FLW this weekend

[J-Doc]

but, shouldn't the bass be looking for a place to spawn this time of year? If not on a bed, close to moving up?

I've seen beds on ledges in 15-20ft before. Last year, weather was crazy and bass spawned in March/April regardless of water temp being low. I learned then, fish know when it's time they are going to do their thing when it's time regardless of what we think we know. The more I fish the more I learn I don't know what I thought I knew. I also learned when I read in articles and magazines it usually doesn't align with what I see in the field from this lake in particular.

A) this lake is different B

no one really knows if barometric pressure affects fish scientifically, if fish feel pain, if fish have long term memories, etc.

It's all theory based. Just like it's theory that stripers eat bass. I once held this same exact theory till I read some info on it where studies were done. I also dont feel they do based on what I've learned about stripers. They want soft spined baits, not a hard spine bait. That's why they love suckers. And.....research was done showing strikers eat shad as their primary good source. Something like 88% or something like that.

Some folks passionately feel stipers hurt the lake. They may have but I don't know how they have and I don't have any proof that they have or have not. Neither does the neysayers. No proof exists. Yet. Only the AGFC scientists and biologists know for sure based on sampling and studies. I'd love to know the results of those studies.

As for bass behaviour.....

They are odd. Patterns change and when you have a lake that has weekly tournaments in large masses, it's going to force fish off the banks and off normal patterns. (Again my theory and opinion). I see tons of fish on sonar. I fish for them. I don't always catch them. It's frustrating. I know they are there. I can see them clearly. Beaver is full of finoky bass and I suspect, it's due to the pressure and boat traffic.

It's a challenge.

I like a challenge.

I also feel I learn more here than I would elsewhere.

I also like driving 15mins to the lake vs 1.5hrs or even 45mins to 1hr up north. I will one day. When I have time. But I don't always have that time.

[bferg]

Beaver is what it is for these guys. It certainly isn't they the type of bass fishery they typically fish (Tohoe, Falcon, Kentucky). We all know that.

But these guys are the best fisherman in the world (and Jimmy Houston). Look at the history- it always takes 59-60ish lbs to win here.

I think it is pretty dang inpressive that these guys can come here whenever the FLW tells them to and no matter the weather catch a limit 4 days in a row- almost always around 60 lbs. The sacks might not be as big as other lakes- the fact that they do it every year is impressive.

[Guest]

It can be a good lake at times, maybe poor was a little harsh but you get the point.

The offshore schooling largemouths are the deal, if you can find them.

Stormy weather always seems to be a positive on that lake.

[J-Doc]

That's just it. Finding them. If you graph them on side scan, you might locate them. Getting them to bite is tough.

I've been seeing a lot more of the lake I never knew existed thanks to trolling offshore structure. I see lots of fish where I would have never fished. Some of my honey holes are no where near where bass anglers would fish. And it holds bass. I'm just usually looking for summer walleye or crappie at the time. But I may have to start catching these bass and start posting pics. For the fun of it. :-)

[1969Larson]

Why is it that the wind is such a big factor? Is it on this lake more than others? Visibility? Breaks up the surface so bass feel less exposed? Blows bait around? Something else?

[J-Doc]

Both I think. Bait, lower visibility, pre and post frontal condition.

F&F and I fished last Sumner. Not a bite on a glass pond in Rocky Branch. Wind kicked up.....bam. Fish.

I guess I don't take it personal per say but I get very defensive over Beaver because I love the lake, I know it has more potential, but people don't understand it and the added pressure just makes it a super tough lake to fish. It's not impossible. It is just hard fishing. Those that do really well on it every trip......they understand it.

I once read a comment where someone said once they learned that you have to present the bait in the exact angle and the exact direction that the fish want it, they won't bite. Once you find that angle, you will slay them. That is true on many lakes. The comment that was made was very specific to Beaver. The guy said once he learned this, he started winning tournaments.

Beaver is a big 30k acre puzzle that changes hourly. When you learn it, in theory you should learn a ton that could apply to many lakes I assume. I myself am still in 2nd year classes. I hope to work my way up to 4th year and graduate one day. :-)

[Feathers and Fins]

Why is it that the wind is such a big factor? Is it on this lake more than others? Visibility? Breaks up the surface so bass feel less exposed? Blows bait around? Something else?

Wind blows Zooplankton and Phytoplankton over the points, That in turn concentrates the Bait fish that feed on it that in turn concentrates the Game fish that feed on the bait. It should in theory concentrate Anglers who feed on the Game fish. Anglers are the one predator that just doesn't get it and still beats the bank even though the point behind or in front of him is exploding with surface fish

Its really no secret on Beaver Lake on a Windy day you find the right point and your day can go from bust to banner in a heart beat I have seen it so many times and its been talked about even more. Im guilty of not doing it as I might get fixed on something else or the fish should be here. Heck the trip earlier this week with Yak is proof of that, we started out in areas looking for bedding fish and then moved to an area the "should" have had fish. Got a call from a friend went to the spot and it was a wind swept point and we loaded up.

Beaver I suppose you can say has rules and

Rule #1 is fish the wind swept points.

Rule #2 Fish open water bait schools

Rule #3 Fish pinned shad ( threadfin ) or young Gizzards in creek arms

Rule #4 Fish Mudlines

Rule #5 In summer on a flat calm day throw a spook for Brownies

Rule #6 If you don't have a keitech tied on your a fool.

[Notropis]

Great discussion going on here. When anglers new to the area asked me for advice on fishing for bass, my standard reply was, forget about fishing the shoreline (except for a couple months out of the year). When I moved here in 86, my experience was fishing the shallow brush filled lakes of southern Arkansas. Fishing deep meant 8-10 feet in those shallow lakes. Needless to say I didn't do very well on Beaver until I learned how to fish more off-shore, deep structure, creek channels and points. Fishing got better immediately!

The striped bass discussion always brings out, shall we say, "passionate discussions"! Most of the claims I've heard by the anti-striper bunch are based more on opinion than science. It's easy to understand their fears when you consider how efficient a predator the stripers are but most of the concerns I've heard through the years (they're eating the bass etc.) aren't happening. The biggest predator on young bass is other bass (typically the yearling bass from the previous year). The only legitimate concern I've heard is the stripers compete with other species for the available forage (mainly shad). Most years, Beaver lake has plenty of threadfin (the primary forage species) and gizzard shad so excessive competition is rarely a problem.

Beaver lake is a mediocre to fair bass lake depending on the frequency of high water years. If striped bass weren't stocked in the lake it would still be a mediocre to fair bass lake. The lack of shoreline cover, especially during low water years, has a greater effect on the bass population (especially largemouth) than the stripers, in my humble opinion.

[Guest]

Muddy runoff from this rain, could kill the river bite or it could create a goldmine for somebody in the mid lake area.

Its a wildcard for sure.

[J-Doc]

I just wish there was documented proof on why bass is mediocre. And proof on what stripers actually eat and how much. Based on this lake. Not others.

As for the FLW gang......I hope they catch em'. Of not, stop complaining and lick your wounds so it makes you better and stronger. Don't be "James Watson" with a sourpuss attitude.