Paradise PFA Fishing Reports – February 2008

Paradise PFA: Level: Near full pool in some of the smaller lakes. Lakes Patrick and Bobben are 2 feet below full pool. Temp: 56-58 degrees. Clarity: Lakes lightly stained; 36-inch visibility on Lake Patrick.

Bass: Fair. Anglers reported some bass being caught in lakes Patrick, Bobben and Russell. Spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps fished in deeper water along dams and around drain structures have been the best. Expect bass to start taking the junebug, red, black and pumpkinseed worms in middle February just prior to the spawn. Once bass start showing up in the shallows, switch to red and green lizards or jig ’n pigs. Expect bass to start bedding the last week of February.

Crappie: Good. Crappie are biting in 3 to 4 feet of water using 1/32- to 1/16-oz. float-rigged jigs. Try blue-and-white, black-and-green and chartreuse jigs in Patrick, Russell and Horseshoe 2. Use fresh 4-lb. test line or less. New line gives the jig plenty of natural movement. Fishing too heavy a line that has a sloppy tie on the hook is a sure fire way to slow down the bite.

Catfish: Slow. A few channel catfish have been caught in Patrick and Horseshoe 1 using pond worms and mullet gut.

Bream: Good. The best bait for redear (shellcracker) has been red wigglers and pond worms fished just off the bottom in 4- to 6-foot depths. Good catches of 1/2-to 3/4-lb. redear have been reported in Lake Patrick. Bluegill have been biting crickets around docks and cover.

Lake Paradise Update: Repairs are complete and stocking has begun. Plans are to open Lake Paradise to fishing the summer of 2010.