Hello From Warner Robins Ga

[ConcreteJungle]

Hello all

 

I have had my Bayliner 184 s/f for several years and have just started using this boat for fishing. After reading all the post, I have decided to focus my attention on Lake Tobosofkee in Macon. While I have occasionally caught, at the most, 1 bass on a given day using a crank bait, I have lost several other bass, which I understand is part of it. The other day, around 7 pm, I decided to try night fishing. I broke out all the lures including my spinner baits and buzz baits, which I never seem to catch any fish with theses lures, I did not catch 1 single fish or get a single bite after over 6 hours on the lake. I'm beginning to wonder about my technique. I have read articles on Bass Resource, You Tube, Bass Pro Shop, Bass Masters and even purchased books about the habits and forage of bass. Of all the lures that I purchased, where can I find information on how to rig those lures. I purchased a 3.5" yum money minnow the other day for $8.99 and when I rig the minnow and throwed it in my pool, it swimmed on it's side and in circles. Are there any tips on what I need to do to hone the skills that I do have. 

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

 

Spend some time in "Fishing Articles" at the top of the page.

 

Here are a few articles to get you started:

 

"Just Getting Started"
Guaranteed To Catch Bass
I just cant catch bass
Learning to fish on your own

 

[Darren.]

Welcome to the forums!

[Raul]

Welcome ! your location imediately caught my eye, there used to be a member in many forums by the nick "Lightninrod" named Dan, a true southern gentleman and an avid fisherman, he was from Warner Robins, maybe you´ll meet him sometime, if you do tell him Raul said Hi !

[ConcreteJungle]

Those were some great reads Roadwarrior.

I too feel like I am teaching myself. I will work on fishing one lure for 15 minutes and then go to another lure different color for the other 15 minutes. The other night, I covered so much area and tried a lot of different lures but to no avail. I have tried texas rigging with a worm but my patience is not that long. I like using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits. I have even tried trolling for bass. I dont think that the lake I fish has a lot of structure and I have never been successfull  near rip rap. I have thrown parrell with the weeds using a rat-l-trap but still no bite. I guess as all the post reads, keep fishing and trying new things.   

[lanzbass]

Greetings and Welcome to the forums

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to BR ~

 

A-Jay

[whitwolf]

Welcome!

[FrankW]

Hi ConcreteJungle,

Down below I listed what the Georgia Fish and Game had to say about Lake Tobesofkee and there does seem to be a population of Bass in the lake. From reading your comments it seems to me you might be fishing too fast. Bass are not located everywhere in the lake and if you try one color for 15 minutes and then change you might be fishing with the best color in the world for that time but in the wrong place. You change colors and then move to fish but they are not interested in your lure or color. You say there is not much cover but there are lots of different types of cover that hold fish. Just because there are not trees or heavy grass there are points jutting out into the lake, drop offs, high spots, roads, creeks, railroads, graveyards and so on. Of course if this is a natural lake some of these things won't be there. The point is you have to figure out what kind of cover is available in your lake. You can't just throw any crank and be successful. Be sure when you are fishing a crank that dives to the correct depth for your circumstances. Fishing a crank that dives 5' in 15' of water may not be the best bet.

If you don't have the patience to fish plastics slowly then you will never be a real successful Bass fisherman. I include Jigs with a skirt and trailer. These are money baits especially around boat docks and other structure.

One of the most important thing you can do as a beginner is to keep a log of your trips. After your trip write down any successes you might of had. Where and how you caught fish and the time and date. Then if you have a good day you can refer to your log next year and have an idea what worked last year. You should also build an relationship with any local Bass Shop in your area. They know what is going on in the lake all year long and can be a big help. Every time you go in and get information or help, buy something. They will get to know you and be more inclined to offer information.

Frank

The following is provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Prospects and Fishing Tips: Lake Tobesofkee

Best Bets

LARGEMOUTH BASS

"Prospect The largemouth bass population should continue to thrive as last fall's abundance remains above the past 12-year average. Expect to catch similar numbers of larger fish this year with up to half of the catch in the 12 to 20-inch size range with fair numbers of fish in the memorable-size range (20-25 inches).

Technique

Use crankbaits, topwater plugs and Texas-rigged plastic worms (finesse-type worms rigged Texas style behind a 1/8-ounce lead with June bug and green pumpkin color). For crankbaits use No. 5 or No. 7 lipped crankbait in shad or perch colors in clearer water or firetiger in stained water.

Target

Target boat docks with brush piles, lighted boat docks at night and steep banks and points near deep water on the lower lake below the Lower Thomaston Rd. bridge. Also fish in water willow grass beds in pockets above and below the bridge on Lower Thomaston Rd."

[papajoe222]

Welcome ! your location imediately caught my eye, there used to be a member in many forums by the nick "Lightninrod" named Dan, a true southern gentleman and an avid fisherman, he was from Warner Robins, maybe you´ll meet him sometime, if you do tell him Raul said Hi !

From me too and welcome

[Jollygreens]

ConcreteJ,

I see you are using a Bayliner for fishing now. Can I ask how you or what you did to set it up for fishing?

From one new guy here to another new guy here-Welcome.

[ConcreteJungle]

That has been tricky.

First, I would like to clarify that the bayliner is a fish and ski. When I'm fishing I do not use the back set on the deck. Instead I fabricated 2" pvc into a tee with about 2' of pvc pipe hanging on both side of the tee. I purchased rod holders, drilled holes in the pvc and placed three rod holders on each side. I use this to troll for bass and crappie or maybe even fishing for bream.

  

Secondly, I bought an additional lowrance elite 5 hdi and mounted it on the dash and mounted my old lowrance x52 on the trolling motor housing along with the tranducer on the trolling motor.  

I fabricated all of this to be removed while skiing and tubing as I there are no permenant fish rigging equipment. The last thing I need is for the wife to stub a toe on my fishing equipment.

 

I have pictures and will load them later!!!

[Jollygreens]

That would be awesome to see your pics. Appreciate that.

[00 mod]

Welcome to the forums!

 

Jeff

[Glenn]

Welcome home!

[ConcreteJungle]

I finally got around to taking pictures of my rig. I went to Lake Lanier and really enjoyed the fishing there. I caught a few bass. Not anything to brag about but the excitement was good. Still having issues with my electronics. Thanks all for making me feel like family.

 

On the rod holders, I have another piece of pvc for the right side but I did not add it. The fish finder is mounted on the metal frame of the trolling motor. That way, It can be easily removed when not fishing.

[Jollygreens]

Boat setup looks good. That's looks like the direction I am headed. Since I am new to boating and fishing, can you still get in the good fishing spots like you want to even using a ski type boat?

[ConcreteJungle]

Although the Bayliner sits higher in the water than a bass boat. It floats in 2' of water. I use the trolling motor to get in tight spots. I like to power fish using crank bait, spinner bait, rattle traps and swim bait. I read on this site that you position you boat about 30' from where your fishing.

[Jollygreens]

Good info. Thanks. I think a Bayliner is in my future and I will be setting it up something like yours. Thanks.