Scenario: Numbero Uno

[lunker-lander]

The Low-Down: Lake in far southern Michigan with a 1/2 foot visibility. Muddy, stained 502 acre lake with lots of muck bottom,shallow,weedy, slow-tapering shorelines, some shallow(1-3 foot)riprap, shallow(3-6 foot)weedy backbays, some sandy shoreline and a small creek flowing into a 3-6 foot weed/sand lake arm in the North end.

No rain for the past four weeks, water down approx. 1.5 feet. Temp: 80-90's for past several weeks. Water Temp: Unknown - somewhere in 70-80's???

Fish have been caught here on Texas-Rigged Rubber Worms, spinnerbaits, and shallow diving cranks. No activity on topwater during the day or midnight hours.

The Problem: Now that we have somewhat learned a good portion of this lakes shorline and what/what not to use, the fish decide to stop biting this morning. From the aforementioned description above, what would you say would be a good alternative to catch fish in said lake? Colors, lures, scents, shapes, etc. Throw all you know about the said conditions out there.

Thanks -LL-

[bassfisher02]

Sounds like Flyboy with all the aforementioning and 'saids' going on in that article/paragraph/informative short/what have you. I'd fish the creek, with whatever stikbait, spinnerbait, and crank you have... enough said.

[CLENSKH]

I would use white spinnerbaits and swim jigs with rattles.. Try and find some deaper spots in the lake.. If the water temp is high they will most likely be help up in there. If you do find them downsize the baits and fish em real slow. Bright colors like white, chartruse etc..

[bassfisher02]

Allow myself to clear up on my aforementioned post, fish the area of lake where it meets the creek along the weedline in the mornings and evenings with said lures, and move further off the creek and fish the deeper waters along the points and creekbed in the afternoons.

[Bender]

Depends on what time of day and depth. As soon as the sun is going down try a 10" minimum ribbon tail worm. (preferably MMIB). During the hot hours if you are deep water fishing try a weighted worm (or best is a Paca Crawl\ on an open hook) in 15-12 FOW and if the fish are not there then I cast a wacky rigged Senko to isolated weed clumps in any depth of water from 10 to 1.

[millsryno]

I would target deeper structure with some lures that will cause comotion. In that murky of water, you got to remember, the bass aren't going to be able to see your lure. You need to make some noise down there. you should go larger and brighter to help them see it. I would go with chartreuse colors.

The early morning and late afternoon are probably going to be your best bets as the fish go shallow looking for shad. Try buzz baits, poppers, etc. that will make some noise.

Also, if there are shaded areas, try casting past those areas and work your bait through them. A lot of times, the bass will hide in the shade.

[FlyRod]

Originally Posted by bassfisher02

Sounds like Flyboy with all the aforementioning and 'saids' going on in that article/paragraph/informative short/what have you. I'd fish the creek, with whatever stikbait, spinnerbait, and crank you have... enough said.

It's nice to know that there is another literate person on the forum,isn't it?
The ratio is improving!

FR

[lunker-lander]

Mills, good thoughts on the color selection(which I already use by the way), but as I said, these bass seem to be stubborn and not hit on topwater AT ALL!! Like last night, me and my father wento out at three in the morning and did not get a single topwater roll,swirl,or pop. The only fish we did catch was on a Booyah! 3/8 White Spinnerbait, and that was after the sun came up!!!


Any other ideas though??


-LL-

[zooker]

think a/c..

"area currant"
fish with it thru the lake as it enters the body of water it has a cooling effect-kinda like a/c in your house-the bass will come to this flow all day long though they will likly feed in it. the bass will feed more in the cooler part of the day..early morning.figure on having the bite shut off 10:30am-11:00 am.. any creek channels that move thru this lake will also attract bass-kinda like a a/c cooling duct-the fish will always face into the currant..

zooker

[JB]

A common pattern for this time of year is to look for suspended fish in 8-12 ft of water, fish all depths from topwater down, last summer this was a killer pattern and its looking like the same scenerio this year.

[BassAddict]

1/2 oz. black spinnerbait with a Terminator Turtleback 4.5 gold blade. That blade really thumps and works well for me in the stained to muddy water of the James River.

[lizardsrule]

Originally Posted by lunker-lander

Mills, good thoughts on the color selection(which I already use by the way), but as I said, these bass seem to be stubborn and not hit on topwater AT ALL!! Like last night, me and my father wento out at three in the morning and did not get a single topwater roll,swirl,or pop. The only fish we did catch was on a Booyah! 3/8 White Spinnerbait, and that was after the sun came up!!!


Any other ideas though??


-LL-

Here's a thought, if it aint working quit doing it! If topwater is not what they want, then switch to something else. Topwater doesn't always work. Now with that said, "IF" you haven't tried this, then I would suggest you give it a shot with topwater. Throw out a Pop-r, Jitterbug, Spook, whatever you want and let it splash down. Don't move it till "ALL" of the ripples are gone. Then give it just the slightest of twitch, and again don't move it till all the ripples are gone. Then using a slow, slow, slow stop and go retrieve (with plenty of LONNNNNNGGGGG PAUSES)bring the bait back. Many times the speed is to fast for the bass, so this will tell you if it is the speed or not. I've caught many bass with this technique, it's definately worth a try. If it doesn't work, then move on to what does work.

Lizards