1 Day To Pre-Fish New Water...what Are Your Suggestions?

[LApanic]

So, our club has our annual spring 2-day tournament on Lay Lake in Alabama this weekend and the prepping has already started!

 

Fishing Reports, Topo Research, new line, couple trips to the tackle store and one last question to the Bass Resource Forum community......how would you spend your 1 day of pre-fishing on new waters?

 

Me, as the co-angler, and the angler have never fished this impoundment before, but after doing online/local research, I want to figure out the best way to spend the day on the water hunting fish, graphing the lake, and proper time management.

 

I know if your not in the southeast, you probably never fished this lake, but if KVD can win a tourney there in the spring, why not us.

 

I know that the shad spawn is on right now, and that lake vegetation (hydrilla, dollar weed and more) is abundant, along with rocky bottom spots that hold spotted bass.

 

Thank Folks!

[Megastink]

I typically do better when I don't pre fish. Then I fish in the moment, which is what you need to do. However, if I were to practice, I'd read the weights if previous tournaments to see what you'll NEED to find to win. Then, just check water temp. Are they spawning? Post spawn? I'd concentrate around spawning areas. If you can't find them on beds, but you see old beds, you can bet the males are probably guarding fry shallow. Females will start biting in the deep water or on points adjacent to the spawning flats.

Look for bluegill and sunfish beds. Post spawn for bass is full spawn for bluegills, and bass will hunt bluegill nestin grounds. Great topwater time!

Good luck!

[LApanic]

spawning areas, old beds, and DEFINITELY topwater were some of my thoughts as well.  Thanks for the input

["BRB"]

How many days of practice do you have? If you multiple days I would try and break the lake down and focus on section a day. And just look for the season pattern. Which this time of year should be spawn/post spawn. I like to try and find fish closest to the ramp as i can to max my fishing during the tournament. Than just go fish and find the fish. Like Megastink said sometime I think its better not to fish because one of two things can happen one you can have a good day of practice and then your fish has moved or not bitting and you scared to make a change or you have a really bad day of practice and you have no confidence for the tournament. But for me if I didn't pre-fish the day of the tournament I would feel rush to find the fish and fish way to fast.

[LApanic]

How many days of practice do you have? If you multiple days I would try and break the lake down and focus on section a day. And just look for the season pattern. Which this time of year should be spawn/post spawn. I like to try and find fish closest to the ramp as i can to max my fishing during the tournament. Than just go fish and find the fish. Like Megastink said sometime I think its better not to fish because one of two things can happen one you can have a good day of practice and then your fish has moved or not bitting and you scared to make a change or you have a really bad day of practice and you have no confidence for the tournament. But for me if I didn't pre-fish the day of the tournament I would feel rush to find the fish and fish way to fast.

 

Due to my normal 9-5, practice time is limited to one day, but I like the way you think as far finding fish close to the ramp.  That would also be good to use as when you have one of those "I need 1 or 2 more fish and time is running out" moments, close to the scales.

 

I always hear, "Fish the moment" especially from Ike, but never looked at the pros and cons like you explained.  Being a non-boater in our club on random draw tournaments, pre-fishing never really was an option except a few times.  This past January & February tournaments were both on Lake Seminole and "pre-fished" every weekend in between. Due to weird weather conditions t was a different ballgame in February.

 

With all that said, our 2-day tournaments are partner tourneys with almost every boater pre-fishing places that have produced bass in the past.  Probably more times than not, that one day of practice doesn't fair as well since the last time you fished that area.

 

Im looking forward to this tournament for sure being able to go in with a clean palette

[Sam]

LA, you know sometimes prefishing hinders you more than if you did not prefish.

 

I have heard story after story about having sensational days prefishing and then on tournamnt day nothing! Not a nibble where the big ones were caught the day before.

 

Did catching them cause them to move to deeper water? Cause them to quit eating for a while? Cause them to swim away? Who knows?

 

So don't be too alarmed if you don't prefish for a tournament.

 

When you do prefish your goals are:

1.  Not to catch the fish but try to find where they are. Use a barbless hook or a moving bait without hooks to see where the strikes are.

2.  Note the water temperature and clarity to select the baits' colors.

3.  Find structure and cover plus anything along the shoreline that looks promising.

4.  See the docks, piers, boat houses, ramps, etc. that could hold fish. Any rods and reels on any docks?

5.  Find the coves and cuts along with creeks and marinas.

6.  Meet locals fishing the body of water and talk with them as to what baits they have been catching bass.

7.  Consider what to do if a cold front moves in or the sky goes from cloudy to clear or clear to cloudy on tournament day.

8.  Plan what baits and techniques you are going to employ and set up your rods, reels and the boat so you can find the rods and baits easily.

9.  If you have a map of the lake check out the channels and if there are any docks, etc. near deep water.

10.Any interesting points or blowdowns that could hold fish?

 

Just runnning out and throwing baits is fun but it does not meet your goals for tournament day.

