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+--- Thread: Looking to go deep (/showthread.php?tid=566023)
Looking to go deep - revrusty - 02-21-2010
I've decided to target Lake Shenandoah this year (when the ice finally melts in Virginia by July 4th). I'm pretty much a "bank beater" who works weed beds. As such I miss all the bass on the down low, where the "pros" say the big 'uns hang out. I've been studying the lake's topological map and have some ideas, but I'm inexperienced at this. So I'm posting the map and asking for suggestions on where to attack and with what. Thanks, guys!
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Re: [revrusty] Looking to go deep - TubeDude - 02-21-2010
[cool][#0000ff]Hard to guess where the fish are going to be and what to serve them without knowing more about the lake's structure and forage base. It would also be good to know a bit of the lake's history...such as dates when water temps reach the 65 degree spawning range, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As a general rule, bass will first look for the warmest spots on the lake early in the spring. That is usually along a shallow north shoreline, where the available sunlight is strongest and warms the water first. You can sometimes find bass hanging just under the surface...facing east and west...letting the sun's rays hit their wide black lateral line markiings to warm them a bit. They are generally not too active then, but might warm enough to chase a lure in late afternoon.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Otherwise, the early bass will probably still be in deeper water and will not be too active. You need to either find them with sonar and then make vertical presentations...plastic or spoons...or slow drag a Carolina rig and be ready to set the hook on very light hits.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As the water warms a bit, the fish will move shallower but will often be located around structure or off dropoffs close to shallower zones. Old creek beds are good spots to target. They are natural highways to productive shallows.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If the forage base at this time of year is crawdads, you will do well by moving in close to shore and dragging a jig and trailer "upslope"...casting out and reeling back in to shallow water. That is how the bass are used to seeing the crawdads returning to shallow water from the depths.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If there are shad or minnows on the menu, look for them in shallower brushy areas, where they are either warming up in the shallower water or getting ready to do their spawning thing. Use crankbaits or plastics to imitate the size and color of the baitfish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A good sonar is vital for finding and tracking the fish in early spring. It is surprising how little they might move over a two week period and then overnight they might set up housekeeping in much shallower water. You gotta find 'em to catch 'em. And you also have to experiment with sizes, shapes, colors and actions on the lures. Sometimes big, dark and slow works best. Other times they hit shiny, small and bright better. Keeps ya guessing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
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