Hawaiibassfishing Forum

Over the years I've noticed that a 3 foot rise in the water level kind of shuts down the fishing.
It also makes it really tough if your site fishing for peacock bass
or red devils. The fish are still in the same place... it's just that
you can't see them any more because the water is three feet deeper.

So we go to plan "B". I broke out the Tenkara rod and started
looking for "little" fish. The tiny baitfish were still in the very
shallow water or in the thick grass and wood right against the shore.
They would race out of cover to take the tiny streamer flys.
I was even able to spot a few red devils.
Or in this case an "orange devil"?


Lots of these little guys. I've heard them called "5-bar General"
and also "5-spots"... They are fun to catch and make great live
bait for big peacock bass.
You'll find them in very shallow water right against to shore all
around the lake.


Then every once in a while something larger like the 3/4 to 1 pound
peacock bass would appear out of nowhere to grab the fly.
When I found these "packs" of aggressive fish, I switched to a
heavier fly rod and larger fly. This is a "Gummy Minnow" that
someone gave to me. It's a heavy fly that you probably need
a 6wt fly rod to throw. But it looks just like a real minnow and
the peacock bass go crazy for it. It is not weedless and I got
hung up a lot while fishing around any kind of structure.
The thing sinks like a rock. Perfect for schooling fish.
(they were not schooling and chasing shad on Thursday)


As the water temperature rose to the 80 - 81 degree temp...
the fishing action improved. The red devils seemed more
aggressive anyway. They are so much fun to catch on the
super light Tenkara rods.

Water level up? Can't tell by the guage...

Water level seems to remain constant since 5/30.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/hi/nwis/uv?cb ... o=16210000

Maybe it will get to the "optimal level" that DLNR & Dole claim.

Good catches!

Nice work on the Gummy Minnow. Not sure if you got that from me or not...because I have a couple in my fly box that looks exactly like the one in your picture. I brought a few to Hawaii last time and came home with just 2 in my fly box. In any case, good to know they work for you. I'll bring more next time...and let me know if you want a few more.

I'm not sure where I got those Gummy Minnow. I know it was someone who was fishing with me. One was destroyed by the fish that day ( found it in the bottom of the boat, I super glued it back together ) I think my other one was left tied on one of my rods... ( and I "forgot" to cut it off and give it back to the guy )

Those things are something like $6 each...
You bring them and we'll catch fish for sure.

Got it.

Maybe I'll get a sheet of that material and make some on my own. For $6 each, I can make 20 of them for the price of 3.

Look for the lake to continue to rise for a bit. This was taken Sat. afternoon. Muddy water is moving fast all down the north fork.