Help for tomorrow's trip

[helms83]

Water Clarity: Stained

Water Temp: 85ish

Weather: Sunny; sunrise: 0640; temp: 75; temp at noon: low 90s

Method of fishing: 0700 launch from a boat w/o a depth finder

Attached is a map of lake numbered with best spots:

1) Shallow area (3-10ft) with standing timber. Longer shade time with tree cover along the eastern shoreline. (I've fished here twice with no luck, however, I have seen some decent size bass jump in the morning hours.)

2) Points where I have caught smaller bass on crankbait (most productive area for me so far this summer). The bottom is composed of areas of mud, some with small rock cover, and I believe a very small/short grass bed (however I have truble finding these areas since I'm new at this). The shore line is shallow and then goes to about 20ft 50 meters from the shoreline.

3) "The Dam" (no running water or current created) with rock shoreline, and some rock covered bottom areas. Goes shallow to deep very quickly here. Not sure depth but would say 20+ easily. There is also standing structure from a small bridge that leads to a concrete box thing that's in the water. (I think this would provide a good ambush spot, and quick access from shallow to deep, plus the western side of this box would allow for cooler water temp as it's shaded from the sunrise).

4) Very shallow standing timber, roughly 3-6ft of water. Have caught only one bass, roughly 2lbs, around the timber, and I have been back there a few times.

I was thinking of trying by area #3 when I first got there in the morning, since I always start by area #1 with no luck.

How would you attack this lake?

[brushhoggin]

I'd get out there at sunrise if you could and throw your frog and lizards around main points till the sun comes up. i know all lakes are different but when that sun comes out you know they're gonna take cover under lily pads and other types of cover providing shade. Others move off the banks and suspend themselves on deeper ledges where you can experiment with crankbaits of different depths. also if you have a depth finder, take some time to look for deep structure near those stumpfields and pick it apart with big *** worms or a weightless fluke. i would work on 3 the older the day got as it looks like the deepest part. good luck dude

[helms83]

Skunked again, I just can't figure this lake out. But here are pics of my lake and areas to fish. First two pics are Area #1, third pic is Area #2, fourth pic is Area #3.

How would you fish these areas?

[brushhoggin]

What i'd try assuming there are bass in the lake, and you have no depth finder:

Areas 1 & 2- If you can pitch, i'd pitch all around those trees with a black or purple jig. or just throw on a lizard and crawl it very slowly all around those trees. any dark plastic will do really but the bigger and darker, the easier for a bass to locate. you may wanna concentrate on the deeper parts of those areas. Also, never rule out a frog here.

Area 3- I'd fish about 10 to 15 ft off the bank, and parallel with the bank with a plastic worm of your choosing. i'd put on an 8" junebug lizard or a 6" roboworm zipper shakin in oxblood 1/4 oz weight, and fish along the bottom. let it sink and fish slow. keep a crankbait handy in case you see em bustin the top.

area 4- i'd go there first thing in the morning and throw spinnerbaits and crankbaits real quick to see if they were chasing breakfast by the rocks. experiment with different depths and colors. persistence pays, and good luck.

[InLikeFinz]

I would be interested in seeing what would happen if you took a square billed shallow running crank (3ft or so) and concentrated on those isolated sticks in the areas with standing timber. Maybe try and "tick" the sides of the sticks as you go by with the crankbait. Just look for one or two that are by their lonesome and have at it. After you hit one, pause it just for a split second like it's stunned and keep on cranking.  You might hang up a few but can get them out fairly easily.  I'm thinking chartreuse with a black back. You could also do this with a buzz bait early or late in the day.

Also, if you are looking for a BIG bite, you can't go wrong with a big 10 1/2 in. Zoom Ol Monster worm. Rig it texas style with a 3/8 oz bullet weight and a 5/0 - 6/0 hook. Any dark color works for me, purples, blacks, or something with a red tint to it. The big ones will be looking for a hearty meal and when it's dropped on their noses they can't resist. Throw some Megastrike on it and you'll be straight.

Just my thoughts anyway. Looks like a pretty sweet lake! 8-)

Jason

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Boy, I wish I had that kind of cover on my lake.  Looks like there should be some prime fishing.

You really need to invest in some kind of depth finder.  Would help you be able to pinpoint bait and different types of structure to work over some of those areas.

[helms83]

I was thinking about getting this:

Humminbird® 110 Fishin' Buddy® Ultimate Portable Fishfinder

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=97460&cmCat=WISHLIST

I figured it would get the job down.