Advice for summer clear lake fishing?

[pondbassin101]

I'm trying to learn how to fish a few clearwater lakes around Orlando (from a yak). The Conway lakes and I assume Lake Underhill would fall under that as well? Very clean water, hard sandy bottom, and tall submerged grass. Depth up to about 30 feet. Highly developed, houses all around with lots of docks and pleasure craft.

 

How likely are the bass to be holding around docks and pads in 2-4 feet of water with it being this warm? Don't wanna waste my time flipping jigs and senkos at docks if it won't deliver. I managed to catch one today in about 8-14 feet of water (had a nautical map but drifting alot) on a small deep diving shad crank. How would I go about finding them in the water column? That's a good bit of water to cover. And finally, what difference would there be between a deep diving and lipless crank and a swim jig or some sort of a swimbait? Is it literally a case of trial and error?

[Conrod]

I live fish north of you. My recommendation is to get a $130 4” garmin fish finder. Will save you a lot of time. Typically on my lake early mornings and late evenings the bass are 18’ or less 

[pondbassin101]

17 hours ago, Conrod said:

I live fish north of you. My recommendation is to get a $130 4” garmin fish finder. Will save you a lot of time. Typically on my lake early mornings and late evenings the bass are 18’ or less 

Are you talking about the Garmin striker 4?

[Conrod]

Yes sir. Sorry for late reply.

 

[FLSTYak]

I would stick to that 8-14 ft range this time of year. You found one, so there is probably more around that range. What I would do, 1/4 oz or 3/8oz weight, t-rig with a watermelon green, junebug, or green pumpkin speed worm, find the inside edge (where the grass isn't topped out) and throw a long that edge. If you have a point that the grass grows out further than the rest, that is even better, you have a "point". Cast it out and stroke it through the grass back to you. If that isn't working back off into deeper water, your lure with tell you when the grass starts to thin out underwater. Do the same thing pump it back or it thin enough drag it back. You will probably hit it when it falls back down through the grass after you stroke the worm. I have had success on clear Florida lakes doing exactly this. Best of luck!