I've been wondering about how to find the different types of forage in a lake, mostly baitfish. The only thing I've come up with is to get a throw net and just see what I catch. I know there has got to be a better way. I ask other bass fisherman fishing the same lakes to see if they know, and most of them tell me what they know no problem. However I like to see things for myself. So if anybody out there has a good tip/technique for catching and finding out the baitfish I could sure use it. Thanks

Looks like sunfish, shad and alewife: http://www.hrla.com/NCFish/fish.htm

Threadfin dominate the Tennessee River System.

Just do what I do, bring a small ultra light rod and fish for the forage and such. Bluegill, Shad, Perch, all forage will go after a tiny grub on a tiny jighead. Youll find out what the forage is real easy. And have some fun doing it.

Well I feel a little ignorant right now Thanks guys. I guess I completely over thought this whole thing lol Not the first time and probably not the last

I thought the same thing for a while. How can I find out what baitfish are in a lake quick and easy. Either go online or like I said get a small ultra light ugly stick and fish super tiny grubs. I like the second way best, plus its fun cause youre catchig something and those small UL rods are a blast to catch even tiny fish with. If you happen to hook into a bass with that, look out! The combo I use is a 5 foot UL Ugly Stick and its awesome. Super fun catching Crappies with as well.

Add to your info sources. Ask at the local tackle store(s). Don't over look crawdads.There may be some lakes that don't have them but I've never fished one that I know of!

you dont need to fish to know if a lake has sunfish. If it has bass, there are sunfish in the lake. I cant think of an exception. Same with craws, there are craws in most lakes even if you never see them. Frogs and big insects like dragonflies are another prominent bass forage depending on the season.

The pelagic baitfish like shad and alewife are what you want to know about, namely what size they are and where they are. The sunnies, craws and frogs have established habitat read up on wikipedia and find out where they live and what their habits/life cycles are.

Alewife and shad move around a lot more. You can see them as big balls on fish finders or breaking the surface in large schools. Look for birds diving and circling overhead as well as fish feeding on them.

A good way to catch baitfish is jigging a sabiki rig. Get the one with the tiny hooks. I mean, really small. Youre fishing for fish that are often 4".

even with all that info about forage. Bass are instinctual predators. That is, they will attack anything that looks like prey even if they have never seen it before.

It is good to know if they are feeding on the bottom, top or are suspended. This will tell you what bait to use. Jigs, craws,creatures or worms on the bottom, flukes/swimbaits, cranks, spinners in the middle and spooks, frogs and buzzbaits on top.