Finding Fish In Open Water

[Kowen117]

We are in an extreme drought here in Florida and the 4 miles of river i fish are now only 1-2 foot deep, so i have begun to fish the man made 400 acre lake connected to the river. I have been on the fish near shore but they are all only 14-15 inches long. Here is my problem the lake is pretty much uniformly one depth give or a take a foot here and there. So how do I find fish in this 9-10 foot deep open water? what kind of things should I look for on my electronics? thanks.

[Catt]

Structure, regardless of how minute it's still structure

[gobig]

Subtle depth changes can be huge when there is no prominate structure. A point, ditch or a hump that changes a foot or two in depth can be the ticket. If there is any cover on the lake such as weeds, trees, boat docks etc... look at where they form a point.

[200racing]

might drop your own cover in if you dont find anything.

[justin apfel]

I agree with 200racing, next winter maybe get some christmas trees after christmas and throw them in and mark them on your gps. As for right now when the drought is occurring, listen to gobig; subtle depth changes, points that extend out from the bank, or channels in the lake if there are any.

[WRB]

Hard bottom areas surrounded by weed beds. Weeds can't grow on shell beds, sand or clay this is where you to concentrate your efforts. The edges are where bass will be looking for prey.

Tom

[Sam]

Structure, regardless of how minute it's still structure

X2

Plus any drop offs and holes/humps you can find.

Structure includes stumps, rocks, pilings, sunken boats, roadbeds, cemeteries, blowdowns, and as Catt said, regardless ofhow minute it's still structure.

May I suggest trying a Carolina rig? You may be surprised at the results.

[jiggerpole]

Google earth ! You can litterally see stuff that could be of interest and then go locate it later. Ditches, channels, deep water near shallow, sometimes structure or cover and who knows what else you may see from a satilite view. Worth a shot?

[tennsopher]

I agree with WRB.I live and fish here in Florida in many lakes the same as you describe.Key points that were made was hard bottom and shell beds.You can find hard bottom on your depthfinder and then throw a carolina rig to detect the presence of shellbeds.He also stated where there was a weed edge which is a typical holding area or travel route in any body of water across the country.One more thing thats just a personal observation;when fishing offshore here in Florida is to key areas around 8 ft in depth.I know that sounds crazy ,but try it anyway.You might find them a couple of feet shallower or deeper, but start looking at eight feet.