Reply by: nightangler      Posted: 7/16/2012 9:12:54 AM     Points: 1778    

Leeches are my go to bait for P-lo. I will typically bait fish with 1 pole and cast & retrieve randon lures with my other pole. Flicker Shads have worked well for the eyes, along with spinner baits and long stick baits. I've landed Wipers on leeches (both on the bottom and in a lindy rig) and on a dual blade spinner bait this year. Smallies have taken different plastics (creatures, lizards, tubes) worked slowly. I havent mnade it a point to target kitties yet this year but we have landed a few on leeches while hunting eyes down...

As far as locations go, I recommend picking up a topo map at Sportsman's Warehouse and looking for steep drop offs near the shoreline. There are several spots along the north shore that you can find these ranging from near the dam all the way past Turkey Creek Cove. Pick a spot and work it for a bit. If you dont have any luck, pound some shoreline and try a new spot. Persistence is the key to getting into fish.

 Reply by: cobragt203      Posted: 7/16/2012 10:55:27 AM     Points: 114    

Where do you get leeches from? the sportsmans close to me doesn't have them

 Reply by: BaalP      Posted: 7/16/2012 11:46:44 AM     Points: 27    

For targeting smallmouth I have had success in the early mornings up until around 8:00 am with crayfish imitating crankbaits and crayfish soft plastics. Also, I believe you can buy leeches at either of the marina stores at the reservoir or the Shell gas station on the way to the North entrance off of highway 50 sells them. I hope this helps.

 Reply by: nightangler      Posted: 7/16/2012 12:35:43 PM     Points: 1778    

Last time I was at the Shell (two weekends ago) they didnt have any leeches but I know the North Shore marina sells them @ $3.25 a dozen. If you are in Colorado Springs, check out XStream Bait & Tackle, they have leeches and minnows there too, plus they are good guys that have a lot of helpful knowledge.

 Reply by: JKaboom      Posted: 7/16/2012 2:54:21 PM     Points: 938    

I 2nd what nightangler said, they guys at XStream Bait and Tackle can give you some tips, bring your map and get your leeches there (I put mine in a cooler, it's important to keep them very cool).

 Reply by: nightangler      Posted: 7/16/2012 5:53:15 PM     Points: 1778    

Definetely need to keep the leeches cool. My fishing parter Dustin and I were down at P-lo alast month when it was 109 degrees outside. We didnt keep the leeches cool enough and the water they were in turned into leech stew. YUCK!!!!!!!