Tournament help

[basshuntinman]

I need help! Here are the conditions:
Upcoming tournament (always important)
Post spawn
Ultra clear water
Bigger Fish just cruising
Fished yesterday with about 35 fish...2 keepers (15&quot
How do I make them eat?
I have tried slow baits, reaction baits, etc. or will they hopefully just turn on?

[hershey]

35 fish : did you fish from dusk to dawn!!!?? You should be set if you caught that many fish.

[Rich]

Welcome to the forum!

Try backing off into a little deeper water. Â*If you are catching that many little ones the bigger ones that are feeding will probably be in a little deeper water. Â*Try a point that is close to deeper water with a crankbait or C-rig.

[OKie]

Reb, I dont know how to C-rig. How do u do it? Whats the point of doin it? is it more effective then T-rig?

[Rich]

Different critters, NJ. Â*A Texas rig is a verticle presentation in and around cover where a Carolina rig is a horizontal presentation good for covering water.

Here is how to rig one:

http://www.bassfishingusa.com/Rigging/rigging2.html

I use then in more open areas and deeper water-cast it out and drag it back. Â*This is a technique where you want to keep contact with the bottom.

[Bassin_Dude]

gaucomole, he said he only had two(2) keepers..only 15'', that wont place you in a good place unless no one else catches anything...bassfan, like reb said...i would fish deep structure/cover near spawning flats with a c-rigged lizard or french fry type bait. i would also try a power drop shot technique....good luck...and tell us how you do.

[Kevin_T]

If the water is ultra clear and you are able to see those big fish, then you must try some really long casts with senko like bait, if fishing shalow try it sinkerless and very slow.
Spinnign gear will really help for those long casts...
Good luck

[notabassmaster]

Sounds like a lake we recently had a tourney on.. I had the best luck fishing 8'-15' Carolina rigging with a long leader due to the clarity of the water. Best color I used was a watermelon trick worm with just a touch of spike it on the tail. Again, I think the key is the long leader in super clear water, especially in Post spawn when the bite slows. Good luck, and tight lines.

[daveraynor]

I would try the deeper water like they been tellin you but you also might try a topwater bait like a spook there good for postspawn and you can catch in the middle of the day on one in postspawn.

[jglassguy]

Thats a good days catch, but gang, ya have to remember dif. states and dif. lakes have slots and minimum sizes..over next door in IND at brookeville lake a keeper has to be 14 inches, plus I have fished slots before where you can only save 14 to 16 inch fish for tournies, and let me tell you,,
it will break your heart to get a 17 incher or better and have to throw it back

[basshuntinman]

Hey guys, I appreciate all of the feedback. In Pennsylvania we have certain lakes that are 15" MINIMUM, or Big Bass Lakes. I know this lake is known for kicking out quality fish through my research, but I've only fished it 3x's recently due to upcoming tournament. I have only had pre, spawn, post conditions, so I'm not real familiar with all aspects. I agree and did throw c-rigs, as it is my favorite way to catch fish, but no luck. I'm really hoping that it was just conditions that made it tough. Post spawn, high pressure, no wind. This lake gets lots of pressure, but I fished it on a Tues., so not many boats out. Again, thanks for all of the help, and I sure will post my results next week.