Hey guys,

Got my first college tournament the 27th of October on Ross, never been there before. All I know that it's a flat lake full of lily pads. If anyone's got any info it would mean a lot.

Austin

I'm sure you'll be putting in at Tommy's Landing so you'll already be right there to go up river. So your two choices are up the Pearl or down to Pelahatchie Bay. The Bay is loaded full of nice Florida strain Largemouth but they can be difficult to find in the fall unless they are chasing shad. And up the Pearl you'll be looking for the same. Go with a Chrome and Black or Ghost color rattle trap, same colors in a Swimbait, same colors in a soft jerkbait for ledge fishing and look for them on ledges in back waters, natural color frogs in the pads early in the morning and don't rule out a popper or even a buzzbait in the morning. Keep in mind The Rez is shallow so sometimes the slightest ledge will hold a sack of 20 pounds or more.

Important distinction. Do you mean Lake Ross Barnett or the Ross R Barnett Reservoir? Those are two totally different lakes. If you are talking about the reservoir I too would like a heads up on some spots to try out. I usually launch in Pelahatchie Bay. I've tried asking around at bait shops and even people I meet on the water but no one wants to help out. I guess they think I'm going to catch every single fish in their little "magic spot". Wouldn't matter if I did seeing as I don't keep my catch. I just enjoy the hunt and want to progress my skills but thats hard to do when I can't find the fish and I'm in 33,000 acres of water with no help. The rez is pretty much my only option anymore for fishing locally and its getting more and more discouraging when you spend all day on the water and don't catch anything but a tan.

Both of the mentioned places on the Rez are great. I haven't been down to Pelahatchie Bay in a while but if you choose to go up river I would suggest fishing standing timber and lay downs. I've had success on recent trips on Strike King Sexy Shad crankbait, white spinnerbait and also on soft plastic Zoom lizards in black/chartreuse.