Tips for fishing deeper

brushhog · 08-22-07, 11:08 AM

We haven't had much luck this last month trying to fish a little deeper. Anybody want to share their ideas? The ponds will be in range in size from 4.5 acres down to about 1.5. Depth maxs out at about 18-20 feet with 8-12 being normal water is stained, pretty murky. The bottom structure is hard to guess at in the deeper parts.. we've hung up alot when c-rigging plastics though. I've tried some deep diving cranks, but don't think i'm very good with them. Any ideas would be appreciated. I could answer any other questions about the ponds if more info is needed. We don't have any problem catching smaller fish along the shore, in structure and cover, but the big boys of spring/early summer seem to be missing? We'll be in a boat mostly, but shore ideas are welcome too!

BassAddict · 08-22-07, 12:45 PM

I fish ponds a lot and the ones I fish have right many fish from 4-8 lbs. The deeper ponds are harder to catch the big ones this time of the year but I catch them on deep diving cranks the best. Rapala DT 10's and 16's have produced the best. I use the bluegill pattern. I also catch them on a 6" Storm swimbait. Let it sink to the bottom and slowly reel it in. Or work it anyway you want. I also will throw 10" plastic worms or lizards too. I use bigger baits this time of year for the bigger fish. Early morning seems to be better for me. When they're shallower I'll catch them on big spinnerbaits or jigs. Buzzbaits (black) work well too. Good luck to you!

Eric

millsryno · 08-22-07, 01:47 PM

Try drop shotting.

Also make sure you are using braid with a fluorocarbon leader or fluorocarbon line to get better sensitivity so you can feel the stuff you are fishing. Use your best, most sensitive rod. Monofilament line for deep water wormin' is not very good because of the stretch and you will not feel much, it works like a wet noodle.

bassfisher02 · 08-22-07, 04:03 PM

Since the water is stained to murky you can pretty much just use braid, without any leader. Powerpro is very sensitive. also since you ahve a boat use a depth finder to scope out bottom structure, humps/channels/old trees/stumps/drop offs/rocks/etc etc and fish them. Deeper water is a bit more tricky to fish because if you arent fishing some kinda structure down there, most of the time you wont be on the fish. You cant just randomly cast in deep water, it wont show good results, unless you get lucky. So just take the depth finder and look for underwater structures and fish them with the following:I would try jigging the deeper water, and look for the hit on the fall. Also, drop shotting and as crazy as it seems weightless t-rigging or wacky rigging stik baits... it may take 5 minutes for it to hit bottom, haha, but a lot of times the bass will come up and hit it on the fall within the first 5 feet of dropping. Now if they dont hit it in that initial 5 feet, if there are bass in the area by the time that worm hits the bottom the fish will be so irretated/curious/intrigued they will scoop it up quick. Swim baits are always a good idea and also there is no way to fish a crankbait wrong, so get a deep diver and fish any structure you find with it.

Good Luck.

lizardsrule · 08-22-07, 07:05 PM

Do you know at what depth the thermocline is currently at? If so that would be a very good place to start depth wise, if not find out.

Lizards

basschamp4 · 08-22-07, 07:19 PM

a deep diving crank is your best bet

brushhog · 08-22-07, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardsrule

Do you know at what depth the thermocline is currently at? If so that would be a very good place to start depth wise, if not find out.

Lizards

I know what thermocline is -that natural science degree does come in handy... However, how do I find out at what depth it is? Rember i fish from a canoe without and electronics

Thanks for all the advice guys - i love having new stuff to try...

ESipes_89 · 08-23-07, 02:12 AM

I've always had my best deep water bass in the corner of the dam where the overflow is located. If your lucky this will be on the north side. Use a crankbait and cast it right up next to the dam. Reel it back with small twitches and short pauses. Most of the time (at least with my expirience) this with trigger hits from large bass.

If your pond doesn't have an overflow than I suggest finding the deepest part along the dam.

Brightly colored grubs and jigs will work as well. Just let them sink for at least 10 sec and work them over deep structure such as sunken trees, drop offs, and rocks. These will usually be in the old creek bed in about 8-10ft. of water.

Hope this helps,
-Eric

lizardsrule · 08-23-07, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brushhog

I know what thermocline is -that natural science degree does come in handy... However, how do I find out at what depth it is? Rember i fish from a canoe without and electronics

Thanks for all the advice guys - i love having new stuff to try...

Here's just one link
http://www.lakeforktexas.com/Pages/therm.html

It does not tell you how to find the thermocline but it tells you all about it, and does give some general info on the depths they may be at. I truly don't know how to find it other than going swimming and finding the cooler water, or using electronics.

Lizards

brushhog · 08-23-07, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardsrule

Here's just one link
http://www.lakeforktexas.com/Pages/therm.html

It does not tell you how to find the thermocline but it tells you all about it, and does give some general info on the depths they may be at. I truly don't know how to find it other than going swimming and finding the cooler water, or using electronics.

