So I went to a local lake for the first time recently.  It is mostly deep water, even at the banks and is narrow and about 2.5 miles long.  The water is so clear you can see the bottom in 20+ feet of water.  The bottom is lined will old redwood tree stumps and the banks lined with weeds, fallen trees, amazing cover, dark areas, everything you can think of.  The water temp is 60 on top at shallows and 47 in 100+ feet.  The lake is stocked with trout and has lots of other bait fish that in turn have massive habitat support.  The rangers are awesome and the lake only allows electric boats which they can rent to you.  Sounded to me like a perfect bass fishing location.  Oh how wrong I was.  So, where did I go so horribly wrong?  

I found that my 4-6ft cranks were too shallow, I found the wind really strong for drop shotting.  What really got me the most though was that when I looked down into the water I couldn't see any fish so I felt like I was wasting my time crank and spinning an area where I could see all around me there was nothing.  At one time I did see two really nice sized bass swim under me, but I couldn't find them again and fishing the area for an hour got nothing.   >

The whole situation really confused me and I ended up trolling for trout the rest of the day.  What do you guys think is wrong:

1. Was I too impatient?

2. Was I relying on sight too much?

3. Was I using wrong rig?

I was fishing bass for at least 5 hours and not even a sniff.

Any thought in making sense of this experience would be appreciated, given my research and experience I thought this would have been a prime location, but to be honest I felt utterly confused and thought maybe I would never understand this sport.  

Thanks in advance for thoughts.

You relied on sight.  Most likely if you do that then you will convince your self of things that are not true.

Relax. It was your 1st time.  You know what the lake offers now adjust your tatics.  The drop-shot might have been the key if it hadn't been windy.

thats crazy when i lived in michigan there was a lake exactly to what you described water wise that is. so clear you could see 20 ft plus. we used topwater all day it was sprinking out. in the spring time. we would throw as far as we could, and where we couldnt see and thats when we would get the fish. we got a couple that went 4lbs all the rest were 1-2 but i say throw as far as you can and where you cant see the bottom. and try finesse worms those worked well also.

Thanks guys - yea it was really frustrating seeing the 2 big ones swim away beneath the boat  :'(

I have more learning to do, and I'm a long way from done

Ok, first off.... that place sound like heaven. Really.

Second, remember that everybody has off days. I'll go to a lake and catch 20+ in a day, but a week later get skunked. Its just how it is, it happens.

The vista you described sounds like exactly how you put it, "too good." With all sorts of baitfish present, it sounds like a prime habitat for a bass. Maybe they haven't been introduced to the lake? Ah, who knows til you hit it up a few more times.

Try it again, and be patient with what you do.

Good luck.

PWE wrote:

"I have more learning to do, and I'm a long way from done"

YES, Grasshopper, BUT your immensly enjoyable journey HAS BEGUN!  (and in the right direction, I'd like to add:o)

Thanks again guys.  I went back to the same lake today and conditions were the same except the air temp was hitting 92F+ - yikes was getting hot.  Water temp was one the rise.  I had my daughter with me fishing for trout and she gets bored quickly with no action so it was hard.  However, as I cruised the shoreline in about 20+ feet of clear water I was able to actually watch 3 bass cruising along the shoreline back and forth.  Sometimes I would lose them.  I tried to drop a t-rigged worm a few times, until it got caught up under a tree limb on the bottom (I mistook it for a bite and set it into the tree I think).  I was unable to coax them into biting a spinnerbait and just decided to move on given my daughter was becoming bored.  I need to fish alone more so I can study, learn and practice and only risk boring myself lol.  I can amuse myself for hours just watching the different ways different lures move in the water and feeling the weight on the bottom etc.  I am certainly getting good at hitting my target on a cast and am really getting a good feel for worm movements.  As yet still no real fish to speak of save that first one a few weeks back and a tiny dink.  I am still totally confused on how to up the numbers of fish caught and am unsure how to tell if I am fishing empty water or water with fish in it.  

when the wind is like that again try throwing your dropshot out there and drifting in your boat.  Dragging your rig across the bottom just bumping it every now and again.  Its a very subtle approach that may get your finicky fish to hit.

Sometimes,...that's just fishing.  

I'm convinced I am fishing in the best lake in our state for both size and umbers.  It's very protected and I'm very lucky to have made the connections there that I did in years past.

That said,...the place can still hand your butt to you on a plate every now and again.  Other days, you can hit four 5-lbrs, other days you need to fight just to earn a dink.  This is more common in very clear water I believe as these fish are more aware of the environment OUTSIDE of their world more than a fish from dirty water.

Just keep plugging, give the place a few chances.  Fish it when there is a guaranteed bite (spawn).  You may find something one day that will make that lake your favorite place on Earth.  Give it a better chance than just one outing.

You were in the "Twilight Zone" and "they" were watching you.

"They" knew your every move. "They" were watching and thinking, "here comes another one."

May I suggest speaking to the rangers and others fishing the body of water and ask for suggestions?  Not detials on what type of specific baits to throw or where to go to fish, but general, overall suggestions.  And the old geezers may also give you some helpful tips, too.

A vertical presentation may work better than sight fishing, because if you can see "them" then "they" can see  you.  And with water that clear "they" are used to you and your kind and "they" will ignor your free food offerings.

Fishing clear water is a challenge.  A big challenge so don't fret as when we fish clear water, other than for shoreline sightfishing, you will find that "they" have an advantage over you and your kind.

Sam, you've got a way with words this morning, well put.

I see this lake as potentially being the one that raises your bar and makes you become an angler of the next level,...or two.

Find flats in deeper water,...break from what you know and grow.

This sounds like most of Nor Cal. I would drop shot or use a spider jig. Make long casts. Use 8-12lb floro carbon, the lighter the line the better. 4lb diameter braid can help to, just add 6-8ft floro leader. Dont be afraid to use a heavier weight either. Sometimes I will go as heavy as 1/2oz. and if its really bad I would go heavier.Kevin Van Dam recently did a interview talking a bought how most people dont use heavy enough weight while drop shotting. You just need to be heavy enough to feel that you are on the bottom.

The bite can be difficult to detect. Try to find places that break the wind also. Experiment with what works for you. If you learn to fish conditions like this you can out produce most of the competition. Dont get frustrated this is where we grow as anglers. I welcome these situations.

I think you did the right thing having a child with you. Their experiences need to be positive with out frustration in the air.

fish the shade of any available cover. bass have sensitive eyes and do not like to be seen unless they are spawning i have learned.