Tips and Tricks

[Love2Cabin]

My son and I are getting ready for our second trip to red. We went up last year and didn't do so well so want to make sure we are extra prepared this year. I have read that for jigging, spoons seem to be the ticket (rattlers flyers macho minnows) and such. When using these types should I just be using the head of the minnow instead of a whole minnow? Next when using a dead stick is it best to just use a plain hook or can I use a small jig like a glow or something? What do you guys do after you have caught a few and know that you will be releasing the rest? Do you switch to using just a single hook? Seems to me that a treble hook is going to tear the fishes mouth apart if they are hitting hard. We are going with bear paw this year and from what I read they will have plenty of advice for us. I just want to make sure I arrive with everything I will need.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

[Juan Grande]

Like you said, have a variety of jigging spoons, jigging/rippin raps and other lures to draw them. Try a variety of colors with and without a minnow head to see what they want. On your dead stick you can use a hook/split shot under a bobber. Try plain, red, glow, etc. hooks with rainbows or fatheads. You and your son can set up with different combinations of jigging and dead sticks to see what they prefer. Then switch your other setups to match.

Good luck!

[BuckSutherland]

Plain red hook with a split shot and a fathead a foot off the bottom and at least 100 ft away from any other holes/traffic and I will bet you A LOT that set up catches more than anything else.

[Love2Cabin]

Thanks guys. My son reads some of these reports and is super excited as am I. If we can even catch 20 fish a day we both will be thrilled. I believe bear paw goes out of westwinds. Do you know if they will cook up a meal for us if we happen to catch a few? If so can I clean them at their resort or do I have to do that in my truck?

[Trump34]

They will cook up 2 fillets per person plus give you a few sides for around $8... and if you want will cook up a few extra fish for a couple bucks. They have a nice cleaning house but not sure about using it if you don't pay the road fee. Good luck and have a blast.