That's awesome! We used to road trip to the nearby Big Brutus all the time, but never made it here. It's absolutely beautiful. You should go back some time. ;)
Lived within 20 miles and fished there 4 days a week for 6 years, til I moved out of state. Caught largemouth up to 8lbs, crappie up to 2.3lbs (21" long!), but can honestly say I was never skunked... ALWAYS bluegill and other panfish to catch.
It would be very cool to see photos of the difference. They're a unique experience, that's for sure. I grew up going out to see Big Brutus on road trips as a kid, but never knew these were right around the corner.
I didn't get a great look at some of the early panfish you caught, but many of those were indeed Bluegill. Small mouths; long, pointy pectoral fins; blue chin/orange belly. Panfish can be challenging to identify, we have 6 species of Lepomis in the state, some of them have regional variation in color/pattern, and on top of all that they do occasionally hybridize (some waters are stocked with hybrid Bluegill/Redear). That 8 incher you caught could have been a Green Sunfish or Redear but it was hard for me to tell with the lighting. I did not see any that I was convinced were Longear. Fun video, just ordered a fishing kayak and might have to spend some time down in the pits myself.
Thank you for the insight Jordan. I've been getting a little better at identifying panfish species. I need to catch some more though. I really enjoyed the time in the pits and feel as though I barely scratched the surface. Tons of water to cover and explore in a beautiful setting.
This really took me back. My dad and I drove up twice from N. Central OK to fish these pits about 25 years ago. Both times were some really terrible fishing 😂. Good memories now though. I really like the vibe of your channel man! Hit me up if you have any interest in fishing some spots in Southern KS or northern OK. I grew up in Ponca City, OK and had relatives in KS. Plenty of spots up there I always wanted to fish as a kid and just never got around to.
Hey Steve. Probably need to do a new one as I'm changing up a few things. Here's a video from last year where I was originally rigging it up: ua-cam.com/video/KIX94Jupjo4/v-deo.html Tight lines!
Yeah, they have a map on their site. Good to use alongside Google maps. Here's the link: ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Southeast/Mined-Land
Hey Rusty - Yes! Pretty much every section has a boat ramp(or more than one). Just grab a map from the parks and wildlife website and you can plan which to use. Tight lines!
Section 23 was where I was at for this one. Loved all the smaller channels. Looks to only be about 40 minutes from Pittsburg. If I were that close I'd be out there all the time. Definitely worth it. Tight lines!
Olathe resident here - just subscribed to your channel. I'm looking for some smaller bodies of water to fish, and glad I stumbled upon this video. Thanks for sharing! When you travel down to this area to fish, do you stay overnight and make it a multi-day trip? If so, do you have a recommendation for a good place to stay?
When I've head down there I have usually stayed in the cabins in the part. There are two of them. Minimal, but the cost is low and it makes getting a jump stop in the morning easy.
No, I live in the Wichita surrounding area, so sometimes fish with the Air Capital group. Up for checking out other groups, as I'm more of a casual angler than tournament guy.
My family used to camp there every Memorial Day. Always would be there for a week. Damn i miss those days!!
That's awesome! We used to road trip to the nearby Big Brutus all the time, but never made it here. It's absolutely beautiful. You should go back some time. ;)
Lived within 20 miles and fished there 4 days a week for 6 years, til I moved out of state. Caught largemouth up to 8lbs, crappie up to 2.3lbs (21" long!), but can honestly say I was never skunked... ALWAYS bluegill and other panfish to catch.
My dad and I fished these in the early 70s. There was just rocks left from the mining. Look at it now!
It would be very cool to see photos of the difference. They're a unique experience, that's for sure. I grew up going out to see Big Brutus on road trips as a kid, but never knew these were right around the corner.
I didn't get a great look at some of the early panfish you caught, but many of those were indeed Bluegill. Small mouths; long, pointy pectoral fins; blue chin/orange belly. Panfish can be challenging to identify, we have 6 species of Lepomis in the state, some of them have regional variation in color/pattern, and on top of all that they do occasionally hybridize (some waters are stocked with hybrid Bluegill/Redear). That 8 incher you caught could have been a Green Sunfish or Redear but it was hard for me to tell with the lighting. I did not see any that I was convinced were Longear. Fun video, just ordered a fishing kayak and might have to spend some time down in the pits myself.
Thank you for the insight Jordan. I've been getting a little better at identifying panfish species. I need to catch some more though.
I really enjoyed the time in the pits and feel as though I barely scratched the surface. Tons of water to cover and explore in a beautiful setting.
This really took me back. My dad and I drove up twice from N. Central OK to fish these pits about 25 years ago. Both times were some really terrible fishing 😂. Good memories now though.
I really like the vibe of your channel man! Hit me up if you have any interest in fishing some spots in Southern KS or northern OK. I grew up in Ponca City, OK and had relatives in KS. Plenty of spots up there I always wanted to fish as a kid and just never got around to.
How about doing a video on your boat setup
I live in wichita and plan on fishing the pits this spring
Hey Steve. Probably need to do a new one as I'm changing up a few things. Here's a video from last year where I was originally rigging it up: ua-cam.com/video/KIX94Jupjo4/v-deo.html Tight lines!
Yeah, I had heard mines are great places for stocking with trout, that could be a fun video
Yeah, the trout pond has trout all year round due to its depth (68 foot was the deep spot I found)
@@TheSpeedofTim nice, so you did get a chance to try it.. is there a video?
I regularly fish around the west mineral area and im just trying to figure out what best works out there for bass
I want to go to #30 and get some trout. I just renewed my license today. 🐟
have a blast! I was amazed at how clear and deep that out was. should be a blast. tight lines!
THAT was really Relaxing.. And interesting.. Is there an overview map of the area?
Yeah, they have a map on their site. Good to use alongside Google maps. Here's the link: ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Southeast/Mined-Land
@@TheSpeedofTim Groovy, I'll give it a look
Do they have boat ramps for a small jon boat?
Hey Rusty - Yes! Pretty much every section has a boat ramp(or more than one). Just grab a map from the parks and wildlife website and you can plan which to use. Tight lines!
Yes on some of them
Hey man I live in Parsons Kansas what is your favorite unit for bass fishing and if u have one do u think u could give directions
Which set of pits was this, and how close to the Pittsburg/Frontenac area? I know we have something like three to five different areas here.
Section 23 was where I was at for this one. Loved all the smaller channels. Looks to only be about 40 minutes from Pittsburg. If I were that close I'd be out there all the time. Definitely worth it. Tight lines!
Olathe resident here - just subscribed to your channel. I'm looking for some smaller bodies of water to fish, and glad I stumbled upon this video. Thanks for sharing! When you travel down to this area to fish, do you stay overnight and make it a multi-day trip? If so, do you have a recommendation for a good place to stay?
When I've head down there I have usually stayed in the cabins in the part. There are two of them. Minimal, but the cost is low and it makes getting a jump stop in the morning easy.
Are you part of the seka group ?
No, I live in the Wichita surrounding area, so sometimes fish with the Air Capital group. Up for checking out other groups, as I'm more of a casual angler than tournament guy.