Help Me Locate Fish Pls

[ZhouNi]

like the topic say   i am having trouble locating fish on this man made lake that i am fishing out of.. i went fishing  this past week, cant find any fish on the graph .   the water temp is between 49 -51   depend on what part of the lake i am fishing at. i have try fishing shallow and deep but no bites.   the lure that i am using:  spinner bait,  lipless,  crankbaits, T-rig   JIG

 

this is a link to the map of the lake that i am fishing out of.. where should i be fishing at  

 

 

http://cctarl.com/lake_map.htm

[Hittmann]

From everything I've read on here it leads me to believe the fish are probably in pre-spawn due to water temp. The map of the lake shows ALOT of points to cover. Not sure what speed you fish at but what works best for me is slowing down and really covering a area. I would try throwing some lizards, and stick with the lipless and lipped cranks. 

[ZhouNi]

From everything I've read on here it leads me to believe the fish are probably in pre-spawn due to water temp. The map of the lake shows ALOT of points to cover. Not sure what speed you fish at but what works best for me is slowing down and really covering a area. I would try throwing some lizards, and stick with the lipless and lipped cranks. 

i usually just fish one or two coves each time i go fishin but the problem for me is where to find the fish, should i fish shallow   or deep?

 

[mjseverson24]

I would start up by the dam, usually you can always find fish near them, otherwise i would look at the farthest north cove or bay or creek arm up by the dam, the water should be warmest, so the fish should be more active, but it is only a 1000 acre lake so just break it up into sections and have fun. as far as fishing deep or shallow, i would do both, let the fish tell you where to fish. its is still pretty cold water, so slow presentations will most likely produce best for you, that being said a jerkbait, and lipless crank may also be good options... good luck 

 

Mitch

[Hittmann]

Depending on the depth of the lake i would find a medium and try that shallow never hurts I've found some bass hanging shallow on days with water temp in low 40's.Also read up on the spring articles that are on this site the can probably help allot more than I can. I'm sure people with more knowledge than me will chime in here soon to help out as well. Try throwing suspending jerkbaits  with varying pauses just to see what the fish are doing.

[RoLo]

The map you provided displays no contour lines.

A map without depth lines is like a dinner plate without food.

The first step to fishing any new lake is to procure a hydrographic map or GPS bathymetry

 

 

Roger

[ZhouNi]

The map you provided displays no contour lines.

A map without depth lines is like a dinner plate without food.

The first step to fishing any new lake is to procure a hydrographic map or GPS bathymetry

 

 

Roger

this is a new lake that is just opened last year  there is not much info about the lake i can really find 

i even look on the navionic web site to see if i can find anything. but they dont even have the lake on there yet.

[RoLo]

this is a new lake that is just opened last year  there is not much info about the lake i can really find 

i even look on the navionic web site to see if i can find anything. but they dont even have the lake on there yet.

 

If the lake has recently been impounded, you'll need to find the topographical maps for that area.

The United States Geological Survey has plotted nearly every square yard of the United States.  

If you obtain their master map you can get the numbers of the quadrangulars you need. 

Unfortunately, what anglers refer to as "topo maps" (topographical maps) are actually "hydro maps" (hydrographic maps).

A "Topo Map" is a survey of raw land before any manmade reservoirs, so a true topo map only displays Elevation (no water depths).

When a reservoir is new, the quickest way to acquire the depth lines is to acquire the necessary topo maps of the area,

then convert the elevation lines to depth lines. All you need to know is the elevation that represents the shoreline.

 

Roger

[gulfcaptain]

Also didn't mention the water color. Is it clear, stained, or muddy?  And like the others, without any contour lines it would be hard to pick a spot.  Also, is there brush, logs, stumps...etc.  Need to find the cover.  I would locate some deeper structure...drop offs, rocks, humps..etc off of a primary point which has some cover close by. If you have an area where the fish can move vertical from deeper water to shallow cover without going very far that may be a good place to fish and I'd probably fish a jig around the cover.  Look for wood close to deep water and fish slow. If you think you are fishing slow, then fish slower.

[ZhouNi]

The water are really clear , I have

Also didn't mention the water color. Is it clear, stained, or muddy?  And like the others, without any contour lines it would be hard to pick a spot.  Also, is there brush, logs, stumps...etc.  Need to find the cover.  I would locate some deeper structure...drop offs, rocks, humps..etc off of a primary point which has some cover close by. If you have an area where the fish can move vertical from deeper water to shallow cover without going very far that may be a good place to fish and I'd probably fish a jig around the cover.  Look for wood close to deep water and fish slow. If you think you are fishing slow, then fish slower.

