Learning lakes vs learning knowledge

I understand that time on the water is the most valuable tool when it comes to gaining experience but my question is, when trying to gain experience and learn is it better to focus on one lake and learn how the fish react/live in that body of water then move to the next lake or is it better to jump around to several different lakes to put yourself in different environments and lake conditions? I’m lucky right now to be able to fish once a month so I’m trying to figure out the best route to invest my time. Thanks


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To me...learning lakes is learning knowledge. Once you learn one lake real good, it makes it easier to learn other lakes because you know more about what to look for.

If you learn your lake then you can apply those same patterns on a different lake that’s about the same. Learning a different depth lake or drastic water color I’m finding is a bit of a challenge too. To answer your question I’d say pick your go to lake n learn it first.

I am a far cry from a good crappie fisherman but from my limited experience I would say if you only fish a lake once a month you will never learn that lake much less lakes around you. I have been working on basically 2 lakes for 25 years and still learning. When I fished 2 or 3 times a week seems like I could keep up with the fish, when I fished less each time is a hunt and discover trip. I know the depths, I know the currents, I know the brush, yet seems like things change every time I go. So, I just decided to enjoy my time on the lake and catch a few now and then. If you fill your cooler and don't enjoy it you have missed the point That is just my opinion,

Once a month will be tough but not impossible. I would focus on one lake and maybe even one section of the lake and learn best as possible. Trying to do more with only once a month will be very challenging. Also try watching YouTube videos as there are some really good videos that show you and teach you how to get the most out of your time on water, patterns and seasons. There are also some good post here on cdc that can steer you in the right direction as well. As Crappie Happy Pappy said above though just enjoy your time on the lake and catch what you can.

Thanks for the responses. Think I’m going to stick to learning Jordan and Harris. I still get skunked every once in a while but that’s fishing.


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I’ve fished Norman 98% of my life. I fished one of the Yadkin Trail summer wild cat tournies at Tuckertown and plan on fishing more of them this fall, to force myself to have some skin in the game and learn new water, learn to find fish, and keep pushing until the end, rather than have a tough go of it, load the boat back on the trailer and drive the 3miles back to my house from the ramp. Not saying right or wrong but I know the one tourny I fished, I worked until the very end to try to put fish in the boat, whereas a day like that at LKN (which rarely happens), Id have loaded up at 9:30 and came home to do something productive. I like catching, not fishing. I’ve got too much to do to enjoy sitting in less than ideal weather conditions (heat, rain, wind, cold, etc) to sit out there and not catch. One day I’ll maybe cross the bridge to “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work....” but I’d rather be productive at this point in my life than a glorified bobber on the lake doing nothing ��

Fishing tournaments is by far the best way that I have increased my catch rate. During the weigh-ins I used to walk around looking at how different teams set up their boats, what kind of rods, type of jigs and colors--all this adds to more knowledge. Making friends with the other guys and learning how they fish has been important as well. Definitely would not change a thing.

I’ve fished a few tournaments and got a fifth place in my first one but I definitely agree that I learn more during tournaments since there is some skin in the game. Just haven’t fished many the last couple years since I haven’t had the time to prefish.


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Dennis is 100% correct. Fishing tournaments will help immensely. Some of us are kinda tight lipped, but at the same time we will try to help you. Now don’t get me wrong. I may give you a water depth. I may give you a color. I may even give you a creek name. But I doubt you’ll get coordinates. LOL. I’ve made some really awesome friends fishing tournaments. Brent and I have been fairly successful the last couple of years. We’ve put in a lot of time. Both of us are ultra competitive, even with each other so we fish pretty good together. Rod’s tournaments are the most cost effective way to learn. Sometimes you learn a couple things and don’t even realize it to start with. I’ve been fishing jordan and Harris for over 30 years so yeah I expect to be in the hunt when we’re there. I’ve enjoyed branching out and fishing new lakes also. Just keep fishing and learning whenever you can. Each lake fishes a little different, especially when you start talking about the yadkin lakes.


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We've broke down Harris. Into 3 lakes , in the last 4 months targeting bass. From crosspoint ramp to the right Cary- buckhorn creek, is 1, from that split to left heading torward holleman ramp is 2, from holleman to under bridge is 3. Was at the back of little white oak creek, this past Sunday and seen a guy single pole fishing, past the power lines in 10-12ft catch 4-5, 2 he used net.

I say learn the fish. It don't matter how good you know a lake if you don't know how the fish relate to weather change and conditions it will be hard fishing. I think learning Crappie is just as hard if not harder than learning Bass. The hardest lesson I had to learn was that "all crappie don't spawn at the same time or same depth". Unlike most crappie fishermen I don't like to fish the spawn.
If you have good electronics much of the lake learning has already be done for you. I said most...not all. If you don't have good electronics then buy a chart map and study it during the dull (most) periods in the football game on a rainy sunday. Don't try to learn all parts of a big lake in a short time. The big question I ask myself often is "Why are these crappy here today." If you don't understand the fish and think like a fish you won't figure it out many times.