Fishing a new lake?

[Bassmaster3616]

So I'm fishing a new lake and not sure what to use. I have my first ever high school tournament next weekend and I'm clueless. I just don't know what to use. It's a clear lake and you're not even aloud to touch it with your body except to release fish. The lake is Lake Maumelle in Arkansas. So what baits should I start with? I know a guy who's son fished it and got 1st place earlier in the year by ripping spinnerbaits and chatterbaits through the grass 8-10ft off the banks. Should I try that? Btw I'm going to pre-fish it on Sunday to see but I would still like some tips!!

[bigbill]

A split shot rigged 6" red shad worm. 

[papajoe222]

Don't focus on the lake. Although water clarity should be taken into account, it's a condition you'll be facing, just like wind, cold fronts, rising or falling water, etc. and adjust your presentations accordingly.  Search 'clear water' for some suggestions. 

Focus on the fish and their location. What are the bass doing now? Fall migration, or summer locations. Locate the fish first and then concern yourself with what to catch them with. 

[scaleface]

Bass are bass . Do some map work . you dont have a lot of time to prefish . If you find an area on the map with a lot of zigzag topo lines that area will  have a lot of variations and you might be able to piece together a pattern  in a short time ..

[primetime]

As mentioned bass are bass, I would use what you the same baits you would use if going out fishing on any other day, just try to use a bait to cover water to catch active fish early, and in new spots, but most important thing is to not have expectations of water clarity, where fish are etc...

Things will be different most likely, so fish what you do best, and this way you won't second guess yourself for throwing a lure because it was the hottest lure at the ramp that you never normally use...Keep it simple...clear water, light line, Simple proven baits, think swimbaits in fall, soft smaller one's since you can fish them at all levels, I always throw Topwater in the morning and every new spot to pick of active fish...I will chuck a topwater to all the best cover to pick off easy fish then fish it with something slow. Just have fun, and remember, many tournaments are won by guys who just find the right fish at the right time, or they wait them out and stick to something they know will work. I had my best day in a 15 minute window at about 1 oclock, and I was dehydrated and getting ready to quit with only one dink in the boat, but next thing we knew they were busting shad all around us and that was a wrap. Totally lucky, just drifting and complaining that the only reason we had a crappy day was because we didn't have good electronics....Turns out most boats only came in with a few fish so you never know. 

I used to bring too many rods and try all kinds of new stuff, change lures after 10 casts, and would spend a quarter of my day changing lures and not fishing.

[Hot Rod Johnson]

On Friday, September 23, 2016 at 3:35 PM, Bassmaster3616 said:

So I'm fishing a new lake and not sure what to use. I have my first ever high school tournament next weekend and I'm clueless. I just don't know what to use. It's a clear lake and you're not even aloud to touch it with your body except to release fish. The lake is Lake Maumelle in Arkansas. So what baits should I start with? I know a guy who's son fished it and got 1st place earlier in the year by ripping spinnerbaits and chatterbaits through the grass 8-10ft off the banks. Should I try that? Btw I'm going to pre-fish it on Sunday to see but I would still like some tips!!

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