Scouting or learning the lake better

[soopd]

I have a tendency to always fish the same locations week after week.  Sometimes I catch tons of fish and sometimes I don't.  I am wanting to expand on my fishing locations so I plan on doing some scouting trips over the next week.  I am wanting to find some good structure and learn what this lake has to offer.  The lake I am going to scout is a deep reservoir without a lot of off water structure like humps.  It is Lake Wilson in north Alabama. 

What are some things that I should look for with my depth finder?  What are some things that will help me learn this lake better? 

[soopd]

I have a tendency to always fish the same locations week after week.  Sometimes I catch tons of fish and sometimes I don't.  I am wanting to expand on my fishing locations so I plan on doing some scouting trips over the next week.  I am wanting to find some good structure and learn what this lake has to offer.  The lake I am going to scout is a deep reservoir without a lot of off water structure like humps.  It is Lake Wilson in north Alabama. 

What are some things that I should look for with my depth finder?  What are some things that will help me learn this lake better? 

[soopd]

I have a tendency to always fish the same locations week after week.  Sometimes I catch tons of fish and sometimes I don't.  I am wanting to expand on my fishing locations so I plan on doing some scouting trips over the next week.  I am wanting to find some good structure and learn what this lake has to offer.  The lake I am going to scout is a deep reservoir without a lot of off water structure like humps.  It is Lake Wilson in north Alabama. 

What are some things that I should look for with my depth finder?  What are some things that will help me learn this lake better? 

[Wayne P.]

http://www.alabamalakeinfo.com/wilson/altoonafishingreports.shtml

[Wayne P.]

http://www.alabamalakeinfo.com/wilson/altoonafishingreports.shtml

[Wayne P.]

http://www.alabamalakeinfo.com/wilson/altoonafishingreports.shtml

[SeanW]

Not sure why this was moved as its about scouting lakes in general.  That said I find it best to idle around in likely areas, look for structure, bottom changes, grass, bait, isolated rocks, anything different. If its a current lake, keep that in mind when looking. This time of year on our deeper clear canyon lakes Im all over creek channels and drops. Scouting is also a good justification for a Side Imaging Unit. Sure makes it alot faster, and you'd be surprised how much stuff is actually out there that we flat out miss with standard graphs.

Good luck

[SeanW]

Not sure why this was moved as its about scouting lakes in general.  That said I find it best to idle around in likely areas, look for structure, bottom changes, grass, bait, isolated rocks, anything different. If its a current lake, keep that in mind when looking. This time of year on our deeper clear canyon lakes Im all over creek channels and drops. Scouting is also a good justification for a Side Imaging Unit. Sure makes it alot faster, and you'd be surprised how much stuff is actually out there that we flat out miss with standard graphs.

Good luck

[SeanW]

Not sure why this was moved as its about scouting lakes in general.  That said I find it best to idle around in likely areas, look for structure, bottom changes, grass, bait, isolated rocks, anything different. If its a current lake, keep that in mind when looking. This time of year on our deeper clear canyon lakes Im all over creek channels and drops. Scouting is also a good justification for a Side Imaging Unit. Sure makes it alot faster, and you'd be surprised how much stuff is actually out there that we flat out miss with standard graphs.

Good luck

[J Francho]

Not sure why this was moved as its about scouting lakes in general. That said I find it best to idle around in likely areas, look for structure, bottom changes, grass, bait, isolated rocks, anything different. If its a current lake, keep that in mind when looking. This time of year on our deeper clear canyon lakes Im all over creek channels and drops. Scouting is also a good justification for a Side Imaging Unit. Sure makes it alot faster, and you'd be surprised how much stuff is actually out there that we flat out miss with standard graphs.

Good luck

From the original post:

The lake I am going to scout is a deep reservoir without a lot of off water structure like humps.  It is Lake Wilson in north Alabama. 