I would say the water is really clear. I had try to fish where the old road use to be, I do see a few suspend fish that are about 9-12 feet deep. I was throwing a chartreuse spinner bait with chartreuse color blade, a craw color lipless and a rage craw on a t-rig

[gulfcaptain]

clear water, try a dropshot. fish a 4-6" worm either wacky or nose hooked.  I like Keitech's Swing Impact or Live Impact in the 3.5 or 4".  Or try a wacky rigged senko weightless and let it drop slowly or a nail weight in one end if you need it to sink a bit faster.

[gulfcaptain]

Also, clear water you may want to try colors like green pumpkin, watermelon,....etc. Subtle colors seem to work best in clear waters. 

[Fishes in trees]

Take the map you got and start making notes on it.  What is the depth, where? Points of interest, stuff like that.  The lake opened recently?  When was it stocked?  

What are the length limits?  There might not be a large supply of fish yet.  I don't know, just wondering.

 

Go back to the basics - Buck Perry - "The fish are deep. or shallow.  or somewhere in-between."  Research the In-fisherman magazine seasonal patterns.  Where should the fish be, given the seasonal pattern?

 

All that being said and done, this time of year, I start out fishing points.  Jerkbaits (maybe downsize to a 78 size pointer) & jigs, ( I'd probably throw a jika rig instead of a jig, but that's just me.)  I'd choose points where the wind was blowing into them.  I'd fish the active water first.  If there was calmer water on the other side of the point, I'd fish it before I left the area.

 

Option B might be to find an exposed weed flat.  One that last year had grass in 3 to 5 feet of water, that still has wisps of grass here and there in it.  With the wind at my back, I'd spend some time throwing a rattle bait.  Specific brand doesn't matter much.  Lots of guys like the Strike King Red Eye Shad.  Me, I prefer an older Berkley Frenzy rattle bait.   Make long casts and cover the water.

 

What is the water color?  Me, I don't just guess at water clarity, I carry a secchi disc and measure it.  Over time it helps me in knowing what colors worked in exactly what water clarity.  If you need a new boat toy, I would strongly recommend buying or making a secchi disc.   ( they ain't that tough to make)

 

If jigs or Pointers didn't work on the points, maybe a shaky head will.  I don't know - it is early spring.  Often the fish will still be somewhat grouped up and if you find one you will find many.

 

I don't think that you need to be in a hurry and get on the water first thing in the morning - the better bite, for me in the early spring is more often than not in the afternoon.  If all else fails, pop a top and be happy that you're fishing on a spring day.

[NathanW]

With those water temps I wouldn't dare leave that lake be for any longer than a week or two. The shallow bank bite could turn on any-day now. If there are fish in the lake you will start catching em.

[ZhouNi]

With those water temps I wouldn't dare leave that lake be for any longer than a week or two. The shallow bank bite could turn on any-day now. If there are fish in the lake you will start catching em.

I know for sure there are fish inthe lake because I caught the heck out of them lasr summer. This is my first winter-spring fishing. I had never fishy cold water like this before. But the weather is saying we going to have 68-70 day with shower and storm so hopefully water the warm rain the water temp is going to warm up and making the fish bite

[ClackerBuzz]

bottom bounce a 3/4oz jig FAST to cover lots of water.  you'll feel lots of muddy sediment bottom areas. work them fast but SLOW down once you feel rock. soak ur jig in rocky areas. better yet get a backlash and pick it out.  after ur done fixing ur backlash and finally make contact with ur jig you'll probably get bite.

 

that water is cold so don't work ur reaction lures (spinnerbaits, traps, cranks) in the middle/top of water column. make sure you are keeping constant bottom contact with them. a reaction bite is just that...you need to slam into something to get a reaction out of them.  most guys just burn a spinnerbait mid water column when they should be slow rolling them on the bottom. esp in cold water temps

 

 

if a semi fast jerkbait retrieve isn't working you need to slow wayyyy down to give them time to rise for it.

 

painfully slow cold water jerkbait retrieve (or jig retrieve, or X retrieve):

[WRB]

As I recall this small lake has been discussed before on this site.

I pointed out where the bass should spawn when the water temps are between 62-67 degrees. Your bass are in late winter cold water period and as the water column warms they will move out of the deeper water towards to shallower end, my guess is around the end of April or early May.

Until then use jerk baits and lipless cranks, jig& craw, split shot rigs.

