check this map out where would you guys start?

[NJfishinGuy]

heres the map. this lake is clear probably 10-15ft visibility. lemme know what you guys would do, im headingout there tommorw is search on monster bronze!

[blade]

need more info

[T-rig]

I would start at the main dam and work my way up to the right. The top end with the trees also sounds good.

[ewokmonsta720]

I would hit up the rock reefs and the submerged trees the map shows in the northeast. Structure structure structure.

[Guest muddy]

i WOULD FIRST FIND SOMEONE THAT KNOWS HOW TO READ A MAP

[Zel]

What's up... you don't trust my advice? LOL  

Good luck, let us know how you do.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

If this is NJ, I wouldn't bother with the shallows this time of yr.  First find rock.  Rock and current and you're even better.  Personally, I would start up at the steep bank at 11:00 and work north probing each of those shelves.  Patterning fish in a certain zone like that at this time of year can have you there for hours if you find the depth they are holding at.  If you do, work that shelf North and South for all it's worth.  Spend extra time on the highlighted rockpiles.

[NJfishinGuy]

thanks guys.

Zel believe im printing out your info to take with me   . i appreciate it allot just looking for what some others would do, not everyone catches fish in the same spots. wanna have my best chance of landed huge bronze

[WRB]

Starting at the upper north narrows;

1. NW spillway flat ledge.

2. NE point breaks and rockwalls.

3. Visitor center point, N-side breakline.

You need to find a 5 foot elevation map to detail specific structure.

WRB

[StatosDadRI]

I would definatley go with those 2 rock reefs on the points that Low Budget pointed out and would definatley fish around the boat ramp by the visitors center. If the lake is pressured or sees tournaments the main boat ramp or ramps will always have fish in or around the area. Just find any type of cover or structure that looks like it may have fish on it and fish it.

[tritz18]

i WOULD FIRST FIND SOMEONE THAT KNOWS HOW TO READ A MAP

YES i agree  ;D ;D ;D

[Zel]

NJfG just funnin with ya. I looked back on some tourney notes from the 90's, when I fished the lake much more. Here are a couple of things I got from what I had noted.

Water is clear here. Smallies are willing to come up from depths of 15-20 feet to get topwaters. Use topwater baits and spinnerbaits if there's a chop on surface. If the surface is calm you get lookers at the top water baits. If you get lookers at a topwaters, either 1) lay rod down, letting bait sit on water, and follow it up with swimming a 4 finesse worm. 2) Move the lures faster, so they don't get a good look at them. 3) give up, as the rule of thumb usually is: if you can see them you can't catch them (and that's why I like fishing deeper here). I've noticed you need to move flukes, jerkbaits, cranks and spinnerbaits faster here as a general rule (probably because of the clarity, and a fast retrieve doesn't allow them to get a good look at it and the reason they grow up to be cowbass). All bronzebacks here think they are 8 pounders, or at least they fight like them. If you hook one of the big ones, and you feel it rocketing to the surface, stick your rodtip straight down pretty deep into the water and get that bass turned, and it will save yourself some frustration cause they will throw the bait jumping. I've already netted those jumping smallies 5 foot in mid air for my coanglers (no bull) in tourneys.

You probably won't get the numbers here, but the ones you get will be quality fish. It's my second favorite lake in Jersey, after Spruce Run.

You'll probably get to see some deer, black bear, muskrat, and weasles on the shoreline. Maybe even a cyotoe here. Loolk for bald eagles, herons and loons also. The place is amazing for wildlife.

One more thing I almost forgot, there are a lot of trout in the lake, and the bigger smallies feed on them.  So, having something that matches the color might be a good idea.

[Needemp]

Depending on a lot of factors, I would look for cover in the red areas and fish there. And if you are in late summer/early fall and have shad in this lake, I would target anything that will hold bass on the main lake on the outer edge of cover (the green areas). They lay there waiting for shad to swim by. If it is full blown fall pattern, I would look towards any flowing creeks and/or pockets that contain nice shallow flats next to deep water and fish fast moving lures. Unfortunately your map is in 20' depths and that makes it a little harder.

[Zel]

When going to a new lake, I often use yahoo maps (satellite) in conjunction with a contour map.  You can sometimes see key spots and structure from the aerial map you might not pick up on the contour map.

[Randall]

If I am after a big one I would look for breaklines around these three spots. Really need a more detailed map with five foot increments but I would start looking here.

[bass109]

I would go to forested area and work my way down. Not the rock reef, area. I would tend to stay away from boat area.

What kinds of fish do you have there? Any muskies or pike? 8-)

[Chris at Tech]

What body of water is this?

[Catt]

One area besides all the others mentioned is what appears to be an underwater hump

I would like to see this lake in a 5' contour map  

[Fish Eater]

i WOULD FIRST FIND SOMEONE THAT KNOWS HOW TO READ A MAP

Would be my answer to.& it wouldn't be me  ;D

[NJfishinGuy]

thanks guys, i fished the place and learned a little about it. that offshore hump is what im gonna try next time i go, along with some other spots you guys showed. thanks alot for the advice. this place is awesome and i wanna learn it.

oh for who asked its merrill creek resivoir