[J Francho]

Not sure why this was moved as its about scouting lakes in general. That said I find it best to idle around in likely areas, look for structure, bottom changes, grass, bait, isolated rocks, anything different. If its a current lake, keep that in mind when looking. This time of year on our deeper clear canyon lakes Im all over creek channels and drops. Scouting is also a good justification for a Side Imaging Unit. Sure makes it alot faster, and you'd be surprised how much stuff is actually out there that we flat out miss with standard graphs.

Good luck

From the original post:

The lake I am going to scout is a deep reservoir without a lot of off water structure like humps.  It is Lake Wilson in north Alabama. 

[J Francho]

Not sure why this was moved as its about scouting lakes in general. That said I find it best to idle around in likely areas, look for structure, bottom changes, grass, bait, isolated rocks, anything different. If its a current lake, keep that in mind when looking. This time of year on our deeper clear canyon lakes Im all over creek channels and drops. Scouting is also a good justification for a Side Imaging Unit. Sure makes it alot faster, and you'd be surprised how much stuff is actually out there that we flat out miss with standard graphs.

Good luck

From the original post:

The lake I am going to scout is a deep reservoir without a lot of off water structure like humps.  It is Lake Wilson in north Alabama. 

[soopd]

I was wanting to discuss just scouting lakes in general.  I guess i should have left out Lake Wilson.  I included to give reference that is a deep reservoir lake without a lot of off shore structure.  I have a side imaging unit and I am learning to use it.  I have read Reed's guide service numerous times and it has helped some. 

I just wanted to know what people do when they want to learn more about certain types of lakes.

Thanks  anyway.

[soopd]

I was wanting to discuss just scouting lakes in general.  I guess i should have left out Lake Wilson.  I included to give reference that is a deep reservoir lake without a lot of off shore structure.  I have a side imaging unit and I am learning to use it.  I have read Reed's guide service numerous times and it has helped some. 

I just wanted to know what people do when they want to learn more about certain types of lakes.

Thanks  anyway.

[soopd]

I was wanting to discuss just scouting lakes in general.  I guess i should have left out Lake Wilson.  I included to give reference that is a deep reservoir lake without a lot of off shore structure.  I have a side imaging unit and I am learning to use it.  I have read Reed's guide service numerous times and it has helped some. 

I just wanted to know what people do when they want to learn more about certain types of lakes.

Thanks  anyway.

[J Francho]

Alrighty then....

[J Francho]

Alrighty then....

[J Francho]

Alrighty then....

[Lund Explorer]

In answering your question soopd, I'll go back to the days when "I had hair, and it was dark". 

Long before most boats had fishfinders, GPS, sidescan, downscan electronics, the best way to scout a lake started at home with a paper map.  I still think that it is a very important part on any lake research today.  As a case study in how I go about learning a lake, let's look at the upcoming roadtrip to KY Lake.

I haven't been on that lake since 1969, and I can honestly say I don't remember much about the trip other than it was on an Easter weekend, it rained, and we caught a whole bunch of crappie.  As I want to have some success on this trip, I plan to take the following steps.

First, I've been reading almost anything I can find about the lake, including the thread on here from the prior trip two years ago.

Secondly, as soon as I get my hands on a quality map, I will set aside time each day or so to study it.  With the knowledge I've picked up from my reading, I should be able to get a good idea of different places I'll want to check out once I arrive at the lake.  I will make a list of these possible matching spots (gravel bars for instance) so that depending on how I do on one, I will already have other places like it to search out or avoid.

The third phase of learning a lake will happen once I'm on the water.  Using my electronics, I will be able to take a closer look at the spots I've considered.  I may start out fishing a specific spot, or I may just go for a boat ride looking at many spots in a general area.  Regardless of which I do, I will mark waypoints into my GPS on spots that I either caught fish on or that looked promising, so I can return to them later.  If you don't have a GPS unit, you can usually get fairly close using the old fashioned practice of triangulating points on shore.  Even while I'm in the boat, I'll have my paper map with me.  I find it easier to reference that than it is to scroll my GPS map randomly.

How would all of this help you and the lake you are trying to learn?

You've already said that you do well on some days, and get the goose egg on others.... Welcome to the club!  But imagine if you took the steps I've discussed and used them as well. 

