Moomaw Trout

[hilljack198]

I havent been to Moomaw since I was a kid but me and my dad have a bug to go after some trout up there. Never done much lake fishing for trout. Been doing alot of reading and research and found that the thermocline is around 15 to 20 feet early winter through spring but also see that people run downriggers. We have all striper fishing gear no downriggers for now. I wonder about catching bait there? From what I can remember there arent any lights there, is it possible to draw alwives in from a light on the boat and whats the best technique for this? If i can catch bait i figured i would run some boards and flatlines. Also thought about umbrella rigs? Anyway i thought I would ask and any info would be appreciated. Like I said we've got the scratch and it needs itching!

[johnr]

I caught the same bug a couple years ago and have been trying ever since. I’ve lost one brown trout and that’s the only encounter I’ve had with one there.

Typically we are pulling shiners or alewives in striper type of spread. Freelines, light lines, and down lines.

We’ve tried spoon trolling with no luck of any kind.

I wouldn’t try catching bait up there. It’s not very plentiful lately.

I’ll be up there sometime in the next two weeks to try again. We went in late Mid October and the water was still in the 60s. Hopefully it’s into the 50s now.

[hilljack198]

John thanks for the reply, I think we're gonna try and head up within the next two weeks also just to feel the lake out and troll some artificials around. Like I said we havent been there in so long. I will definitely let you know if we do anything. Buddy of mine fishes up there alot. From what he told me they basically down rod fish anywhere from 15 to 30 feet with alwives while moving slow. He said they catch alot on flat lines behind the boat too. His uncle caught a 10lb brown this past spring. Anyway maybe we'll see you up there sometime, we're in a 198dlv with a Ttop holler at us, names Sam. It always helps to have someone to share with. That has a big part in our striper success.

[johnr]

Take a notebook and keep track of anything interesting you see at the waters edge. It’s still 14 feet low, and that structure will be prime fishing come March and April.

Also if you launch at fortney branch during this low water, you gotta be right up against the dock to get the boat off. There’s a huge curb with a bad drop off, but the ramp is longer right up against the dock. It’s only one trailer width wide right there, but that’s where you gotta put it.

I’ll be in a white deep v Alumacraft with a Yamaha tiller.

[hilljack198]

Wow 14ft, thanks for the heads up. Thats a great idea with a notebook, will bring one along. We anticipate not catching anything, I just want to lay my eyes on the lake again. Really appreciate the ramp info!

[johnr]

Smallies and perch were stacked on the points last trip. I’d guess they’ll still be close by. Those fish up there are always eating.

[hilljack198]

Well, we went last week and I guess we had beginners luck. The lord blessed us with a 5lb 23inch brown trout. First broen i have ever caught. One fish for the day but we were pleased with that!

[bushwacker]

Nice job on the Brown. I used to fish Moomaw a lot. I had an uncle that trout fished it all the time. He used divers and spoons. Just before we got our place at smith my Dad and I started trout fishing it. We would always use a 3 way swivel with a 1 or 2 oz weight on the bottom and a spoon on the top with 3' of leader on each or a dipsy diver with a spoon. The weight keep it down. We used the trolling motor and trolled around 1mph on a pontoon. We caught 20 on memorial day weekend 3 or 4 years ago. Nothing big but fun to reel in. I had a very big brown chase a spoon all the way to the boat one trip but would not eat. I have been wanting to get back there as well and try live bait now that I have a striper boat. I feel I am better set up now. We should all make a trip up that way sometime.

[johnr]

I was planning to go up this upcoming weekend, but I need two new tires for my boat trailer and still have another couple deer to kill before it’s duck season again. So maybe in February and March I’ll be headed back up there.

Unless someone wants to buy me two new trailer tires!

[hilljack198]

Thanks for the info bushwacker. Like I say we are still trying to figure it out but that last trip got me hooked. Im going to try and go up in the morning again. I really want to figure out the bait deal up there. My buddy says they go at night and draw alewives in with lights. I feel like this would take a while but I have read of several others doing this so we'll see. Anyone know of a good light to do this with? I looked at the hydro glow but they seem a little over priced. I also wonder what the best size hook to use for live bait I was thinking a 1/0 circle?

John, I know how you feel. Hard to do it all. Between stripers, turkeys, deer, bass, and now trout! ... wish I could retire

[johnr]

I use #2 light wire hooks for alewives up there. And I’ve used a hydro glow bait light with good success.

Bait up there has seemed scarce this year.

[bushwacker]

There are lights on the docks at the ramps if they have them on this time of year. I had a buddy that said he used to catch bait at the Coles Point ramp down by the dam.