what bait would your throw into a spillway beneath a dam?

[Darth-Baiter]

I found one.  looks like I will have to do some bouldering to get there.  (Still need to verify if the area is surrounded by no-trepass signs)

 

I see videos of guy crushing in spillways, but this will be my first visit.  I will have my kayak with me for the lake, but I fully intend to stop and suss it out.  I can bring ONE rod.  

 

what would be your first choice bait for a spillway?  please don't say, live minnow!!  hhahhahha

[PBBrandon]

I love in-line spinners by the spillway, the running water makes the little blade spin even when you aren’t reeling in fast when casting it downstream

[MeatHead1313]

I haven't tried it here in Louisiana, but back home in Australia spinnerbaits worked great below spillways and weirs for Australian bass and golden perch. Would imagine they'd work great for largemouth as well. 

[galyonj]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

what would be your first choice bait for a spillway?

 

Same first choice options as everywhere else, a jig worm, a soft plastic swim bait, a jig, or a squarebill. 

 

 

[MIbassyaker]

[WRB]

5” wacky rigged Senko. Cast into the water fall and let the Senko do it’s thing.

Tom

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

white mr twister curly tail jig

[PhishLI]

6" Wacky rigged senko deals well with the current and gets smashed.

[Munkin]

Generally a creature bait, cast it as far in and let the current do the work. If fishing for SM use a tube.

 

Allen 

[TnRiver46]

Paddle tail

[Pat Brown]

Depends on species you'll be around but I see people catch giant muskie on ploppers at spillways on YouTube and it looks really fun.

[scaleface]

Strike King Rocket Shad.

[greentrout]

[bowhunter63]

Weightless fluke or a Rage swimmer 

[ne_dan]

Bigger Tubes, Spinnerbait, Crank Bait, Jig.  It all depends on the flow, depth, and how much rip/rap there is.  Also if your fishing above, at the side or below the spill way.

[roadwarrior]

Rage Tail Menace.

[casts_by_fly]

3" twister on a cheap lead head.  Outflows are usually rocky and you're going to get snagged.  Keep it simple and cheap for exploratory trips.  Also, every fish in the water eats a 3" minnow.  You'll end up with bass, walleye, crappie, and who knows what else.

[scaleface]

I use to fish the riprap below a spillway in strong current by biting the tail off a curl tail grub and adding a small spinner to the hook . It gave the lure lift to keep it out of the rocks, and vibration. It was cheap and caught every game fish species there. Hybrids  would hammer it.

[MAN]

The few times I have done that everyone that wasn't after catfish.....was throwing Road Runners.  

[bowhunter63]

Wacky Worm or a Spinnerbait if there chasin really good 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Small spinnerbaits, 3" grubs, slow float jbs in calmer water and smaller poppers and pencils.  

[king fisher]

Hair jig under a slip bobber.  Cast up stream, and let it float, drag free down river.  You may have to mend your line, and free spool your reel, on and off to help get a drag free drift.  For those that are laughing, give it a try.

[Bankc]

It's hard to say without seeing a picture of it, but my gut instinct says wacky rigged senko.  

 

Though an inline spinner is great for anytime you're not fishing vegetation and don't know what's out there, as anything will bite those!  

[Darth-Baiter]

I'd post a pic but I hope to be the only one out there...

 

I skunk three times in a row, I'll give GPS coordinates.  

On 11/12/2023 at 5:30 AM, greentrout said:

dang..I didnt even consider this.  nice!!

[KP Duty]

Trap!