Tough Bass, Need Some Help.

[Parache]

Hello guys, this is my first time posting on this forum, as the tittle says tough bass, I am from Dominican Republic and went to North Carolina on last summer and a buddy introduced me on bass & trout fishing I caught several bass and some trout over there, but since I got here I have been trying to catch some bass because I am not sure if we really have trout here, some people have told me that they have been introduce on high mountains but iam not sure but anyways let's go to the point, so here is my problem I have basically tried most of basic lures for bass but with no success at all, haven't catch even one, and I have been on different reservoirs that I am sure there is fish because some friends use spearguns and kill a lot of bass (Largemouth bass) I went with the guys today and had no success the water lake was very clear, today I was trying to catch something from the bank, on other days have tried on boat but nothing neither, I know you guys have a lot of experience on this and I thought maybe you could help me out, any advice will be appreciated.

Forget to mention the water temp today was about 40.

Regards!

Adrian.

[Darren.]

Hi Adrian, and welcome to the forums. Maybe a little more insight on tactics you used (lures, etc) would help us help you more. Winter fishing can be a tough time for a lot of bass fishermen, so it isn't unheard of to get skunked this time of year.

[Parache]

Hi darren, today i tríed first a rebel floating minnow on silver pattern because the water was very clear tried to fish it slow, culprit 7" plastic worm Texas rigged on electric blue, doblue willow boyaah spinnerbait (chartreuse) with silver blades, Rapala minnow rap on several patterns, hair jigs, black, chartreuse, white/red, I know it's weird but I saw a bass that lightly jumped and I thrown a Zara spook jr (baby bass) I know it's not a winter lure but wanted to try, that is all what I tried today buddy.

[Parache]

I took some pictures of the lake today, I don't know how to post them from my cellphone, when I get home I will try to post them from pc.

[ClackerBuzz]

try this with ur 7" worm or soft plastic of ur choice:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/

[Parache]

Here are some pictures of the lake, there is one in the shore in order you can appreciate the water clarity.

[Parache]

Thanks ClackerBuzz will try that one the next time.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Get yourself some Rattle Traps. Cover as much water as you trying different depths and retrieves (slow,fast) etc. Spinnerbaits the same way.

 

Good luck and welcome to the forum. 

[Parache]

Ok thank you OA, will Rapala clackin raps work?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Sure they'll work. 

[ClackerBuzz]

don't feel bad if you don't kill'm in DR like you did in NC.  i have friends from PR, DR and south america. 'heavy pressure' has a much harsher meaning for you.  heavy pressure here usually means lots of tournaments, anglers, boat traffic etc but in the end the fish are released.  heavy pressure in other countries means good eating   .

its one thing to be caught and released in NC only to become a big, old, smart bass that is more difficult to catch.  in ur next of the woods they become dinner.  if a lot of guys eat their fish on ur water you may want to try smaller lures, lighter line, bottom contact baits w/ light weights. big, fast moving/vibrating/bladed bait might just scare them. no matter what, they will be more aggressive during the spawn. and you likely have the benefit of two spawns per year!

x2s drop shot (start light@ 1/16oz).  slow drag 5" worms; and 1/4oz jig.

Edited February 25, 2013 by ClackerBuzz

[Bair]

I'd find some decent jerkbaits and then also learn how to dropshot. Those two have saved the day more then once for me.

[Parache]

Thank you for the advice ClackerB, unfortunately I have not seen anybody here releasing fish after catching, they can catch a 10" bass an they won't let him go , that is the hard true.

Appreciate it G Blair thanks!

[Parache]

Sorry G Blair, would you tell me what jerkbaits do you use?

[ClackerBuzz]

Thank you for the advice ClackerB, unfortunately I have not seen anybody here releasing fish after catching, they can catch a 10" bass an they won't let him go , that is the hard true.

 

you are up against a whole other beast.  i'm guessing most guys on ur water are using live bait.  find out what everyone is using. do you have a throw net? catch some of ur local forage

[WRB]

Catching bass isn't about finding the panacea lure, it's about find where the bass are located.

You say the surface water temp is 40 F, that is cold for DR this time of year, should be warmer!

Talk to the spear fisherman and ask them where they see the most bass, what areas in the lake and what depth.

Next task is determine what the bass are eating, the prey they prefer.

Whenever I start to determine where bass should be is first determine what seasonal period the bass are in;

Winter, pre-spawn, spawn, post spawn, summer and fall. 40 degree surface water would inducte winter period and that surprises me that far south, but it is what it is.

Winter means the bass are deep, so fish the deeper ares near the dam, the long points with deep water around them. Use deep diving crankbaits in the afternoon and jigs and drop shot worms from a boat or c-rigged worms from shore. Size and colors depend on wht bait the lake has.

Tom

[Parache]

ClackerB I have seen fisherman that go all around the dam using some kind of tube to float and all they always throw are Texas rigged zoom u tale worms on dark patterns like junebug,black etc, I guess the bass likely bite them because generally the water clarity on the lake is stain, now is clear because it has been a while without raining a lot, the say that they often catch something, also have seen people using crayfish that they catch on the dam, but I don't know if they catch something on that, and I think the bass are feeding primarily on some kind of small fish and crayfish, yesterday I saw one of the bass that the spear guys caught and it had like some kind of minnows on its mouth.

[jhoffman]

Id try something they have likely never seen like a big swimbait

 

Try going at night also

[Parache]

Hi WRB that is also what I thought about the water temp it should be warmer, maybe the thermometer I used wasn't fine.

So I guess the seasonal period now would be spawn or post spawn?

[Parache]

Thank You jhoffman I will consider your suggestion.

Some guys have told me they catch something at night.

[bassguytom]

I'd find some decent jerkbaits and then also learn how to dropshot. Those two have saved the day more then once for me.

The jerkbait should work well with the water temp. you are fishing. Fish it slow and slight twitches will bring the fish. Good luck.

[Parache]

Hi Bassguytom that was exactly what I first tried yesterday with the jerkbaits but they were floating not suspending and I have been told that jerkbaits that suspends or sink slowly are crucial for this situations I will have to get some decent ones.

What suspending jerkbaits do you recommend me?

[Parache]

Guys I have notice that the thermometer I used yesterday was broken, water could not be that could, the weather yesterday was at 86F so it just does not make sense that the water is 40F I did a test and now I am completely sure that it is not working properly, I am sorry guys I miss that.

[ClackerBuzz]

i wouldn't bass fish there if i didn't have too. the bass population can't be great if guys are keeping/eating 10" dinks. what is considered a 'big bass' by ur spear friends? ur climate can easily support 12lb+ bass. but if there is no conservation a 3lb can be a monster.

what other species are in there? and considered 'big'?

are you close to the beach? you probably have some great surf fishing.  and a kayak can open a whole new world to salt water fishing.  with that much pressure ur land locked lake will struggle with re-population vs. ur salt water.

[Parache]

I asked one of the guys and he told me the biggest bass he got was a 9 pounder and some 5 pounders but I think they consider anything up to 3/4 pound like good enough to eat, but the thing is that they will shot almost every bass that they see in the water, about other species i don't know wide info about species besides bass, I know there are two kind of carps neither of them are common carp, one of them is the silver carp but don't know the specific name of the other one they are like clear yellow, there is also tilapia I don't know if you know it but is similar to bluegill, catfish but I don't think there is a bunch of them rarely seen somebody catching one, and some native species.

About surf fishing yes buddy there is great surf fishing but expensive, the nearest beach from where I live is around 60km away from where I live which is not too far but like I said all the stuff for saltwater here is very expensive.