Work the perimeter of the lake by fan casting a few different lures until you find what is working, it's called fishing for a reason....trail and error is a good teacher.

Tom

[ZhouNi]

As I recall this small lake has been discussed before on this site.

I pointed out where the bass should spawn when the water temps are between 62-67 degrees. Your bass are in late winter cold water period and as the water column warms they will move out of the deeper water towards to shallower end, my guess is around the end of April or early May.

Until then use jerk baits and lipless cranks, jig& craw, split shot rigs.

Work the perimeter of the lake by fan casting a few different lures until you find what is working, it's called fishing for a reason....trail and error is a good teacher.

Tom

this lake is not even a year old, they been stocking the fish for 2 years before they would finally open it up for the public,  it is located just out side of Huntingdon TN.  i dont no if anyone have post anything about this lake here before. But there is a lot of ppl come from 100+mile away to fish at this lake.so , if some one may actually had mention the lake on here.

[Choporoz]

I keep opening this thread just because I love the title.  

 

 

 

 

I'm getting in the line of those that want help too!  lol

[J Francho]

It's a new lake? How long has there been fish in it?

[Big Fish Rice]

Holy smokes, I love looking at new bodies of water. If the lake is relatively new, you need to focus on structure. Not so much cover at this point (because many new lakes lack available weed growth), but locations that have rocks and ditches.

Here's how I would approach it. It's not the only way, but these are patterns I've used on my lakes and reservoirs. I'm looking at the lake on Google, along with your survey image for cross reference.

1. Prespawn mode means deeper breaks will often hold larger numbers of fish. You'll always have fish up shallow, but this time of year, I've found they come in and out quickly. If you haven't got bit up shallow, it may just be a timing issue. Wait until early afternoon to hit water in the 1-3' range. Say 2pm or 3pm.

2. There are several areas from your survey image that reveal "hot spots". Rocks, rocks, rocks. Regardless of species (smallmouth or largemouth) they're going to be targeting crayfish. Yes, you'll find them in the mud and all that, but rocks will always attract the smaller prey.

3. Look at the cluster of GPS points #2, #4, #5 up by the dam. They are outside of potential spawning coves and depending on the depth/temperature, this area would be one of my first stops. Jigs, red crankbaits and a dropshot would be on my deck.

4. All of the main points that reach out into the main body of water could hold fish this time of year. I would hit every single one if I had enough time. Don't spend much time on the points. If they're biting, a crankbait should cover the active fish. Mix up the speed of the bait - if you need help, there's no better teacher than Kevin VanDam on this topic. Youtube is great!

5.GPS point #9 is in the middle of War Eagle Cove. But guess what else will be there? A roadbed. Look at how the roads used to build the body of water would travel. Hotspot! If you find nothing on the roadbed, I would potentially search shallower into that particular cove.It's one of the largest and without knowing about weed growth, take this only as a suggestion.

6. Lastly, electronics are so valuable on new bodies of water. If you're like me, you need to increase your odds because I fish out of a small aluminum without side imaging. This type of thinking will help you get there, but nothing beats time on the water. Continue looking for these opportunities on the rest of the lake.

Hope this helps a bit!

[WRB]

The primary secondary point between Mustang and rocket coves is where some bass will stag when the water temps are between 55-60, then move into the shallow areas of both coves to spawn.

The major point area between war eagle cove and wildcat coves should be good now and after the spawn depending on the wind direction.

I would learn these two areas first.

Tom

[ZhouNi]

It's a new lake? How long has there been fish in it?

Lake is 1year old, but the fish was stock back in 2011

[gulfcaptain]

ZhouNi, you say you caught them last year.  Okay, look at the area where you caught them, were they shallow, are there any creek channels, deep water access close by?  Were they school fish chasing bait or fish on cover? If they were on cover I would bet they just slid out to deeper water. And if the water is warming, the baitfish you're looking for may be up in the shallows and not in deeper water.  But to keep it simple, go back and look hard at the areas where you caught them and focus on the deeper structure and cover in those areas.

[WRB]

Lake is 1year old, but the fish was stock back in 2011

Was there any ponds in the area before the dam was constructed that had bass populations?

Otherwise most states stock fingerlings, no brood stuck because the adults tend to eat the fingerlings.

If they stocked 6" bass, then there maybe some brood stock.

3 to 3 1/2 year old bass would be about 2 lbs to 2 1/2 lbs, you may want to down size your lure selection to 5" to 6" worms, 1/2 oz lipless crankbaits to start with.

Tom