 

I bet everyone one this Forum has had days that they clobber the bass and the next day nothing.

 

Study your maps and make plans as to what you want to do and call that plan "Plan A."  Make a second plan if "Plan A" fails and call it "Plan B."

The give it a whack and good luck in the tournament.

[LApanic]

Nice chunk of great info, THANKS Sam

[clintrob11]

I have fished a few tournaments at this lake recently you can expect 18-20 lbs to win. Swim jigs and topwater is where it is at there. Where are you guys launching from beeswax??

[LApanic]

Thanks to the forum for the feedback for an "Avid Novice"

I have fished a few tournaments at this lake recently you can expect 18-20 lbs to win. Swim jigs and topwater is where it is at there. Where are you guys launching from beeswax??

That is exactly what I heard from a friend last night. He said a recent tourney angler won a boat swimming a jig in the grass.  I think the grass and the topwater bite (mostly cloudy both days) will definitely be my "Plan A".  We will be launching at beeswax!  Couple questions, my friend, if you don't mind?

 

What different types of grass make up the lake? and where might the closest tackle shop to beeswax be, if you happen to know?  We're staying in Clanton about 20m from the ramp off the interstate.

[james 14]

Check the weather and follow the wind. You best bet with the shad spawn will be where the wind is blowing. If there's too much of a ripple for topwater then pull out the shallow cranks, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, flukes, etc., however, it takes a lot of "ripple" to mess up a walking bait like a spook or a chug bug. If there's not much wind check what the wind patterns have been the last few days and get close to those areas...even better if it's near a spawning flat.

[Swamp Johnny]

Sam is on point on this.

 

I have never heard a Pro say,"I always do better when I don't pre-fish". ALL Pro's Pre-fish. They just aren't exactly "fishing". People that wear out a fishing spot the day before the tourney aren't Pre-fishing correctly.

 

If I only had one day, I'd travel around the lake looking at as much structure as I could. Get a feel for the basic structure and break lines. FIND emerging weed growth, which you can also do using Google Maps!! 

 

Check water clarity and color changes! Spring usually means HIGH water and definite color changes in the mouth of feeder creeks or bays. Color changes are awesome to fish.....

 

You can look at topo, but realize, so can everybody else. Those places you notice as hot spots are probably on someone else's graph (with EXACT measurements as to where the sweet spot is).

 

When you are looking on your topo map find areas that are in the N/North West corner of bays or cuts leading to shallow flats in 2-4 FT of water- Perfect spawning grounds.  THEN, move out to the edge to see if you can find a move up ledge or point. If you can find one spawning ground or move up point you can usually find more.....

 

Like Sam mentions- USE a 1/2 - 5/8 OZ size Jig that has the hook bent to prevent hooking any fish. A heavy Jig is one of the best tools to find out bottom composition and emerging weed growth. 

 

Lastly, look around and notice where other guys might be fishing- many ignorant tournament fisherman will beat up their fish pre-fishing,"Just to make sure they are still there."  Try to see what they are using and show them something completey different. (In the past, I've come behind guys with something different and cleaned up. Make sure to TURN OFF your electronics when using this approach. It can help....)

 

Hope this extra info helps?

[J Francho]

Do not stick your bites if you prefish.  If you get a few good bites, leave them alone. Spend a good portion of your day graphing the spots you found during your map/desk research.  Check the weeds frequently by snagging them with a deep diver crank bait.  Weeds can give you good clues about what is going on, especially in areas you got bit.

[Swamp Johnny]

And like James just mentioned- fish the wind. (If you can) The wind is usually your friend- turns fish on, concentrates bait, and hides your presence. The only time the wind can play against you is if a cold front happens to come through.........

[clintrob11]

Keep in mind this weekend has 4 large tournanents so alot of anglers are going to be power fishing that same grass u want to fish dont forget to check the generation schedule when that water moves up there u can get on a good sack of spotted bass I am fishing a club tournament there as well saturday will be interesting with that many boats on the water dont be scared to drop ur trolling motor inside beeswax thats some of the best fishing that lake has

[clintrob11]

Beeswax bait and tackle is decent and across street from boat ramp

[Swamp Johnny]

 4 tourneys the same day, on the same water? Holy Moly! That changes everything!

 

Fish at the ramp or go as far away as you can possibly go! (LMAO- joking-kinda)

 

No, honestly, just stay away from the bank as much as possible and go to the WORST possible shoreline with BARREN structure and fish 20 yards from the bank.. With that many boats on the water your going to have to downsize and go split shot rig/ drop shot.Although, it depends on water clarity. I'd still fish the wind no matter what. Windy shorelines hide you (and everybody else), you might be able to scare a few up...............??????????

 

I wish you the best of luck!

