Help with the turnover

[indy basser]

I have a tournament tomorow and went out for some prefishing today. I prefished Wed and did very well and I was excited to get on the water.  Today when I got to the lake the whole lake was covered in a sort of green film, I mean the ENTIRE thing so I know it's not an algae bloom.  I'm assuming the turnover happened in the 4 days I was off the water. Now I know what the turnover is but today I didn't catch 1 fish after almost 15 Wed. I didn't fish out my spots because I caught no more than 3 in any 1 area.  My question is what is the best advice for fishing post lake turnover?

[Glenn]

oooh, boy,  that's a tough one.  Turnover is one of the toughest conditions you'll encounter.  It really screws the fish up.  The lake temp will be the same top-to-bottom, so there really isn't a "prime" depth during this time.  

The only advice I can give you is to try a variety of lures, starting with reaction baits and moving to slow baits.  Sometimes a bait whizzing by them will illicit a strike, other times a Senko dead-sticked on the bottom will work.  And when I mean "dead-stick", I mean leave it there for 5 or more minutes!

For reaction baits, focus on structure.  Try to bring by where they're waiting, rather than expecting them to track it down in these conditions.

Good luck!

[senko_77]

oooh, boy, that's a tough one. Turnover is one of the toughest conditions you'll encounter. It really screws the fish up. The lake temp will be the same top-to-bottom, so there really isn't a "prime" depth during this time.

The only advice I can give you is to try a variety of lures, starting with reaction baits and moving to slow baits. Sometimes a bait whizzing by them will illicit a strike, other times a Senko dead-sticked on the bottom will work. And when I mean "dead-stick", I mean leave it there for 5 or more minutes!

For reaction baits, focus on structure. Try to bring by where they're waiting, rather than expecting them to track it down in these conditions.

Good luck!

Glenn's 2 presentation suggestions are really your only choice.  Turnover is an extremely tough time to fish, but they gotta eat, so remember that and gain confidence from that.  

If I were you, I would burn a buzzbait or rip a jerkbait.  When I say burn, I mean BURN.  If that isn't working, then switch to a light drop shot rig and throw it where you know there are fish relating to the bottom.  Let it sit and don't move it.  After about 30 seconds or so, lift it just till you can feel the weight, then let it sit again.  You need to keep that bait in the strike zone until one decides he has seen enough of it.  

This is also a time where I think scent can play a big role.  Load your baits in JJ's Magic or Megastrike.  

Patience is going to be key whether your looking for that reaction strike or crawling a worm on the bottom.  The guy who is most patient will win the tourny.  Take that and the fact that fish are fish and have to eat, build confidence around it, and go out there and get that limit.

Good luck dude!

[jaystraw]

I encountered turnover the other day and the only thing I got them to bite on was a small green pumpkin jig with a GY crawdad trailer. I'm not very experienced with a jig, but it seemd to do the trick. They were hitting it during a pause on a slow retrive.

I caught 20+ fish there last week, and only 3 on Friday. It was tough.

[Catt]

Glenn & senko77 nailed it  

It's gonna be tough accept that & build on it; be meticulous with your presentations & look for subtle patterns.

[Paul Roberts]

I guess first, you sound psyched out. Dump that.

It probably is turnover, but it could also be an algae die-off.

If it is turnover, remember others are going to have the same problems. Fewer fish should be weighed. Will be interesting just how that comes out. Let us know.

One thing you can do, if the lake topography will support it, is find away from the main body coves that didn't turnover. If there is another basin you may be in luck. Smaller shallower areas likely hold fish, even if they are younger and smaller, at least you can work on a limit.

Let us know how in the tournament went.

[Willzx225]

I agree with Paul on this as another pattern to run.  I have had good success running as far up a main tributary or major creek  as I can go to the back of the creek.  This section of the lake does not turn over since the water is seldom deep enough to stratify.  Keep in mind that you are targeting resident fish instead of schools of fish that will replenish.  Fish the last deep water in the creek usually found where the creek makes a hard bend.  I typically fish jigs crankbaits and buzzbaits.  This is just another option to what Senko 77 and Glenn said above.

[Paul Roberts]

Keep in mind that you are targeting resident fish instead of schools of fish that will replenish.

Adjust your expectations accordingly...and win.

[Certified Public Angler]

ok i give, I don't understand what is turnover? Sounds like the lake is in heat or something...

[Paul Roberts]

Google: lake turnover

maybe add: limnology