how would you fish this?

[THEbassmaster]

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/Images/fishing/Lake%20Maps/pub253.gif

i fish this reservoir a little during the summer when not much else to do. i have caught some smallies but never good numbers or size. there are some 5# in there via the testing the state does with nets and shocking etc. the East bank is usually the best for me, as you can see there are "fish attractors" there. the whole bank is big rocks/boulders. and those go down all the way to the bottom, i know because trolling for walleye we snag alot. also, it is very steep drop off as you see. so, i was wondering how you would attack the smallies here? oh yea, im not gettin out the boat yet, just bank fishin. thanks for any suggestions.

aaron

[fishizzle]

love those humps especially the kidney shaped ones for summer

Bank fishing is tough with a rocky bottom for jigs and C-rigs.

current is always good with smallies in the summer

fish inlets after heavy rains.

jerkbaits spinnerbaits,and cranks casted parellel to shore

topwater the same but right next to shore a few feet away from the edge

when you find a smallie dropshot the area with cheap weights

can't go wrong when something says fish attractor either--I'm not sure what that is but it sounds good

Also on the north side the 3- 40 ft holes are a travel route for bass in the spring

the 10' hump should be spawning central since there isn't much for flats there

hope this helps--good fishing

[THEbassmaster]

Thank you, fishizzle. Im going to have to get the boat out there this year alot more, especially during spawn to try to catch some of those tanks. I've never tried drop-shotting but was going to give it a go around this year, and i guess this would be a perfect place for it. Thanks again.

aaron

[Matt 825]

I would drop shot the crap out of that place in the summer.  If you can get a boat in there, throw some top water baits over the humps in the early AM for some big Smallies.  

[J Francho]

What's the primary forage?

[fishizzle]

one more suggestion:

repost this map in a couple months after you've fished it a few times and let us know where you've been catching some and we can help you modify patterns or narrow your search, plus other members will chime in that may be too busy this winter.

J Francho makes a good point--he is always thinking out of the box--a great attribute to have

[J Francho]

Thanks fish, but I don't think its too outside the box.  Knowing the forage be a big part of uncracking new water.  I'd also like to see a satellite image of the lake, and determine where vegetation is likely to be abundant, and what species are there.  Its Ohio, so I assume the usual milfoil, coontail, and eel grass are there.

One thing to note: I'd be REAL careful about posting maps with location and names on the internet.  Spot burning is a very real issue.

[THEbassmaster]

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I would drop shot the crap out of that place in the summer. If you can get a boat in there, throw some top water baits over the humps in the early AM for some big Smallies.

i will have the boat in there this summer, it is trolling motor only.

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What's the primary forage?

as far as i know, bluegill and perch. they pump water into it from a river so might be shad and whatever else swims in the river lol. the list of fish that are in there are: walleye, bluegill, channel cats, white bass, perch, bullhead and smallies and supposedly largemouth, even though ive never heard of or seen anyone catch one.

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Thanks fish, but I don't think its too outside the box. Knowing the forage be a big part of uncracking new water. I'd also like to see a satellite image of the lake, and determine where vegetation is likely to be abundant, and what species are there. Its Ohio, so I assume the usual milfoil, coontail, and eel grass are there.

i honestly dont think there is any vegetation there. used to have some on that 10ft hump but sprayed it and havent seen any since. ill have to check it out last time i go.

thanks for all the help guys, plannin on catchin some smallies this year!!

aaron

[J Francho]

  Quote

  Quote

What's the primary forage?

as far as i know, bluegill and perch. they pump water into it from a river so might be shad and whatever else swims in the river lol. the list of fish that are in there are: walleye, bluegill, channel cats, white bass, perch, bullhead and smallies and supposedly largemouth, even though ive never heard of or seen anyone catch one.

  Quote

Thanks fish, but I don't think its too outside the box.  Knowing the forage be a big part of uncracking new water.  I'd also like to see a satellite image of the lake, and determine where vegetation is likely to be abundant, and what species are there.  Its Ohio, so I assume the usual milfoil, coontail, and eel grass are there.

i honestly dont think there is any vegetation there. used to have some on that 10ft hump but sprayed it and havent seen any since. ill have to check it out last time i go.

thanks for all the help guys, plannin on catchin some smallies this year!!

aaron

So, sounds ideal for crayfish.  That should eliminate 1/2 your tackle box.

[THEbassmaster]

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So, sounds ideal for crayfish.  That should eliminate 1/2 your tackle box.

yep, thats what ive caught my bass on in there, tubes. i was thinking using big jig heads with tubes on those humps and drop shot.

aaron

[bassmaster3000]

right now, I would fish deep in the 30-40 foot sections. during pre spawn, I would fish up above the 25 ft section. for summer, I would fish either of those. For fall, go with the 25'.

For lures, Right now I would use a slow moving bait such as a jig or a finesse worm. DROPSHOT!!. for pre spawn, I would use a Lipless Crank, spinnerbait, or finesse worm. for summer, I woulr use deep crank, lipless crank, jig n' pig, finesse worm, or finesse grub. for fall, jig n' pig is the way to go!!!  ;D ;D ;D

[Paul Roberts]

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Thanks fish, but I don't think its too outside the box.  Knowing the forage be a big part of uncracking new water.  I'd also like to see a satellite image of the lake, and determine where vegetation is likely to be abundant, and what species are there.  Its Ohio, so I assume the usual milfoil, coontail, and eel grass are there.

It's the right box to be in. Those questions are the starting point.

Also, I bet that lake stratifies in summer. This will reduce your fishing grounds substantially. You MIGHT be able to write off anything over 20 feet for much of the summer.