Small (and cold) Lakes

[TommyBass]

Alright guys, heres a question for you guys that get out and fish before people start talkin bout fishin (before prespawn leading to prespawn).  Everyone knows the classic scenarios where bass will stage and when, but most the time these are under ideal circumstances in lakes that are ideal, and for the most part do not exist.  I fish many lakes that contain main points, secondaries, creek bends, large drop offs, deep cover, and all the other classic prespawn type areas.  But I am doing something different this week and fishing a smaller lake around 450 acres, which is what probably 75% of bass fisherman fish, but I am not used to it. (temperatures 40-50 water temp around 43-45, stained) This lake has only a couple main lake points, two with drop offs significant enough to be conisdered a real drop off, and the rest the shores gradually go to a flatt  bottom (steepest degrades are around 30 degress probably) where the old creek no longer exists due to the contruction of the lake 50 yrs ago.  Max depth is around 20 ft in the center of the south end of the lake, the rest averages around 12ft through the center, and there are some larger coves, probably 10 acres or so with lay downs etc (6-8 ft deep in center).  Got any tips to where to go under circumstance far less then textbook?  I know not all the bass are going to be on those two mediocre points, and there are no "channels" to act as highways.  Ive caught a few fishin jigs down the dam, havnt tried shallow much, and a couple in mouths of coves, but the mouths have no steep degrade into the main lake either, just gradual gradual gradual sloping.  Cant find to many suspendeds either, but I know fish are in this lake when I fished it last summer, and lots of em.  Tell me what you think.  (Sorry this was so long)  

Thanks

-TommyBass

[D.Taylor]

Tommy

Remember these things.

1) 6 inches to 3 foot is a drop off.

2) 6 inches to 3 foot is a ledge

3) they might still be suspended in the middle of the lake

4) Find the sunken structure on the ledges or drop offs

5) Fish the north side and get out of the shade.

6) Use bulkier baits (dont have the be heavier)

7) Natural Colored baits

8) Fish slow then you think your going too slow, slow down some more

[dangeruss]

I agree, Id look also for any kind of rocky areas on the bank dropping into the water that might warm up in the sun enough to attract fish to their heat, try S L O W fishin a wieghtless lizard or craw, I find those work well in my holes simular to this one at this time of year.