Just moved to the area in Nov from the East Coast and this was my first day out. I've only fished in the east and south in my life, so these waters intimidate me a little. Never caught/fished for trout, salmon, walleye, etc; bass, crappie, bream, etc have been my fish. In other words...didn't have a clue what to do. :)

Took my 11-year old son and his friend to Liberty. Water temp was 41 on north end and up to 46 in shallows at southeast corner. Didn't get a hit all day. I fished for smallmouth and the kids tried for anything with small spinners, panfish jigs, dough bait on bobber and on bottom, and corn on bottom. I used spinnerbaits, drop shoted small plastics, Senko, and bass jig with plastic frog trailer. No luck. Only saw one fish go into another boat and I think that was a trout. Nice day to be on the water though. Enjoyed it after working out the boat kinks...my boat has never seen a winter like it had here. I'll go back when the water warms.

sparkybull

4/4/2008 9:12:00 AM

Try trolling some rapalas. Theres some big browns that'll go crazy. They fight for a min, then give up fairly fast. Good eating though

VAFishinWA

4/4/2008 12:35:00 PM

Thanks Sparkybull. I need all the help I can get. Any certain depth better at this time of year? Most of the bigger fish I saw on my graph were deep. Thanks again for the tip.

BASSMAN1

4/4/2008 12:45:00 PM

I FISHED LIBERTY FOR THE FIRST TIME ONE THE FIRST AND SECOND..
IM FROM CALIFORNIA SO IM USED TO BASS AND WARMWATER FISH ALSO 10 MORE DEGREES THE BASS SHOULD BE ACTIVE
BUT IF YOU WANT TROUT FROM LIBERTY STAY ABOUT 20 YARDS FROM SHORE TROLLING A HUSKY JERK RAPALA AND YOU SHOULD DO FINE..
IF YOU WANT EARLY BASS ACTION YOU SHOULD HEAD TO LONG LAKE.

VAFishinWA

4/4/2008 1:21:00 PM

Thanks BassMan. I am itching to get out. Being south my entire life, I've never gone this long without bass fishing.

I drove out to out to Long about 3 weeks ago and saw the WDFW ramp had the gate closed. Where is a good place to launch right now? Appreciate the help.

eustace

4/4/2008 4:33:00 PM

BASSMAN1

4/4/2008 8:24:00 PM

if the water is high enough you can drive past spokane house and there is a local boat launch
but you might want to check the depth status before you make the run out there.
but no problem..

Honkster

4/5/2008 1:06:00 PM

May want to head to Down's Lake ASAP if you want some early bassin. The lily pads are still under water and guys are catching nice largemouths hand over fist with slow presentation jigs, grubs, worms etc..... You can read some recent reports on this site. Downs is located in Lincoln County. As a heads up, Downs will be tougher to fish as summer approaches because the pads come up everywhere, and i mean everywhere. Launch is big enough for most any boat, excluding yachts. Probably a 1 hour drive from Spokane Valley. Fish On!

VAFishinWA

4/6/2008 1:27:00 AM

Thanks Honkster! I actually drove out to Downs this evening to check it out. I spoke with the owners of the Resort...nice folks. I might be able to slip over tomorrow. The drive is about 40 minutes for me. Thanks a lot for the tip. Really appreciate the help. Good fishing.

Honkster

4/6/2008 4:39:00 PM

No problem. Sorry for stating the wrong County. Downs is actually in Spokane County. Looks like you found it anyways. Fish On!

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