small lake fishing tips

[frosteeone]

Although my Dad's a veteran and I grew up fishing, I quit for about 20 years (guess I got busy? I know, I know, too busy to fish...?) Last year I bought a used lowe semi hull 14 1/2 ft w/9.9 Mercury and small/old trolling motor w/trailer for $800. The guy I took it to to have a new water pump installed said it appeared it hadn't been used much . Anyway, I'm blessed with having a small lake about 4 miles from my house that's great for days when you didn't really expect to get out (Horseshoe in Madison Cty. IL). -- My wife always comes with me and part of the reason we bought it was to just get away from people, get some sun and listen to the ballgame. <br /><br />While I'm out there, the old competetive nature kicks in and I'd really like to hook a few (at least for the fun of it, I wouldn't ever eat anything out of this lake). --The lake has mostly cat & carp, but there are some small mouth bass and crappie to be had. I fish near whatever cover I can find around the banks mostly with rubber worms or small jigs or a worm on a bobber (the cheap stuff). Oh yes, the entire lake, which is about 3 or so miles big and used mostly for duck hunting this time of year is only about 3'-5'. So there's a lot of soft mud on the bottom.<br /><br />So my question is what is the best bait/tackle I should use to hook a few bass?<br /><br />Again, when I have some time off I like to head to southern IL to Little Grassy Lake and camp & fish all I can, but when I only have the time.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: small lake fishing tips

get a medium and small size beetlespin. I like yellow black or orange and black. Cast to weed lines or to the shore line and real in. Got to be the best multi species lure out there. I have caught blue gill, pike, walleye. But get the most strikes with largemouth and crappies.

 

[lund17]

Re: small lake fishing tips

I absolutely agree with E.L. Also try a black 3/8oz Jitterbug and a buzzbait or two(different colors). Both fish well over the tops of the many weeds that must be there and even a small fish wallops the ****ens out of topwater baits. Actually the truly large fish barely make a noise. They slip up behind, quietly engulf the bait, and then the line gets heavy. Don't set the hook until you feel the fish.

 

[NathanY]

Re: small lake fishing tips

First of all I would say invest in a Fish Finder. Eagle and Hummingbird both have good ones for less than 150 bux. Then scan your lake for bottom structure and fish every bit of it you can find. In those dish pan lakes, fish will hold tight to structure, because there is nowhere else to go. Drop a 2-3" tube jig into the structure just as you would for crappie.

 

[roscoe]

Re: small lake fishing tips

A lively minnow always tastes good.

 

[frosteeone]

Re: small lake fishing tips

Thanks for your answers. -- I suspect if I walk into any fishing shop that they'll know what beetlespin, jitterbugs and tube jig's are. I'm going to do some research on these on the internet and I'll be ready by the time spring gets here. -- There's a Bass Pro Shop Warehouse in St. Charles MO near me and I'm just in awe of all the stuff they carry. Also, In awe of the $$ you can spend (and I thought golf was expensive and had a lot of gimmicks, sheesh).<br /><br />I don't know if I can justify the cost of a fish finder, but I may ask my wife for one for my birthday (also spring. ) -- I went crusing last wummer with a group on Kinkaid Lake and this guy had one on his Pontoon that he used basically for entertaining and needless to say I was "entertained"! -- I suspect I can run that off of my battery I use for my trolling motor eh?<br /><br />Thanks again everyone. -- Let me know if you have anymore suggestions. This is a great site and everyone seems to be pretty respectable to everyone else. (even the novices).

 

[Fishin Rod]

Re: small lake fishing tips

Originally posted by frosteeone:<br />[QB] Also, In awe of the $$ you can spend...<br /><br />boat... B-reak O-ut A-nother T-housand <br /><br />Ain't it the truth??

 

[crab bait]

Re: small lake fishing tips

here in delaware ,, it's full of small mill ponds.. 65 acre is a biggin'..<br /><br />water is clear as bathwater ..4 to 6 foot deep.. lots a lilly pads ,blow downs ,sticks an stuff.. <br /><br />what works in small ponds is small stuff.. an leave those loud noise makers that the hilljack bass shows use at home... they scare the fish away for geezsake..!!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: small lake fishing tips

find some structure if you can, or u can cheat<br />like the locals do... a few well placed x-mas<br />trees cemented in a 5 gal. bucket create a nice<br />little underwater forrest <br />don't think it's leagal though....

 

[frosteeone]

Re: small lake fishing tips

You know Mello , this lake I speak of (which is mainly used for duck hunting this time of year) is a state lake and I've noticed a big pile of Christmas Trees in their parking lot lately. --I wasn't sure if they were some type of drop off for recycling or if they were going to drop them in the lake. That would be cool. -- There are plenty of coves on this lake, but man it's shallow.... But something to do when you only have a few hours to kill...