hate to be their neighbor!