My first post, a question about a flat.

[muzgash15]

Hi everyone, I just discovered this site recently and I must says it's the best bass fishing site on the web.

I have a question that some of you may be able to answer.  At my local lake there's a shallow flat that doesn't have access to deep water anywhere nearby, isn't near a channel or old road bed, doesn't have any substantial cover and has a muddy bottom.  It extends out from shore about 70 yards and never gets more than about six to ten feet deep.  I don't understand why but it's loaded with bass.  They jump out of the water all over the place during spring and summer, especially at dawn and dusk.  They are obviously feeding, why else would they be jumping out of the water if they're not?  But they are difficult to catch, I thought at first I may be scaring them by casting a shadow, or making noise in such shallow water.  I don't think this is the case though, I see them jump within ten feet of me sometimes and have hooked them even closer than that.  The frequency of their jumps doesn't seem to decrease while I'm there either.  I can watch from pretty far away and get a feel for their activity, then walk over and not really notice a decrease.  I usually either wade out there or fish from my kayak.  I throw rat-l-traps, worms, and rooster tails at them and don't catch nearly as many as I think I should.  The water is usually pretty stained so I'm sticking to either chartreuse, chrome, or black in most cases.  My main question is why are there fish in this area?  The only real cover is the occasional piece of driftwood that gets caught in the mud.   What lures are recommended for catching them in this situation?  I've searched all over the forum for answers to these questions and haven't really found any.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

If they are loaded up in that area, busting the top chasing baitfish.....

Why not try some topwater lures - buzzbaits, poppers, walk-the-dog types.

As for an answer as to "why" they are there, I think you answered that for yourself  

Wayne

[BD]

Largemouth (Florida strain) bass and flats go hand in hand. I would try a frog, buzzbait, popper, or swim a jig. Last week we caught 20+ swimming a jig on the flat. we were fishing the N bank and the S wind was blowing into the N bank. Cast low to the waterline IN the wind and fish a topwater bait first.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

I seems to me that you should pick up a few bass with all the action you describe. They may be feeding on schooling shad. Try some minnow immitating baits (Rapala, Silver Buddy), white spinnerbaits and a buzzbait. I wouldn't give up on the Rat-L-Trap either.

[gatrboy53]

mud flats draw the bait which draws the bass.floating rapala twitched and let rest.weightless fluke. probably the bait fish are small and trying to match size and /or color helps.i fish some mud flats on my lake and i do good w/ 3/8 oz. rattlin rapala in chrome/black

[Guest the_muddy_man]

First off id try 3 lures here A top water SPITIN IMAGE and either an original floating or a jointed #9 or # 11 Silver/black back Rapala

[stroz]

I agree with the rest of the boys.But wanted to wish you welcome.

                                                                             Catch'em up

                                                                                           Stroz

[zara spook]

welcome ...try a small floating or suspended jerkbait or a topwater pop'r

[sal669]

Welcome !!!

Mudflats are the most nutrient rich areas in lakes. Mud is made up of very fine sand and decomposing organic material. During cold water period the decomposition proces stops (like when you put food in the fridge, it will not spoil for a longer time) and the water has good oxigen content. Lots of insects lay eggs here, wich develop during the winter into larvae and then pupae.iIn spring, when water temperature is rising, the insects start haching. This atracts young of the year and baitfish, and as it was said before, most predatory fish will roam the area. It's not only bass, but pike, walleye, crappie,etc will gather up for the feast. If you check the stomac of the fishes you will find not only baitfish, but lots of insects,too. Panfish, walleye,bass eat the insects too.

About catcing the fish, it can be difficult at times; their dinner table is always full of goodies.

I would try SMALL lures like floating rapalas( up to #10),Small "crappie" crankbaits, mini spinerbaits, road runners, 4" grubs or curly tail worms, top water lures( the smaller versions), flukes.

When the temperature rises, the organic material starts decomposing again generating metane, sulfures, nitrates by using up the oxigen.If there is no current in the lake, this areas are void of fish in the summer because of the water's contamination and lack of oxigen.

Hope this helps, Alex

[Randy Beasley]

i would find out what there feeding on a go from there. If its crawfish, throw a jig or tube. If there busting shad on the top i like a Sammy or a Splash-it. Then if that fails throw a jerkbait or a crankbait.

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like they answered your question pretty thoroughly.

[T-rig]

WELCOME!

[skillet]

WELCOME Myself, I like all the top water answers and would add if there is a little wind and ripple or chop on the water try a Smithwick Devil's Horse in light or shad color...

                                                        As Ever,

                                                         Skillet  

[Guest avid]

Howdy dude.

Yep.  There chasing bait.

In this situation I throw a popper and just let it sit.  The breeze ripples the water enough to get a strike.

If not, a couple of twitches and your in business.

If you have trouble id'ing what there feeding on, don't be afraid to kill a fish and check the stomach contents.  We are all pretty much catch and release here, but an occasional kept fish won't hurt the lake a bit.

good luck and have fun.

avid