PFA Fishing Reports – August 2007

Marben Farm PFA: Level: Recent rains have raised the water level in some of the smaller ponds, but Bennett is still low. The Bennett boat ramp is closed to avoid damaging trailers. Canoes, jonboats, etc. may be carried down the bank and launched. Clarity: 16 to 24 inches. Temp: Low to mid 80s.
Bass: Early morning and late afternoon have been the most productive for bass. The majority are being caught on worms, lizards or jigs fished on creek channels and deep structure.
Bream: Fox and Bennett have been producing some nice bluegill and shellcrackers, some in excess of 1 1/2 pounds. Crickets and wax worms continue to be the most consistent baits.
Other: Yellow perch in the 8- to 12-inch range are occasionally caught in Bennett by anglers fishing on the bottom for bream. Bullheads (speckled cats) are frequently caught in Margery, especially toward the late afternoon and early evening. In Bennett, there have been some good catches of channel catfish in the 1-lb. range. Chicken livers and worms work well.

Paradise PFA: Level: Down 2 to 3 feet below full. Temp: 83-84 degrees. Clarity: Lakes lightly stained; 24-inch visibility on Lake Patrick.
Bass: Fair to slow. Try fishing topwater baits during in the early morning. Switch to crankbaits by mid morning, and concentrate on the deeper water down to about 6 feet. This has typically been a good tactic from now through the middle of September. Also try a Texas-rigged 6-inch black plastic worm in Lake Patrick around piers and heavy cover.
Bream: Good for bluegill. Red wigglers and crickets are the most common bait, with crickets being the No. 1 choice. Bobben and Patrick have been the best for bluegill. Horseshoe 1, Horseshoe 3 and Tacklebuster also are producing good catches. Drop a cricket into shoreline cover and around docks, particularly during early morning periods. By 10:30 a.m. the action normally turns painfully slow. Also, a few nice-sized redear have been caught in Lakes Horseshoe 1, Bobben and Patrick using red wigglers. Fish in 4 to 6 feet of water with the bait suspended just off the bottom.
Catfish: Fair. Tacklebuster, Horseshoe 1 and 2 have been fair for catfish in the 1- to 2-lb. range. Use mullet gut or liver to catch them.