New to lake fishing. Help

[Nickman]

Until last year never fished a lake.   The one I fished here in mid July has no real bottom contours but standing timber in from 7 to 25 feet of water.  How would you fish it.   I struggled only catching one.

[Koop]

I would be throwing jigs and crank baits all over that timber.

[senile1]

I would not throw lures at every piece of timber unless it is a small lake. I fish a lake with over 4000 acres of timber. If I threw a lure at every tree without trying to determine which trees are the right ones, my success would be very poor at best. The key to fishing your lake is finding the trees that are on break lines and contours. I know you don't believe it has any contour but even a minor hump, shallow ditch, change in type of rock, change in bottom composition, or change in vegetation can make a difference. These things can be difficult to find and it can take time to learn spots that meet the right set of criteria to hold fish. Take the time to do so and you will be more successful. Study a map to narrow down the spots you want to try, and then go over those spots with a fish finder to find the likeliest areas to fish. Eliminate unproductive water.

For more detailed information on fishing structure check out some of the links in the Favorite threads sticky. This is the link: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1205059810

[Nickman]

Its about 500 acres with 300 of it timber

[DINK WHISPERER]

A good way to quickly locate fish and get a feel for what they are doing and where they are would be working a spinnerbait or Rat-L-Trap through the timber. Once you have a basic idea you can start targeting specific areas with T-rigs, drop shots or jigs. BEST OF LUCK

[aarogb]

    Cover a lot of water with a lipless crankbait, then once you find a few good trees drop a drop-shot down beside the tree.  You should get a few fish.

[JellyMan]

Fishing it alot will be the key. Find those spots that bass hang on, understand the food sources, feeding patterns, and basically feel it out. Once you fish it enough, you will get em. I have fished my new lake for 3 months and 90% of the times I fish, I catch at least a 3lber.

I have noticed on my lake after dialing in everything else... the lake is either on or it's off. one day will be 7-8 fish in 4 hours, other days will be zero bites in 4 hours. Thats the only thing I dont have dialed in is why they are "off" on these days. I think it has something to do with rain. They seem to bite more when there hasnt been rain in a few days. :-?

[Catt]

My approach to timber is not that different from grass or any type cover for that matter.

Look for spots where the trees form a point or corner

Look for isolated trees

Look for spots where the trees form a wall (straight line)

Look for sloughs

Look for roadbeds/boat lanes

Look for ridges/humps

The beauty of timber is any lure or technique will be productive; I suggest start with your strong points.

Take the time; learn the lake, along with ANY available structure and the cover it offers.

Don't let the standing timber intimidate you

[Nickman]

I would have to say the standing timber did intimidate me.   I have never fished anything like that,  most of my fishing has been grass or lillypad cover in shallow water.   Not a tree sticking 30 fee out of the water but in 20 foot of water.