[BNZeigler]

So, as luck would have it, my buddy is coming down from OH and were heading to the Classic. Planned on fishing tomorrow, but mother nature has other plans that doesn't include taking the boat out. Thought we might be able to tolerate the weather a little bit and hit one of the Norman hotholes from the bank. I've heard of good/plentiful fish being caught and wondered if anybody has any experience at McGuire or Marshall? One better than the other? The definitely should be pushing some water with the cold temps......

Thanks in advance guys

 

[h2ohhh]

I'm pretty familiar with Marshall. Unlike McGuire, Marshall is open 24/7. If you are after hybrids and stripers, that action runs before sunrise. Walk about halfway back up the canal and toss small flukes (the shad packed in the canal are small) on jigheads.

When the sun comes up move back down toward the parking area....fish the rip rap directly across from the boathouse/docks. Lots of nice spotted bass in there. Small, soft baits on bottom but the best action when I was there a few weeks ago was slow rolling a white spinnerbait.

 

[BNZeigler]

h2ohhh,

I really appreciate the detailed info, mainly looking for spots, but nothing wrong with a stripe or hybrid....

 

[Neilslure]

I have only fished Mcguires and from a boat. A go to bait at the hot hole for a few buddies I know who fish Norman all the time is a small weightless slider grub rigged on a straight shank worm hook with hook exposed, they use an 18-24" leader and add a barell swivel mainly for a touch of added weight for casting. They just fling it out and reel back slowly across the surface, I have seen it work for them and has worked well for me.

 

[BNZeigler]

Well, we caught six, 4 spots, 1 hybrid and 1 largemouth.....wind was howling down the canal and the rocks were covered with ice, but we managed. Blade, trap, dropshot and shakyhead accounted for the fish....back Sunday, but will have the boat this time

Thanks for the info

 

[SurfRider]

Nice job getting some fish!

 

[BNZeigler]

Few hours to kill while my son was at school so went to McGuire this time. Completely different than Marshall (IMO), no surface activity, no visible bait and everybody fishing for cats. Stopped at a few places along the canal before I found what I was looking for, nice slack water area behind a couple of rocky points (for lack of a better word). Didn't take long to hook up with a nice 3lb chunk spot. Caught four out of that area, catch one and it would take about ten minutes for it to replenish. Slowed down so I moved down the canal towards the bridge hitting a spot here and there.....nothing. Went back to where I caught the others, landed one and had a miss. Gave it another 15 mins then had to leave. Four on a shakyhead and one on a dropshot.

For anybody that is interested and may want to go, the little rocky point I was fishing is located about 30 yards from the fishing pier (looking at pier, non bridge side) or simply follow a straight line to the canal from where the guardrail meets the vinyl fence (near the porta jon). With the water down it is real easy to see. Be careful on those rocks, pretty steep in there......