Help With Locating Bass

[MIbassin]

Hey guys, 

 

I am heading out to a small(120 acre) lake this coming weekend. The bass have just started spawning last week. The lake is fed by a river and the river then flows into a big lake. The whole lake is surrounded by pads, reeds, brush, and fallen trees on the shoreline. The shoreline averages 2-3ft

 

The main lake has the same cover around the shoreline and averages about 5-6 feet. There is one spot with deep holes about 8-9 feet. This area also has a nice point that extends close to the deepest area. 

 

How would you fish this? Will the bass be moved to deeper water? Should i be fishing a jig and bouncing a hudd in the deep areas? Should i be fishing spinnerbaits parallel to the bank? I'm confused. The bass are unpredictable by me right now...

 

 

[HoosierHawgs]

Personally it depends on the weather for me to make a decision... But all things equal you'd probably catch me cranking that point. If nothing is there I'd find a grass breakline, fish a lipless crank and a topwater walker to start covering water. Then I'd make my gameplan from their, and I'd probably hit that point again in an hour or two if I don't find any fish.

[bigbill]

Look for structure, weeds, Lilly pads any hiding place that will hold bass. Early mornings, noon time and in the evenings is when the bite can really turn on. Otherwise I fish deeper when there buried in the cover.

Post spawn throw a split shot rigged lizzard.

[papajoe222]

You mention that the bass have just started to spawn and you also mention that the river that feeds the lake then flows into a big lake. Are there two lakes? The fact that the fish have just started spawning would have me suggest fishing any spawning flats you come across.The main lake's point that you describe, if it leads up to a flat on one side would be worth checking out if the females have already dropped their eggs. Either way, the fish aren't going to be in a chasing mood. A PopR worked slowly over a spawning area will get some attention out of pre spawners and occasionally from males protecting the eggs.  A C-rigged or split shot worm or lizard can be worked down the point in search of post spawners.  A drop shot would be my third choice worked through the spawning area and then  in the first deep water out from it.

[WRB]

Simple,locate the spawner's in protected coves and use a swimbait in the staging area just outside the spawning area, then target the bed fish during mid day using a jig and the swimbait.

Tom

[HoosierHawgs]

Simple,locate the spawner's in protected coves and use a swimbait in the staging area just outside the spawning area, then target the bed fish during mid day using a jig and the swimbait.

Tom

What kind of swimbait are you referring to?

[Lund Explorer]

Hey guys, 

 

I am heading out to a small(120 acre) lake this coming weekend. The bass have just started spawning last week. The lake is fed by a river and the river then flows into a big lake. The whole lake is surrounded by pads, reeds, brush, and fallen trees on the shoreline. The shoreline averages 2-3ft

 

The main lake has the same cover around the shoreline and averages about 5-6 feet. There is one spot with deep holes about 8-9 feet. This area also has a nice point that extends close to the deepest area. 

 

How would you fish this? Will the bass be moved to deeper water? Should i be fishing a jig and bouncing a hudd in the deep areas? Should i be fishing spinnerbaits parallel to the bank? I'm confused. The bass are unpredictable by me right now...

 

In a lake that size you should be able to try just about everything in a day's fishing.

 

What the fish are doing depends on how far north you are, and how long this current cold front hangs on.

 

Look on the member map.  See where I'm located at?

 

Last Sunday morning, my 120 acre lake had a 62.7* water temp and the bass were just moving up onto the beds.  Grandson and I stuck 63 bass in 3 1/2 hours pitching small worms and tubes onto those "shiny spots".  Easiest and most boring kind of fishing in my book, but it will change.  The cold front has come through and the current temp of 48* is the best it is going to be for the next two days.  High temp for Thursday might get up to 60*, Friday maybe another 5 degrees warmer. 

 

I fully expect that those males to have backed off into deeper water and developed a stubborn case of lockjaw for the next several days.  As the temps moderate they should move shallow again to resume getting ready to spawn.  If I decide to fight the opening day crowds on Saturday, the very first thing I'll do is to check surface temps.  60* or above has always been the key to shallow active fishing this time of year.  Colder than that means deep and slow until it warms, and when it gets above 65*, Big Momma is going into post-spawn and the smaller males will be protecting balls of fry. 

 

No need to be confused, just learn to look forward to the onset of June when they all head into the more consistent summer pattern.  Yeah, that's it.  And grab the fly rod because the bluegills are moving up and it's time to catch a dinner, or two, or eight!