Miller's Ferry 8

In the lake I fish if this scenario were to take place I would try finding some reeds or grass on the edge of deep water and usually during that cold spell I put on smaller lures. So I would tie on a small flippin jig and flip into the reeds and grass, especially if there is some wood around it. But again this will most likely vary in different parts of the country.

How big is the lake?

Well you have to find them and develope a pattern to look for on the depth finder. First you need to take in the time of year and water temperature. For instance now in Alabama on my favorite lake the water temp is around 82 and its summer of course. Usually the fish will hangout in the grass in the morning. Around nine they move out onto the river drop offs. So in the morning you should look for vegetation close to deep water. Bass like that because they can get in the grass early then as the day progresses they don't have far to go to move into deeper water. So, look for steep drop offs on your depth finder and when the find drop offs look for structure on those drop offs. Chances are a bass is hanging out around it. What type of water system are you fishing in?

Try a humminbird. They have everything from basic models to the full out color, side imaging, GPS ones. For what you are doing I would recommend one of the black and whites with a meter for water temperature on it. Its not the most basic but just about it. I have a humminbird on a fifteen foot aluminum boat we keep for fishing places like that and thats what we use and have been for years.

Haha. Well with the depthfinders the main thing they help with isn't necessarily finding the actual fish. It helps see the type of bottom and what type of cover is lying on it. Also you can see wads of baitfish. But actually seeing a fish on it at say ten feet and being like "Oh its a bass lets fish right here." that I would not recommend because it could be absolutely anything with the number of species in rivers and lakes.

I catch a lot of spots as well as largemouths. I consider a 2# spot to a 3# spot a pretty good fish and a 4# and higher spot a very big fish simply because spots don't get as big and they pull harder. Now when it comes to largemouth bass I consider a 2-4 a pretty good fish and 5+ is a big fish. My biggest is ten pounds and I have caught a multitude of 5+ pounders in private lakes and ponds. But what I just listed is my perception of big in rivers and public lakes such as Guntersville or Martin.

You should fish with luresn that drawe a lot of strikes. Such as baby brush hogs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. This will catch you a lot of fish even though sometimes they wont be big ones. Then once you have some confidence you can move up to different lures and techniques. Ex: Jigs, deep diving crankbaits, drop shots. Just remember for right now keep the lure small and your numbers wll be higher.

The deer population would take a hit with former fisherman looking for a new hobby.

I fish river systems as well. I have learned that the majority of the time, when you see baitfish in large quantities like that the fish are there. A lot of times though, they are full and chasing that crankbait or whatever you are fishing in that current when they have already gourged themselves doesnt sound like a good idea to them. Bass are like any other animal on planet. If a lion just ate a whole zebra its not gonna immediately go back hunting. Its gonna nap under the tree. Given, if another zebra lays down beside it then yes the zebra will get attacked. So my advice to you is throw the two or three lures you are most confident in and thoroughly fish the spot. The best thing to do is be there at daylight and catch them feeding in the morning.

I fish my local river a lot and it stays very muddy. I have had success using chartruse colors. Judging by the type of bottom and cover located in the pond, using a crankbait or spinnerbait should hold some keys to success. One particular lure that works well is a War Eagle spinnerbait with a chartruse body and white extension on the skirt. It has a small red colorado blade and a large golden willow blade. If fishing some type of plastic use a bright color or I have more success with a june bug or black color.

In Alabama it rains a lot, and I generally have success during and after a rain in vegetation. Especially vegetation like lily pads that fish can get under. I usually throw a spinnerbait parallel with the pads and the retrieve is your choice. Just figure out what style they are looking for. If the spinnerbait fails try throwing a weightless trick worm or a frog.

Where I fish I have no trouble catching two to four pound Kentucky Spots, but I have trouble finding big largemouth. The spots are always stacked out on points and flats on the main river drop but the largemouth dont seem to be there. (In the summer anyways) I can't find the largemouth in slews either. The only big largemouths I have caught has been in the grass at dawn. After that they seem to disappear. Any suggestions?