TURNING A LAKE INSIDE OUT

One of the most enjoyable parts of any fishing trip is the time that is spent planning and the anticipation of the great fishing we hope to experience. The most successful trips are those that have had adequate time for preparation. Like any job, the end result is directly related to the preparation work that was involved. The big question becomes "How do I fish a body of water that I have never seen before?". In this article, we will discuss a few thing that should help you to understand a new body of water.

The first step in the process is to develop a game plan. Your plan should be simple but thorough. This is the part of the trip that will require a bit of legwork, as well as some lead time. This lead time can vary depending on a number of conditions such as how long it will take to get information about the body of water you want to fish and the communication time to obtain facts, maps and other pertinent information.

Let’s say that you have decided to fish Lake Bigfish. Lake Bigfish has a great reputation for large fish and is only across the state line. For years you have heard about the great fishing in this lake and actually know a few fishermen that have fished it. The first thing you should do after deciding to fish Lake Bigfish is to start accumulating all the information you can about this great fishing spot. This is where the legwork and lead time is involved.

There are two sources of information that are accurate and generally overlooked by the majority of fishermen. They are the State Fish and Wildlife Department and the United States Department of Interior, Geological Survey. You should send off a letter to each department as soon as possible requesting any information that they have on Lake Bigfish.

When writing the State Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, request a map of the lake along with any fish surveys that have been conducted in recent years and any stocking information. You should also inquire about any special regulations that are in effect at the lake and the locations of launching facilities. All of this information will give you a feel for the lake even before you arrive. The maps you will receive from the state are generally simple depth maps that show contour lines. These maps will give you information about where the shallows are, the position of drop-offs. Inlets and outlets and possibly launching facilities.

Once you receive your map, start to plot the drop-offs, ridges, shallows, points and shoal areas. Look for sand bars, islands and reefs. Note the inlets and outlets and make special not of any deep channels or submerged roadbeds. After reviewing the maps, you should have a good idea just how the lake is laid out.

The next step in continuing you fact finding mission is to start talking to anyone that you know that has fished Lake Bigfish. Ask plenty of questions. Take into account everything that is said but make allowances for those stories that seen to be a bit outlandish. As we all know, fishermen have a tendency to stretch the truth a bit. By adding the information fishermen have given you, you start to get a clearer picture of Lake Bigfish. Keep in mind that fishermen will generally not disclose the full truth about their favorite fishing hold. You will hear that certain types of lures, like surface lures, work well, but what surface lures work best. This is where your expertise comes in.

This is a good time to bring up the importance of keeping a detailed and accurate fishing log. Enter all important information such as water temperatures, weather conditions, water conditions such as transparency, baits used, methods and techniques tried and the retrieve rates for artificial lures. Keep track of the time of day you fish and were successful. In a short time, patterns will start to develop and this will become your professional "play Book". The time to start your fishing log is now.

Another valuable source of information is the local tackle shop. Call ahead and ask about current conditions at Lake Bigfish. To me it is more important to know weather conditions than to know what lure is working, although sometimes this information can be very helpful.

Once you have assembled all the information available, it is time to get your tackle in gear.

The time for your fishing trip has arrived and you are on tour way to Lake Bigfish. Once you arrive at the lake continue your fact finding. Talk to the fishermen in the area. There are generally two groups of fishermen that you can rely upon. The first group consists of the "old timers". They will usually give out information that other fishermen will hold close to the vest because they have caught plenty of fish and don’t feel the need to protect their "secret spots". The second group of fishermen that is very helpful are the kids. The kids are very proud of their accomplishments and like to "brag" about their successes.

Finally, the time has come for you to cast a line. Your fish finding mission is not quite complete. There are things that will not show up on any map such as weed beds, breakwaters and stick-ups. This is the next step in completing your file. Before I even get a line wet, I like to take a spin around the lake to check out the different structure and conditions that do exist. I also like to keep the fish finder running while I make a quick survey of the lake and note the different bottom structure that looks promising.

When fishing a new lake I like to work the lake in sections. I also like to look for anything that is a bit out of the ordinary. This could be a single bush in the middle of nowhere, a partially submerged log or a small patch of weeds. Most of the time, these oddities are great places to cast a bait. Never overlook docks and floats.

The first lures that I like to use are my "searching lures". These lures include plastic worms, jigs, jig n’ pig combinations and spinnerbaits. These lures are capable of searching out fish at all levels of the water column. Water temperatures will determine retrieve rated and depth. Weather conditions will determine the colors of the lures that I will use as well as the size and style of the lures. These conditions will also determine the size and style of blades that will be chosen. Surrounding structure will dictate the use of certain baits such as structure spoons. These are all decisions that will be made when I am on the water.

Your past experiences will have great bearing on the decisions that you make. If you spend the time doing your homework, you are sure to experience the thrill and excitement of tight lines..