fishing update

[merc1997 Bo]

the last four trips have been each different.  first, you really do have to spend quite a bit of time in the search mode to find a batch that have laid down somewhere and are not just out in the lake suspended.  with the fronts that have been going through  a couple of trips have been the type that you get a couple here and a couple there, which means many stops.

the other big change is many of them have been caught on a 3/4 GrassJig, but you had better be doing the right type of retrieve or there will not be many bites.  it is pretty much similar to casting a spoon and hopping it across the bottom back to you.  after you hop the jig up, you let it fall back with a belly in the line so it fall straight back to the bottom.  they are catching it in the air, and you have to be lighting quick with your hook set or they have it spit back out.  i did hit one night that i caught several on the 1 oz. SpingJig, and on that night we saw 4 nice lmgs in the mix.

most bites are still in the 25 to 30 range even though all the bait is showing anywhere from 25 up to the surface.  the catchable bass really seem to be tightening up on to a roll off or ledge that occurs at the depth they are wanting to be at.

if we do get a big cooling trend here is something to remember.  we will begin to see two groups of bass.  those that decide to move up shallower, and another group that remains with the thermocline.  those that remain with the thermocline keep in mind that as the surface cools that volume of water will push the thermocline deeper.  yes, deeper.  table rock used to have very stable schools of bass, but with declining trees, most of the bass in the lake have become roamers.  this is why to not have any set things in mind on any trip.  begin right off the bat looking at a few area with your electronics.  see if you bee bait in the area.  how deep is the bait?  so you see any fish on the bottom or suspended?  these clues will help you hone in on the types and kind of areas to do further looking and fishing.  in the old days, you could put on a 1/4 sinker and a 6" worm and catch all kinds of bass.  mostly short ones, but plenty of action.  not that way any longer.  good reason that hiring bill babler will help with some teaching of where and how to look for these critters that are deeper.  shallow bass catching involves not only covering water, but to pay attention to clues.  and as champ alluded to in a post that one needs to learn to pick apart a piece of cover.  the best fishing tool you will have in your boat is your brain.  it is darn hard to catch the first one if you are never throwing it in front of some.

bo

[cheesemaster]

Thank you Bo. 

[vernon]

"The best fishing tool you will have in your boat is your brain."

Now that's disconcerting.

I'm thinking I just as well send the boat out there by itself.........

Some of the best stuff I've ever read about fishing - right up until that part that immediately and completely disqualified me from participation.

[rps]

20 hours ago, merc1997 said:

 

if we do get a big cooling trend here is something to remember.  we will begin to see two groups of bass.  those that decide to move up shallower, and another group that remains with the thermocline.  those that remain with the thermocline keep in mind that as the surface cools that volume of water will push the thermocline deeper.  yes, deeper. 

Often in the last several years, this fact has caused a pattern to develop that is difficult to fish but reliable. Find a deep channel in which timber still exists at depth and bang a lure through the trees at the thermocline depth and at a faster speed than you would think wise. The bite is based upon reaction to the speed and banging off the timber - something difficult to replicate with drop shot or spoon. I use this technique when I can graph the fish but they refuse spoon or ds. I use mag wiggle warts at 2.5 to 3 mph for this pattern as they can reach 32 feet and do not hang up as badly as many other baits that can hit that depth. Also, they are not as expensive as many.  Bring lots of lures with you. You will lose some. But some of my largest walleye and my largest TR bass came from this technique.

I just deleted a paragraph that included an upper end location and a midlake location where you can graph what I am talking about. It occurred to me that others might resent my giving away their hole. The plain fact, however, is that very few are willing to commit to the cost and trouble of this pattern.

[m&m]

Another trove of great information from wise men. 

Mike