Lizards

Thanks Lizard - I think I'll pass on the swim - the water stinks and there are some big snappin' turtles out there... No snakes or gators though!

08-22-07, 11:08 AM	#1
brushhog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Whitesboro, NY Posts: 1,222	Tips for fishing deeper We haven't had much luck this last month trying to fish a little deeper. Anybody want to share their ideas? The ponds will be in range in size from 4.5 acres down to about 1.5. Depth maxs out at about 18-20 feet with 8-12 being normal water is stained, pretty murky. The bottom structure is hard to guess at in the deeper parts.. we've hung up alot when c-rigging plastics though. I've tried some deep diving cranks, but don't think i'm very good with them. Any ideas would be appreciated. I could answer any other questions about the ponds if more info is needed. We don't have any problem catching smaller fish along the shore, in structure and cover, but the big boys of spring/early summer seem to be missing? We'll be in a boat mostly, but shore ideas are welcome too! __________________ 3/4 of the Earth's surface is water and 1/4 is land. Clearly god wants me to fish, not mow the lawn.

08-22-07, 01:47 PM	#3
millsryno BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 33	Try drop shotting. Also make sure you are using braid with a fluorocarbon leader or fluorocarbon line to get better sensitivity so you can feel the stuff you are fishing. Use your best, most sensitive rod. Monofilament line for deep water wormin' is not very good because of the stretch and you will not feel much, it works like a wet noodle. __________________ www.HandPouredWorms.com

08-22-07, 04:03 PM	#4
bassfisher02 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 4,765	Since the water is stained to murky you can pretty much just use braid, without any leader. Powerpro is very sensitive. also since you ahve a boat use a depth finder to scope out bottom structure, humps/channels/old trees/stumps/drop offs/rocks/etc etc and fish them. Deeper water is a bit more tricky to fish because if you arent fishing some kinda structure down there, most of the time you wont be on the fish. You cant just randomly cast in deep water, it wont show good results, unless you get lucky. So just take the depth finder and look for underwater structures and fish them with the following:I would try jigging the deeper water, and look for the hit on the fall. Also, drop shotting and as crazy as it seems weightless t-rigging or wacky rigging stik baits... it may take 5 minutes for it to hit bottom, haha, but a lot of times the bass will come up and hit it on the fall within the first 5 feet of dropping. Now if they dont hit it in that initial 5 feet, if there are bass in the area by the time that worm hits the bottom the fish will be so irretated/curious/intrigued they will scoop it up quick. Swim baits are always a good idea and also there is no way to fish a crankbait wrong, so get a deep diver and fish any structure you find with it. Good Luck. __________________ Good Fishin'

08-22-07, 07:05 PM	#5
lizardsrule BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saint Augustine, FL Posts: 7,374	Do you know at what depth the thermocline is currently at? If so that would be a very good place to start depth wise, if not find out. Lizards __________________ There are three types of Snakes I hate 1. Live Snakes 2. Dead Snakes 3. Sticks that look like Snakes. And Gators too!

08-22-07, 07:19 PM	#6
basschamp4 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: avon, indiana Posts: 153	a deep diving crank is your best bet __________________ biggest bass: 26" 5.2 lbs

08-22-07, 12:45 PM	#2
BassAddict BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 805	I fish ponds a lot and the ones I fish have right many fish from 4-8 lbs. The deeper ponds are harder to catch the big ones this time of the year but I catch them on deep diving cranks the best. Rapala DT 10's and 16's have produced the best. I use the bluegill pattern. I also catch them on a 6" Storm swimbait. Let it sink to the bottom and slowly reel it in. Or work it anyway you want. I also will throw 10" plastic worms or lizards too. I use bigger baits this time of year for the bigger fish. Early morning seems to be better for me. When they're shallower I'll catch them on big spinnerbaits or jigs. Buzzbaits (black) work well too. Good luck to you! Eric

08-23-07, 02:12 AM	#8
ESipes_89 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cordell, OK Posts: 148	I've always had my best deep water bass in the corner of the dam where the overflow is located. If your lucky this will be on the north side. Use a crankbait and cast it right up next to the dam. Reel it back with small twitches and short pauses. Most of the time (at least with my expirience) this with trigger hits from large bass. If your pond doesn't have an overflow than I suggest finding the deepest part along the dam. Brightly colored grubs and jigs will work as well. Just let them sink for at least 10 sec and work them over deep structure such as sunken trees, drop offs, and rocks. These will usually be in the old creek bed in about 8-10ft. of water. Hope this helps, -Eric __________________ *Spring time storm chaser, Year round Bass Angler!!!* Largest bass; 6lbs 1oz., Length: 22" Girth: 15"

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)