I've been a river and pond fisherman my entire life, with around 5 trips to a lake under my belt in my entire 32 years.  I decided to change that this past weekend.  While I've caught bass in a lake before, I decided to focus on the lake closest to me; Lake Juliette near Macon, GA.  It was awesome.  The water was beautiful, the striped bass were willing, I caught three.

 

The green bass whipped me, I caught one spotted bass and lost a really good largemouth up shallow in the early hours of the morning.  I know nothing of lakes, but I'll give you all the information I have, a Google Earth overview image, and a link to a contour map.  I'm hoping you guys can help me out, I'm trying to fish the KBF Southeast Trail next year and if I can't at least do well on my local water I know I'm going to get smoked on Guntersville and Kentucky lake.

 

Anyway, this water was completely clear.  I'm talking 8' of visibility.  There is very little flow, lending to the water clarity.  The water was 89 degrees this past Friday.  There is LARGE rock, hard and soft bottom, and a decent bit of grass in spots.  I'm not sure of the species.  I had a few followers on my crankbait, which indicated to me that I needed to change color, but I don't remember many repeat followers and was wondering if some of you guys might point me towards where you would fish in accordance with the time of year, the clarity, and the techniques you would use to do so.

 

I'm mostly launching on the East end of the lake and my Hobie PA14 only cruises at 4mph, but I can be tempted to switch launch locations.

 

Here's a link to the contour map:

http://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html?title=Lake+Juliette+boating+app#13.27/33.0382/-83.8109

 

And here's a google Earth overview.

 

What do I need to be slinging and where, bassresource.com?

9 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I've been a river and pond fisherman my entire life, with around 5 trips to a lake under my belt in my entire 32 years.  I decided to change that this past weekend.  While I've caught bass in a lake before, I decided to focus on the lake closest to me; Lake Juliette near Macon, GA.  It was awesome.  The water was beautiful, the striped bass were willing, I caught three.

 

The green bass whipped me, I caught one spotted bass and lost a really good largemouth up shallow in the early hours of the morning.  I know nothing of lakes, but I'll give you all the information I have, a Google Earth overview image, and a link to a contour map.  I'm hoping you guys can help me out, I'm trying to fish the KBF Southeast Trail next year and if I can't at least do well on my local water I know I'm going to get smoked on Guntersville and Kentucky lake.

 

Anyway, this water was completely clear.  I'm talking 8' of visibility.  There is very little flow, lending to the water clarity.  The water was 89 degrees this past Friday.  There is LARGE rock, hard and soft bottom, and a decent bit of grass in spots.  I'm not sure of the species.  I had a few followers on my crankbait, which indicated to me that I needed to change color, but I don't remember many repeat followers and was wondering if some of you guys might point me towards where you would fish in accordance with the time of year, the clarity, and the techniques you would use to do so.

 

I'm mostly launching on the East end of the lake and my Hobie PA14 only cruises at 4mph, but I can be tempted to switch launch locations.

 

Here's a link to the contour map:

http://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html?title=Lake+Juliette+boating+app#13.27/33.0382/-83.8109

 

And here's a google Earth overview.

 

What do I need to be slinging and where, bassresource.com?

hey man good luck out there. I dont personally have any tips for that water but I do know I have seen some fellas talking about lake juliette on maybe Lanier Area Kayak Enthusiasts site you may check that out if not much response here.

I checked out that forum.  The only thing they focus on is striped bass.

Outside edge of grass beds with a Super Fluke Glimmer Blue or BPS Sticko black & blue 5 & 3/8" on fluorocarbon. Fish both with 5/0 wide gap Gamakatsu. 

The one trip I made, I noticed clarity to what I estimated to be 20 feet or more.  I think it's due to the lake being supplied water via pumps and piping from nearby Olgmulgee river.  

5 hours ago, Gantt said:

The one trip I made, I noticed clarity to what I estimated to be 20 feet or more.  I think it's due to the lake being supplied water via pumps and piping from nearby Olgmulgee river.  

You must have been on the lake at an unusually clear time(late fall or winter). It's typically 4' to 6'. I fish it 50 to 75 trips a year. When they've been pumping water for days I've seen it down to 6" of visibility. Those fish are primarily sight feeders and the murky water puts them in a funk. Your time is better spent fishing elsewhere for a few days. 

56 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

You must have been on the lake at an unusually clear time(late fall or winter). It's typically 4' to 6'. I fish it 50 to 75 trips a year. When they've been pumping water for days I've seen it down to 6" of visibility. Those fish are primarily sight feeders and the murky water puts them in a funk. Your time is better spent fishing elsewhere for a few days. 

i went once, don't recall the time of year, but it was not too hot outside then.  i live within 20 miles of it but never go

20.3 mile drive for me. It's a bit tricky to figure out. But once you do it's a good lake to fish. Finesse presentations such as Ned rig,dropshot,Wacky rig, and Shakey head works well on the LM & Spots. The hybrid and striper schools are an additional benefit. If you go back I suggest you start fishing fast and let the fish tell you what mood they're in. I don't want to sound like a know it all about the lake because at times it kicks my butt. Lots of folks that haven't put the work into fishing the lake call it the dead sea.

@GreenPig, I almost discounted your advice to use a black and blue stick worm considering how clear the water was and my belief that clear water meant natural colors, but now you've said you fish it often and have success.

 

I'll try that black and blue worm now.

 

Any theory why it works there?  The herring?