Please Sign In

Please enter a valid username and password
» Not a member? Take a moment to register
» Forgot Username or Password

Why Register?
Signing up could earn you gear (click here to learn how)! It also keeps offensive content off our site.

AnswersASK YOUR QUESTION

Answers

Q:
Whats the best way to go about fishing a new lake?

Question by collettja. Uploaded on April 20, 2009

Answer Question

Answers (11)

Top Rated
All Answers
from Big O wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

Buy a map of the lake, that way you can study the underwater "lay of the land" most also have "brush piles" etc. Hope this helps. Good luck and good fishing.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from slothman wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

Sak questions in local bait shops- usually these people will give you some good general advice even though they won't divulge any major hot spots.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from BuckTheSystem wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

Two great points. Something that has worked for me is to look for birds. Birds on the water can mean bait-fish, and bait-fish mean game-fish. Bait-fish tend to get blown to the windward side of the lake (has to be pretty windy to make much difference).

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from buckhunter wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

I look for fish using crank baits. You can cover a lot of water and at different depths in a short time.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from buck hunter 17 wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

fish the whole lake if you have time to and try differant lewers and different ways to bring it back to you.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from shane wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

Try trolling past all the points.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from t_holinka wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

You can get a map, or do some scouting on your own. Use the basics sleep ledges, or any cover will hold fish. The best way to get information on local lakes is by stopping by the local bait shop, get your things, and ask questions. If your lucky, the'll fill you in.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from wallofsam wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

I usually fish the edges first, then work the points and drop-offs. Then finally, drift fish acroos the lake. A depth/fish finder is a big help on a new lake too!

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sportsman21 wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

look for perfect areas for bass first(weeds bank drop offs and cover) then bring a variety of diff. lures and try them all untill on works

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from dwaynez wrote 30 weeks 1 day ago

I experiment with various tackle and techniques, you can't go wrong with soft plastics.

I usually start with soft plastics and also use search baits, such as rattle traps, crank baits, and spinner baits. You can cover a lot of water with these and see if they are active or not.

Also a jig/trailer is a great bait to go to if the bite is tough, slow down your presentation and take the time to map out the lake.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 30 weeks 1 day ago

Try a variety of baits and different locations. Try and move around the lake, moving each bait a different way each time you reel one in.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post an Answer

from Big O wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

Buy a map of the lake, that way you can study the underwater "lay of the land" most also have "brush piles" etc. Hope this helps. Good luck and good fishing.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from slothman wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

Sak questions in local bait shops- usually these people will give you some good general advice even though they won't divulge any major hot spots.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from BuckTheSystem wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

Two great points. Something that has worked for me is to look for birds. Birds on the water can mean bait-fish, and bait-fish mean game-fish. Bait-fish tend to get blown to the windward side of the lake (has to be pretty windy to make much difference).

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from buckhunter wrote 30 weeks 3 days ago

I look for fish using crank baits. You can cover a lot of water and at different depths in a short time.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from buck hunter 17 wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

fish the whole lake if you have time to and try differant lewers and different ways to bring it back to you.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from shane wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

Try trolling past all the points.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from t_holinka wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

You can get a map, or do some scouting on your own. Use the basics sleep ledges, or any cover will hold fish. The best way to get information on local lakes is by stopping by the local bait shop, get your things, and ask questions. If your lucky, the'll fill you in.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from wallofsam wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

I usually fish the edges first, then work the points and drop-offs. Then finally, drift fish acroos the lake. A depth/fish finder is a big help on a new lake too!

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sportsman21 wrote 30 weeks 2 days ago

look for perfect areas for bass first(weeds bank drop offs and cover) then bring a variety of diff. lures and try them all untill on works

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from dwaynez wrote 30 weeks 1 day ago

I experiment with various tackle and techniques, you can't go wrong with soft plastics.

I usually start with soft plastics and also use search baits, such as rattle traps, crank baits, and spinner baits. You can cover a lot of water with these and see if they are active or not.

Also a jig/trailer is a great bait to go to if the bite is tough, slow down your presentation and take the time to map out the lake.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 30 weeks 1 day ago

Try a variety of baits and different locations. Try and move around the lake, moving each bait a different way each time you reel one in.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post an Answer