11/6 Report

[backoftheboat]

We went this morning and it was cold. We caught 7, mostly spots. Only managed 2 keepers. We started around the Greenville water intake and ended up at the Cliffs golf course. We are having trouble finding any quality fish in Keowee. We have fished there this summer/fall and managed only a few fish over 3-3.5 pounds. This past May, we did land a few in the 4-5 pound range. However, that is the exception, not the rule. We are a little frustrated and may change lakes. Maybe Greenwood or Russell? I hope y'all are doing better out there.

[cpbcop]

Hey backoftheboat,
Don't give up yet! The fish are there. As for size, spots run in packs similar in size. It's very hard to target big spots versus smaller ones because of that. Now that we are having those cold nights, the surface water temps are going to start falling. As a result, the shad will start to ball up and move farther into the creeks. The spots will be right there with them. The action should already be picking up especially from a topwater standpoint. If you are at the right location early in the morning, you can have the trip of your life. I had one such day last fall and that pattern held until well after Thanksgiving. I just kept following the bait farther up the creeks as the month progessed. As for size, you just have to luck into a pod of fish that have some size to them. I caught mostly 2-3lb spots as my big fish and a 2-3lb spot is going to give you all that you payed for. Don't give up on Keowee. One final bit of information. I would recommend putting in around Gap Hill Landing or Crowe Creek. That will give you the option of fishing north or south depending upon the current fishing report. Oh yeah,the topwater action is going to quiet down around mid-morning and pick up again in the evening. So try some dropshotting on points in about 20-30 feet of water when that happens. The fish won't leave the area. They are just adjusting to the shad going back down deeper in the water column. Good luck!