jb_adams

So it sounds like there is some definate benifits to knowing the terrain. I guess a simple mind thinks that topwater action will still get a bite on top water baits or baits thrown into the area of repeated topwater action. I know I have watched the same fish hit 3-5 times in a 10ft. radius before. I thow a few baits his way, nothing. Same with structure. I have seen fish follow my baits and then see me because the water was so clear, then they would spook and look at me like "Almost had me" and then slowly swim away..... :'( I'll give this a try next time out. Thanks again guys! It's nice to know you can get this kind of information for free!! ;D Or until you guys start charging me!

Very good suggestions! Since I still consider myself a beginner, I will definately get a map and study the terrain. I have heard this before but I just keep trying to catch fish with baits instead of finding the fish. I know the fish are there because you can see the top water action. Lots of action too! That's what makes it so frustrating. There is some certain type of shad that they are feeding on so my next attempt will be with live bait (shad and a bobber). I'll locate one of the Beaver Lake maps and give the terrain C-rig a shot. Thanks guys! By the way, I heard that this time of year requires jig fishing on Beaver. Anyone know if that's true? By jig fishing I am assuming they mean jigs like the Bitsy Bug and other finesse jigs, right?

So do you agree that a good boat with a depth/fish finder would help me produce more strikes and fish? As of now, the only way I can locate fish is instinct, topwater action, and using the anchor drop to determine depth. I try to find structure, cover, possible underwater creek beds, and things that everyone else looks for. I just can't tell for sure if it's there.

That's funny, I have done the same thing and even that's not working for me anymore. I have tried all sizes of baits from beetle spins to modified spinnerbaits, to road runner jigheads. Your name is Jason too! Great minds think alike! Ha ha! By the way, yes it is Beaver Lake.

**UPDATE** See recent posts below Most of you may have already seen my previous post in the Central Bass Fishing Forum (linked below) http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1148302213 This question is more of a generalized question and not so specific to one lake or location. To describe my scenario, I have listed the following lake conditions: - heavily pressured lake - post spawn months when the bite is tougher - post spawn record low water level at 14ft. below normal, now 7ft. below normal and water is now stained (greenish brown) - fish bite really close to what game and fish forcast predicts based on moon patterns - when fish are biting, it's usually on what I assume to be small bait fish schooling or insects on topwater - I do not have a depth finder, or large bass boat to locate any large drops or undewater terrain - I am limited to the smaller coves due to the size and nature of my boat (12ft. Jon boat, no motor) Am I totally screwed in this scenario?? Just some extra information here. I have tried many bait presentations when topwater biting is good. I've tried a Super Spook Jr., buzzbaits, torpedos, Heddon mini popper, hula poppers trailed with mini poppers for smaller fish, flukes, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, senkos, dropshot, shaky head, wacky rig, t-rig, c-rig, and now chatterbait. I've tried all plastics in watermelon or pumpkin, black & red, black & blue, white & red, and many others. I am starting to think that the main kink in my fishing is the lack of depth finder and trolling motor. I have learned many things since joining Bassresource.com and will continue to learn more. I still consider myself an amatueur but I am not a total newbie to the sport. With the scenario above, the baits listed that I have tried, I have only caught 3 bass this year since April. Pathetic yes! With the exceptions of barametric pressure, water temperature, color, etc., what is my flaw in fishing?? It's hard to tell without knowing specifics but if you can take your best shot, I'm all ears. I mean I'm not even catching the dinks!! :-[ Please offer some advice!

Yep, you're a senko addict!

I fish on a pressured lake too. It's tough to figure it out being a beginner so I can only advise based on what I know. I have luck in shallow murky water with dark plastic baits that have some bright accents. I have some cheap Renagade worms that are black with a bright pink swirl tail and they work well in darker waters. I think just about anything close to black would work but the bright twirling tail just seems to really drive the bass crazy. Last one I caught was 3lbs and hit the bait hard. The lake I fish on has murky waters at the lower end where it's fed by a river and clear water at the upper end where the dam is. The clear water fishing is where I have trouble the most. Good luck!

I think the reason you're catching more fish is because you have a slow presentation which will produce a strike when other baits won't (so I'm told). Just curious, how do you rig your senko, wacky, weightless, T-rig??

This is what it's all about right here. Holiday morning around 6:30 on a cool morning as the mist rises off the water, all is quiet and peacefull in the world. If it weren't for our Veterans, there would not be mornings like this. Salute to Memorial Day and to the Veterans that made it possible.

I know Photoshop pretty well guys and I know others that can do amazing things with it and I have to say that photo that KU Bassmaster posted looks real to me. The picture is fuzzy because of it's age. Why show up now? Have you guys ever tried to find something you valued dearly and lost it. It takes a while. That's why it's lost.... ;D Just my 2 cents.

