AustonW

Thanks Mr. Catt. I may be going about this completely the wrong way but I never try fishing shallow as I have never been out with anyone that was a shallow water fisherman and I don’t know where to begin to start beating the banks. I’ve devoted all my trips to offshore fish. One more question, is it possible to have a thermocline this late in the year? I was on the water yesterday and noticed a very distinct line on sidescan in the water column at around the 25ft mark. I noticed in 30ft plus of water. But I didn’t notice it on my down scan. Any ideas?

If it does have those points, I’m completely missing them. And that very well could be my problem. I have no confidence that where I’m looking holds fish. I’ve been out with guides before and have paid attention to where we have fished but have never been able to replicate it. I almost think I’m looking at spots that are too deep.

I’m confused as to establish what depth to locate offshore bass. As I understand it now, I look to see what depth range the bait is at and start there. My confusion comes to where to go from there. Say bait is holding around 10-15 ft. Am I looking for offshore flats that top out and that depth range? Offshore points that top out there or above that range? I fish eufaula in Alabama and have caught bass offshore before but I think it was luck more than anything else. Also does there need to be deeper water nearby that said point or flat? Thanks for all the advice.

I know a few guys that fish it and have very good luck panfishing. I’ve been wanting to go try it for a while and never have had a chance

I’m still learning, so bear with me. I fish lake Eufaula in southeast AL and have been trying to figure it out. Our creek channels running out to the main river are deep, 30-40 ft. I know bass like to relate to deep water, but will a bass still travel all the way out to the main river. I know some will stay in the creek arms throughout the year, but I’m just speaking of the majority of the population. Thanks

Thanks guys for the replies. The more I read about fishing, the more I realize how little I know about it. You guys really help out.

This year the lake never really got that cold, maybe 50. Granted I’m still new and don’t know, but what about when’s there’s so little difference between winter temps being just below prespawn temps? Do the fish just not make it as far out towards the main river channel?

The weather here literally went from highs in the 20s during the front to highs in the 70s since. Thursday was the first day after the front and when the water temp was 55.

How fast does changing water temps affect bass movement and behavior? I realize that nothing is set in stone, but I want your guy’s opinion. For instance, on Eufaula last Thursday after the cold front was 55. Three days later, on Sunday, water temp was 58.

Sorry guys, Eufaula is what I fish the most often. Forgot that much needed information

How do you determine which section of the lake to fish? I understand that the northern section closest to the river is going to muddy up first and works its way down. But I’ve heard your can breakdown lake sections by season, such as in the winter, fish the south end by the d**n because it’ll be clearest. But I don’t know if that’s the case or not. I’m trying to get better at lake breakdowns. It’s sad to say but I can’t even breakdown my home lake. Lol Thanks guys

Spot- I seen one of your favorite lakes was lay lake. I’ve never been there but thought about signing up as a marshal for when the elites go there. I suck at breaking down a lake and catching fish on Eufaula much less a new lake.

Hey guys. Just wondering if there’s any guys down in southeast AL/ Southwest GA that fish Eufaula or Seminole or anywhere else around here. Looking for someone to fish with that I can learn a thing or two from. I’m new so all help and advice is greatly appreciated!

It definitely got me. All I seen was SALE!, and it was a done deal.

Hey guys, walked into the tackle store and walked out with the Tatula 80 baitcaster. It was on sale and I’m a tatula fan and I couldn’t help myself. My question is now, what can I use a size 80 reel for? I’m still new to the bass fishing arena thanks in advance.

My biggest issue is trying to decide which baits to tie on. I’m still not sure what baits works best where other than the obvious.

Right now it’s still hot during the day but we’ve had a cold front come through and cool it down a few degrees. I would guess the majority of the fish are still offshore with some moving back into the creeks. Even though I’ve grew up bream fishing on Eufaula, I never paid attention to contours or anything. It was always just ride by a spot that looked good, stop and throw a worm over the side of the boat. I’m just now trying to figure out what holds fish where now that I’ve got a little sense of how everything works. So with that being said, Eufaula is still a new lake for me.

Do you guys plan out the structures you’re going to fish or just wait till you get on the water to decide? Of course you’re going to take seasons, water temps, etc. into play.

I mean I always make sure batteries are charged and everything is gassed up. And I call myself checking the weather. And I’ll tell myself that I’m gonna fish docks or whatever. But I always doubt myself and end up driving around lost and fishing something completely different. I guess it’s just lack of confidence and experience

I want to pick y’all’s brains again if I may. How do you guys prepare for a day of fishing? Do you do a lot of homework the week before or just wing it once you get to the lake? Im trying to get better at this aspect of the game and it’s proving to be hard. I have limited time to fish as it is and it doesn’t help that I’m the most unprepared guy on the water. I used to make fun of my dad for being unprepared as he would just hook up to the boat and go, stop and get bait, and go fishing, but come back with an empty cooler as well. I am definitely his child as I find myself doing the same thing. Thanks again guys

I know I’m asking questions that can only be answered by theories and not with hard facts. I’m a curious person by nature and like to know how everything works. It boils down to me just having to get out on the water and figure out my own theories, but it’s just super frustrating being a beginner and going out and not finding fish, or more so catching fish. I feel like I’ve wasted what little time I do have to fish idling around over dead water.

You bring up a point that I’ve been wanting to ask. The main river channel and even a lot of the creek channels are super deep on Eufaula. Taking the thermocline into consideration, the bass could never make it to the channels. So what do they use to travel by then? Do they suspend above the channels? Sorry For asking so many questions.

Thanks for the reply. I don’t get to fish a lot so I wanna increase my odds as best I can beforehand.

Thanks Mr. Tom. I understand what you’re saying now. If the thermocline is, say 25ft., eliminate water deeper than 25ft. all over the lake. Mr. Scott, I completely understand that there are no hard set of rules to go by. But as a new angler, I would think there could be places I could go to first that would have a higher percentage to hold fish than just picking a random spot and hoping I might catch a lost roaming bass. I understand some bass may never use a channel to move, but from all that I’ve read and heard from others, the majority do. I’m not asking for a specific number, just a simple answer if my chances would be greater staying closer to a creek or river channel. And I also realize that it’s all dependent on weather, time of year, etc. . I am, by no means, trying to sound like a smart butt, but I’ve talked to a lot of anglers trying to learn things and the majority answer just like a politician. They talk all around your question and never come close to answering it. I apologize if this post comes off as rude as I have no intention of it being that way.