| When approaching a new lake, it's always a | | | | the fish will bite. Two things make a major |
| good idea to have a plan. Maps and lake | | | | impact on what the fish are doing and how |
| reports are handy, but they aren't always | | | | they will react: cold water and warm water. |
| accurate and may not be the only thing you | | | | Cold water; slow your roll, Warm water; speed |
| need. Sometimes you need that keen eye of an | | | | it up a bit. |
| experienced angler to see the opportunities. | | | | |
| Or just learn what that keen-eyed angler is | | | | - Don't just throw your favorite lure because |
| looking for and duplicate. | | | | you like how fish strike it, or it happens to |
| | | | be your favorite color. Check the condition |
| Sometimes you may get lucky and find someone | | | | of the water. Is it clear or muddy? Is it |
| on the docks willing to give up some secrets. | | | | cold or warm? Is the level rising or |
| Older anglers are usually more than happy to | | | | falling? Believe me, water conditions |
| pass on some of their tips, favorite tricks | | | | matter. |
| and spots. | | | | |
| | | | - As always, the local tackle shop is a great |
| I always use a system of gathered | | | | place for information. However, sometimes |
| information. Here are a few tips to help | | | | it's hard to get good advice right before a |
| your overall success on a new lake. | | | | big tournament. The person running the shop |
| | | | may fall into a rut and answer everybody the |
| - As I have said before, keep it simple. The | | | | same, "Well so-and-so creek can be good this |
| most basic fishing techniques work the same | | | | time of the year." or "The fish have really |
| on most all lakes. They have done so in the | | | | been biting on this (Insert product here), |
| past for a reason. If it works on one lake, | | | | which is on sale today." Knowing when to ask |
| chances are it will on others. | | | | the local tackle shop also comes with |
| | | | experience. |
| - Structure! Structure! Structure! Look | | | | |
| for docks, standing timer, weeds and lily | | | | Water clarity is something else that will be |
| pads. Anything that creates shelter and | | | | a factor in going to a new lake. If you |
| camouflage for the fish is a good spot. | | | | cannot see what is under the surface, it's |
| Bass, especially largemouth are ambush | | | | pretty hard to determine what to throw. If |
| hunters. | | | | the water is muddy, throw out a nice dark |
| | | | color (I'm not a favorite of black or blue |
| - Confidence can be a great fishing tool to | | | | however, other are). Bladed Spinners are |
| have in your tackle box also. If you go out | | | | always a good way to "feel-out" the water. |
| to the lake with the mindset that you're not | | | | Something weed-less or snag-free well works |
| going to catch a fish, your chances of | | | | in "testing out the waters" also. |
| catching a fish are going diminish greatly. | | | | |
| Throw that lure like you're a pro on the | | | | My fishing buddy likes to go to a different |
| biggest tour of your life and before you know | | | | lake each time we go fishing, which can be a |
| it, your catching fish like a pro. | | | | bit difficult when you're strapped for time |
| | | | or cash. However, experience comes from |
| - The shallows near a drop off or channel are | | | | doing and the more lakes and ponds you can |
| always a good place to catch fish. The Bass | | | | throw your lures into, the better. |
| species, which include the Sunfish and | | | | |
| Bluegill, like to have that abrupt | | | | Well I do hope I have helped someone and just |
| transition. | | | | remember, on those rainy or bad days, do some |
| | | | research, 'cause like the old saying goes, |
| - If you're trying to catch a specific | | | | "Knowledge is Power". |
| species find out what kind of habitat they | | | | |
| require and look for it on the lake. | | | | And as always, keep happy thoughts and good |
| | | | fishin' to you. |
| - The time of year has a lot to do with how | | | | |