I have already asked this question a while back. Since I have now tried this "mystifying bait", I like how it is similar to a fluke. Have I caught a fish with one yet?? Nope. It is definitely a slow way to fish. If the bait was producing, I might be tempted to use it more but seeing how I am still a beginner to the sport, I don't have enough patience. My problem is the opposite of the brain-washed "senko-holics", I keep the bait monkey happy and do the typical beginner mistake, tie on baits faster than I can loose them. I typically try a bait up to 10-20 casts in one area where I know fish are. If there are no bites, I try something different. I am trying to learn which baits to use based on conditions of that day, water clarity, etc. but I still tend to try new things. Do I try the same bait twice in two different areas? Not really. Should I try it in another area where it failed in one? Yes, I would think so. Currently, I am fishing out of a motorless Jon boat so I don't get around quickly or extremely quietly. I try to keep from banging the boat but sometimes, things happen. I'm still having fun and still going fishing to try it again so at least I am not banging the boat loudly and using nothing but senkos!! It could be worse huh!!

That actually sounds like a great way to cover a lot of area fast to find fish and then change up the presentation a little. I never thought of doing this. Thanks for the tip!

I tend to agree on artificial being more challenging. Live bait always catches something. You're guaranteed to catch even a small fish on live bait and almost no matter what bait you're using. At least that's been my experience as a kid. I am just now getting more serious into the artificial bait thing so it has been very challenging. I have a lot to learn! :-[

I'm diggin' the "Danger Mouse" Penfold avatar! I haven't seen that since I was a kid! I tend to agree on the jigs. I have caught all of my bass lately on it.

Love the "skwerl" avatar image!! Is he supposed to be a "Supernut"!! Sorry, couldn't resist it! ;D ;D I have wondered about using shiners for this time of year. You just proved my theory! Where were you fishing, deep or shallow, near boat docks or open deeper water? Smallies or large mouth? From the length you were describing, it must have been large mouth. So tell us your secret on how you rigged the shiner. Did you hook the shiner through the nose to allow it to swim around?

So what live bait do you use? I have often thought of using shiners. Obviously night crawlers would work on lots of different typ of fish but I am affraid I would catch carp or catfish instead of bass. Or even worse, the Brim would pick off the bait. Also according to the poll, spinnerbait and crankbaits are the preferred choice. I fished both in several spots yesterday and didn't get a bite. The fish were there and the bite was on a little. I caught more on my Beetle Spins than any other baits including worms, flukes, c-rigs, etc. Post spawn must be a hard time to fish. What could I be doing wrong??

That's kinda what I thought. The term "finesse" means delicate or as dictionary.com stated, "Refinement and delicacy of performance, execution, or artisanship" I have also read of worm finesse fishing in deeper back water with lilly pads and scum. I would think this is a form of finesse fishing as well. That's why I asked what the difference was and which is better. Since I have joined here, I have learned so much that there is no way to try it all to see which works! I guess I'll have to go fishing more to try all of the techniques!! ;D Before: After trying the new techniques: Thanks in advance guys!

Yes, newbie alert again! I still have SO many quesitons! :-/ Which is better, drop shot or finesse? Local conditions for your lake is obviously the first variable but please explain the technique used for each and which conditions to use these techniques in. Thanks! JB

Sorry, newbie here! I have seen this on TV a while back. What exactly is this technique?

Thanks again to everyone for responding! There is a lot of great information here. It appears that rat-l-traps, spinner baits. and crank baits are the prefered favorites for the fish locating baits or what some call "scout baits". I am still somewhat new to the bass fishing scene and I already have that glazed over look in my eyes wanting to catch more bass. I have read various mags. on various techniques, baits, strategies, and ways to try things different. I could spend days trying them all but I may or maynot have much success on a pressured lake. All of the suggestions here so far may work on average lakes but when fishing on a pressured lake, many here are using jigs, tubes, flukes, crank baits, and carolina rigs from what I have heard. Has anyone ever tried fishing with a bobber, split shot, and a minnow hooked through the nose? The bass here are gorging themselves on minnows. I have fished in salt water with this tactic and it worked great for redfish and snook. The minnow just swims around and then panics when it sees a larger fish. Does anyone think this is a good idea once you locate the bass? Thanks again!

Thanks for the votes everyone! This is helping me make better informed decisions about bass fishing. I am somewhat a novice to bass fishing even though I have fished since I was a kid. I have never seriously bass fished on lakes. I was always on privately stocked ponds where the pressure is limited and the catching is quite easy. I fish on a heavily pressured lake where the current conditions include clear water, 12-13 foot below normal water levels, very little structure, weeks worth of stop and go rain, cold fronts, and the lake gets pressure constantly. Between all of the weekend anglers, the hardcore anglers, and the chartered stripper tours, the fish just won't bite anything. I went through my tackle box today and tried most of the basics listed above in the poll. Not even a bite. With conditions such as these, I believe the advice of using a topo map is great advice. Thanks for the tip! Now if I can only find that local flavor that the local bass can't resist. People don't tend to let go of that secret around here because then it spreads like wildfire and everyone is using it. Keep the votes coming!! ;D

If you see your choice of favorite "go to" bait listed for heavily fished lakes under pressure, what little secret do you keep for locating bass? ;D