HuntingNet.com Forums - Carlyle Dam Big heads

Hay Gang,
Took my kid sister down to the Kaskaskia river below Carlyle Dam yesterday. Met Mike and his buddy from down there. Got on the water at 10:30. Was 170 miles from Danville, took us 3.5 hrs with two stops, gas and pottie. Water was a little stained could see down about 2 feet tops. You run up to the Dam and then go south, drifting and steering with trolling motor. They do not cruse the surface like down at Ky. Got to really watch close and be ready. We ended up with 7 nice big heads. Largest was 23# 12oz. down to 15#. Lots of gar, but they are porpoising. Just up and down, again got to be ready. Made one interesting shot. Was shooting at a small gar. Cleanly shot over it, and then my line took off. I hit a Big head that I did not see. We were on the water 8.5 hours. Left right at 7pm. Seen fish all the way up to then. Never been on a river with so many people. Both sides were lined up with pole fishermen and had 7 boats to contend with, and it was a Thursday. Cannot imagine what a weekend or holiday would be like. The river is relative narrow so had to give everyone there space. It defently is worth the trip. and 2.5 hours closer than ky. Was my first time shooting Big head in the daylight. We also had 4 pull off's and more than our share of wiff's. Was my sister's first time ever shooting anything. She has a bow, and used to shoot. Boy is she hooked. She shot a dandy Long nose gar. 13#14oz. which we are sub-mitting for the new state long nose catagory. Sorry no pictures. I took my digital and it just would not work. We bought a throw away camera when we got back to land. Had to get a few pictures. We also brought back some sun. We both look like lobsters, especially her. Was a blast.. Johnny b.