Catch Bass After Grass Carp Have Been Introduced

[TrackerJeff]

I fish a small lake in Louisiana where it used to be easy to catch bass with many of them in the 4-6 pound range. Three years ago grass carp were put in the lake to control hydrilla. In a few months they ate everything. Now there is no grass. We're starting the third year with no grass. Fish shocking has shown that there are still plenty of bass and many large ones. The problem is that they are so hard to catch. Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge on any patterns that might work to catch these bass. This lake has plenty of deep water and many shallow coves. There is not much cover on the lake besides some stick-ups out from the bank and a few larger stumps. This lake also has textbook type points that jet out into the main lake. Carolina rigs and crankbaits used to be the normal way to catch all you wanted. Now you don't feel any grass on the points while dragging something along the bottom. This situation has been very frustrating to figure out. Other than the several weeks in the Spring when the bass move up, they are very hard to catch. I was hoping someone out there has been in this type of situation where grass carp have eaten all the grass but you might know of a technique to try. I appreciate any and all comments.

[jhoffman]

My home lake has zero grass, as in none. There are carp in it. I do well on all techniques though so I cant help you much there. There are too many variables. Line size, hook size, bait size, color choice, pressure, how you fish...

[lmoore]

Fish combination areas of structure (points, ledges, etc) and other forms of cover (laydowns, chunk rock banks, the stick ups and stumps etc). Has the water clarity changed with the loss of vegetation? What is "small lake?" If you're talking a pond-sized body of water, it's possible fishing pressure has conditioned a lot of the fish, making them harder to catch. Is there deep structure in the lake, such as humps or deep brush? Perhaps some deep vegetation?

[TrackerJeff]

lmoore: It's right at 700 acres. Definite water clarity change from very clear to slightly stained. There is some deep structure that crappie fishermen have sunk. The main lake points and the banks get a fair amount of pressure. Once the summer heat kicks in there aren't too many fishermen. I just wonder if the bass spend most of the year out suspended over the 25ft depths chasing shad. Not many laydowns in the lake, one chunck rock bank at the dam. Also has small stickups about 20 ft out from the bank in most areas of the lake. These might be in 2ft of water or 10 ft.

[jhoffman]

contact your states fish commission about doing a project. some states will match any money you can raise. if its a park they might already have the funding. it takes man power to build fishable structure and the state looks to bass clubs and volunteers to get it done.

[Koofy Smacker]

 Grass carp have been introduced here and fishing in the summer (when you can figure it out) can be on fire. Most of my fishing is DEEP. 20 ft plus. Lighter weight carolina rigs (1/2 oz weights and under) with lizards, drop shot on a light weight and deep cranks all produce very well up here. Most of the time its on hard cover (trees, weedlines(even though you dont have any), old road beds, humps in the middle of the lake), and main points and secondary points are all the best spots I have found year after year

[Teal]

Ha. The grass carp havent put a dent in our stuff...thank goodness.

[BassinB]

sink a few christmas trees with cinderblocks and mark them on your gps.  come back in 3 days and lay into them. With that little cover in the lake, the smallest bit will be a fish magnet.

[Paul Roberts]

Look for next closest breaks. Could be really subtle. It seems bass just HAVE to relate to something. Could be the simple change from silt to gravel. My guess is a lot of fish are stacked up on some subtle things out there. Read up on "dispan lakes" for tactics on reading subtle "structure". The exact structure matters less than knowing bass need it and your being able to find it. And get to know and watch for bait activity, now more exposed. There will be ecological changes associated too. Call your DNR and get the lowdown. Most are happy to respond.

 

Also, there was an article in IF a few years back on bass response to major vegetation loss. As I remember the author was the biologist in charge. Can't beat that. He explained some tournament results too, in which a Japanese finesse expert (forget his name too -I'm rusty) who read things and cleaned up. He fished jigworms on light tackle and plucked fish from nearby wood cover I believe.

[lmoore]

It depends on the time of year, but I'd take some time and fish the wood. Stick-ups and laydowns, especially those near points and other structure. If I couldn't find them there, I'd start up the big motor and troll over deeper water looking for breaks, remaining grass lines, or brush/trees. Once I found those, I'd fish a deep crank or a T-rigged worm over and around. If you happen to see suspended baitfish on your graph, take a minute and test your theory of suspending bass.

[The Rooster]

I have a lake where grass carp were introduced years ago and every scrap of grass, lily pads, and vegetation anywhere was annihilated. Water is ultra clear, like new glass, and even 20' depth bottoms are visible like shallow water. In this lake, bass are caught on jigs fishing in lay downs or near stumps or sunken Christmas trees. A few years ago they got the grass carp out and now the grass is returning. I hope the lily pads will too. It might make catching a bass easier. As of now, they're notoriously hard to catch, except on jigs. Last year though, 3 bass where caught on 3 consecutive days that weighed 9, 10, and 11 pounds. My brother in law was present to see one caught, it came on a large swim bait. I think it was the 10 pounder. This lake has huge bass in it. But they won't bite normally. Best I've ever done was about a pound per fish. There are also trout in this lake so it's no wonder they're so big.

[Bankbeater]

Same thing happened to a lake here.  20+ years ago the thing was full of grass, and people caught some really nice bass.  Since the carp have been added there is not one weedbed in that lake, and you really have to work to catch a nice bass. Also, the lake is shallow so the carp stir up the mud with their jumping.  The only good thing is that the lake is full of wood.

 

Best thing I have found is to use a fish finder and locate every piece of cover, and fish it from every angle.