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Message Subject: How would you fish this lake?

Posted 9/27/2001 2:57 PM (#1863)
Subject: How would you fish this lake?

The lake I fish is full of trees, stumps, weeds, dropoffs, points, riprapp - you name it! I''m used to fishing a lake with all of those features.

In about two weeks, I will be fishing a new 300 acre lake (one day trip only) with a friend (does NOT know the lake). I have a contour map (not very good one) that is sold at the lake. It does show the different depths up to 50 ft. or so at the (earthen, no visible riprapp) dam (deepest part of the lake)and it appears that the lake is a big fish bowl that gradually tapers off deeply. This lake has no visible structure and apparently all the trees were removed prior to flooding. The lake was flooded in 1974 and Muskies were added in 1992. There are a couple of coves and points in the lake, along with massive hydrilla beds that extend out to about 15'' deep. Air temps here are now in the 70s, and the surface water temps now are 74 degrees, and of course the trip is two weeks away (so most likely, temps should be cooler). The lake has the usual bream, golden shiners (no shad), LM Bass, Stripers (believe it or not, some have been caught up to 29 lbs.). The largest reported Musky caught EVER has been about 40" long, and few people fish for them. Question: Any ideas how to fish this lake? (I do not want to use live bait). Trolling IS ALLOWED, but the lake is electric-only. Wondering what to look for and what to use? Thanks - Tom

Posted 9/27/2001 9:00 PM (#13099)
Subject: How would you fish this lake?

I would definitely use surface baits if the water cools a few degrees, and big spinnerbaits on the edge of the cover, too.

Cover the points with surface and crankbaits, and hit the coves with surface and spinnerbaits. If nothing cooperates, try a twitch bait, Slammer or the like.

SET THE HOOK!

Posted 9/27/2001 9:52 PM (#13100)
Subject: How would you fish this lake?

hi. i would first start off your day with a game plan. what i try to do on new bodys of water is to study up as much as i can ahead of time. 1. talk to local bait shops. 2. talk to local guides. 3.call the dnr. 4.read as much as you can find on the lake. then add all the info up into sections and break it down into topics of study by priority. then you will now have a basic plan of attack. i would then set forth part of the day as a search and seek method. then the latter part of the day as a taarget and destroy so to say pattern. first off you will want to use baits that will draw fish in quick and fast to get some idea of where they are located and holding then mark your map. i like to laminate mine first and use removeable markers on them ill also make a photo copy that i use as a master map to latter document my findings in pencil so i can up date this map as i learn more about it. i would use crank baits. twitch baits and bucktails. as well as surface baits condtions permitting of curse. then once you have learnd the haunts of the fish and location go back and try to finness them with reefhawgs/bulldawgs/jerkbaits. you can also slow down your pace now that you have some target areas developed and figuerd out. i would concentrate on point especilly those on or near deep water also fast breaks. mid lake humps islands reefs bars etc. are key areas to focus on. look for any structure near deep water if any is at all presant this should be your first area of attack. dont over look the forage connection at all try to locate schools of bait fish that may be holding skies and try to work below the bait fish with cranks i find typically the muskies will hold up below the schools and feed up into them. baits like the bulldawg counted down and the fuzzyduzzit work well in this sittuation. well i think that should give you enuff to keep you on your toes. hope this helps.

goodluck. and jack some jaw.

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