On days where you're in the catching side of the game would be a good time to search out new spots that come close to matching the ones you are having success on.  Think of a creek channel coming close to a shoreline.  If one such place works, look for other creeks bends that do the same.  This is also a good time to try out new lures that you're trying to learn.

Then on days when you're only fishing and not catching, it won't hurt to spend even more of the day looking at different types of water, structure, or cover.  Think about it, you aren't catching anything, but it's still better than work.... Take a boat ride!  Move from main lake points to secondary ones.  Get off the shoreline cover and look at deeper spots.  Muddy water?  Go look for clear water, or vice versa.  Fish this new water with confidence baits!

In either scenario, having that lake map will help you find new places to explore.  Keep notes, or like I use to do, get two maps and scratch notes on one of them.  There's many threads on here that talk about fishing logs, there's even a link to one you can use.  Start using them religiously.  Keep them up to date, and refer back to them often.

Finally, the more you study one lake, you'll find that many of the same things you learned about the first lake will hold true on the next.  I always look at this aspect of the sport as a giant who-done-it.  And your goal should be to say that "It was soopd, with a flippin stick, in the cove."!  Try this approach and you'll find that the time that you get to spend with the sport of fishing will grow immensely.

[Lund Explorer]

In answering your question soopd, I'll go back to the days when "I had hair, and it was dark". 

Long before most boats had fishfinders, GPS, sidescan, downscan electronics, the best way to scout a lake started at home with a paper map.  I still think that it is a very important part on any lake research today.  As a case study in how I go about learning a lake, let's look at the upcoming roadtrip to KY Lake.

I haven't been on that lake since 1969, and I can honestly say I don't remember much about the trip other than it was on an Easter weekend, it rained, and we caught a whole bunch of crappie.  As I want to have some success on this trip, I plan to take the following steps.

First, I've been reading almost anything I can find about the lake, including the thread on here from the prior trip two years ago.

Secondly, as soon as I get my hands on a quality map, I will set aside time each day or so to study it.  With the knowledge I've picked up from my reading, I should be able to get a good idea of different places I'll want to check out once I arrive at the lake.  I will make a list of these possible matching spots (gravel bars for instance) so that depending on how I do on one, I will already have other places like it to search out or avoid.

The third phase of learning a lake will happen once I'm on the water.  Using my electronics, I will be able to take a closer look at the spots I've considered.  I may start out fishing a specific spot, or I may just go for a boat ride looking at many spots in a general area.  Regardless of which I do, I will mark waypoints into my GPS on spots that I either caught fish on or that looked promising, so I can return to them later.  If you don't have a GPS unit, you can usually get fairly close using the old fashioned practice of triangulating points on shore.  Even while I'm in the boat, I'll have my paper map with me.  I find it easier to reference that than it is to scroll my GPS map randomly.

How would all of this help you and the lake you are trying to learn?

You've already said that you do well on some days, and get the goose egg on others.... Welcome to the club!  But imagine if you took the steps I've discussed and used them as well. 

On days where you're in the catching side of the game would be a good time to search out new spots that come close to matching the ones you are having success on.  Think of a creek channel coming close to a shoreline.  If one such place works, look for other creeks bends that do the same.  This is also a good time to try out new lures that you're trying to learn.

Then on days when you're only fishing and not catching, it won't hurt to spend even more of the day looking at different types of water, structure, or cover.  Think about it, you aren't catching anything, but it's still better than work.... Take a boat ride!  Move from main lake points to secondary ones.  Get off the shoreline cover and look at deeper spots.  Muddy water?  Go look for clear water, or vice versa.  Fish this new water with confidence baits!

In either scenario, having that lake map will help you find new places to explore.  Keep notes, or like I use to do, get two maps and scratch notes on one of them.  There's many threads on here that talk about fishing logs, there's even a link to one you can use.  Start using them religiously.  Keep them up to date, and refer back to them often.

Finally, the more you study one lake, you'll find that many of the same things you learned about the first lake will hold true on the next.  I always look at this aspect of the sport as a giant who-done-it.  And your goal should be to say that "It was soopd, with a flippin stick, in the cove."!  Try this approach and you'll find that the time that you get to spend with the sport of fishing will grow immensely.

