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There are several of us new to this game and would like some input on this issue from some of you pros.
How do you locate fish when hitting a lake you havent fished before, what are you looking for? Not talking about somewhere you have info on but somewhere you are totally green at.
I look at a lake map showing the contours. I also research old fishing reports from the past or go to the MDWFP website and check their reports. Once on the water, I look for where creeks hit the main channel, how ditches come across flats and also look for structure along channels. I do all that, then call WB and see where he's been fishing, then fish everywhere else LOL
Same as DonDon. Sept if i can find WB ill follow him around at least if the fish aint biten your sure to have some kinda entertainment:Rofl
John your are going to do the same thing you would if you were headed to a big Green Carp tournament somewhere you had never fished. Map study first go to those spots that look good then use your electronics to serch out cover and structure.
Study a lake map and look for creek and river channels and intersections of these. Idle along channel edges and look for cover with your depth finder, throw out a marker close to the cover and fish around and over the cover. Mark these spots on your gps so you can come back to them. Look for other places with cover nearby and try to find you several in one area. Under water humps with cover around the edges of them are also good especialy if there is deep water nearby. Somedays the fish will be on top of the channel ledges and somedays they are off the edges or down deeper in the channel but they will almost always be some fish around the ledges somewhere.
I just follow Feelay.
Wannabe...
Well put RogerA. I like to look at a map but the bottom line is crappie like ledges and usually are on or very near one most of the time. Even in spring when they are shallow the smallest drop off of only 1 or 2 feet will usually hold crappie and most of the time alot of them. If its fall or winter I target deeper ledges and dropoffs.
Good responses, thanks guys.
The hardest prob. i ran into is when i first heard about spiderigging was gettin 5 spiders to do what i wanted them to do.Then i figured it out that plastic is less compicated.
All the responses are true, but what about a smaller lake that has no maps, and no contours?
Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202
We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
pay attention to your depth finderQuote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
Lake map with contours. Talk with folks at baitshops!Look for where the most boats are!Then study your map and your sonar!Hire a guide the first time there!Become a member of this great website and everybody will give you their gps coordinates of their best fishing spots!!!Spend some time going to that lake till you have a good idea of what the fish are doing!Cover water!What time of year?> Shallow or deep?Or somewhere in between?<BUCK PERRY USED TO SAY THAT!
Just what Feesh said and I don't know a lot about it but think if I had some depth to an unfamiliar smaller lake I would put out a couple of longline poles and ride around while staying on top of the depth finder.
Hard to watch a fish finder on a 22 mile long lake. It would take DAYS.
Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202
We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
I find myself doing this while pulling cranks, I mark stuff to go back to and check out. Havent longlined at all but its next on the list, got to get over my "Rookie Status" pushin minners.Quote:
Originally Posted by cray
You'd be surprised what you can learn about your lake from fishing with folks who've never been there before. Can be enlightening if you keep your ears open.
It was easier to learn your lake by going with you. LolQuote:
Originally Posted by willsjwills
Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202
We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
I started this thread because of a couple of guys I know that seem to get on fish no matter where they go, some lakes they fish a good bit but others they dont. This aint just luck, there's more to it than that. I appreciate the replies guys, keep em coming.
Well Bill i wouldnt clasify a 22 mile long lake a small lakenonono when you say small im thinking Tunica cutoff, Horseshoe, Midway and some of the other oxbow type lakes. But i am getting old so just sayin.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
Tunica is long like Wolf, but both are narrow. Small lakes like Midway and Horseshoe, I agree with ya.Quote:
Originally Posted by cray
Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202
We offer Xpress, Excel, and Alweld Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers
Get you a Humminbird 1198SI and you can go to any lake in the country and catch fish.
You don't try too cover the whole lake. Just watch the fishfinder to locate the best spots of the water that you are covering.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
Sent from my dang phone
I also know a couple folks that get on em no matter where they go. It's called call EVERYONE and sooner or later you'll find someone that knows the lake. LOL