HELP with an Outing

[JayDub]

Who wants to test their skills and instincts at developing a gameplan?

Heres my scenerio...

I'm fishing Lake Somerville, TX this weekend.

11,500 acres

Max Depth: 38 ft

Water level: only .1' low

Clarity: Murky

Water Temp: Approx 59-63 degrees

Very little shorline cover or structure.

Pic below

Important: There is a cold front blowing in this week. The low is going from about 63 degrees today to approx. 32 saturday morning. Clear, Sunny skies with little wind (3-6 mph) on Sat.

I know this isn't much information, but how do you think you would approach this lake looking to catch some bass. Where would you focus, what baits would you use, what colors, techniques, etc, and why?

[RoLo]

Before you're able to form any game plan, the first and most important step

is to obtain the best "contour map" available (smallest depth increments).

A lake chart without depth lines is an empty plate.

Roger

[fishbear]

without the above mentioned topo map of the lake, I would be hitting all the points and islands you see in the map,docks, any stump patches, etc..., and fish it slow, unless the bite says otherwise....

I would probably use a jig or maybe a rattle trap or chatterbait.

[senile1]

It sounds like you're getting hit with a strong cold front, so your bass are going to be holding tight to cover and structure.  You'll need accurate placement of your lure near these things, and you'll probably need to fish slower.  Smaller baits may be necessary as well.  As already stated, you're going to need a good topo map and good electronics.

[Peter E.]

Beware the FLP Formula!

F (fish)- First with temperatures dropping like that in the evenings they will have moved to the drop offs and creek channels that will provide warmth and active food sorces. Also they will take up positions close to sheltered shallow feeding flats. Though they are not likely to frequent these areas often they will still do so on warm sunny days. Staying away from brown and dying vegetationin the majority of all shallow areas that are not protected from the elements. These Weeds till release CO2 instead of oxygen. With temps in the evenings plummeting and the days keeping a little warmth, it might be what would send the bass on their fall feeding binge, and the transition periods.

L (location)-I think the best bet is on the mid drop offs and weed lines on the sheltered side of points and other lake contures and structures. Since the area lacks the shore cover then consentrate on remaining weedlines and contour and bottom structure. Large resiviors would most likely provide a myriad of simular stucture types. Keep in mind shad and craws are still active and so are smaller pan fish like bream and crappie. This will playinto the fishes feeding, so it ties into the F.

P (presentation)- Little is know on the actual pattern of the lake at this point due to the lack of info on forage. Try mid to deep diving cranks on the drop offs and rattle traps. A suspending jerk bait for the structure breaks o the lake floor i water under 8'. Keep a hand full of tubes and small jigs. Try dead sticking. Keep you presentations down sides until the fish tells you vertical or horizontal, then fine tune the presentation and size. Keep on the move hitting the prescribed structure and lake contours. Move from the South end Northward. Oh and good luck!

Peter

(FLP is an In-Fisherman, idea and I use it religiously)