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| I am planning a trip to Cave Run Lake in Kentucky. I found a map of the lake on the lakes website where they say they installed man-made structures to "provide anglers additional places to focus their fishing". I was just wondering what structures I should be focusing on (wood pallets, plastic) because this lake is pretty big. I will attach the link to the website so you can read it for yourself. Thank you
Link : http://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Documents/CRL_Attractor_Map.pdf |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Lebanon,Mo | All depends on time of year,water temp,and a thousand other things. Fish move all over.. |
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| Mid April in Kentucky so should be around 60 degrees |
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Posts: 2026
| Where are you staying? The guys staying at Tony Grant's place are pretty open, stay there, it's fun as well. With this weather the way it's been it could be in the 70's and the fish will be on all over the places. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The structures Muskies like the best have food available. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Structure oriented fish are all pretty similar in how they use structures. Quite often the best structure will have cover or structures such as cribs, rock, weed, wood, etc. So the answer to your question would be to identify which man made structures are on or near the best structure. |
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | The word "Structures" in this case is being used in a very loose way. The correct definition for these 'Structures" is Break. "Structure" as it was coined is: "The bottom of a body of water that is different from the surrounding bottom area". These planted "Breaks" will all hold fish of all species at one time or another. If you want to know if they prefer wood over plastic, I have no idea but cant imagine it making much difference. The best most consistent Structure, Breaks or Breaklines whether they be man made or natural will always be the ones near deep water. These things are great for business...  |
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| Ya it's a big lake, but the map shows only a small area of it. I've only been there twice, but those are basically community spots. Stick to the 20s and Clay Lick then explore those other areas, including coves wit water coming in. Compare that to the navionics site. When you get on the water you will see lots of company. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | jerryb - 2/18/2016 3:47 PM The word "Structures" in this case is being used in a very loose way. The correct definition for these 'Structures" is Break. "Structure" as it was coined is: "The bottom of a body of water that is different from the surrounding bottom area". These planted "Breaks" will all hold fish of all species at one time or another. If you want to know if they prefer wood over plastic, I have no idea but cant imagine it making much difference. The best most consistent Structure, Breaks or Breaklines whether they be man made or natural will always be the ones near deep water. These things are great for business... :) LOL - As soon as I read this question and initial replies I said to myself 'I'll bet jerryb is going to cringe as much as me".
Edited by Will Schultz 2/19/2016 10:38 AM
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | Ha Ha!
As you know Will it's a common mix up as is many terms in fishing today. Terms take on different meanings from fishermen to fishermen. However it does make a big difference if we are to communicate effectively. Structure is probably one of the worst, everything is structure. I once went to a seminar to hear a well known Muskie Guide and author speak on the subject and walked out more confused than ever about what 'Structure" is and how and or why fish use it. If CSF picks up that a planted "crib" or a rock pile is really only a break on structure then maybe we did some good. Good Luck in 16! |
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| sworrall - 2/18/2016 7:59 AM
The structures Muskies like the best have food available.
Bingo!!! |
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Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | What structures do they like best?...... The ones you passed by and are not fishing....At least that's the biters.... If you're like me, you'll fish the spots with the tourist fish... you know the ones, they follow, try to look interested (but aren't) and swim away and break your heart. Seriously though, fish anything with emerging green weeds, generally on the northern shore of the lake (should warm first in spring). Also look for wood and such, never ignore baitfish. Look for the warmest water.... |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | What SWORRALL said! LOL - The surface of the water is also structure! It defines one of their evironmental limits, unless they are hooked up throwing my lures back at me!
Find the food-> find the fish!
Have fun!
