Please help

[Eric Hug]

I'm in a club tourney weekly and I'm struggling to catch 5 keepers. Here's the broad overview:

Location: lower michigan

Lakes: natural and weedy <500 acres

Time: 3 hours 6pm-9pm

Keepers: 14 inches

Winning weights: 10-13 lbs

Number of boats: 15-25

I have a partner with limited fishing knowledge that relies on me to put us on fish and even what baits to use and how to use them.  We have only caught 5 keepers one time out of the first 4 tourneys. My strategy started with us covering a lot of water and bouncing from one spot to another. After only catching one fish like that, decided to start focusing on 2 or 3 spots only. I try to prefish the lake and find 2 or 3 spots where I think we can catch fish. Most of these spots are between 10 and 15 feet deep. The lakes are generally not deeper than 25 feet. I have my partner using the ned rig and he is gaining confidence in it.  I too have been using the ned rig or drop shot most of the time. These are my confidence baits and we are catching lots of fish just not the right size.  So with this information, what should I change in our strategy in order to catch 5 keepers consistently. I believe if we can just catch 5 keepers we would have a chance at the money.

[Heartland]

If you are catching them good on a ned rig, you might try to throw a wacky rig  or t-rig stick worm in the same area.  Maybe the larger bait will help a little. A shakey head jig, or jig and trailer in the same area might work also.  Stay patient and work the area slow.

[r83srock]

I’m in a group that does fun tournaments every Tuesday night from 6-9. It can be difficult to get 5 at times! I agree with the above that a wacky rig is usually really productive. If catching too much grass go Texas rigged. If everyone is throwing a shakey head, I like to throw a finesse flipping jig, just change things up a bit. On your drop shot, maybe try a little bigger bait. And focusing on one area and really dissecting it is a good idea. Evening usually presents feeding windows for bass, so don’t rule out a top water or moving lure like a Spinnerbait especially if conditions like a little wind present themselves. Try a spook, if you are catching to much grass try a buzz bait. Throw something that is efficient for the conditions. But always keep your confidence lures at the ready. I would also throw different lures than your partner, until a pattern can be established. Good luck!

[dodgeguy]

If your tournament is only 3 hours maybe you're not fishing when they are biting. I fish 8 hours when I go and a lot of timed you hit dead periods then you hit a period when they turn on.

[Koz]

If the baits you're using aren't landing the fish it's time to change baits and tactics.

 

Confidence baits are one thing, but if they don't produce they aren't of much use.

[Gsurko]

As long as you’re having fun, go with your instincts and use the opportunity to learn. The camaraderie and friendships you develop are far more important than anything.

[Eric Hug]

Thank you for all the replies. So a wacky rig stick bait seems to be a common response. Should I weight this? I feel like we may be working too slow yet one of the comments was to slow down and be methodical in one area. I have picked up spinnerbaits, swim jigs, t-rigged worms, walking baits, frogs, flukes, and a little bit of everything. I just haven't had any success on anything other than the ned and dropshot. So that's what I find in my hand.

[scaleface]

Dont limit yourself to a lure or lures. I dont know which ones to recommend because they all work . When fishing in the late afternoon and the light is fading a buzzbait is an option . They cover water and hook a high percentage of strikes 

[Captain Phil]

Three hours is a very short duration tournament.  If I were you, I would concentrate on catching bigger fish instead of a limit?  Once you get a "kicker" fish, the rest is easy.  

[BassNJake]

10 hours ago, Eric Hug said:

These are my confidence baits and we are catching lots of fish just not the right size.  So with this information, what should I change in our strategy in order to catch 5 keepers consistently. I believe if we can just catch 5 keepers we would have a chance at the money.

You've already determined your answer.

You're around fsh if you're catching lots of them.

Have you used larger baits in the areas you are catching the smaller ones?

Dont expect as many bites but you might be able to trigger the larger fish.

 

Have you tried flipping something heavy in the thickest parts of the weeds?

Heat, tourney pressure can cause the fish to get tight to cover in the least accessible spots

 

 

 

[Hower08]

Mag trick worm Texas rigged 5/0 offset worm hook and what ever minimum weight you need to get it to the bottom.it will catch as many keeper sized fish as it will giants. 

