New To Lake Fishing

[lsimmons34042]

I recently got a bass boat and have attempted to venture off from farm ponds. I got a Hummingbird 898si fish finder

and I am wondering if you guys only fish the deep structure and cover where you can easily see the fish or 

throw out on most structure or cover you find regardless. I fish Lake Eufuala and it is usually a struggle to put

2 or 3 in the boat. Its frustrating because I have fished all my life with success in ponds for bass and bays for trout and reds but i cant

seem to figure out how to find bass on a lake. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[gr8outdoorz]

Look up and study the seasonal patterns of bass. That will give you a huge head start on finding them. Once you know what parts of the lake & depths they "should" be it will be much easier finding them, especially with SI.

Good luck!

Carlton

[lsimmons34042]

I've read on patterns and have a decent understanding of them

but I just ride around in places they "should be" and can't find em.

so I end up beating the banks for a while.

[Texas bassman]

where theres grass theres bass. also look for baitfish and pieces of isolated cover

[Sam]

Study maps of the lake.

 

Look for channels, main lake points, secondary points, submerged structure and anything else you can find on the map.

 

Take a day and scout the lake. Look for piers, boat docks, wood, grass, rip rap, bluffs, stump fields, submerged tires, coves, marinas, boat ramps, bushes, trees, drop offs, humps, roadbeds, submerged bridges, bridges and anything else you can find. Mark it all on your map.

 

Try to find one or two different lake maps and study them, too. Compare each map to each other for differences.

 

Make a log of each fishing venture and retain it. You can use the fishing log as presented in the "Tools" bar at the top of this page. Study your logs each month for patterns.

 

Ask for assistance from local tackle shops and attend local seminars by local pros and guides. If you can join a Lake Eufuala bass club you can fish as a nonboater and learn a lot from the other club members.

 

And go to the Forum section for Alabama and ask your questions on that part of the Forum for specific replies.

 

Good luck and remember to wear your purple and gold and to yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set the hook!!!

[Crestliner2008]

You first need to get familiar with lake types and structures on those lakes. Then you must learn how the bass relates to those structures during various periods of the years. Get yourself a copy of the book entitled, "Spoonplugging" by Elwood "Buck" Perry. This will teach you the basics of structure fishing. There are some dandy articles at the top of this site as well. Read, learn, read some more. Time spend on the water is paramount to success.  Keep a record of what, when, where you catch fish and you'll be well on your way.

[Surveyor]

I was in the same boat as you on the same Lake. Always been a pond fisherman.

Beat the banks across from the landing at Rood Creek. Heck all of rood creek. Laydowns and irrigation pump.

 

1 mile south of Rood creek in main lake is a big  patch of BIG lily pads on West side of Lake. Fish them and the hydrilla between them and the river channel. Especially fish a crank or spinnerbait on edge of the hydrilla nearest the channel. 

 

Hit the riprap at the entrance to Florence Marina, and the creek on other side of lake.

 

Good luck

 

Oh BTW its Lake "George"

[lsimmons34042]

Yea lake George. Everyone around here calls it eufuala and its just habit.

thanks for the tip any advice is greatly appreciated as always. Keep em coming haha