Test Time Tomorrow---Personal Challenge To See What I'm Made Of

[gotarheelz14]

So far in my novice fishin experience, I have praticed on techniuqes and not much on figuring out lakes. Today, I visited the local library and pulled out a bathymetric contour map. It will be the first time I take a methodical approach to my fishing.

It has been raining here a LOT and the temperature took a turn downwards at the very beginning of the week and will remain cold. It looks like fall has started and I really think these fish will be on their best early fall behavior.

From what I have learned, this typically means that they will be coming up shallower, feeding heavily in preparation for winter. Not completely shallow yet and probably not as aggressive. Because this has all just started, I think it's going to be what I have read about fall patterns, but to a lesser extent.

I think this will translate into the fish not being as shallow, but definitely starting to move up just to "see what's up".

I will be focusing on gently, sloping points that I found on the map. Points that offer the fish an opportunity to find some sort of shallow hunting grounds. I will probably save sloping flats and places that are flatter and lengthier for later in the fall. Right now, I think they will still be on their summer hangouts, but on the shallower ends of those hangouts.

I will be focusing on water 4-8 feet. I think that will probably be a good range to start off with right now.

I will throw topwater lures, probably a spook or a hula popr at the very beginning of light. I will then follow that with a white spinnerbait, colorado leaf or if that doesn't seem to be working, maybe a midnight special since it has been raining pretty heavily here and the water will more than likely be pretty stained. Another search bait I plan on using will be a 2-5ft square bill rapala crankbait.

After throwing the searchbaits, and hopefully finding some good sweet spots, I will slow down and work either a monster sized worm, or a big Black and Red Jig with a Black Speed Craw Trailer.

Please, let me know how you guys would modify this plan. What would you throw? What areas would you focus on instead?

I will post again tomorrow and report on my success. I am really hoping to hit on something and hit em hard tomorrow!

Carlos

[brushhoggin]

i am going out tomorrow as well, and have pretty much the same game plan as you. thing is, it's kinda hard to have a solid game plan written in stone before i get out on the water to gauge the conditions. However,  i'm just gonna stick with the typical fall patterns and throw spinnerbaits on the south end of coves and points, given the 14 mph northerly winds expected this weekend. then maybe slow down as the sun rises, and flip some lily pads with plastic swimbaits. again, just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. good luck and let us know how you do.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Sounds like you've got a good plan.  Don't be afraid to deviate from it though.  There are times when you'll see activity somewhere that doesn't fall into your game plan for the day.  Lots of times, the best formulated plans are thrown out the moment you hit the water.

Good luck!

[gotarheelz14]

Report:

It's a little unfortute but I had a terrible day. I did not hook a single bass. I ended up catching two MONSTER crappie. One was over two pounds!!!. Caught them both on a chatterbait.

So, the fish were not really in the shallower ends of points. Maybe they were but no fast moving baits were really getting them at all. I wish I could have worked some worms and soft plastics but there was a gust that was blowing everyone around. I could hardly stay out on the water. I would get one cast in before I was on the shore. It was that bad. Even the people that had trolling motors were struggling real bad. I had oars.

I think they may have been put off by the weater. The cold moving in probably had them turned off. I think I would have had to switch up to some finesse stuff.

[brushhoggin]

yeah, yesterday sucked. third straight week of 100% sunshine. the water is lower than it's ever been, and not even a crappie to be had. be thankful at least you pulled something out. then on top of all this, 25 mph winds. goin back tomorrow to get revenge. just to a different area on the reservoir

[evrgladesbasser]

Report:

It's a little unfortute but I had a terrible day. I did not hook a single bass. I ended up catching two MONSTER crappie. One was over two pounds!!!. Caught them both on a chatterbait.

So, the fish were not really in the shallower ends of points. Maybe they were but no fast moving baits were really getting them at all. I wish I could have worked some worms and soft plastics but there was a gust that was blowing everyone around. I could hardly stay out on the water. I would get one cast in before I was on the shore. It was that bad. Even the people that had trolling motors were struggling real bad. I had oars.

I think they may have been put off by the weater. The cold moving in probably had them turned off. I think I would have had to switch up to some finesse stuff.

Maybe you should have thrown an anchor (or two) and focused on some high probability spots like points or drop offs. Finesse is what I would have tried as well.

Your plan sounded solid but as you can see sometimes the best laid plans go to the wayside. Hope for the best and plan for the worst next time. Good luck man keep us updated.