Fish How You Want to Fish.

[dwiebenga]

I was talking with @stinger160 about our trips on Table Rock versus lakes up in the Kansas City area.  We are so comfortable putting the boat in 50-70 feet and fishing all weekend, and when it is available we will go shallow for the Crawler or Blade bite.  However, at home, we stay shallow almost all year.  It seems strange to venture out to 15-20 feet deep.  We both agree we need to venture out and fish deeper on our local pressured lakes.  There are probably some big sacks to be caught that are rarely targeted.  Just interesting to reflect on my own behavior fishing based upon the body of water.

[crazy4fishin]

Much wisdom has been typed here...I can't tell you how much I have learned by reading these posts.

There are times that I channel Champ when it comes to bank beating and Bill when it comes to "deep sea" fishing.

Unfortunately my antenna must be at the wrong angle as I dont catch as many fish as they do. But I use many of these techniques here in the cornhusker state and they do work...as one said don't be afraid to move out to deeper water if they are not up close...of course our lakes are small so moving out may mean that you are on the other bank!! 

Thanks for all of the information....Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year to all

C4F

[BassPastor]

On 12/20/2021 at 8:51 AM, dwiebenga said:

I was talking with @stinger160 about our trips on Table Rock versus lakes up in the Kansas City area.  We are so comfortable putting the boat in 50-70 feet and fishing all weekend, and when it is available we will go shallow for the Crawler or Blade bite.  However, at home, we stay shallow almost all year.  It seems strange to venture out to 15-20 feet deep.  We both agree we need to venture out and fish deeper on our local pressured lakes.  There are probably some big sacks to be caught that are rarely targeted.  Just interesting to reflect on my own behavior fishing based upon the body of water.

I've thought about this as well. Other than TR, the lake I fish most often is Smithville. You'd be laughed at fishing in more than 20 ft for bass in Smithville. It just doesn't happen. That being said, it's a fundamentally different lake than a deep/clear Ozark reservoir. At the end of the day it's really all about the baitfish and I don't think they venture deep in those shallow/muddy lakes. 

[Champ188]

8 hours ago, BassPastor said:

I've thought about this as well. Other than TR, the lake I fish most often is Smithville. You'd be laughed at fishing in more than 20 ft for bass in Smithville. It just doesn't happen. That being said, it's a fundamentally different lake than a deep/clear Ozark reservoir. At the end of the day it's really all about the baitfish and I don't think they venture deep in those shallow/muddy lakes. 

Good point, BassPastor, and my thoughts on the subject are this: Light doesn't penetrate as well in muddy water and bass are primarily sight feeders (Nomolite, please "enlighten" me here if I'm wrong  ). So, I think they tend to live shallower so they can see their prey.