Need help on Hardy

[STEELERBOY29]

I have a family fishing trip on Hardy Dam Pond in a couple of weeks and need some "hot tips" on locating and catching fish.? I've been on Hardy a couple of days and know the water a little bit.? I usually focus on bass, but want to find some walleye too.? I am fishing with (against) my family so bragging rights are on the line.? Any info on what, where, when, and how to catch bass and walleye would be greatly appreciated.? Thanks

[Cy]

I was on Hardy last Saturday for a couple of hours.  The smallies are wanting to spawn so bad they can't stand it.  In a couple of weeks they should be mostly done spawning.  So, I would think that normal summer patterns will apply, meaning you can just about catch them any where.

Most of the guys I know that do well on walleyes in Hardy do so with jigging spoons.  They will run main lake points and rip spoons off the bottom.  I have also caught them on Shad Raps in the past along the drop offs.

I don't have a ton of info but I hope it helps.

Cy

[STEELERBOY29]

Thanks for the info.  I'm just looking for whatever edge I can get.  Sounds like the smallies will be done spawning very soon and then I hope they're really hungry by the time we get up there.  I've never walleye fished so that info helps too.  Thanks again.

[djkimmel]

Most of the walleye I've caught in the main lake have come deep off structure - ledges and underwater points - 20 to 30+ feet. It can be hard to find these sweet spots, but once you do, there's usually a bunch in a fairly small area. We get them with blade baits - kind of like jigging spoons.

If your time is limited that might be challenging to find these spots. There's not a lot of good maps going around on this lake.

I've caught a few walleyes on suspending jerkbaits around weed clumps on deeper flats closer to the lake. Lots of pike too. This lake is FULL of pike. Low light periods on the flats will be best.

I think it may be easier though to go up the lake past the houseboat marina and fish the river bends and flats for walleye, pike and bass. You might be able to get them up there on jerkbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits without having to fish real deep. The edges and outside bends seem to attract more walleye while the thick weed areas are also thick with pike.

[STEELERBOY29]

Thanks for that info.  I know the marina you mentioned so that should help me hone in.  I'm pretty handy with jerkbaits, cranks, and spinnerbaits.  Jigging spoons is another story.  I've got some in my box, but can't say they ever been wet.  I'm a bass fisherman by nature, but want to get into walleyes too.  This info should help.  Hopefully the fish will cooperate.  If we get skunked, it won't be from lack of effort or equipment.  We'll see what happens.  Thanks again.

[fasttrack]

Hi Steelerboy. What dates are you going? I will be up there in a week or so. I'll tell ya what I see (if anything!) assuming I go before you do. The last two years there were still some spawners up to the middle of June, but most were done. I've had some past success fishing the breaklines off of spawning flats and coves this time of year. Topwater baits early, wacky-rigged senkos around structure (rocks/wood), and pumpkinseed tubes on the steeper dropoffs. If you have some wind you could burn a chartruce spinnerbait or even a rattletrap. I've seen all parts of the lake (river) be productive at times so I cant tell you specific areas. Two years ago had a good tournament upstream (river portion) in early June, and last year the lake portion towards the dam seemed to be more productive. So who knows. Good luck!

[djkimmel]

Hey fasttrack - you got your first post under your belt! Hope to see some more.

[STEELERBOY29]

Hey fasttrack.  My family is going up there from June 11th - 18th.  Unfortunately, I won't be up there until the 14th.  We're all camping at Brower County Park.  I'll be out of town on business from the May 30th - June 7th, so don't let your feelings get hurt if you don't hear anything from me.  It would be great if you could let me know what areas were productive for you and how you were catching them.  Since my family will have a headstart on me, I have to get on the fish quickly when I do get up there.  Let me know how you do.  Good luck to you!

[fasttrack]

I will certainly be up there before you then (probably 2-3 times) so hopefully I can give you a good report. Just tell your family not to beat up the water too bad on/before Sat 6/10 'cause thats when my tournament is! Our weigh-in is at Brower at noon so maybe they can come watch.

[STEELERBOY29]

You won't have to worry about my family.  The earliest they will get up there will be the 11th.  Besides, I'm the best fisherman of the bunch!  What tournament do you have?  How big is it?  I'm going out on White Lake this weekend visiting the inlaws in Whitehall/Montague.  It'll be my last chance to get my new boat out before the big Hardy Dam family tournament.  Have to make sure everything is working flawlessly.