New Lake Navigation

leroy · 05-16-07, 03:47 PM

My granddad just told me I could borrow his boat any time I wanted to. (YIPEE!) So me and my younger brother want to go to a lake we have never been to by ourselves before. The lake is Lay Lake south of Birmingham, Alabama. I have fished with other people in this lake and there are tons and tons of stumps and stickups all throughout the lake and after a good rain it can be pretty murky. What are some tips on navigating a lake safely for the first time?

WTL · 05-16-07, 04:27 PM

First off slow down. Be on the lookout for stumps, and be constantly aware what the depth is. Also know what depths the stumps tend to be most prevalent around. On lakes like that (and I'm in your area so I fish plenty similar lakes) if my depth finder is reading less than 5 feet I really do start to slow down. Not only does this minimize the impact that a log might have should you hit it, but it gives you more time to read and react to the water. But there can be standing timber in water deeper than 20 feet. Also, pay attention to other boaters. Some guys will fly around the lake regardless, but some know the water. If I happen to find myself needing to go up a channel and there is another boat ahead of me, I will most of the time try and follow in their exact path as it has been more proven to be obstruction-free.

bassbooger · 05-16-07, 04:32 PM

WTL hit the nail on the head. SLOW DOWN!!! Just because every other boat on the lake runs at 90 doesnt mean you have to. Just remember this, the lake isn't going to drain and nobody is going to catch all the fish.

Other than that...........have fun with it and good luck!!!!

leroy · 05-16-07, 04:33 PM

I thought about fishing this particular lakes for several weekends in a row and just work my way down from the launch a certain amount each day and then the next day atart off where I left off. I donno...but thats a good idea on following someone exactly.

zooker · 05-16-07, 05:48 PM

you idea will work leroy.. this way not only do you figure out the lake but learn the best spots..

zooker

lizardsrule · 05-18-07, 06:29 PM

Where your PFD's, and always remain seated during moving in unexplored waters.

Lizards

everettvet · 05-19-07, 12:51 PM

It is good to remember that lakes change and cover maybe in a "new" place. I will give you the perfect example. A few weeks ago, a guy flipped a pleasure boat with 7 people on board. Luckly no one was hurt. They hit a submerged deck. Yes, that's right a deck from a house. A tornado nailed a area of Kentucky lake and placed this "new" peice of cover in the lake. You have been given a lot of great advice. Have fun!

05-16-07, 03:47 PM	#1
leroy BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 212	New Lake Navigation My granddad just told me I could borrow his boat any time I wanted to. (YIPEE!) So me and my younger brother want to go to a lake we have never been to by ourselves before. The lake is Lay Lake south of Birmingham, Alabama. I have fished with other people in this lake and there are tons and tons of stumps and stickups all throughout the lake and after a good rain it can be pretty murky. What are some tips on navigating a lake safely for the first time?

05-16-07, 04:27 PM	#2
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	First off slow down. Be on the lookout for stumps, and be constantly aware what the depth is. Also know what depths the stumps tend to be most prevalent around. On lakes like that (and I'm in your area so I fish plenty similar lakes) if my depth finder is reading less than 5 feet I really do start to slow down. Not only does this minimize the impact that a log might have should you hit it, but it gives you more time to read and react to the water. But there can be standing timber in water deeper than 20 feet. Also, pay attention to other boaters. Some guys will fly around the lake regardless, but some know the water. If I happen to find myself needing to go up a channel and there is another boat ahead of me, I will most of the time try and follow in their exact path as it has been more proven to be obstruction-free. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

05-16-07, 04:32 PM	#3
bassbooger BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dallas, NC Posts: 316	WTL hit the nail on the head. SLOW DOWN!!! Just because every other boat on the lake runs at 90 doesnt mean you have to. Just remember this, the lake isn't going to drain and nobody is going to catch all the fish. Other than that...........have fun with it and good luck!!!! __________________ cast, reel, cast!!! Repeat if necessary!! Dallas, NC

05-16-07, 05:48 PM	#5
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	you idea will work leroy.. this way not only do you figure out the lake but learn the best spots.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

05-18-07, 06:29 PM	#6
lizardsrule BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saint Augustine, FL Posts: 7,374	Where your PFD's, and always remain seated during moving in unexplored waters. Lizards __________________ There are three types of Snakes I hate 1. Live Snakes 2. Dead Snakes 3. Sticks that look like Snakes. And Gators too!

05-16-07, 04:33 PM	#4
leroy BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 212	I thought about fishing this particular lakes for several weekends in a row and just work my way down from the launch a certain amount each day and then the next day atart off where I left off. I donno...but thats a good idea on following someone exactly.

05-19-07, 12:51 PM	#7
everettvet BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Paducah, KY Posts: 730	It is good to remember that lakes change and cover maybe in a "new" place. I will give you the perfect example. A few weeks ago, a guy flipped a pleasure boat with 7 people on board. Luckly no one was hurt. They hit a submerged deck. Yes, that's right a deck from a house. A tornado nailed a area of Kentucky lake and placed this "new" peice of cover in the lake. You have been given a lot of great advice. Have fun!

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