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 2/21/2016 7:48 AM
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Posts: 45
| Will Schultz - 2/19/2016 9:30 AM
jerryb - 2/18/2016 3:47 PM The word "Structures" in this case is being used in a very loose way. The correct definition for these 'Structures" is Break. "Structure" as it was coined is: "The bottom of a body of water that is different from the surrounding bottom area". These planted "Breaks" will all hold fish of all species at one time or another. If you want to know if they prefer wood over plastic, I have no idea but cant imagine it making much difference. The best most consistent Structure, Breaks or Breaklines whether they be man made or natural will always be the ones near deep water. These things are great for business... :) LOL - As soon as I read this question and initial replies I said to myself 'I'll bet jerryb is going to cringe as much as me".
He was asking about breaks which he and you both called man made 'structures'. You were cringing because jerry corrected you as well. |
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| I'm gonna get as anal as you spoonpluggers and chime in... He used structures the way it was used in the link he attached, wood or plastic... He didn't use it loosely, he used it how it was defined, not to be lectured or to start an argument with someone online about their perfectionistic fishing terminology, but to get an idea of what exact locations to focus his limited time and efforts on. Chill out, you may be "experts", but not everyone is, nor cares to be. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Boots Electric - 2/25/2016 2:07 AM Will Schultz - 2/19/2016 9:30 AM jerryb - 2/18/2016 3:47 PM The word "Structures" in this case is being used in a very loose way. The correct definition for these 'Structures" is Break. "Structure" as it was coined is: "The bottom of a body of water that is different from the surrounding bottom area". These planted "Breaks" will all hold fish of all species at one time or another. If you want to know if they prefer wood over plastic, I have no idea but cant imagine it making much difference. The best most consistent Structure, Breaks or Breaklines whether they be man made or natural will always be the ones near deep water. These things are great for business... :) LOL - As soon as I read this question and initial replies I said to myself 'I'll bet jerryb is going to cringe as much as me".
He was asking about breaks which he and you both called man made 'structures'. You were cringing because jerry corrected you as well. Actually, I called them cover which is exactly what a break is. My comment is also accurate concerning structures being on or near the best structure. I read the info in the link and what they called structures which is why I continued to refer to them as "structures". A structure and "structures" are not the same.
Edited by Will Schultz 2/25/2016 5:25 PM
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Location: Northern IL | No one here has claimed to be "experts" so lighten up Franny! No lecture was given. Will knows the terms and no correction or finger pointing was attempted.
Words and fishing terms have meanings, used and understood correctly will maximize CFS's limited time on the water. Used incorrect causes confusion and a lots of waisted time fishing "breaks" that don't hold fish.
You can have structure and no fish but you will NEVER have fish without structure.
Edited by jerryb 2/25/2016 7:28 PM
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| Never? I guess water is structure...you will never have open water fish or fish laying in miles of featureless 4' sand flats with out water! Water is great structure! |
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Location: Northern IL | Never is what I said,,, even if a lake has water. At this rate this could go on a long, long time...
With the scenario you describe the fish will be found using some kind of feature or break connected to the bottom. If an area has holes or pockets it's not due to the weed but the makeup of the bottom.
Again, Structure is "The bottom of a body of water different from the surrounding bottom area" .
let me also add it's only "Structure" if it's used by the fish in there movements and migrations. A large rock pile or weed bed may in fact be different than the surrounding bottom area (and look great to a fisherman) but if the fish don't use it (for other reasons) it's just another rock pile or weed bed.
If an area or an entire lake as described above is fished long enough the angler with enough time and success will begin to see the fish continually come from and use the same areas or spots. |
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| well based on your own definition of "structure" ..I've caught many muskies not using structure.. so your claim of "never" is ..well, wrong! Like I said I've never caught a muskie on land..you'll find them in the water. Good day. |
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| So, on some days your "structure" really aren't? OP, don't use the structures that really aren't... note Steve's comment. |
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| Steve is right on the money. Take what he said and head to Zilpo flats and start chucking. That's where I would start. I wish you luck. Cave Run is a fun place to fish. |
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Location: Northern IL | Okay last one for me.
