Northwest Fishing Reports

Over the year I found myself falling into the same pattern of fishing. On my favorite lake there is not a lot of underwater structure, it's basically like a perfect bowl to fish in. But the lake has docks and weeds and stuff. But I always ended up falling into the same trap of working the docks with grubs. That is pretty much all I did this season all year long. My other lures like cranks, spinnerbaits, jigs, and frogs seldom catch fish. If anything they get the nibbles from the 5 inchers. Anyways since I don't have confidence in many lures but my trusty senkos I don't have a clue on how to find the pattern. Do any of you guys use some type of process of elimination through lures,weather, or speed of presentation to find the pattern? Basically, what are the key factors and how do you find a pattern on any given day???

Thanks a lot, anybody still fishin?

bm

Here is a slightly less orthodox technique The Thumb is notorious for using:

TROLL

We have spent a good deal of time trolling areas with a variety of tools such as worm trailers, crankbaits, curlytailed jigs on leadheads, etc. This will take you out of your comfort zone a bit, but will generally produce fish in places you are not accustomed to.

Long Lake is a very diverse body with structure, plants, docks, rocks, mud, you name it. Due to that fact, we have done some serious trolling recon and learned about a few spots even the tournament guys don't know about. A good example is a section about a mile long. Bass tourney guys always stop at two large rock outcroppings. We trolled this area, and as it turns out we found a spot about 1/4 mile away that is a RELIABLE smallie producer, spitting out 2-3 lb fish with alarming regularity.

Another example is a troll we did in the spring over a shallow lilly pad bed. This is a known area for smallmouth, so we decided to troll it before the pads came up. In one afternoon here is the list of fish caught, with no particular rhyme or reason, no structure, just a mud flat:

Smallmouth bass
Largemouth bass
PIG crappie
Perch
Rainbow trout
Whitefish

We would have never gotten into half of those fish if we were throwing senkos on gamakatsu hooks against the docks just across the lake....

E

Actually Gisteppo has a good point. A lot of pros have been found to troll a new lake during practice to learn the spots on the spots. But this is mostly in the past because too many people complained.

Why were they complaining, because you are not allowed to troll in a Bass Tournament.

My advice to you is to start fishing with other people for awhile. Find a new friend or two and see how they fish. Fish a Pro-Am tournment, see how the pro patterns the lake.

Next time you go, do what I do. Decide that every trip you will not leave without trying something else new.

And last, a good magazine, like In-Fisherman use to be before they sold out to a California Publisher, can provide a lot of tips and hints.

Mostly, perhaps for a year, try to avoid the docks. Fish for fun, not numbers, and see what you can come up with.

And one other comment that we all know but can never be repeated enough:

TIME ON THE WATER!

E

Yeah I think I may just decide to force myself to try new things. This lake I commonly fish used to be dynamite for multiple 3-4lb bass on the docks. But now I end up with a few dinks and that is all. The fish have caught on to the pattern, but I have so much trouble killing those ties of the good old days of last year with those senkos. Anywhere anytime they produced. Anyways, I have done a lot of reading on my own about bassin but I just think my lake is particularly difficult to fish because of the lack of natural structure.

My train of thought on new things to do would be troll some baby bass or perch cranks (smaller) just to see if anything at all is interested. Also I'd like to try some jigs, I always hear they are the go-to lure of any season, but the only thing that worries me is my lake is a muddy bottom lake and I am afraid the jig sinks below the mud and if I keep it still it stays in the mud where the bass cannot see it on the jig. I've heard as well to never start fishing with a jig, first start with a topwater lure because bass look up for their food, not down. And if a top-water oriented lure doesn't work, then proceed to deeper lures. Anybody think this makes sense? Anyways any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Bassmaster2008 wrote: I've heard as well to never start fishing with a jig, first start with a topwater lure because bass look up for their food, not down. And if a top-water oriented lure doesn't work, then proceed to deeper lures. Anybody think this makes sense? Anyways any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

What if you are fishing 20ft deep water and the bass are stuck on the bottom looking for craws?

Ive personally never heard "start on top". As far as your home lake if its just a fish bowl and you never fish deeper than 8ft you could use anything. Most of the time people think they aren't catching fish because they have the wrong color or wrong lure all together. In most cases they just aren't locating the bass. If they aren't in the same spots as last year then fish somewhere else. There is also the chance that your individual pressure has cause them to shy back from specific lures. You've got the right idea...just get out with some new lures and fish them. You could even try the senko but use a different color like chartreuse or hot pink. If the bottom is as soft as you think, try a light jig like a quarter once. And dont dead stick it, hop it.

My process of elimination on a lake similar to this would be completely different than one a bigger body of water but I would just start with a lure that is appropriate to the weather and season. Fish the whole lake with one lure just like you would with your senko. If that doesn't work try something else and fish it again. I'm assuming that this is a small lake?

Long lake is a big lake with deeper water and you can catch fish way out on humps and drops that are a ways from shore. That's why trolling works there. As for a small lake with docks and weeds that dont extend out past 10ft from the shore line trolling wont work to well. Again I'm assuming you are talking about a smaller lake/pond.

Are you drop-shotting at all?

Ive never liked going from the top down because of how skittish bass can be. Sometimes rolling that popper or frog around on the surface during the day seems like it turns them off. I always like to go with cranks first for the reaction strikes, then try drop shotting for the food bites, then if nothing get down on the bottom with a lead-head, and finish off with a really obnoxious buzzbait or a popper. Keep in mind I still have never caught a bass on a topwater lure.

E

Yeah I've dropshotted before. Or atleast tried it. I'm a 95% sight fisher and feel so uncomfortable when I can't see what is going on, I miss strikes as well because everything is less obvious in the depths. When I'm dropshotting or jigging I am just going "Is there even a fish within 20 feet of my lure or is this just a fat waste of time." I have 0 confidence in my mid/deep water fishing and I know that is a huge hole in my versatility and will lose me many fish without fixing it. Daniel T, it's Crescent lake of Pierce county so about 100 surface acres. I've spent many hours reading articles, books, watching videos, and strategically planning outings for bass, but it's so tough without somebody else on the boat who has the real experience under their belt.

Is that a trolling motor only lake? Remind me next season and we can try to head out there together sometime.

Gisteppo wrote:Are you drop-shotting at all?

Ive never liked going from the top down because of how skittish bass can be. Sometimes rolling that popper or frog around on the surface during the day seems like it turns them off. I always like to go with cranks first for the reaction strikes, then try drop shotting for the food bites, then if nothing get down on the bottom with a lead-head, and finish off with a really obnoxious buzzbait or a popper. Keep in mind I still have never caught a bass on a topwater lure.

E

You and I live too close to not fix the topwater problem of yours.

PM me this spring, say about early May, and I'll fix your problem once and for all.

Sounds like a plan Archer, and I might have to return the favor by taking to a section of Long that people don't normally fish....

E

Daniel, no it's motor also. I'd be glad to go with ya sometime.

Gisteppo wrote:Sounds like a plan Archer, and I might have to return the favor by taking to a section of Long that people don't normally fish....

E

I'd be happy to just find the launch on Long Lake, so many lakes, so few years....

See you in the spring.

There are two that are currently open, and I want to take the sled upriver past the riffles to a spot that you can *almost* reach from shore but not quite. BIG basalt columns right behind some swift water, Im betting its going to hold some troutskies.

E

I had a lot of trouble with deep water, but don't give up. Try just bringing your dropshot rod and nothing else that way you won't have the urge to use your other rods. Also, if you are boating, try new spots. Don't just keep on going to the same spots over and over again.