Belton Fishing Report
- Jan 25, 2023
- GOOD. Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 13.88 feet below pool. A cooling trend in the winter when the water is already cold is hard to get excited about. Expect sub-par results and slow, tedious fishing. Bird action by gulls and terns is hit or miss, and not consistent enough to plan a trip around. The smallest Bladed Hazy Eye Slab, 3/8 ounce, in white with a stinger hook is my default bait now when fish show near, but separated from, bottom. A slow-smoking retrieve or a long, slow pull upward off bottom works well for active fish, and snap-jigging on bottom works well for inactive fish. If immobile, suspended fish or tightly bottom-hugging fish are found on sonar, deadsticking is a good approach for such fish using a horizontally-oriented shad-imitating soft plastic of less than 3 inches in length on a jighead. Mid-morning and just before sunset seem to be the most consistently productive times. Focus on 24-34 feet of water. Report by Bob Maindelle, Holding the Line Guide Service. Catfishing has been good with eater fish being caught in depths under 20ft. Larger blues and flatheads have been caught on shallow points near ledges using fresh cut bait. Channel catfish have been fair around brush piles in shallower warmer water areas with punch baits. Report by Brian Worley, B&S Catfishing.
Zebra Mussel Alert To prevent the spread of zebra mussels, the law requires draining of water from boats and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh waters. Get details.
Fishing reports are produced with support from Toyota and the federal Sport Fish Restoration program.