Iaj, I'm having trouble understanding what the h€ck your even talking about.... Who fishes on land? And btw its not "my definition" but ""THE""definition, trust me friend that was done, and done quite well a long time ago and needs nothing to be added.
Quoting myself ha ha
"If an area or an entire lake is fished long enough the angler with enough time and "success" will begin to see the fish continually come from and use the same areas or spots". Why is this true? And if you think it's not true, then why when a fish is caught is "Where" the first question asked? Buck was asked why do you repeat some of the things you say so often in your book? His answer, "Because most fishermen have thick skulls".
"A large (or small) rock pile or weed bed may in fact be different than the surrounding bottom area (and look great to a fisherman) but if the fish don't use it,,,, "EVER" (for other reasons) it's just another rock pile or weed bed. The key to the answer is, "for other reasons".
AR, not a bad point however all species of fish use structure, breaks and breaklines, even bait. Bait may in fact be present on a spot and a clue to an area being productive but there are a whole lot of fish caught where no bait is present.
The Walleye makes a seasonal run towards the head waters in a reservoir or up a river or creek in a natural lake in the early spring, does that mean he will not use "structure" breaks or breaklines near the dam or the deepest water available in the fall of the year?
Seasonal movements are in play no matter the species.
Cave Run is a fun lake and the Zilpo flats are a good area but what makes this area tick? It's great to say just start going but how about giving him something to aim at? All fish follow a migration route or path to get from here to there. Along this route they will stop or pause at breaks along the way. What is the key to the route the fish use to this area? If CFS was to spend his time along this route he would be in a much better position to catch a fish, if not his chances are greatly reduced.
The first time I met Gregg Thomas we took pictures of each other's 30" fish, long time ago. There was a school of small muskies located in Little Cave, I made a trolling pass and missed a Muskie just minutes before Gregg waived me over. Took his pic and went back through the area and landed one, he returned the favor. That was probably the last time Gregg took a picture of a fish that small ha ha. One answer to the above is "The feeder creeks". Over n out!
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| caught plenty in large featureless basin's .. they are there because they are comfortable, hanging around the thermocline to be comfortable, suspended at 15-17 feet over 50-60' - these fish don't give a hoot about "The bottom of a body of water different from the surrounding bottom area" ... they are nomads moving with the wind - Sometimes figuratively as the biomass / food chain, move with heavy winds....seams they get hungry and start to suspend in 8-12 feet of water for long periods.. guess it makes it easier to pop a bluegill or shad swimming near the surface... I have pounded my small "home" lake to death .. one thing is for certain I can't make a cast to anywhere on this 500 acre lake that I haven't caught a muskie... so I guess the entire lake is structure.. one thing is for sure the entire lake is water
Edited by IAJustin 2/29/2016 2:04 PM
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| IA, to be clear, the water is therefore structure because fish use it? |
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Location: oswego, il | I have caught fish in and around bubblers so the comment that water is structure is complete bull#*#*.
Edited by ToddM 3/1/2016 6:19 AM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | IAJustin - Structure is made up of three things breaks, breaklines and deep water. No basin is featureless, breaklines are out there too. |
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| ARmuskyaddict - 3/1/2016 5:37 AM
IA, to be clear, the water is therefore structure because fish use it?
I guess that what we have come to conclude The entire lake is structure.. and a lake is water ..the best structure is water if you want to catch fish! Since you will NEVER catch a fish NOT using structure. |
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Location: oswego, il | As I pointed out air is also structure.:-) |
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Location: varies | IAJustin - 3/1/2016 3:41 PM
ARmuskyaddict - 3/1/2016 5:37 AM
IA, to be clear, the water is therefore structure because fish use it?
I guess that what we have come to conclude The entire lake is structure.. and a lake is water ..the best structure is water if you want to catch fish! Since you will NEVER catch a fish NOT using structure.
U could, in theory, catch a walking cat fish or snake head not using water.  |
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