Trip to Claytor 3/30/19

[startingover]

Since we moved to Ironto, trying to learn Claytor since it's so much closer than SML. We went out a couple times last year but still learning the lake. So far not impressed...

AT-60-71

mostly sunny fished 1:00- 4:00 pm from public ramp up to just past bridge.

WT-52.5-54.3   Water clear (too clear), Windy on main channel

There were about 100 trailers at the public ramp, most I've seen there. I think EVERY north side cove had at least 2 boats in it. I talked to a couple guys as we were putting in, both got skunked.

Tried to find some dirty water, couldn't find any. Started on primary and secondary points. Nothing.

Backs of creels or suspended in cove channels, nothing. Same with creek channel swings.  Water not really warmer anywhere, pretty consistent every where and with water clear not really surprising.

Finally got on a small pattern on main channel cuts near docks. Not many fishing those cuts.

Caught 7 fish. 1 SM, 2 spots, 4 LM. Best fish ~3#. Mostly suspended out in front of docks. Not hitting aggressive at all.

Haven't found many big fish in Claytor yet. I may just not know it well enough yet. Maybe I need to go back to smith and just deal with the drive...I know it MUCH better.

[riverdawg711]

If your bass fishing. Make the drive to sml. Other than tons of small spotted bass good size bass are hard to catch. They are there but for a lake that size they have way too manybtournements every week. Striper fishing can be ok and catfishing is good. I fish claytor and smith. I live in dixie caverns and it's only a mile difference if I go to hardy or claytor state park to put in

[choochoo]

Learned to fish big water on Claytor. Fishermen outnumber fish. My advice would be to nightfish week nights between mid May and July 4th. The hybrids are certainly nice to have around.

[startingover]

All makes sense. Claytor reminds me of Leesville, except I used to catch good fish at Leesville   I was really surprised at the number of boats out there. There's always a lot of tx boats on Smith, but there's enough water to handle it. Just doesn't seem to be that many options at Claytor. With water at 52-55 and warming, I expected to have a great day. Of course from what I'm hearing, maybe 7-8# in 3 or 4 hours IS a good day on Claytor

I think we'll be headed back to smith going forward. About time for the night bite to really crank up so that's what I like the most anyhow:)

thanks!

[31Airborne]

Lots of good fish in Claytor. It's all about location, location, location. The doods are right - it gets hammered because of its proximity but there is a very healthy fish population there. 15-20 lb bags are common in the winter and spring.

My observations from Claytor are: 1) there's tons of cover - wood, brush, etc. you have to be selective. let your electronix do the work. 2) breaks are key - on points, and on the main lake. the sharper the break the better. 3) fish move a bit further on Claytor than other (larger) lakes. I think this is a function of the amount of rec traffic and fishing pressure it gets. 4) SM down lake, LM uplake. 5) don't be afraid to go off shore.

Because the lake is so cluttered w/ wood and rock you're gonna get hung up. Bring spares. And your patience.