Once this is done; now you are ready to roll the tree or trees in the water, again
make sure that it is deep enough where you are about to place it so nothing is showing. You will be surprised when
you roll it off the boat on its side how well the tree will stand up and sink out of sight.
This year seeing I had some trees to spare I placed six of them where I have
caught some great crappie just so I could beef this spot up for crappie.
Straight Line Honey Hole Fishing
Tips
In another spot where I have caught some great bass I placed ten trees in a
straight line, that way I can work both sides.
I will try throwing like a Spinner Bait to the outside toward the deep water and
see if I get any takers. Then position my boat where I can throw from the bank to the backside of the trees. One of
the spots will produce fish.
If not, I will swap out to either a Crank Bait or a Rattle
Trap.
This is when you got to be careful; those trees love brand new baits and will get
them if you get too close, and those lures have six hooks to try and grab the trees.
If you’re
dead stuck on getting to the center of the tree, try a
Texas Rigged Soft Plastic with the weight pegged against the soft plastic.
If you do
not know what I mean about pegged, a lot of guys use tooth picks, but I do not because that is wood and will rub
the monofilament line and become weak. I suggest a rubber T Stop or a rubber band.
One thing I have
learned and taught to others.
When you fish
brush like this, the fish may not come up and try to rip the rod out of your hands.
What you want to
do is to be able to feel the tree and as soon as you
don't, drop the tip of your rod and let the Bait fall.
I would say
85 percent of the time you will get one.
When you
very slowly start to lift the tip of your rod and feel some pressure; get ready for some action.
"Set the HOOK" and tear into it.
What happens is that you are so close to the brush, the bass
will not swim off with the lure but
instead just lay there with the bait in his mouth.
I can not
tell you the times I almost fell out of the boat laughing when my partner thought he was hung up and proceeded to
jerk his rod then put slack in it. He was not aware that he had a fish until the fish started swimming away. You
just have to be there to enjoy it in
person.
Using Graphs For Honey
Hole Tree Placement
Finally I had six trees left and I thought I would try another spot that I had
graphed last fall and it looked to be a good spot.
Now this one maybe will not work, then again it might be the best spot. I like the
way the water changed depths and it almost looked like it could be used by bass as a highway from the deep water to
the shallow for feeding. Will just have to wait and see, who knows this might be a very hot spot.
The best part is I know where my trees are and sure it might take another angler
some time to discover all the hard work I did but I might just have first chance at a Bass Hog OF A LIFETIME or who
knows maybe even a new State Record.
There is enough of them out for the crappie fishing folks so it will not be a
shoot out at O.K. Corral.
Most of all, I have created a summertime playground for myself, daytime or night
time, that I will be able to enjoy all summer long and not have to worry about where I will fish this year. Takes a
lot of the guess work out and maybe I can change the saying from fishing to catching.
A Few More Tips
PVC Fish
Attractor
To make
sure my article includes an option for anglers who want an almost instant honey hole without the
hassle and don't mind spending the bucks, there are Fish Attractors made out
of polyethylene material on the market like the Honey Hole Tree
Fish Habitat.
What we are
trying to do is create a place that a Hog can hide and wait for the dinner to come to him/her. You will be
surprised how this works.
If you like
to save money and don't mind a little physical labor, here is one last tip that may help you still find some old
Christmas trees in your part of the country but you better hurry.
If you
visit the Agricenter Department or sanitation department in your area, you might find some trees that they have not
mulched yet.
I hope that this will either help you out this year or you can make plans to do
your own HONEY HOLE next year.
Keep The
Hooks Wet!
Steve
McGoldrick
|