Hat & Star 1/20/17

Jan 22 2017

James Stewart

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2016
Number of Posts :
118

checked the weather forecast, and decided to make a trip to Hat & Star.  Weather was warm and windy, with gusts over 20 mph and temps in the low 70's.  water temps started in the 57.5 range and climbed to 59 in the afternoon.  water was a little stained from the recent rain, and the lake is 1-2 feet low, even with the rain. 

this lake is really tough to fish, mainly due to all the cover in the lake.  no weeds right now, but my lowrance units were showing so much brush in the water; it's like there is one giant brush pile!  there is deep water too (30 feet).  there are so many places for the big girls to hide.

for the day, i caught 10 with the largest being 5 pounds, and 2 harvested.  i found no pattern for the day, and caught fish on 5 different baits.  best area was the brush piles along the bank opposite the launch ramp.

Posted By: James Stewart

Feb 22 2017

Larry Maupin

Keeper

Member Since :
2012
Number of Posts :
297

Thanks, James. I'm going there Friday and wondering - you said "best area was the brush piles along the bank opposite the launch ramp" - the brush pile across from which boat ramp? Large boat ramp on the north side or small boat ramp on the south side. I've never been there. Thanks!

Feb 23 2017

James Stewart

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2016
Number of Posts :
118

i had to look at the map; didn't know there were 2 ramps.  actually, there are no "ramps", just a dirt area that is OK for launching.  i've been to H&S twice, and had no trouble launching and retrieving my Ranger RT188 from the "ramp" that shows on the map as "for smaller boats" on the south side.

so, those brush piles are on the north side (where the map says there is a launch ramp for large fiberglass boats).  

this lake has so much cover that i think it makes it hard to find the big ones, unless because of the time of year they are up shallow.  there is some real deep water out in the middle.  last time i was there, i started marking waypoints on my Lowrance every time i passed over a brush pile.  my screen was covered with waypoints.  i haven't found any big ones there yet, but i know they are there.   just tough to find them because they could be anywhere due to all the brush piles and cover.

Feb 25 2017

Larry Maupin

Keeper

Member Since :
2012
Number of Posts :
297

Thank, James. My wife and I had a good outing there yesterday. Caught 5 total with the biggest 4.5 and 2.5, both from the wood off the southeast shoreline, about 10-15 feet from shore. Caught them both on a Magnum Fluke. Our only other fish caught were under 16".