FINDING BIG BASS IN SMALL WATERS

FINDING BIG BASS IN SMALL WATERS

Article Written By; Don Gasaway,
https://dongasaway.wordpress.com/

Bass respond to habitat conditions in small lakes the same way they do in larger ones. But, they have to do so more quickly.  Conditions in small lakes change more quickly than they do in larger lakes.

In response to summer sunlight the water will warm more quickly. This is especially true of those lakes with a black bottom.  A spurt of warm weather brings the water temperature up.

On the other side if a cold front moves through the bass seem to get lock-jaw. They just quit attacking your presentations.  Fish react to negative fishing conditions just as they do to positive ones.

The following seven tips may aid you small lake fishing.

1. Ease along the bank, targeting specific structure. Some attractive spots to consider are where a bush hangs over the water providing a shadow cast on the water. Use a couple of casts to probe visible holes.
2. Approach fishing areas quietly with a minimal amount of shadow cast on the water. Bank anglers need to be careful not to show their outline against the sky, or cast a shadow on the water.
3. Look for weeds as they produce oxygen, supply cover and attract food sources.
4. Work the edges, pockets and clusters of weeds thoroughly. Cast into them as well as around the edges.
5. Do not overlook distinct shoreline objects such as drop-offs, points and feeder creeks. Single fish often relate to them. Anything made of wood is promising to produce bass. Stumps, brush and fallen trees are favored over open water. It there are numerous such locations so much the better.
6. The same tackle you use for larger lakes works well on smaller one as well. You might have to downsize the lures. If a 6-inch worm is your go to bait on larger lakes then a 4-inch worm might be advisable on small lakes.
7. Lures of every type from jigs, worms, spinners, buzz baits, stickbait to crankbaits are effective. It is helpful to learn the movement of nature. Make your minnow bait imitate the real thing. A lure must look alive, frightened and catchable to the fish. Becoming familiar with small bodies of water provides a laboratory for testing tackle and techniques. They provide an opportunity to test ideas to determine what works and what does not work. You can cover small bodies of water thoroughly in less time, thus increasing the effectiveness of putting your lure in front of fish. Most such lakes can be completely in less than 6 hours.
8. Learn to use a jig or worm around structure, open holes or any change in the structure of the lake habitat. What catches fish is the attracting and triggering qualities of a lure.  You must draw bass to bait and then something in the movement gets him to eat it.  In choosing a lure, a bright color will attract a bass as he feeds primarily by sight.  In stained water the addition of sound does the same thing.

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