Zook

[ryan7261]

found this you might use it you might not! I came across it thought it would be a good read to print out on you tip to the lake in a few weeks.
Tips for Unfamiliar Lakes

Preparation is the key to finding fish on unknown waters.

A lot of things can go wrong on a maiden trip to foreign waters, but only one can make it right — catching bass. No matter how good a lake's reputation may be, an angler's first time on unfamiliar water can be unnerving. Fish two hours without a bite and confidence sinks faster than a 20-pound anchor. Now what? A professional angler might know what to do, but even he is forced to go prospecting for potential hotspots — a tedious task that whittles away at valuable fishing time. Preparation and knowing how to read the resource will provide shortcuts to bass-fishing dilemmas encountered on unfamiliar waters. Whether it's during a hard-earned week's vacation or a weekend trip to the other end of the state, success depends upon how quickly adjustments are made. Do your homework and chances for success increase significantly. Having a basic knowledge of what the lake offers enables you to focus on the business at hand. You can quickly and accurately interpret the resource once you're on the water, and you're prepared to adapt to changing conditions. There are no instant solutions to catching bass, but anglers can be in a position to make better decisions by learning as much as possible about the lake before arriving. Here's how:

Gather information before the trip. Several informative resources are available from the home for those willing to invest the time. Every hour spent on research is worth three hours of trying to learn the lake from a boat. Become familiar with the lake's characteristics and the area around it. Talk with guides and personnel at resorts, tackle shops, tourism offices. Ask about seasonal patterns, proven techniques, lake conditions and habitat. A library can be an excellent source because most prominent bass lakes have been featured in books and magazines.

Study topographic maps. Many maps differ; quality and detail vary. Old maps may show details that newer versions don't include. On the other hand, new maps may show recent man-made changes, such as canals or developed areas off the main lake. During the spring, those canals attract easy-to-target bass - but only if the angler can find them. Once the map with the best information is selected, photocopy it and keep the , original as a master. The copy becomes a working document with markings that designate potential hotspots. Before studying a map, color-code it by shading in specific depths with varying colors. In other words, assign 5 feet or less one color, 5 to 10 another, 10 to 20 another and so on. When the depths are marked, the map provides a clearer perspective of the lake. A notebook helps, too. By interviewing others who have recently fished the lake, an angler can obtain up-to-date information about productive areas and lures that worked well for them. Rather than clutter the map with messy notes, give specific areas a number or letter and make detailed comments in the notebook. Keep in mind, however, another angler's hotspots should never be trusted entirely. Conditions that made a spot produce for one person, may not be the same when you arrive.