Locating Bass--no electronics

[.dsaavedra.]

hey guys...this might be too broad of a question to get a good answer for, but im gonna give it a shot.

how can i locate bass on a small lake (big pond) without any kind of electronics. i do have a boat however. i know some obvious places along the shoreline like laydowns and lily pads and crap, but beyond that, off-shore, how can i locate bass?

thanks for any advice

[Sam]

You need to read about the bass' habits and watch some videos or DVDs on the bass' behavior this winter to learn all you can.

The fish does what the fish does due to instinct.  The fish does what the fish does on a cycilcal basis each year, starting in the winter, followed by the spring, summer and fall.  The bass do the same thing over and over and over and over and over again.

There are variations to the bass' behavior depending on the water's Ph factor, temperature, oxygen levels, clarity and changes in structure.  But they continually do the same things season after season after season.

To find bass you have to be a hunter. But an intelligent and informed hunter.  That is why reading about and understanding the bass' habits are a very important elements in bass fishing.

I would suggest you follow Fluke's suggestions and at the same time get to know the pond's structure and cover.  Also the water depth is extremely important, realizing that the pond should be deeper at the drainage end than at any other place.

As for where the bass are this time of the year?  They are staging off shore and just sitting there, waiting for an easy meal to swim by. As the water temperature gets colder their metabolism slows down so they are lethargic.  But they eat just the same.

So where may the be? They may be in any cover they can find that they believe gives them protection.  They can be a few feet off the bottom.  They can attack a bait fish along the shallows and then dive back to the deep safety of the pond.

So how do you seek them out?  Crankbaits, pointers, spoons, Carolina rigged baits including crankbaits (yes, you can C-rig a crankbait to get it deep), shaky head, drop shot and doodle rigs.  All fished    S-L-O-W    as the bass slow down as the water temperature gets colder.

And remember, a bass' metabolism slows down this time of the year so they take a longer time to digest a baitfish then when they are active.  In fact, if memory serves me correctly, it can take up to 8 days for a bass to digest a bream in the winter.  I need to double check my Bassmaster University's notes on the bass' metabolism but you get the picture.

Read articles on winter fishing.  Check out Woo Daves' site and see what he says about winter fishing.  Check out the other sites of the pros and see what they suggest. Look on this site's fishing articles and see what is suggested. And read, read and read this winter to learn all you can about your prey.

Bigmouth, Bigmouth Forever and The Feeding Habits of Bass are three great videos to secure and to watch.  They will teach you a lot about the fish and its habits.

Now dress warm and go out and try your luck but don't get too frustrated if you get skunked.  Its winter and you are supposed to get skunked a few times.

[Evan Pease]

I usually drag a 1/2oz jig. The lake I fish used to have a lower dam and the water would go down almost to the creek beds so I remember alot of places. Now theres a new dam (7 feet higher) and I just fish creek channels, rock piles etc. that used to be abovewater.

[Dan:]

I usually like to try to visit all of my lakes/ponds in the low water periods to see if any new features are revealed. You'd be surprised what you can see when the water gets low sometimes.

[paul.]

off-shore, how can i locate bass?

i totally agree with everything that has been said here.  GREAT ideas definitely.  however you asked how to locate BASS offshore, not necessarily likely cover or structure areas.  you can learn and fish offshore hotspots all day long, without necessarily locating or catching the fish as their location can be affected by a variety of things other than avilable cover or structure.  granted, they will usually be around these hotspots, but not always (sometimes they forget to read "the book") ;D.  even if the are, that guarantees nothing for the next time you are on the water as the fish may have totally changed.  

since it is a small body of water, fortunately there should not be a lot of searching to do.  i have found the best way to locate offshore fish when you don't necessarily know where the humps, channels, ledges, etc. are is to mentally divide the lake into sections.  fish each of these with a top, middle, bottom approach, covering the entire water colum with a variety of baits.  repeat until you find the section of the lake/pond and aspect of the water column that the fish are using.  hope that helps some.  

[Guest muddy]

The man who taught me about fishing , in the early 60"s used a method that I use when I rent a boat on a small lake. Get a 1/2 to 1 ounce pyramid sinker, they use them for fluke fishing in salt water. Tie about 15 feet of thin clothes line rope , and using what ever color you wish mark it at 1/2 foot intervals and then attach a small piece of chain down by the sinker. Let it out over the side , watch you marks, that will tell you depth and the chain will snag weeds and let you know what type of vegatation you are on top of. Its reusable and still works when camping etc and no electronics available 8-)

[Crestliner2008]

I totally agree with muddy. I've used a sounding rope 30 years ago, in a small 12' tin boat, to learn a lake. You can get a lot of experience with a sounding rope. Will get you close to previously fished humps and channels quite easily once you get enough practice under your belt. However, don't forget, these days you can get an adequate sonar for under $100.

[Tin]

I also use those "transmission" baits like jigs and c-rigs. You can learn so much about a lake with these baits and a sensitive rod. (Like that new avid you just bought). After you find that off-shore stuff, if the fish dont dont hit that slow bait go for reaction strikes with a lipless crank or a spinnerbait.

[.dsaavedra.]

thanks guys this is just what i wanted to hear! i guess i should have mentioned that what i wanted to do was really map out a lake. i figured once i knew what the bottom of a lake is like, i can use what ive learned to figure out where the bass would likely be.

one question though, what exactly does it feel like say if your c-rig is climbing up a hump? will i be able to distinctly tell? see, ive never fished a sensative rod before (most sensative i've fished would be a lightnin rod) but i do have an avid now but havent used it. so will i be able to tell if the worm is climbing or faling down a hill or off a ledge or something like that?

thanks a lot guys!  ;D

[Catt]

The easiest way is to buy a Eagle® Cuda 168 $69.99; all the depth finder required for a beginner