Amx
10/25/2018 10:23:54 AMThe 2.64 Largie I caught Tuesday was in about 1 foot of water, maybe less. Hit the crankbait IMMEDIATELY after I drug it off the stones and into the water.
stevertd2010
10/28/2018 8:48:24 AMAny comments on fishing LMB now that we've had some larger amounts of rain? Weather buoy on Sammamish says it is still at 59 degrees at the surface this morning. I went over to the east of the mountains in the last few weeks and have been catching everything at 16' down to 25' with surface temps of 55 degrees. Seems that over in the west, you fish shallow now. I assume that means they relate more to structure than depth?
8theB8
10/28/2018 9:47:23 AMAre you referring to actual "structure" as in bottom contours? Or "cover" as in everything else? I will fish most of the lakes in my area shallow until water temps are consistently below 50*. If the lake contains decent "structure" variations like points and drop offs, then it is wise to work those areas as well, especially transition banks. I will start shallow and work deeper until about December, weather permitting, then start at 10-15 feet and work deeper, again, depending on the "structure" of the lake. Shallow, featureless, vegetation filled lakes typically just require a cadence adjustment for the colder temps. Hope that answers your question.
stevertd2010
10/28/2018 10:49:14 AMI suppose I should have said cover. This is to include docks, downfall logs in the water, lily pads still up, or as in the case of Sammamish, in the sunken forest area. I have only caught a few LMB on that lake, but noticed this fall I picked up several small ones in the 20' depth about a month ago. I usually work the points and transition zones deeper for SMB in the winter. I had so much fun catching LMB on the humps at the Potholes, I began to wonder if i should expand my universe from SMB hunting to another bass here since I live close to Sammamish. If they are in shallow now, and I assume the water temp will be about 55 now, then I'll do some hunting in shallow - less than 15'. There's a lot of shallow flats that extends out quite a ways from shore in some area. So unless there is a marked drop off/transition, it seems they would relate more to the docks or pilings around for cover.
I was trying to come up with a strategy that targets preferred hang outs, if that makes sense.
I was trying to come up with a strategy that targets preferred hang outs, if that makes sense.
8theB8
10/28/2018 11:30:54 AMMakes total sense! Not trying to be picky, it's just that structure and cover are possibly the two most confused terms in all bass fishing! If those large shallow flats have grass, I would sure explore that, especially on the big water side. With air temps changing and weather picking up, water temps should start a steady downward trend. May be a short feed window in our eyes, but I would definitely expect to see an increased shallow water bite! Maybe only over the next week or two but you have to remember, fish don't understand 'time', they are fish 24/7, not just when we're out there. They are going to react to water temps, forage availability and available cover. The interesting dynamic about Sammamish is the huge schools of perch! They can affect the bass behavior the same way the stickleback do on Lake Washington. Definitely a great lake to explore and unravel!
stevertd2010
10/28/2018 12:31:24 PMNo that isn't being picky. Details do matter and it's those subtle differences that can make the difference. Especially now as those differences can narrow the search. It takes time to learn them, but rewarding when you discover them and understand them. Interesting how you mentioned the schools of perch affecting the bass behavior. I don't know about that. At this time of year, I have found perch as deep as 80'. On the flat I mentioned, there isn't much grass, except maybe shallow, but there are weeds out to the transition line. Possibly have died back now. The transition goes from 12' to 20' abruptly. I have found smallies and perch in that same zone. I would like to spend more time in learning about winter bass - both SMB and LMB on that lake.