Catching Bass In A Rough Environment

Ever been to a lake where the water is too clear?more room to roam and a lot more newstructure to
A new lake you never fished before?hide around. They won't be concentrated in one place
No cover that you can see?but scattered doing an exploration of the new
The water is too high?territory they have found.
Too muddy?Here is what you want to do is this condition. Cover
The water is too low or lowering?lots ofwater. Try fishing jigs, worms and deep diving
The wind is blowing to hard?crankbaits. Use big blades on a spinnerbait and use
Yes, I think we all have at some time or another.your fish finder and make a note at what depth the
One thing is for sure when these conditions apply tobass are located.
the lakeyou're fishing it's tough to catch bass. So, let'sThe water is to muddy.
minimize theeffects these conditions have on yourMy favorite lake gets muddy quite easily and fishing
next fishing trip.gets toughduring this time. Let me give you one thing
The water is to clear.not to do, don't usethe new Vanish fishing line in
I'm talking about where you can see your lure evenmuddy water, it matches the waterand you can't see
at 4-6 foot deep or more. The good news is thethe line at all. Ok, now for what you shoulddo....use
bass can see your lure and will chase it more oftenlures that rattle and vibrate. Fish a slow retrieve. Try
than in murky water. The bad news is they can seeusing scent. Fish ledges, stumps, trees and flip or jig.
you too.Fish sunny times of the day. I like to fish from noon
There are things that you can do to help the cause.to 3 pm in muddy water when the sun is high. Try
One is wearwhite, blue or grey this will help you blendand find a place where the water is a little clearer
in with the sky. Try smaller lures with a fast retrieve.than the rest.
Fish on cloudy days and low light periods. Try nightThe water is to low.
fishing. Make longer casts and use lower pound lineEver been to a lake that has dropped several feet? I
where the diameter isn't as visible.went to Lake Berryessa in California and the lake had
A new lake you never fished before.dropped more than I ever seen it and the fishing
Here's a word you should remember, ready............ask?was awful.
Ask the local tackle shop, lake marinas, ask anyI had to find out where the bass were located if I
fishermen you see, ask the game warden or ranger.was going to catch anything that day. One thing I
What do you ask them?knew for sure it is highly unlikely that the bass would
Best areas to fish? Do they catch many bass thisbe in shallow water. So, I looked for deeper water
time of year?where there might be timber, deep points and
The depth they're catching bass?channels. I also knew the bass would probably be
Get a map of the lake and mark the spots thatsuspended hugging the cover. My next step was to
should hold fish.downsize and to fish slowly. That seemed to work
Look for any cover than you can see like points,best.
drop offs, trees, stumps, grass or any type of coverThe wind is blowing to hard.
that is visible. Try trolling to cover areas faster.This is fun fishing, you cast your lure and the boat is
No cover that you can see.past youbefore you take any line up on the reel.
Ever been to a lake that looks more like a desertWhat a pain!
than a lake. Imean there aren't any visible coverLook for coves and any place there is less wind, that
anywhere. No trees, no stumps, no docks, no grass,is justnormal. I fish against the wind and let my
no lily pads.......so what do you do?trolling motor do some work. Most that I see fish
Well, my first thing I do is turn on my fish finder andwith the wind and let the wind blow them and their
look forunderwater structure like flats, drop-offs,boat a 100 mile per hour down the lake. I like to fish
points, timber, steep banks, and stumps. See if youspinnerbaits when the wind is blowing hard, for one
can see any points above the water too. Many timesthing it is easier to detect a strike. I fish it more like a
what you see above the water is also below theworm though then the usual method of a spinnerbait.
water to some degree. Look for sandy shores andI let it drop and use the tip of my rod to move it
hard bottoms.then let it fall again. I work it just fast enough to
The water is to high.keep it from dragging the bottom. I also use this
This condition usually occurs in the spring here in Ohio,method during a cold front. I like to fish jigs and
but ofcourse, it can occur any time there is heavytubes at this time too.
rain and some lakeflooding. First thing to realize is theTry these methods and tips in rough conditions and I
bass are going to besuspended. They have a lotthink you'll find they work.