Need Tips For A Kayak Fishing Tournament This Weekend

[WestIn21]

So im pretty familiar with the fall transition and fall bass fishing, but i wanna know what your guys take is on how the fish are right now. I wanna do well this weekend, but i need some confidence boosters knowing that what im throwing is gonna be the right bait. I guess my question is, is what baits would you all be throwing right now, because they havent completely gone to fall haunts yet, but they are starting to transition to them, so im not quite sure what baits to use. The kicker is that they are calling for a possible thunderstorm, or just rain. So what would be my best bet to put fish in the boat. Any tips would help! Thanks!

[T-Rick]

Since you asked for tips:

 

First tip: don't fall in. 

Second tip: maybe add more detail about your location and body of water and you will get some replies.

[WestIn21]

The lake is fishtrap lake in Eastern Ky, the shad are heavy right now, but they are not gorging on them yet. So they havent completely gone to fall patterns. Hope this help narrow down the tips given. ( this lake is primarly know for bluegill, and shad. Many creek channels and big open places of water. Also plenty of structure near the banks.

[bknap]

what lake are you fishing ?

[MIbassyaker]

I do not fish tournaments, so I can't really comment on tournament strategy. And I've never fished in Kentucky, and only very rarely fish reservoirs. So none of this may be useful. But it seems to me, if you don't know how far along the transition is, you should bring enough things that will cover multiple depths and speeds. If you need to cover water, consider a fast-moving topwater like a buzzbait to work along the banks or spook over more open water. If there is very little wind, I can sometimes use the drag of a big moving bait to pull my kayak along with just enough progress to work a small area without pausing to paddle. Subsurface, a bladed jig or spinnerbait would provide a similar effect, or a larger lipped crankbait. You will want something to work slowly at these depths as well -- a fluke or other soft jerkbait could double as topwater and subsurface, and may be a good choice for a forage base of bluegill and shad. Bring worms, weights, heads appropriate for shakey head and/or drop shot in case they are still deep and sluggish. All-arounders like Jigs, texas rigs, and/or wacky rigs should always be in the mix. 

 

Edit: Ha! Just saw the date -- you probably already are on the water or already had the tournament. Come back and tell us what you did and how it went.