Years ago I was part of a group that helped popularize the use of a technique using “jigging spoons” to target fish in the fall on western reservoirs. Later I partnered with Tom Bruno to write articles and books for InFisherman Magazine specifically using this technique to target large walleyes and wipers on Colorado’s Lake Pueblo.
A good friend and accomplished angler, Charlie Black, joined me on the radio to discuss how this approach is still very effective, how it has evolved over the years and the state record fish Black recently caught at Pueblo while using an adaptation of this technique.
The success of this approach is predicated on the fact that as the water cools in the fall it stresses the baitfish (primarily gizzard shad in Lake Pueblo) making them lethargic and easy prey. When this happens the shad gather in concentrated large schools. This attracts the predator fish, like walleyes, wiper, bass and even catfish, which feast on stressed and dying shad
In the past, the approach was to use heavy narrow spoons which fell quickly with a fluttering action that mimicked a distressed baitfish. A variation of a spoon, called a “blade bait” also gained popularity with many anglers. Most recently a well-kept secret among tournament anglers started getting out.
In addition to spoons and blade baits, anglers were using a popular ice fishing lure, the Jigging Rap. The Jigging Rap is a very heavy minnow shaped lure that has been a mainstay of ice fisherman for years. More recently it has become a popular choice in open water. It was a Jigging Rap that Black caught a new state record blue catfish on, weighing 24.7 pounds and measuring 35 ¾ inches in length at Lake Pueblo.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife have been stocking blue catfish at Pueblo and a few other locations for years. They have been waiting for them to gain some prominence among anglers in the state. With the news of Black’s record catch and the fact that blues can grow to excess of 100 pounds, I believe that time has arrived.
Black was not targeting catfish. He was on Lake Pueblo for the fall “spoon bite” for walleyes. He had actually been doing quite well when he felt a “heavy” pull on his line. His first thought was “a giant walleye”. A prolonged battle eventually proved otherwise. It is not uncommon to catch catfish or many other species during the fall spoon bite as they all take advantage of this feeding opportunity. You really never know what you might catch.
The fall bite came late this year due to very warm weather. Many of Colorado’s Front Range lakes closed for boating just as it was getting started. Lake Pueblo, however, remains open to boating year round. Winter launching hours are in effect from October 15 to March 15th. The lake is open to boating 24 hours a day, but no loading or unloading of vessels is allowed after hours. The South and North Ramps are open 5 am to 6 pm daily unless there is inclement weather to make launching unsafe. Black believes there is at least another month of good fishing available. He said thirty plus fish days are common if you know what you’re doing. You might even catch a new state record.
Lake Pueblo State Park provides over 4,600 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline and almost 10,000 acres of land. Along with the sunny days and a mild year-round climate, visitors quickly learn that one day is not enough.
Full service marinas and a diversity of campsites welcome guests to stay awhile. Water recreation includes sailing, motor-boating, waterskiing, river tubing and prime fishing. Boaters choose from two full-service marinas and boat ramps.
Land recreation includes hiking, biking, and picnicking. Miles of trails make it easy to discover the beauty of the shady Arkansas River below the dam or the wonder of 200-year-old juniper trees. Wet or dry activities culminate with camping options that encourage a day of play to become a mini-vacation.
Additional information on Lake Pueblo State Park can be found on the .
Here’s the full interview with Black
https://soundcloud.com/1043thefan/charlie-black-terry-wickstrom-outdoors-120316
Join Terry every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. for all your outdoor information on Terry Wickstrom Outdoors FM 104.3 The Fan. Follow Wickstrom on Facebook at Terry Wickstrom Outdoors.
