Hey guys, I am looking to start fishing more deep water structure. The only issue is that I don't have any electronics. All I have is a topo map of the lake I fish that i found online, but it isn't very detailed (3 ft increments). I have had a few ideas as to how to find and fish deep structure:

1. Drag a C-Rig along steep drops or other intereseting features on topo map, find some cover this way, then fish it with a jig, drop shot, or something else.

2. Fish the drops with a rattletrap, spinnerbait, or crank bait. Once active fish are found, dissect the area with a jig or something else.

 

How do these sound to you guys? Any better suggestions or ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

Brian

I can tell you how this was done before personal sonar units became available around 1960.

Structure that is connected to shore like points are fairly easy to fish using fast sinking lures that you have some idea of the sink rate per second. Cast and count down the seconds it takes to hit bottom.

Locating structure isolated form shore is more complicated. You can troll a deep diving lure like Buck Peery did with his spoon plugs. If you own a anchor, you can drift with the anchor down a specific depth, we painted our rope in 5' increments and set out 30' of rope with 20 lb anchor in areas we guessed where the structure was at 25' for example and the boat would stop when the anchor hit bottom. This worked 2 ways; we knew where the structure was and the anchor held the boat in place to fish the structure. We then made notes to triangulate where the structure was; power line pole, green cabin, lightning structure tree etc.

My suggestion; buy an inexpensive depth finder, it will save you a lot of time.

Remember fishing deep is relative to the lake you fish. You do not want to fish too deep or under the thermocline level where no bass live, then you are fishing dead water.

Tom

Brian,

No need to switch your baits so many times. C-Rig is a awesome structure fishing bait/search bait. A couple more suggestions are look for contour changes on land they usually carry on into the water i.e. look for where a bluff wall ends and it’s a quick change to flat shore or chunk rock,  chances are it does that under water too.  Get on google earth or map quest and look at the arial view of the lake. Sometimes you can see long points from that view or other interesting spots.  Doing a little homework before you go out will save you some time out on the water.  Good luck and tight lines.

 

Jay-

WRB, that was awesome!  I might have to borrow that for the Blaster.  Brian, I agree that a cheap depthfinder would be great, but if not don't forget to throw out a buoy when you find something, and either mark it on the map or maybe GPS it with your phone.

Thanks for the replies guys! WRB, you had some great suggestions that i can't wait to use. Thanks!

I'd recommend getting yourself a 1/2 and a 3/4 oz. tungsten sinker for your C-rig. One of each is all you need; I've been using the same ones for the last three seasons. It's a great way to probe the bottom of lakes. You'll discover things that you'd miss even with electronics.