Question for the Experienced Largemouth Fishermen

[CCloudyVision]

First of all "hats off to ya'" to the experts out there...excellent work. My question: I own property on a natural spring fed lake that is at LEAST 45 years old, the water is clear (had some lab testing done on the water...some 97.38% pure) sand bottom except for this nagging algae like grass on the bottom. Fishing anything with a weight directly on the bottom is impossible in every season except winter. The depth is Max 23 feet and only 2 "drop off" holes exist or so my depth finder tells me and they are only 6 feet or so (they drop off slowly for about 20 feet). They are in the middle of the lake with no cover. There is abundant vegitation (lilly pads,"dollar weeds" and some grass that resemblestall lawn grass) in the shallows and virtually none deep. No topographical map exists for this lake. It is moderately fished with only small fish (0.5 to 2.5) caught regularly but i have caught 2 14 pound bass. I know the fish are out there and have read every article imaginable but still can't get the fish to bite. I am mainly a finesse fisherman using small, light baits but have experimented with spinners, cranks, jerks and spoons with little success. What can I do to improve my game. Thank you in advance and once again my gratitude for keeping the big fish biting.

[Chris]

Use a senko or that style bait. You want to have the bait fall so when it hits the green snott grass it lays flat not nose down. This will help prevent your bait coming back covered in the stuff.

[playmaker47]

try using some Zoom Trick Worms rigged weightless. also a crankbait that is run shallow enough that it doesnt get in the weeds. topwater might work in the mornin and evening

[Raul]

Fish in very clear water can be very, very spooky, besides, they can see you, to put the odds in your favor try night fishing with a big black jitterbug steadily retrieved at slow speed.

If you live in gatorland or rattler and scorpionland forget the night fishing suggestion.

[heresdustin]

What kind of forage are in this lake?  Crawdads, shad, minnows, bluegills?  Have you tried live bluegill.  I fish alot of ponds by my house, and I've found that live bluegill work very well.  Don't know exactly how legal this technique is, so I would suggest finding out before you go and do it.  Have you tried anything smaller than finesse worms?  Baby Bombers, tiny jerkbaits, Panther Martins, or have you considered flies?  I've seen alot of big bass come up and eat mosquitoes and bees and such.  Some things to keep in mind.  Tight Lines!

[Rebbasser]

Sounds like you are on the right track.  In water that clear I'd go with natural colors like watermelon seed, watermelon red flake, or green pumpkin, and I would use small baits.  What kind of line are you using?  I would use either flourocarbon or green mono, and this time of year I'd fish around the cover-in the pads, weeds, etc.  I'd also go with what the other guys said-weightless.  The night fishing isn't a bad idea either.  Good luck!

BTW, sounds like a beautiful place to fish!

[el_jewapo]

another thing would be to make really long casts. spinning gear and lighter line. if you're a finesse fisherman, i'm sure you already have the equipment. try to fish with the sun in your face. the fish can see you better if you're between them and the sun.

are you fishing in a boat or on the bank? try wearing colors that blend with your back ground on the bank. if it's woods, wear camouflage.

with no limbs or other debris in the water to get in the way when fighting a fish, i would use very light fluorocarbon line.

senkos for bait would be a good start. i would get the most transparent colors i could find.

try both soft plastic and hard jerk baits. maybe try speeding up your presentation with whatever you are using, the fish might be getting too much of a good look at your lures if you're fishing slow. don't give them time to figure out it's not real.

[fishingaddict]

definatly senkos natural colors weightless

u should try zoom u tail worms also

[BAMA_BASS]

What kind of forage are in this lake? Crawdads, shad, minnows, bluegills? Have you tried live bluegill. I fish alot of ponds by my house, and I've found that live bluegill work very well. Don't know exactly how legal this technique is, so I would suggest finding out before you go and do it. Have you tried anything smaller than finesse worms? Baby Bombers, tiny jerkbaits, Panther Martins, or have you considered flies? I've seen alot of big bass come up and eat mosquitoes and bees and such. Some things to keep in mind. Tight Lines!

My name is also Dustin.

[senko_77]

definatly throw a senko

[Nick]

Night fish.  Try everything esp. single spins and pl. worms with very light weight or senko. If you can't stand night, wait tila good rain comes and fish in that with spinnerbait/buzzbait.  If you really want to stack the odds, plant some brush on or near the better drop offs. It will produce within days.

[Phishn_Phool]

I think everyone else has given all the good advise, with one exception....that is...invite me to come fish with you

                                       CPR ;D

[heresdustin]

Word!    

[CCloudyVision]

Before you mentioned it, I had never heard of a senko. I have fished Slug-Go's with limited success and will definately give a senko a try. Night fishing is productive as well but never tried a jitterbug. Thanks for the tips guys and I will inform you of my progress.

[Gatorbassman]

On occasion I fish a very clear lake in North Georgia. It is much like the one you described. My Father-in-Law is a diehard finesse fisherman. He introduced me to a great clear lake finesse style of fishing. It was developed by Charlie Brewer years ago. It is called the Slider Method. It uses very light line and small straight worms on weed less jigs. It is fished very slowly and is very adaptable to many types for structure and bottom conditions. There is a book that Charlie wrote describing everything about it. Do a Google for Charlie Brewer Slider and go to his web site. This method has helped me a lot when the fishing gets very tough and I have given up on all my go to panic baits.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Did I read that correctly?  Was it 2 fish over 14 lbs?  Are there any catches between the 2.5 and 14 lbs?   6's,7's etc.?