What approach do yall take when fishing new water?  Reason I ask is I want to try a new body of water, Weston Lake-Fort Jackson SC.  It is about 250 acres.  I don't know if it has shad in it or not, but it apparently gets up to 40ft deep, has submerged trees, ledges, creeks, grass, laydowns.... All the characteristics of a big lake crunched into a 250 acre reservoir. 

 

Finding weeds and wood is usually my starting point. 

I unfortunately can't provide any information about this lake.  However, I am in the area and am curious.  Does this lake have public access or is it located on the base (military personnel only).  I have been trying to find a new spot and this is well within my travel range if I can get access to it.

Felixone, it is located on Fort Jackson, but in the training area out Leesburg rd.  You can visit the fort jackson mwr website or search for weston lake for more information on it.  I am military so I can fish it for sure, I am not sure if a non-DOD has to be with a military member or if non-DOD can fish it alone.  You have to have a state license and a fort jackson license though.  I have read up on Weston that there are good fish in it, so hopefully i'll have more info on it this week after I fish it.

1. Figure out the seasonal pattern bass are in.

2. Find structure in appropriate section of the reservoir. (Logs, laydowns, brush are NOT structure. These are cover. Cover on structure is good. On its own, cover isn't of much use.)

3. Fish structure with a variety of baits and techniques.

Felixone, it is located on Fort Jackson, but in the training area out Leesburg rd.  You can visit the fort jackson mwr website or search for weston lake for more information on it.  I am military so I can fish it for sure, I am not sure if a non-DOD has to be with a military member or if non-DOD can fish it alone.  You have to have a state license and a fort jackson license though.  I have read up on Weston that there are good fish in it, so hopefully i'll have more info on it this week after I fish it.

 

I did some poking around after posting, and it sounds like this is military only.  Oh well, you guys have it rough enough.  I am more than happy to let you guys have at least one lake to yourselves.  Good luck fishing there.  I hope you catch a new PB. 

Sounds good, I think I can have guest, so maybe in the future after I get to know the lake a little I can take ya out there.

1.  Go to Google Earth and look at the lake. Find creeks, blow downs, docks, bridges, grass, pads, creeks, and anything else you can pick up.

2.  Go to Google and Google the lake's fishing reports. There may or may not be any reports available but you have to try.

3.  Locate tackle shops in the area and give them a call. They know what baits are working and where the bass are in the lake.

4.  Get a paper map of the lake, if possible, and look at the contours and other data. Watch out for low water areas that could disrupt your adventure.

5.  As stated above, what season will you be fishing and what are the bass supposed to be doing?

6.  Try to find out what the forage is. Crawfish? Shad? Bluegill? Bream?  Then select baits the size and profile of the ones the bass are eating.

7.

7.  Check for local fishing clubs and try to contact the president or tournament director and ask them for input. They may be willing to share some knowledge with you.

8.  With the map you can plan where you are going and what to throw. Lakes can be big and you can waste a lot of time running around and not fishing.

9.  Check out any guides who guide on the lake. Look at their web sites as they may have some fishing information for you on them.

10. Be careful. You don't know the waters and you can hit a sandbar, mudflat or stumps.

 

Good luck and don't forget to check the weather and take your needle nose pliers with you.

Check out this site:

 

http://www.hookandbullet.com/fishing-weston-lake-oak-grove-sc/

 

Found it by searching Weston Lake Fishing Reports.

 

I believe it is open to the public.

 

Good luck and let us know how you do.