JDH85

In that area we've got creek channel junctions, two humps, multiple saddles, and the classic deep water next to shallow water scenario. So I guess the approach I'll take is scan for irregular features and bait and then throw a c-rig to feel how it lays.

As I understand it, right now (post-spawn) is the time to be hitting those first points and ledges close to the spawning grounds. So the "spot on the spot" would be rock piles, brush piles, shell beds, etc that are on those points and ledges. Bonus points if there are bait balls present as well. Is that right?

Well Catt if I understand correctly, right now I should be looking for long-tapering points and ledges adjacent to spawning pockets. So, in the picture here I've circled what I think would be spawning areas (shallow, protected from N wind) and points that are adjacent. I would scan the ledges of the channels that run through that area and look for cover/hard bottom/bait balls. Anything I'm missing?

I've been thinking a lot lately about my post-spawn doldrums (LM Bass). I've got 6 rod/reel combos in the boat and every type of lure there is. Topwaters, cranks, jerks, worms, craws, lizards, grubs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits...you get the gist. But I have never caught a bass out of more than, say, 8 feet or so of water. Post-spawn absolutely kills me every year!So I've been wanting to learn deep water techniques. My question is -- am I better off spending a whole season taking 1 rod with me and just focusing on 1 technique? Maybe just go Carolina rig for a post-spawn/summer -- or should I rig all my rods with deep-water lures and throw everything til I get bit?What do y'all do to "master" something new? I'm worried I might have a case of angler's ADHD

I have been seriously considering getting a Terrova. They are quite a bit of coin so it may be awhile. Can you mount a transducer to them?

I know that wind can do wonders for the bite and I get why. But I cannot stand the wind and how it effects my ability to feel my bait. It also makes boat control the main focus of my day. I spend more time fiddling with the trolling motor than paying attention to what my bait is doing. How do you guys go about mitigating some of these issues? How many of you use your anchor? I'm trying to get better at fishing deeper (10+ feet), but find myself getting frustrated quickly since there usually isn't a bank nearby to keep the wind from blowing my boat off the spot.

Small world...I grew up fishing that lake. I went for a little nostalgia when I was back up in IN around September. The upper end was completely weed-choked! I always remembered it being weedy, but this was another level. Wind was blowing crazy that day so I was only on the water for a couple hours. We used to slay the crappie and perch in my dad's aluminum v-hull there.

I think you're right. After sharing the same album with some guys on the local forum, they confirmed they were finding schools of bait very similar all over the area.

Right now, I just have the HDS 8 at the cockpit and an HDS 5 at the bow. But your advice is making me think real hard about adding a 2nd HDS 8 at the helm

Thanks for your insight! I'll PM WayneP and see what he says. And next time, I'll get the regular color sonar shots too.

It's in the middle 1/3rd of the biggest creek. Not much silt on this lake (Old Hickory Lake) but IDK. It seems like whatever it is, you are pretty certain it's not bait. If that's right, can you tell me why you don't think it's baitfish?

One transducer, two units networked.

The water was pretty muddy today. I had the sensitiviy at like -11% though to eliminate the constant interference. I don't know man, It seems too weird to me that I would only see this in one spot? I wasn't doing anything differently than I was for the rest of the mile that I idled before it. And the stain in the water was the same everwhere...if anything it was slightly less dirty in this particular spot as it is closer to the main channel.

You mean the regular sonar? Unfortunately, I wasn't running that screen at the time, just StructureScan. Next time, I'll make another pass with both going if that will help.

I'm almost certain it's not cavitation. I idled for a mile with nothing like this going on, just bare water column and little changes in bottom. Then at this point there was stuff everywhere!

I was already going that slow. That really bothers me because what if I was on plane thinking I'm in deep water but all of the sudden I'm in a foot and a half. So the structure (I'm guessing) is rock/gravel. At least that was what was up on the shoreline. And all that commotion in the water column...is that bait or what?

Link to album with screen shots Can you guys take a look at these and tell me what you think? The first one is of my GPS/Map not showing me accurate info...the rest are side scan images. It's a Lowrance HDS 8 gen 1. Thanks, Jason

All of my best fish have come from 6' of water or less. But I grew up fishing that way -- getting my lure into the tightest spots in the cover as I possibly could and wiggle the lure in and through the cover. Swimming a spinnerbait over a branch in 10" of water and watching a 5 lber come seemingly out of nowhere to smash it in a flash. I'm making an effort to be a better structure fisherman. It must be nice to go out and whack 80 fish in one spot. But the bank will never lose its allure to me. Something about horsing an angry bucketmouth out of the junk seems just right to me.

Well, maybe I am misunderstanding what you're trying to get across. Earlier you said "quit fishing the vegetation and fish what's under it". I interpreted that as you saying don't fish shallow fish deep -- but what you're saying is the vegetation continues under the water (and might also be where most of it is) and it's more oxygenated so most of the fish are there as opposed to shallow? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I think Denny Brauer, Shaw Grigsby, Greg Hackney and countless other pros would disagree with you there. Fish the conditions, right? I understand that you are much more likely to get a limit out near the channel, but sometimes the big girls go up to hide in the thick junk in 8 inches of water. So, being proficient in both is the better option - no?

I agree. I seem to get better numbers around dusk and dawn and a larger average from 11-6ish. Also, Go CUBS!

Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me and to those of you who are offering tips. I am going to spend my time off of the lake getting better acquainted with my HDS units and studying lake maps. I've been advised by the locals that Old Hickory is a tough lake to fish anyway. Lots of pressure and an over-abundance of bait make the bite tough. Hopefully I can figure something out!

Hello, im JDH85 and I'm a Bass-a-holic. LOL. I recently got my first fishing vessel. 18ft Procraft Stalker glass bass boat w/a 150 Merc Black Max VR4. Side note: if anyone has any experience with this motor or similar (carbureted two-stroke) I would appreciate your input regarding maintenance and performance tips. On to the subject... I've made a handful of trips to Old Hickory Lake in Middle TN. This is my first experience with Old Hickory (or any "bigger" water for that matter) with the exception of one guided trip I took with Ian Huey (great guide, btw) last April. I have launched at the Cairo public access for the most part. One time I launched at Station Camp Creek...both are considered mid-lake, I believe (possibly leaning toward upper?). Navigating this body of water is a nightmare. Trolling around looking for bait has pit my boat against solid obstacles more times than one. Luckily, those have all happened at speeds sub-5mph. I refuse to get the boat on plane unless I'm in the main river channel. I'm chasing Largemouth bass, but I'm open to trying anything (non-panfish) just to get the skunk off of me. There are "community holes" marked on my GPS...should I look for a particular type for this time of year? I've thrown basically my entire box what appears to be lifeless water. I'm losing confidence fast. I have been doing a lot of studying about using my Lowrance HDS units but I'm not quite sure if what I'm doing is right. Basically trolling around and when I see a bait ball or two in the area, I start throwing lures at the visible targets. I'm not quite sure how to pinpoint a piece of underwater structure with my lure...tips on that would be appreciated. Or, if there is a resource y'all like for that kind of info please point me in that direction. Thanks