Swift Creek Reservoir Fishing Report – June
By Charlie Machek
Owner of Swift Creek Reservoir Guide Service
[print_link]
Rain, rain, and more rain has been the theme of this Spring, but the end of May has finally showed us a little of that Summer heat. All of the rain, in combination with a new carp stocking has the water extremely muddy, so I have been using either dark (black, blue, purple) or bright (chartreus, yellow, bright green) colors. Hopefully some vegetation growth will help the water clarity as we get into summer. With the heat of the day warming the water up to the 70’s and 80’s the largemouth bass have finished up their spawning season, and are all in the “postspawn” phase of the year. This means that they are feeding up on shad, bluegill, and any other bait species to recover the weight and energy they lost while spawning. They are also on the move back to the deeper water of the main lake. If you can find any aquatic vegetation that the grass carp have not eaten (I have only seen a very little bit as of May 31), that is a great place for these fish to stop and feed on the way. Weedless texas rigged soft plastics, weedless swimbaits, and topwater lures are great for areas with some grass left. If the grass is near deep water, or a creek channel even better. Another place to concentrate your efforts are the many submerged main lake points. Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and one of my favorite baits for this month: diving crankbaits (6’ – 10’ diving depth). If the shad move out deeper into the 10’-15’ range you have to move out with them as the bass will follow. Carolina rigs, and deep crankbaits will still work, and I will also try a heavy weighted swimbait, or a big casting spoon. Keep your eye out for balls of schooling shad, as the bass will typically be nearby. If you are not ready to abandon the bank fishing, target anything that creates a shade line: docks, laydown trees, and grass lines are perfect examples. Anywhere that has shad, or bluegill present will increase your chances of a bite. The fishing during the sunrise and sunset this month can provide some exciting topwater strikes. I like to throw a buzzbait, spook style walking bait, or a popper during the low light times.
Panfish: The Brim are going to remain in the shallow for most of June. Find shaded banks, with overhanging trees and shrubs, and there will likely be brim around. The brim typically spawn around the full moon in these same areas. Just like in May brim can be caught on a variety of baits, the most effective being earth worms with a bobber. For Crappie fish around drop offs and submerged brush, keep moving until you catch a few, then slow down and thoroughly work the area. Occasionally you can find crappie feeding on the surface, look for small “boils” on the surface and use crappie jigs with grubs, minnows, and worms. Take a kid fishing, practice catch and release, and I’ll see you out on the water!
If you have questions feel free to contact me by email, or social media. machekfishing@gmail.com – social media: @SwiftCreekReservoirGuideService and @MachekFishing www.SwiftCreekFishing.com
