How Would You Fish This?

[ebob2435]

 OK, I started fishing some goverment leased  coal mine pits last year.    (1) The water is super clear.  (2) The pit is about one mile long and 100 yards wide. (3) The pit has weeds all around the lake,about 15 ft. out. (4) The pit has a depth of 70 feet in the middle. (5)  It has small islands cropping up along one side. (6)  It doesn't seem to have much structure in it that I have found. (7) Its has several rock cropping about a foot or 2 under the water. (8) I've never been on the lake without the wind blowing,seems to be a natural funnel. (9)  It does have a bunch of old tires in the north end,mostly in shallower water.  When you first see this lake or pit It reminds you of Bass Heaven.  I have fished this pit several times last year,day and night. You can have a fun filled day around the weeds with a floating worm. Anywhere between 1 to 3 lbers. I know for certain that there are plenty of lunkers in this lake, just can't seem to hook up with them. Any suggestions?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I'd be fishing the deep side of those islands or rock outcroppings, especially if the wind is blowing up on them.

 

Also, if it has weeds like that, I'd be willing to bet that summertime fishing with a frog would be a blast.

[ebob2435]

C

ome to think of it ,I don't think I have tried a frog in the pit.

[lmbfisherman]

Definitely would advise trying a frog over the weeds.  I'd also second trying to the island and rock crops.  Have you tried using jigs?  That may eliminate most of the dinks and look for a bigger bite.

[Bluebasser86]

I fish quite a few strip pits and they can be hard to get the big fish to bite. I catch a lot of fish on wacky rigged stick baits and suspending jerkbaits in the spring. Most of my big fish from pits come on buzzbaits or spinnerbaits from weed lines or jigs just fished along the slope of the bottom. Natural looking swimbaits like a 6" Hudd move a lot of big fish but some days they eat it better than others.

[ebob2435]

I have used jigs.  I caught my biggest on  spinnerbaits and senko's

[ebob2435]

what do you think of the huddleson? is it worth the price?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

what do you think of the huddleson? is it worth the price?

 

Absolutely.

 

I didnt know what type of setup you had, so I was staying away from the bigger stuff.

 

 

Is there anyway for you to get a float tube or kayak/small boat in there?  Getting off the banks, IMO, will greatly improve your ability to capitalize on casting angles and access different structure in the pit.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Hudds are comparatively cheap in the swimbait world.

[ebob2435]

I fish it from a boat

[Bluebasser86]

what do you think of the huddleson? is it worth the price?

Hudds are some of the cheapest swimbaits you can get compared to others, especially in the larger sizes. If  you don't feel like jumping into throwing larger baits I'd highly suggest trying the 4" weedless shad. It isn't much bigger than a deep  running crank, it has a realistic profile and movement, and it flat out catches fish. The 6" seems big if you haven't fished big baits before but I've seen plenty of 12" fish hit a 6" Hudd. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Definately a big swimbait or a C rig.

[adamgross7875]

If you can avoid the weeds by getting to a rocky point or dropoff try a lipless crankbait. they sink quickly and work great in steep gravel pits around here

[RyneB]

i fish a similar pit to you. A blue glimmer shadalicious will wreck em. I throw all 3 sizes. One of my better big fish bait is the Mattlures gill. I have found the best way to connect with the big girls is during the spawn, because you can actually find them. I have a hard time connecting with fish over 3 lbs during the summer months. It doesnt always work, but if you can find some deep scattered vegetation, throw a flutter spoon. I have had some great days fishing a flutter spoon in deep grass. Just throw it out, let it hit bottom and then rip it up about 1-3 feet and let it flutter back down. Work it all the way back to the boat. I have found that the bluegill nitro BPS spoon is the best for my lake, but i have had luck on the sexy spoon and LFT spoon. But something about the gold on one side and the bluegill pattern on the other triggers more strikes. Not to mention, i have landed 3 catfish over 7 lbs fishing the flutter spoon.