how to catch fish on a high pressure lake

[fishingkidPA]

ok the lakes i fish, could be called big ponds. they arent very big. one of them where there are big bass is about 300 yards long and about 100 wide. It has an island out into the lake about 20 yards of shore with a walkway were everyone seems to fish. I usually fish by the dam and by fallen trees, almost never on the island cause they are a million carp/bass fisherman. If bass are highly pressured should i use plastics? i wanted to try cranks this year but if its high pressure lake i dont know if they'd take it. Oh and i fish off the shore so i can not tell underwater structure. So it'd be cool if you guys could give me some help 

[boneil]

when I fish areas that have high fishing pressure I try to do something different.  Just a slight variation  on lure color or how you retrieve the lure.  And I don't just mean slow down.  Speeding up might work or a more sporadic retrieve.  In clear water use fluorocarbon line and downsize the line.  Also try finesse techniques.

[WRB]

Fish at night.

If you like to cast a lot use a buzzer. If the buzzer bite doesn't work, try a T-rigged or C-rigged Berkley Power worm.

Day time; use a finesse C-rig (C-Keeper/mojo weight, 6-8 lb mono) and 3" reaper or 5" Roboworm with size 1 Rebarb hook. Senko nose weighted, wacky rigged. If that doesn't work try a soft jerk bait.

The bass have been conditioned to most of the common lures and tend to stop eating when the sun is on the water.

Good luck.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If everyone's throwing worms and you want to try giving them a different look, try GYB Fat Ika rigged skirt forward and dragged really slowly along the bottom.

[fishingkidPA]

Fish at night.

If you like to cast a lot use a buzzer. If the buzzer bite doesn't work, try a T-rigged or C-rigged Berkley Power worm.

Day time; use a finesse C-rig (C-Keeper/mojo weight, 6-8 lb mono) and 3" reaper or 5" Roboworm with size 1 Rebarb hook. Senko nose weighted, wacky rigged. If that doesn't work try a soft jerk bait.

The bass have been conditioned to most of the common lures and tend to stop eating when the sun is on the water.

Good luck.

the buzz bait is the only type of lure i don't own!!! lol i was already thinking of buying one for this season. suggest one of your favorites and ill see if my store has one.

[John J.]

If everyone is zigging you should zang. Meaning try techniques, lures and retrieves you don't see others using. Like others have said it's as simple as choosing a different lure, color, retrieve speed, technique or look.

Also doing like you're doing (fishing spots others don't) will help. Like WRB said, try fishing at night.

Good luck!

[Sam]

Fishingkid,

Please get a Cavitron buzzbait. One in white for clear days and one in black for overcast skies and at night. Best buzzbaits on the market. 

When fishing pressured bodies of water do the following:

BEFORE YOU GO OUTCheck out some of the bass pros web sites for their pressure fishing hints, baits and techniques.

Check out Woo Daves, Ike, Hank Parker and others.

Rig a spinning setup as follows:

Option 11.  Light line. 4 to 6 pound test.

2.  Bring some Rooster Tails or small one to two-inch white grubs.

3.  Use a #1 gold hook for small grubs.

4.  Throw the Rooster Tails or grubs.

Option 2

1.  Same rig as above.

2.  Hook small plastic worm about an inch from its head with a small bullet weight at the head.

3.  Use the #1 gold hook or a #1/0 hook rigged Texas style.

4.  Flip and pitch this presentation all around wood, cover, structure, stickups, etc.

5.  This is a poor man's Neko rig.

Option 3

1.  Same rig as above.

2.  Throw a shaky head using a finesse worm.

Option 4Same rig as above.

2.  Rig it for a Drop Shot presentation.

By using a spinning reel you can flip and pitch light lines and baits easier.

Be patient. Fish slow.

Consider "dead sticking." This is when you cast your plastics to the bottom and let it sit for one or two minutes, giving it a twitch every once in a while.

You just sit there, like a statue, with the bait on the bottom. Twitch it once ever 30 to 45 seconds. Let it sit there.

Remember, other anglers are fishing faster and are probably throwing catfish baits, crappie baits, moving baits and some will know enough to throw a plastic bait.

If you fish slow using finesse fishing (check it out on YouTube) chances are very good you will pick up a fish or two before the water warms up and they start to migrate to their beds.

And remember, water temperatures are critical. Anything in the low 40s is poor. 50s is better. 60s means they are starting to bed. 70s they are getting active. 80s they are active. 90s they are seeking colder and more oxygenated water.  100s go watch the Steelers reruns of last season!!!

I also suggest you purchase Ike's new video and get Denny Brauer's book on jig fishing and flipping and pitching.

Don't forget the articles on this site plus what the pros have posted on their web sites.

Good luck and let us know how you do. 

[bilgerat]

Learn the art of light tackle. It works.

I'm not talking finesse, that's another thing altogether. Will you catch dinks and other species ? Yes you will. You will also get your share of nice fish. There's an old sand pit I fish that gets hammered by fisherman all season long. Two years ago I lost what easily could have been a 8 to 9 lb. bass throwing a 4" tube. Nobody ever throws tubes there, I've had guys tell me "They're smallmouth baits" Whatever. My buddy is a master of slider worm fishing, which almost nobody does anymore. It's basically a 4" straight worm with zero action to it. I've seen him nail plenty of 5 - 6 lb fish with this.

Go to the library here and read the articles about light and ultralight fishing. They're eye openers.

Like John J said, when everyone is zigging, you should be zagging. Fishing at night rocks, and fishing in the rain is a must, plus it keeps most everyone off of the water.

[Raul]

There 's a small lake about 20 min drive from my homes, it used to be 20 min away then and it 's 20 min away now, but it 's not the same place I fished 20 years ago, 20 years ago it was rural, nowdays the burbs are knocking at it 's door, so the fsihing pressure has grown to the point the lake is bombed with every lure known to man on a daily basis and everybody swears at the lake, it was never an easy place to fish, the water is crystal clear, the fish are super spooky and it takes skill to fish it with good results., so for most "fishing" refers more to the fact of wetting a line isntead of catching fish, however I manage to catch my share of fish and sometimes a good un. They like me use worms, cranks, spinners n 'such but I don 't fish them like they do.

It 's more about how than it is about than what.

[Missouribassman95]

You can always use live bait too.

[the lone fisherman]

I'm just like you i fish from the bank.i fish normally culprit worms,lizards,and frogs.if they don't work use a live bream on a bobber

[Big Bait Fishing]

try a strike king red eye shad !!! those things catch me fish all the time even in the most highly pressured ponds/lakes ..........