[clintrob11]

I know lol I thought about flagging me off a section like tailgating

No doubt its going to be crowded but my guess is each tourney will be won before 7am on topwater

That lake is tough due to the over abundance of good cover. Everywhere there looks prime but if ur not catching 4-5lb fish ur wasting ur time there everyone can weigh 10-12lbs on that lake

Find u a good stretch of fish and stay on them u only need 5 bites dont get discouraged and want to leave what u found behind to go grab a limit of dinks they will do u absolutely no good

[clintrob11]

I know lol I thought about flagging me off a section like tailgating

No doubt its going to be crowded but my guess is each tourney will be won before 7am on topwater

That lake is tough due to the over abundance of good cover. Everywhere there looks prime but if ur not catching 4-5lb fish ur wasting ur time there everyone can weigh 10-12lbs on that lake

Find u a good stretch of fish and stay on them u only need 5 bites dont get discouraged and want to leave what u found behind to go grab a limit of dinks they will do u absolutely no good

[clintrob11]

I know lol I thought about flagging me off a section like tailgating

No doubt its going to be crowded but my guess is each tourney will be won before 7am on topwater

That lake is tough due to the over abundance of good cover. Everywhere there looks prime but if ur not catching 4-5lb fish ur wasting ur time there everyone can weigh 10-12lbs on that lake

Find u a good stretch of fish and stay on them u only need 5 bites dont get discouraged and want to leave what u found behind to go grab a limit of dinks they will do u absolutely no good

[clintrob11]

Wow sorry about triple post

[LApanic]

Keep in mind this weekend has 4 large tournanents so alot of anglers are going to be power fishing that same grass u want to fish dont forget to check the generation schedule when that water moves up there u can get on a good sack of spotted bass I am fishing a club tournament there as well saturday will be interesting with that many boats on the water dont be scared to drop ur trolling motor inside beeswax thats some of the best fishing that lake has

How did ya'll fair in your tourney?  There were two smaller tournaments (including our 18 boats) both Saturday and Sunday.  It was definitely hairy as safe daylight broke around the bend in Beeswax.  I guessed there were 60-70 boats.  My partner (boater) somehow forgot to put on his life vest and we both didn't realize it till we couldn't stop in the thick of the pack.  

 

It was all about adaptation for us, especially Sunday!  They generated a ton of water over the weekend and had to move to "plan b" Sunday.

 

We caught a few on Flukes in the first north pocket going out of beeswax.  They're were some fish caught behind the bait store's dock Sunday.

[clintrob11]

We faired ok throwing a swim jig and swimbait around what I call matted grass I guess thats hydrilla I dont really know.

Bite got slow after early morning weighed in 15.50...18# won it

Trolling motor broke at 10am kept us from fishing like we needed to

[LApanic]

Taking the good info from the good folks on the forum, we had a decent weekend for a few newbs (15#s of spots on day 1).

 

Couldn't capitalize on day 2.  I can't blame it on a couple broken rod tips and a jacked up reel, just myself for the most part for missing several good bites...had the shanks. We found the spots biting and put together a pattern fairly quick on Friday, practicing. We, for the most part, had it to ourselves a 3 days.

 

Devil Islands (I think theyre called) below the Power Plant, is by no means a secret spot but hunkered down and good bit all weekend.  With our little knowledge of the lake, we got in the current in 14-15 ft and caught spots behind the exposed timber we they were ambushing (wasn't exposed Sunday!) around the islands.  We figure 8'd the islands for the better part of 2 days and actually picked up some good size spots....a few 3s and several 2s.  We didn't want to leave fish for fish, even though we needed largemouth to get the weight up.  We found the Spook bite on practice day and Saturday, but shut off quick it seemed due to it being overcast and being out of the current.  Had to move to a Jr size and  vary the retrieve a bit to get them to commit, but they did.

 

Sunday was a different ballgame all together, and to be honest, I just scratched my head all day.  Found good grass in the back of a few creeks with shad popping, but no chasers to be found.  They were boiling in the very back bank grass, but couldn't get but a couple bites, and missed one

 

We didn't go south of beeswax at all, but most seems most of our club did, probably the narrows, but there again, can't leave fish for fish with our lack of history on lay lake.

 

We didn't get bit on the swim jig, but did on the fluke some.

 

All in All, loved the lake, had fun, learned a lot and got to go fishing!

[LApanic]

We faired ok throwing a swim jig and swimbait around what I call matted grass I guess thats hydrilla I dont really know.

Bite got slow after early morning weighed in 15.50...18# won it

Trolling motor broke at 10am kept us from fishing like we needed to

That's Hydrilla, found a few isolated mats, but not many at all.  41# including dead fish decdutions (2 days) won ours, with a couple 7's for big fish.  We had 15 after day one and finished with 17 pounds.....I mean we really struggled to get bit Sunday

 

We caught our 15#s on U-Vibes....Our weight came on the Spook Jr though

 

Did y'all launch at Beeswax?  did ya fish North or south?

[clintrob11]

Launched out of cedar creek fished there mostly made a late run up to beeswax we weighed all largemouths