Swift Creek Reservoir Guide Service FISHING REPORT: by Charlie Machek
Swift Creek Reservoir: July 2015
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My name is Charlie Machek, and I am the Owner and Guide at the Swift Creek Reservoir Guide Service. I will be writing a monthly fishing report to encourage everyone to get out on the water, and catching fish. I have likely spent the majority of my life out on The Reservoir in search of largemouth bass, crappie, brim, and the occasional toothy chain pickerel. For inquiries about a fishing trip email machekfishing@gmail.com
Report: June was another great month of fishing on the Swift Creek Reservoir, and I hope you were able to find success catching fish as well. As I had said in June’s fishing report, the topwater bite in the morning can be extremely exciting, and it didn’t let me down. Towards the end of June, we started seeing great numbers of fish showing up on the deeper offshore points, drop offs, and humps. Some of these fish seemed to be in small schools chasing baitfish, and others were hunkered down in the cover waiting for a meal to ambush. This trend should continue through the entire month of July. For these fish Deep Diving Crankbaits in the 10’ to 15’ range can be very effective, making long casts is important to reach the proper depth. Other great options for these areas are, Texas Rigged worms, Carolina Rigs, and even slow rolling a 3/4oz spinnerbait, or swimbait. If the fish don’t seem to take those lures, downsizing to a shaky head trick worm, or a dropshot can catch both numbers of bass, and the occasional big fish.
The grass carp that were stocked in May, initially knocked back the vegetation growth, but in the last month it has managed to grow more than they can eat. For the quality of fishing in the Reservoir, this is great news, but management is still important. Looking back at the results of 2010/2011, the first year of carp introduction actually saw an increase in hydrilla coverage, with the following year allowing the carp to accomplish complete removal of the vegetation. There are excellent fishing opportunities around the many grass beds in the lake. Topwater lures remain the most fun way to catch these fish, but they will not always produce. Early morning, and late evening should be the best times for this. Weedless lures are a must here, texas rigs, weightless texas rigs, chatterbaits, and swimjigs are all good choices. One of my favorites is a texas rigged speed worm. The water is very clear around the grass, so keep your eye out for all of the aquatic life. The baby bass fry can be seen growing all throughout these areas, when spooked it almost looks like rain drops hitting the water. When you see this, the bass are likely to be nearby. With the water clearing, you’ll be able to see the turtles, bluegills, and baitfish swimming in their natural habitat. I have even gotten lucky and spotted a few big bass cruising around looking for an easy meal. To catch these cruisers, cast a senko, or swimming worm quietly past the fish, and then kill it. Sometimes they eat, and sometimes they just look at you like you are dumb, and swim away.
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 and @SwiftCreekReservoirGuideService
