Heavy Pressure Question

[Lucky Craft Man]

Here is something I have been wondering.  There is a point on this one lake I like to fish, but there are probably 100 other fisherman that like to fish there as well.  This point has all the aspects that would attract fish (hence why so many people fish there).  My question is if this point gets a lot of pressure, would the fish no longer hold on this point over time or would they still hold there, but just be much harder to catch?  I think it's easier to modify my technique to catch pressured fish then it would be to fish a location that no longer holds fish.  Thanks for your help?

[grimlin]

They are there...just harder to catch.

I fish the same situations you do.I present different lures in different manner that i think everybody else fishes with.

It's one of the reasons i hate fishing worm lures.Seems like bass have seen it all and know which ones to avoid.

I also find that bass hold to really tight covers under pressure,because simply nobody is tossing into it.

[Mottfia]

I agree with grimlin on this one. There are only two things that the fish would do..barring getting too technical.

1) Pull close to cover and have a reduced strike zone.

2) move to an area adjacent to the area that is getting pounded. That could be slightly deeper or shallower on teh point or the bank, channel, hump, etc adjacent to the point.

Mottfia

[WRB]

Learn to read you electronics when fishing outside structure. A obvious major point that has become a community hole may not have any decent bass there. The reason is all have been caught that are aggressive enough to bite. If you can fish the same area at night, the better bass may move up on it.

Try finesse presentations like 6# line and 4 1/2" drop shot worms in the baitfish colors. Approach the point form the shoreline and work out towards deep water slowly and quietly.

Take a look at Don Ionino's book; It's based on fishing high pressured lakes.

http://www.iovino.com/donbook.htm

WRB

[Steven Ladner]

Finesse fish, as said above. Light line and small worms. I caught 21 the other day in a couple of hours (2 that were 5+ pounds) which is good for the are I fish. It's my new go to setup.  

[bassman31783]

Something that has worked out really well for me, in a very similar situation, is throwing very realistic baits. Right now those realistic baits are smaller swimbaits. 5" - 6".

Like others have said they are seeing all the worms, cranks, spinners & so on & so forth.

I either go small or go super realistic. Has worked for me so far.

That's how i caught the bass in my AV.

[Sam]

Do things different.

If they are throwing spinnerbaits, throw crankbaits.

Go finesse.

Try a split shot or a shaky head

Consider a C-rig with a different bait, like a crankbait, large worm, trick worm, etc.

Do something out of the box that the other guys are not doing or have not done and see what happens.  

[Raul]

Do something out of the box that the other guys are not doing or have not done and see what happens.

Excellent.  

[Fish Chris]

I totally agree with everyone above. If the fish "use to be there", then they are probably still there"..... Keeping in mind, however, that there are always going to be spots which seem like great spots in every way a human mind can concieve, but of which bass simply do not like to use ???

How clear is your water ? I suggest throwing something big, loud, and obnoxious at that spot.... Like a 9" MS Slammer. Even if they don't eat it, they will almost always have to swim up to investigate it. Bass are often just too curious for there own good ;-) Make sure your wearing some good polarized glasses, and watch closely for followers behind your lure on each cast. Of course the calmer and clearer it is, the easier it will be to see the fish. But if its a bit murky, or choppy, your odds will go up for actually sticking the fish. So either way, it's totally worth the time and effort :-)

Oh..... and by throwing a 9" MS Slammer (not really that heavy... only about 4oz) you will be doing something different than most of the crowd, in most parts of the country. Also, don't let yourself believe that you are limiting yourself "too much" to only giant fish. I can't tell you how many 2 lb'ers I've caught on a 9" MS Slammer.

Go stick a pig ! :-)

Peace,

Fish

[Lucky Craft Man]

This is why I love this forum. I went to the heavily pressured point this morning and there were already three boats sitting right on it. I backed off to the side of the point and found a few small rock piles and drop offs. In 2 hours, I caught 8 fish with shakyheads and dropshots, while those three boats had a total of zero fish combined in the same time frame (actually one boat left after about 40 minutes of no fish). That's when the true sportsmanship of the guys on the other  boats came out. After seeing me catch my 7th fish, they both started crowding in on me. I then trolled over to where they just were and caught one. I just loved the looks on their faces after catching that last fish in the spot they were squatting on for 2 hours. Thanks again guys for the advise and I can't wait to get back out there.

[Crestliner2008]

One other thing to consider on high pressured lakes is your approach to a structure. A lot of anglers zoom in on a structure at top end speed. shutting down within yards of their target. This will not get you bit, in this situation.

Instead, cruise in quietly. Keep your profile low. Stand out from the structure. Make long cast. And as has been said above, study finesse fishing and become intimate with those various presentations.