Where would you try on this lake??

[Bassin-Yakin]

I just started fishing larger lakes, I used to fish 1,000 acre or less reservoirs... I have been out three times on this lake and have caught two bass... I have only gotten about 6 total bites and have struggled to say the least.... any tips on places to start and techniques??  The lake has rocky shores and some are very steep drop offs... there are some docks as well...   read about the lake and see a map here on the Game and Fish website.... thanks for the help..

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=77

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

With the rocky structure and drop offs,id go with a drop shot or a deep crankbait for deeper off shore structure,or shallow crankbait on shallower rock piles and flats .If they're fluctuating a lot of water id throw a crankbait because there would be quite a lot of current id think

[Frogman]

1-10 ft depth fluctuation.  WOW!!  Sounds like I would stay at the downstream side.  Really try and get a grip on the water levels and keep track of it.  That will help more than anything.  When it's up you can try your shallower spots but as it is moving down you better move with it.  Find some deeper structure along the channels.

[Bassin-Yakin]

yeah I plan on throwing some deeper cranks this time as well as drop shot....

also going to focus on some of the docks with a Fat Ika... i have not worked the docks hard so far but did manage one of my fish from a random dock...

[badger_bassin]

Keep on eye on the water levels if its up, try shallow diving cranks along the rocky shoreline.  If it's down go a little deeper,  I'm just guessing here but I would assume that the bite is better when water level is up.  Also keep an eye on the current look for current breaks.  Remember to throw up current as they like to sit behind cover and ambush prey coming downstream.  It's a good idea to keep a log book,  especially on bigger lakes and ones that fluctuate that dramatically.

[Sam]

Yakin,

Easy question - very difficult answer.

I suggest taking a number of different baits with you and giving each a try at the same location until the bass tell you what they want as you travel around the lake.

Keep a detailed log regarding every adventure on the lake. Put the dated pages in a three-ring binder and continually read your notes, especially regarding weather conditions and water levels.

Speak with others who fish the lake for advice. Check out your local tackle shops for information or consider joining a local bass club, if any, that fishes the lake.

Create your own map of the lake, adding to it after each outing.  You may need to use tungston weights to feel the bottom. You will be surprised at what you can create by adding to the map as you find places to fish and not to fish.

I wish I had an easy answer but I don't. So I will also suggest that you read, read and read some more and then look on the web on various techniques and baits on how to fish a lake like yours land for the pros' sites and read their material.

DVDs, Bassin' magazine, and the B.A.S.S. and FLW magazines can also be helpful.  If your local tackle shop or BPS has DVDs please start your collection.

One last item - Library. Do you have a library on bass fishing where you keep folders of articles from magazines?  If not, consider starting one about your favorite baits, the seasons, techniques and anything else you deem important.

But you need to read, read and read.

Your goal is to educate yourself on the body of water which will take time.

Check out the articles on this site and then expand your base by suscribing to other bass fishing publications. 

[cart7t]

Maybe burley or 5BL can weigh in on this lake. 

Missouri has a pump back lake similar to this one.  The bass fishing there has never been very good though redear sunfish seem to thrive given the extreme, consistent water level fluctuations. 

[jokerjp1301600387]

Found this info when searching another topic:

bassresource.com/fishing/hot_summer_fishing.html

"The reservoirs around here are used for hydroelectric power and irrigation, so in the summer they tend to draw a lot of water off the lakes quickly. This can work to the angler's advantage. As they draw water off they are creating a current in the lake. When this is happening I like to find the narrow parts of the lake which will concentrate the current. I pick out five or six points in these narrow areas and start making a 'milk run.' This is where the water is moving the best and you will soon come in contact with the fish when they turn on. And, when they turn on, they all turn on at once."

   For this technique, Don Payne uses a small 4-inch PowerBait worm from Berkley on spinning gear. "I uses a split shot technique when the fish are less than 25 feet deep; if they are over 25 feet, I go to a baitcast reel and switch to a Carolina rig," Payne stated. "No matter how deep they are, I seldom will use anything heavier than a 1/2-ounce weight. Summer fish are finicky and will more readily accept small baits, but they will eat!"

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I've fished more than one reservoir where the bite is tough until they start drawing water. The current really turns them on. When this happens, the narrows are good. If there are any feeder creeks, check them out. The docks are a place to check as well as any rip-rap areas you can find. Good luck.

[Bassin-Yakin]

thanks for the tips... I am going out tomorrow hopefully if the storms will leave me alone....

[Hellbenderman]

I suggest you go up the river a short way and fish in Smith Mountain Lake, a great lake and not as big and bad as you might want to believe. SML is a great lake with readily available fish!

[etommy28]

idk put out brush piles?