New Lake Question

[ike8120]

I was asked to go fishing on lake that I have never fished before. I know nothing about this lake....depth, structure,etc. Will be targeting bass, but there are other species also. My question is.... I can only take two setups, in your opinion what would be the two setups you would take.

[Bankc]

Whatever you feel most comfortable with.  I'd focus less on versatility and more on your confidence baits on a new lake.  Unless you know a bit about what kind of lake it is before hand.  Like if it has lots of wood, docks, or grass, you might want to plan around that.  

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

If you're location is accurate (NJ) and you're going in the next couple weeks, then you're probably planning for grass.  That means swim jigs, frogs, texas rigs, etc which are all a shorter heavy for me.  I like my 6'10" head turner for a lot of that and for versatility.  I can throw 3/8 swim jigs or 1/2 oz chatterbaits/spinnerbaits.  You can pitch with 1/8 oz and plastic or go up to 1/2 oz and plastic if you want.  Short enough to skip things, enough backbone to set double frog hooks.

 

For a second rod, that depends on what you like to fish.  Your tag says it all- "it's not what's best it's what's best for you".  I don't carry a spinning rod, but a medium spinning rod would give you the most versatility for what comes your way.  Lots of boat docks on a lot of NJ lakes so skipping a weightless plastic under them is a thing.  Its summer and some fish have moved deeper on the bigger waters so dropshotting should be kicking in.  If none of that appeals to you (it doesn't to me) then I'd grab another baitcaster and make the two a little more specialized.  One for throwing moving baits and one for pitching a jig/plastic.  That's how I arrive to the water this time of year (though I have more than 2 in the kayak).

 

What lake are you looking at (or what part of the state)?

[ike8120]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

If you're location is accurate (NJ) and you're going in the next couple weeks, then you're probably planning for grass.  That means swim jigs, frogs, texas rigs, etc which are all a shorter heavy for me.  I like my 6'10" head turner for a lot of that and for versatility.  I can throw 3/8 swim jigs or 1/2 oz chatterbaits/spinnerbaits.  You can pitch with 1/8 oz and plastic or go up to 1/2 oz and plastic if you want.  Short enough to skip things, enough backbone to set double frog hooks.

 

For a second rod, that depends on what you like to fish.  Your tag says it all- "it's not what's best it's what's best for you".  I don't carry a spinning rod, but a medium spinning rod would give you the most versatility for what comes your way.  Lots of boat docks on a lot of NJ lakes so skipping a weightless plastic under them is a thing.  Its summer and some fish have moved deeper on the bigger waters so dropshotting should be kicking in.  If none of that appeals to you (it doesn't to me) then I'd grab another baitcaster and make the two a little more specialized.  One for throwing moving baits and one for pitching a jig/plastic.  That's how I arrive to the water this time of year (though I have more than 2 in the kayak).

 

What lake are you looking at (or what part of the state)?

Deal Lake

I was thinking about super flukes, paddletails and senkos. 

[casts_by_fly]

11 minutes ago, ike8120 said:

Deal Lake

I was thinking about super flukes, paddletails and senkos. 

 

That's a good start.  Deal is south and warms up 2-4 weeks ahead of us up here north of I78.  I'd expect it to be pretty weedy.  I don't know the lake first hand but from reading about it it looks like a fairly urban SJ fishery and has had some salt intrusion over the years.  Google maps confirms the urban part.  fair few boat docks.  Google satellite shows the water pretty dirty.  Navionics shows much of the lake at a flat 5' deep with a couple pockets a little deeper and the shoreline shallower.

 

For me, this is combat fishing and junk fishing.  With two rods I'd have a chatterbait and a jig tied on.  Try to cover some water and see if you can find active fish in the morning.  A fluke or paddle tail could replace the chatterbait once the sun pops up or if its too grassy.  A jig, texas rig or something else weedless you can pitch into docks and brushpiles (texas rigged senko if you must).  Also knowing me I'd probably throw a buzzbait for the first hour or two and see if topwater is happening.  If it is, then stick to it and swap into a frog when the sun comes up or if it gets thick.  

[looking45]

I would take a spinning and baitcaster. Bring some different things that can be fished with each setup. Don’t overthink it. Go and have fun

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, ike8120 said:

Deal Lake

I was thinking about super flukes, paddletails and senkos. 

 

Any particular reason he wanted to fish that lake? 

[ike8120]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Any particular reason he wanted to fish that lake? 

Very close to home, doesn't want to travel.

 

2 hours ago, looking45 said:

I would take a spinning and baitcaster. Bring some different things that can be fished with each setup. Don’t overthink it. Go and have fun

That was my game plan, but was just looking for other ideas.

 

[Columbia Craw]

Google Earth shows shallow, stained and grassy.

[slonezp]

A jig and another jig