Tournament on Saturday

[Schaefer]

Well, next saturday I will be in a local bass tournament on a man made lake. There are lots of lillypads around the lake, apparantly they "spray" :-? for weeds in the middle of the lake. I just want some good advice on what kind of ammo to bring for this time of year, keep in mind I live in Southern Ontario, Canada. Also, what techniques would produce the most?. I was thinking about using mostly soft plastics and possibly some topwater. Any advice would be very helpful ;D,

Ill try and dig up a google earth picture of the lake 8-)

[gar-tracker]

I would have to see the water, thats kind of like saying I'm going golfing what club should I use. If your bass are done spawning  I would try the deepest water adjacent to the pads. right were it drops off. Smaller Crank baits and small jigs. I would keep the baits smaller.  Maybe try the banks early then move off.

If they sprayed the weeds and their dying stay away, dieing vegetation takes up oxygen. See if theres a patch of green weeds that wasn't affected by the spraying, sometimes they miss a patch, this may hold some fish.

[Schaefer]

This is the best picture I can get of the lake >, I have marked where the lily pads are. Its about 350m at the widest part and about 600m at the longest part . Hopefully the pic works

[Sam]

Bring a hockey stick.

Ok, just kidding, but you are from Canada.

I would suggest checking the water temperature first and then making plans how to attack the lake.

I agree that you should avoid any places with dieing plants. Fish will vacate the area.

If it is early spring in your area, then read the articles on early spring fishing.

What is the water clarity? This is critical to the baits and colors you will be selecting.

I really wish I could be of more help but until you can give us an "outline" of the lake and the conditons we are somewhat in the dark.

I can suggest crankbaits and Carolina rigs along with creature baits and Senkos, but I can't suggest many techniques or colors without more information.

[gar-tracker]

Also weather and water depths.  

[rondef]

Cavitron buzzbaits, rage tail frogs and chatter frogs in and around the lily pads depending on time of day. I have had really good luck throwing all three of these into the lily pads in Northern Virginia.

[Schaefer]

I wish I could give more info on the lake, but I have never fished it before. We are curious as to the water depth ourselves, Im thinking its not all that deep, being man made and all. We went to the shore and looked at it quickly, the water seems pretty clear. Staying away from the dead weeds is good advice, they say they spray the middle of the lake, so I'm thinking fishing the shore line. Its on a camping site/conservation so I'm guessing its used for recreational purposes a lot. I was thinking of using some frogs in the lily pads and topwater around the pads as well.

What do you guys think of spinnerbaits around the lily pads and weeds as well?

[Tokyo Tony]

I think spinnerbaits around the pads sounds good.

An absolutely fail-proof pattern is to throw senkos onto the edges of the pads, pulling them off, and letting them sink to the bottom on a slack line. Focus on points and "coves" within the pad fields, as well as anything else that seems different. If you're not getting the size you want, move into the pad fields and flip a t-rigged plastic w/ a bullet weight into the holes. If they're active (or at least not comatose) you can try a hollow-bodied frog or a toad.

Make sure you let us know how you do, and good luck  

[Chad.]

I wish I could give more info on the lake, but I have never fished it before. We are curious as to the water depth ourselves, Im thinking its not all that deep, being man made and all. We went to the shore and looked at it quickly, the water seems pretty clear. Staying away from the dead weeds is good advice, they say they spray the middle of the lake, so I'm thinking fishing the shore line. Its on a camping site/conservation so I'm guessing its used for recreational purposes a lot. I was thinking of using some frogs in the lily pads and topwater around the pads as well.

What do you guys think of spinnerbaits around the lily pads and weeds as well?

What lake is that im from the gta and fish often.

[Schaefer]

Its Chippawa Creek in Wellandport, its on a camping ground/reservation.

I'm not sure of the actual name, if any. Its not very big, like I said its about 600m long at the longest point and about 350m wide at the widest point.