[WRB]

12 hours ago, Eric Hug said:

I'm in a club tourney weekly and I'm struggling to catch 5 keepers. Here's the broad overview:

Location: lower michigan

Lakes: natural and weedy <500 acres

Time: 3 hours 6pm-9pm

Keepers: 14 inches

Winning weights: 10-13 lbs

Number of boats: 15-25

I have a partner with limited fishing knowledge that relies on me to put us on fish and even what baits to use and how to use them.  We have only caught 5 keepers one time out of the first 4 tourneys. My strategy started with us covering a lot of water and bouncing from one spot to another. After only catching one fish like that, decided to start focusing on 2 or 3 spots only. I try to prefish the lake and find 2 or 3 spots where I think we can catch fish. Most of these spots are between 10 and 15 feet deep. The lakes are generally not deeper than 25 feet. I have my partner using the ned rig and he is gaining confidence in it.  I too have been using the ned rig or drop shot most of the time. These are my confidence baits and we are catching lots of fish just not the right size.  So with this information, what should I change in our strategy in order to catch 5 keepers consistently. I believe if we can just catch 5 keepers we would have a chance at the money.

500 acre small natural lake with weekly 20 boats is high fishing pressure.

My guess is the same 5 anglers always are in the top rankings. Small lake no spots are secret, you can see where everyone is fishing. Think adding 2 good bass with your normal 5 keepers. Target the bigger bass 1st! 3 hours of afternoon fishing time means 2 spots, practice to determine where to start. Determine where the thermocline at what depth and don't fish any deeper. Bigger bass are always located in the area where the most prey is. Jigs, worms and creatures are high % bigger bass lures.

Tom

[Eric Hug]

When you say 2 spots, start at what I would think is the best spot then move after thoroughly fishing it for an hour and a half?

[Black Hawk Basser]

I'd suggest throwing a topwater during the last hour to get a big fish or two.  I generally don't catch sub-keeper sized fish on topwaters.  Buzzbait was suggested, I agree with that.  I'd also try a buzz toad or Zoom UV Speed Worm over and around any emergent grass.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, Eric Hug said:

When you say 2 spots, start at what I would think is the best spot then move after thoroughly fishing it for an hour and a half?

You can't make many moves in a small lake that isn't already taken. Your best spot 1st is always a good choice. The 2nd spot is a backup and should be the last hour.

Lures are dependant on where you are fishing, depth, structure, cover etc. for example a wake rat is good at dusk and so are crank baits if the cover allows. Buzz bait if it's a lot cover, frogs for weed mats etc, etc. jigs and worms work everywhere.

Tom

[Bruce424]

at that time of day. i guarentee they will hit topwater. i would have a horny toad... ribbit... or a buzz bait tied up to cover water. waking a spinnerbait would work too. while you're throwing that have a partner throwing a follow up bait like a senko, texas rigged tube or ned rig to catch the ones that miss. like a one two punch

[frogflogger]

Something for all to bear in mind about tournaments. You can see a major tournament with the best sticks in the business and sometimes there will be a blank or two, and guys struggling to catch one or two - it's fishing, be creative,have fun and hang in there--and never underestimate topwaters.

[Heartland]

On 7/10/2020 at 7:47 AM, Eric Hug said:

Thank you for all the replies. So a wacky rig stick bait seems to be a common response. Should I weight this? I feel like we may be working too slow yet one of the comments was to slow down and be methodical in one area. I have picked up spinnerbaits, swim jigs, t-rigged worms, walking baits, frogs, flukes, and a little bit of everything. I just haven't had any success on anything other than the ned and dropshot. So that's what I find in my hand.

Once you find fish be methodical, there will generally be other fish in the same area.  You know the old saying, don't leave fish to find fish.....  One other thing is structure, find a good piece of structure to fish, the fish will generally be there.  Another old fishing saying, you may find structure without fish, but you will rarely find fish without structure.

[Herbert Lorenzo]

Fish feed at certain times .  Make no more than 10 cast at the area holding fish . Move if you do not catch fish . Try another area holding fish and repeat another 10  casts . Continue this method marking GPS locations.  After several stops useing GPS marked locations go back to your first stop .those fish may be feeding now. 3 hours is tough fishing time limit scenario but remember no more than 10 cast to holding fish ,  if they are not biting try coming back after you try another spot with fish that may be feeding . Good luck .

[Eric Hug]

Thanks for all the help fellas. So, I've tried some of the advice here and now I'm catching less fish with the same amount of keepers.  I'm starting to think that it may be my proficiency with the weedline. Is there any advice on how to go about picking, graphing, marking, and finally fishing the outside weed edge? 

[RoLo]

Quote

Any advice on how to go about picking, graphing, marking, and finally fishing the outside weed edge? 

 

Search for spots along the outer weedline that are accompanied by rapid depth change (structure). Within these sweet spots, focus on available pockets, points and irregularities in the weedline. In particular, favor spots where 2 or more weed species come together.

 

Roger