Don Harris

It is a pain to me in the wind. I thought I would love it but I'm not sure I do. I agree with your reasons, I'm just not sure they outweigh freeing up my hands.

Thought I would post this article I found that is a wealth of knowledge on ledge fishing. Hopefully, it helps someone who is learning, like me. https://www.fishin.com/forums2/content.php/751-Out-On-a-Ledge-Kentucky-Lake-Ledge-Fishing

Also, that's with someone in the back of the boat trying to keep them where they can fish.

I have a 70 lbs thrust TM. The problem is it is a hand control bow mount. So you have to use your hands to steer while trying to fish. It was on the boat when I bought it. A new TM is on my wish list.

I've never fished offshore - ever. I've been a bank beater for 40+ years. So all of this is foreign to me. It's time to learn it, though. I appreciate the replies.

I understand that fishing ledges goes back before spot lock and FFS. I do have two fishfinders with GPS. I have spent hours mapping out spots on the computer but I just have trouble keeping the boat anywhere near the spot. I realize you use the trolling motor but with 10 mph wind and higher, I spend more time fighting the trolling motor than fishing. I guess that is what my question mainly is. What are the mechanics of keeping the boat on the ledge. I see guys out there fishing them and they are dead still able to fish the ledge for as long as they want.

So, what is the secret to ledge fishing? I live near Pickwick Lake and it seems all of the consistent fishing is done on ledges. Just this week there was a MLF tournament at Pickwick and there were many 20-25 lbs bags. Then I see Timmy Horton on a video with some friends and they are holding up two 6 pound smallmouth and a couple of largemouth that were really big. Almost all of those fish were caught on ledges. The key to my question is how do you fish ledges without spot lock and without FFS. I mean the wind is blowing 10+ mph and in my mind, by the time you find the fish and get positioned you will be blown off the spot by 30 yards. The other factor is I can't afford to get a guide right now. That would be great and would teach me a lot. Are there any secrets to ledge fishing? Every video I find has the words spot lock and/or FFS in them.

@Fishlegs that old article on Pickwick is great! I learned a lot from it. Thanks!

I bought the Alabama license this year. I fished Waterloo once. I'm going back to AL Tuesday.

This is more what I was hoping for - someone who knows the lake a little bit. I realize I didn't say that. However, my next question, @Fishlegs and @Dwight Hottle, is when it comes to fishing deeper water, do you really need to have spot lock or some way to stay still on your spot? I don't have that. The wind plays havoc with staying on a spot. Should I take that off of my list of areas for right now? I have always been a bank beater. I've never learned off shore fishing. What I see at Pickwick is a crap ton of boat docks. I have ok electronics. I have a Lowrance Hook Reveal Tripleshot (Side Imaging) at the console and a Humminbird Helix 9 GPS MDI G4N at the bow. I'm just throwing information out there to see if anyone has any additional comments.

I have looked for fishing reports for Pickwick for years. The TWRA list is always behind by over a month. Never saw this one. This is kinda my point, though. I see that report and go out prepared with those exact lures and don't even get a bite in 3 or 4 hours. I guess this is the solution, though. Just keep fishing with no expectations. And, by the way, I can't catch fish at small lakes anymore, either. I think I am going to go full on finesse and try for awhile.

There is no question it is harder. So how do I best adjust to make the shift to larger lakes?

I haven't and I have an end pocket in my tackle bag that is full of brand new ones.

I really don't know what is going on. I have fished for bass for 40+ years. I have always been able to catch fish. My skunk rate was practically zero for years. Suddenly, the last few years, I can't catch a bass to save my life. I've gone six or eight times this year and caught maybe six fish total (four on one trip) when everyone around me is wearing them out. I fish mainly at Pickwick, a Tennessee River lake. Now, in the past I have always fished smaller lakes (400-1000 acres). I realize reservoir fishing is just different, but I can't buy a fish these days. I have gone back to basics with lures I have confidence in. Does anyone have any pointers for getting out of a huge slump?

I tried it for the free period. I thought it was fantastic for a beginner bass fisherman. It even tells you how to work the lures. There is some good information there for quick access to it all in one place. It is worth paying for? I think Jonny is one of smartest fish guys out there. I hope he does really well with this. But for me, probably not.

I want to like wind. Truth is, I just don't like it at all. I usually have someone in the boat with me and I spend all of my time trying to keep them where they can fish, fighting the trolling motor. I don't have anchors or spot lock. Sometimes it is a futile attempt at best. When I am by myself, I am so used to hating the wind that I avoid it. I have got to start throwing a spinnerbait on windy points/banks.

Don't know if you were looking for others to answer. If so: Storm Chug Bug - Frog Pattern White Zoom Trick Worm Zoom Ol Monster 10" - Green Pumpkin Magic

Love the Baby 1 minus. I used to fish with those a lot. They are kinda hard to find now.

Awesome!!!! Thanks for the info! What colors have you done well with? There are a lot to choose from.

How do you rig this?

Good to know. I have avoided trying it. Might try it out sometime.

Nice collection of colors! Do you have issues with the TRDs in the plastic storage box?

This Okeechobee Fats tackle bag is my favorite for bank fishing. It is a good size and has lots of storage options. I got lucky and got an incredible deal on one. During Academy's clearance, I found one on the shelf marked $15. An employee verified it and I snatched it up!

Interesting choices. Why the Shaky Head and the Ned Rig? What about the presentations/action from the fish makes them your favorite?

What are your favorite 3 lures? These are not the ones you catch the most fish on, necessarily, but your favorite to fish. Why are they your favorites? Mine are a buzzbait, a popper and a texas rigged, weightless trick worm. They are my favorite because of the way the fish attack the lures.