A Tough Lake - Need Help

[johnnylots]

Im hoping for some suggestions. I started fishing a local lake a few years ago simply out of convenience. I'm rather new to the sport and have been focused on learning everything I can about conditions, structure, fishing various lures, action, retrieve, etc - with many great lessons from this forum! However, the fish behavior seems to defy all rules of thumb and general fishing logic. There are bass in this lake but I cant get them to bite. Ive fished other lakes with relative success so I know its not just that Im a newbie. Now I am obsessed with trying to figure it - I'm on a mission.

Here's the story: The spring started off ok with a bunch of small guys. Then I began to use a booyha rattle jig for the first time with a crawdad attached. Boom, boom, boom I started pulling fish twice the size. Great. Once the water warmed up its been god awful. While its safe to assume that the fish ran to the deep water for the most part(which is hard to reach from the docks) I know they come shallow since I see them jumping not far off the dock.

The water is stained to muddy and there are tons of bait fish. I've tried every crank bait, lipless cranks, 5" senko weedless, spinners, in-line spinners, the jigs - big and small in every color and presentation imaginable with little success. What is the deal and what would you do - besides use a boat? I have been using a slow to very slow retrieve will all lures, is that correct? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Sam]

Suggestions to consider:

1. Go before dawn and throw topwaters. Buzzbaits are search baits so if you catch any on buzzbaits continue to fish them and then throw wack rigged plastics when the topwater bite dies.

2. Drop shot with the hook 2 feet from the weight. Works if the bass are staging, not moving fast and are not going to the bottom to get the bait.

3. Evening to nightfall. Topwaters, wacky rigged Senkos, drop shot and shaky heads as they will come to the shore to feed. See what works.

The bass may have gone deep for the cooler and more oxygenated water. Unless you have a watercraft to get out into the middle of the lake your efforts will be difficult.

Think about getting a truck tire inner tube and float out. Put your baits in a waterproof container and tie it to your waist. Bring one rod and throw some baits to see if you can find the fish. If you hook a big one go for a ride!!!

Also, have you checked the water temperature? This will tell you how it is affecting the bass. 90* and higher they will be lethargic.

Have fun locating them. Post pics!

[Packard]

Sam pretty much covered it besides the fact of how much it would suck fighting a hog and then falling out of the tube

[hookingem]

Suggestions to consider:

1. Go before dawn and throw topwaters. Buzzbaits are search baits so if you catch any on buzzbaits continue to fish them and then throw wack rigged plastics when the topwater bite dies.

2. Drop shot with the hook 2 feet from the weight. Works if the bass are staging, not moving fast and are not going to the bottom to get the bait.

3. Evening to nightfall. Topwaters, wacky rigged Senkos, drop shot and shaky heads as they will come to the shore to feed. See what works.

The bass may have gone deep for the cooler and more oxygenated water. Unless you have a watercraft to get out into the middle of the lake your efforts will be difficult.

Think about getting a truck tire inner tube and float out. Put your baits in a waterproof container and tie it to your waist. Bring one rod and throw some baits to see if you can find the fish. If you hook a big one go for a ride!!!

Also, have you checked the water temperature? This will tell you how it is affecting the bass. 90* and higher they will be lethargic.

Have fun locating them. Post pics!

Thumbs up for great members! Sam you always give valuable input boola boola!

[johnnylots]

Thanks for the relies. I will try it all out and post back with results.