I am going to try to fish a small lake near me in the next couple days. I can’t seem to find a good map of this lake anywhere. I’ve asked the marina and local tackle shops with no luck. And of course it is t on lakemaster. So I’m planning to try to cover watdr and use my humminbird to map the lake. I’ll have to look up how to do this. But while I am motoring around the lake (can only use trolling motor on the lake) I would like the throw something that covers water pretty well. The water temp is 46 right now with pretty stained water (1-2 ft visibility). Weather is mid 40s today but when i plan to go it will be sunny and low 60s. So what would you use this time of year to keep the speed up (since primary objective is to map the lake)  while at the same time, give myself the best chance to catch  biggin. I’m thinking a chartreuse and white 3/8 double willow spinnerbait. But also have a spro rockcrawler craw tied on, and am thinking about a 2.8 keitech swimbait on a flashy hook, A square I’ll, or a chatterbait. 
So what would you throw?  
 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

 

A 3.8-4.3 keitech on a open hook jig head , a spinnerbait , crankbait for shallow and medium depth. Any fast action power technique honestly, my go tos though are usually a swimbait/swim jig, spinnerbait or chatterbait. 

  Why don't you update your profile so we know where you are? That could make a huge difference.    jj

Near the bank, hard to beat a squarebill... off-shore a Keitech as mentioned above or a Dark Sleeper..

2 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

  Why don't you update your profile so we know where you are? That could make a huge difference.    jj

Yes I need to do that. Greensboro, NC area. 
yeh sqarebill is a great option.  

Crankbait or swim jig/paddletail in a natural color maybe with a bit of chartreuse in it. 

Chatty bait

Rat-L-Trap

I'm surprised how few spinnerbait recommendations...too cold?

1 hour ago, clemsondds said:

I'm surprised how few spinnerbait recommendations...too cold?

I'll give my vote for the spinnerbait. However I do prefer colorado blades early in the season.

Since you don't know the lake I would start with something that you can cover the water column with quickly.  A chatterbait, spinnerbait, or a lipless bait is what I would start with.

If you are mapping at trolling speed then troll a crank.

Tom

Rattle trap, a-rig, jerkbait, chatterbait, Shad rap

56 minutes ago, WRB said:

If you are mapping at trolling speed then troll a crank.

Tom

Not a bad idea! Thanks! 

I'd mix it up with a jerkbait, spinnerbait, med tight wobble crankbaits, and an underspin with a keitech 

A paddle tail swimbait like a Keitech is what I toss when we're out mapping. It'll pull up some weeds occasionally so you can see if they are green or not and what type they are.

So went today, didn't get a lot of time to fish...but man, I tried everything. Squarebill, spinnerbait, jerkbait, rockcrawler, keitech fat on an underspin...nothing.  Got a phone call while I was out there, so while on the phone I took a drop shot and threw it out...3.5lb LMB! LOL Then next cast in same spot 3lb bass. Go figure