[Lund Explorer]

In answering your question soopd, I'll go back to the days when "I had hair, and it was dark". 

Long before most boats had fishfinders, GPS, sidescan, downscan electronics, the best way to scout a lake started at home with a paper map.  I still think that it is a very important part on any lake research today.  As a case study in how I go about learning a lake, let's look at the upcoming roadtrip to KY Lake.

I haven't been on that lake since 1969, and I can honestly say I don't remember much about the trip other than it was on an Easter weekend, it rained, and we caught a whole bunch of crappie.  As I want to have some success on this trip, I plan to take the following steps.

First, I've been reading almost anything I can find about the lake, including the thread on here from the prior trip two years ago.

Secondly, as soon as I get my hands on a quality map, I will set aside time each day or so to study it.  With the knowledge I've picked up from my reading, I should be able to get a good idea of different places I'll want to check out once I arrive at the lake.  I will make a list of these possible matching spots (gravel bars for instance) so that depending on how I do on one, I will already have other places like it to search out or avoid.

The third phase of learning a lake will happen once I'm on the water.  Using my electronics, I will be able to take a closer look at the spots I've considered.  I may start out fishing a specific spot, or I may just go for a boat ride looking at many spots in a general area.  Regardless of which I do, I will mark waypoints into my GPS on spots that I either caught fish on or that looked promising, so I can return to them later.  If you don't have a GPS unit, you can usually get fairly close using the old fashioned practice of triangulating points on shore.  Even while I'm in the boat, I'll have my paper map with me.  I find it easier to reference that than it is to scroll my GPS map randomly.

How would all of this help you and the lake you are trying to learn?

You've already said that you do well on some days, and get the goose egg on others.... Welcome to the club!  But imagine if you took the steps I've discussed and used them as well. 

On days where you're in the catching side of the game would be a good time to search out new spots that come close to matching the ones you are having success on.  Think of a creek channel coming close to a shoreline.  If one such place works, look for other creeks bends that do the same.  This is also a good time to try out new lures that you're trying to learn.

Then on days when you're only fishing and not catching, it won't hurt to spend even more of the day looking at different types of water, structure, or cover.  Think about it, you aren't catching anything, but it's still better than work.... Take a boat ride!  Move from main lake points to secondary ones.  Get off the shoreline cover and look at deeper spots.  Muddy water?  Go look for clear water, or vice versa.  Fish this new water with confidence baits!

In either scenario, having that lake map will help you find new places to explore.  Keep notes, or like I use to do, get two maps and scratch notes on one of them.  There's many threads on here that talk about fishing logs, there's even a link to one you can use.  Start using them religiously.  Keep them up to date, and refer back to them often.

Finally, the more you study one lake, you'll find that many of the same things you learned about the first lake will hold true on the next.  I always look at this aspect of the sport as a giant who-done-it.  And your goal should be to say that "It was soopd, with a flippin stick, in the cove."!  Try this approach and you'll find that the time that you get to spend with the sport of fishing will grow immensely.

[soopd]

Thank you for the in depth reply.  That is the information I was wanting.  I have never thought about approaching a lake that way. 

[soopd]

Thank you for the in depth reply.  That is the information I was wanting.  I have never thought about approaching a lake that way. 

[soopd]

Thank you for the in depth reply.  That is the information I was wanting.  I have never thought about approaching a lake that way. 

[silvercliff_46]

Gee Lund Explorer that was a pretty good answer for a "Troll" ;D  I'm a Cheese-head, but I live so close to the U.P. border that I hope to die with a mouth full of pasty.

Every year during the off season (Nov.-May)  I review my basics. re-examine my lake maps, and plan on doing a new technique.  I will JUST fish that technique until I have it mastered.  As I review my maps I remind myself to fish my weakness's.  For me it is deep water structure.  Lately I have found bottom content change to be as important as structure, and cover.  The best part of fishing is figuring out the puzzle.