Strategy change for this weekend

[InfantryMP]

This Sunday is my first tournament. I have posted about doing tournaments in the past, and I am all ready to go an geared up. 

 

I have studied the charts of the lake, also did some research online. I have not fished this lake before, and I will not have the chance to do so prior to the event.  I came up with what I thought was a solid game plan, according to current conditions etc. However, mother nature threw a curve ball this week....It is currently snowing. The water temps in my area (1.5 hours south of tournament lake) as of yesterday were 59-59.5. The current water temps listed online for the tournament lake is 49. 

 

I think I need to revisit my game plan. This lake is a decent size over 1800 acres. It is a well known smallmouth, and walleye lake. Average depth is 24ft with the deepest being 88ft, but have plenty of flats within the 10ft rage. I was going to hit the flats that come off a 20ft to 10ft drop. There are many of these out in the lake. I will look for some structure to fish as well, but I have not been able to get out there and graph. 

 

Now, I am thinking with the changes in water temps and weather patterns. I may need to focus on the deeper areas with something like a drop shot, or jig. I was hoping to see the weather continue to warm and maybe catch some that were moving up and staging, but I do not think that will be the case.  I am going to have a few deep divers 16-25ft cranks ready as well. 

 

To be honest, I mainly fish 10ft and shallower, so shallow water moving baits, flipping etc is my confidence style.

 

I am going to tie on:

1. Shaky Head 

2. Deep Crank (16-25ish)

3. Lipless

4. Jig

5. Drop Shot

6. Tube or Carolina Rig

7. T-rig with a 3/4 or 1/2 oz weight

8.  A- Rig (3 hooks only 2 decoy)

9. 3/4 oz Spinner bait

10. Another crank or lipless different color

 

What do you all think of the plan thus far?

 

 

[A-Jay]

And not a single Jerkbait ?

Covers water and triggers cold water strikes. 

I know I'd be throwing one.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[InfantryMP]

5 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

And not a single Jerkbait ?

Covers water and triggers cold water strikes. 

I know I'd be throwing one.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

Yes, you are right. I was thinking I was missing something easy. 

 

Thanks!

[Bassattackr]

Guessing if it has a good smallmouth population, the water clarity is probably at least 2-3 feet, if not a lot more.  Combine that with water temps around 49 degrees, and I'm with A-jay.  I'm going to have a jerkbait, jig and an A-Rig tied on and the rest of the rods in the rod locker.

 

Start out on main lake points and work your way in until you find them.

[813basstard]

How do you normally catch fish?

 

Do a lot of that. 

[Fishin' Fool]

I'd have 4 things tied up. A jig, a jerkbait, a spinner bait and a Ned rig (TRD worm). I caught a few decent smallmouth off of Lk Michigan 9 days ago in 49 degree water temps on the Ned rig. The Ned rig flat out catches fish. 

[InfantryMP]

14 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I'd have 4 things tied up. A jig, a jerkbait, a spinner bait and a Ned rig (TRD worm). I caught a few decent smallmouth off of Lk Michigan 9 days ago in 49 degree water temps on the Ned rig. The Ned rig flat out catches fish. 

Yea I think I will swap out Shakey Heads and Ned Rigs depending on what is working. I have a ton of neds ( I make them) so I should be good to go with those.  

[EWREX]

JERRRRRRKBAIT and i'd throw it almost all day

[TheBasslayer]

Your tourney is probably done now, but are you talking about Lake Maxincuckee? When I visit my Aunt Grandma, I only fish for Largemouth there, and I've caught and hooked some big ones there in the past. I've heard there is good Walleye and Smallmouth fishing, but I'm stuck from shore.

[InfantryMP]

38 minutes ago, TheBasslayer said:

Your tourney is probably done now, but are you talking about Lake Maxincuckee? When I visit my Aunt Grandma, I only fish for Largemouth there, and I've caught and hooked some big ones there in the past. I've heard there is good Walleye and Smallmouth fishing, but I'm stuck from shore.

Yea it was on Maxi!

 

Yea it is a great Walleye lake and smallmouth for sure. It was way too rough out there that day to really do any main lake fishing. I stayed in the coves and the marina and caught a couple under docks there. 

[TheBasslayer]

12 minutes ago, InfantryMP said:

Yea it was on Maxi!

 

Yea it is a great Walleye lake and smallmouth for sure. It was way too rough out there that day to really do any main lake fishing. I stayed in the coves and the marina and caught a couple under docks there. 

She lives in Culver,on the lake, and I hope to visit the lake this summer if I go down there! I've caught a 3-3 1/2 pounder from her dock and a giant rock bass!