Rules of Your Lake 2024
OCdockskipper reply :
I believe one of the most misused phrases in the fishing industry is "A bass is a bass wherever you go". I get the simplicity of that saying and how it implies the basics are the same no matter where you fish. However, I believe it overlooks the differences & nuances of each body of water, differences that have a huge impact on the numbers and size of the fish you catch. I would suggest that every body of water has its own "Rules of the Lake" and it takes some time to discover those rules. Here are those rules for my home lake:
LAKE FOREST II
- Topwater presentations work about 10 days a year. Not 10 days in a row, but sporadically throughout the spring, summer or fall, there will be about 10 days where there will be a consistent bite on top. What 10 days those are will be dependent on weather and other conditions, sometimes seemingly random. For the other 354 days of the year, you might get a bite or two on top, but more likely the fish will just ignore your offering;
- Jigs rule the bottom during winter (or what passes for a winter here), soft plastics are king the other 3 seasons;
- Slow presentations will out fish reaction moving baits 95% of the time. When the bite is on reaction baits, quiet lures (no rattles or flash) will out fish loud lures;
- You could catch a limit of keepers every day for an entire year doing nothing but skipping a 4" Senko in Green Pumpkin under docks. It won't always produce the most fish and it won't always produce the biggest fish, but day after day, there will always be enough fish there to fill out a limit;
- At least once every outing, someone in a pontoon boat will innocently do something stupid near you.
What are some rules you have discovered on the water you fish?
Bluebasser86 reply :
1. As soon as you think you've figured it out, you blank.
2. Elephants eat peanuts
3. The worse the weather, the better the fishing
4. Big fish show up when you least expect them, always be ready
5. Don't be afraid to fail
6. No such thing as too shallow
7. See #1
TOXIC reply :
The only rule is......There are no rules. 
N Florida Mike reply :
Sounds like you described my home lake. Except the jig-in-winter part.
NHBull reply :
I do believe that on my lake, a wacky rig will get bit more often than anything else.
rejesterd reply :
Lake Wentworth, NH
1. Follow the loons.. they hunt for the same baitfish as the bass.
2. Use anything that imitates a crawfish, yellow perch, white perch, bluegill, or baby largemouth.
3. Fish the northern half of the lake.
4. The best deep water structure is between Wiley Brook and Stamp Act island, between Turtle island and Stamp Act island, and just south of Loon island. These rock piles are good all the time, but especially when a tournament is going on.
5. On windy days, fish large points that go out to deeper water (Moose Point, Hersey Point, and the sand bar entering Wiley Brook).
6. Mind the buoys, or you'll hit a boulder.
lo n slo reply :
On 7/17/2018 at 1:52 PM, Bluebasser86 said:1. As soon as you think you've figured it out, you blank.
2. Elephants eat peanuts
3. The worse the weather, the better the fishing
4. Big fish show up when you least expect them, always be ready
5. Don't be afraid to fail
6. No such thing as too shallow
7. See #1
this
jiggerpole reply :
Yeap! Every lake is different and each day is new.
My Lake, if I choose just one, is a 40 acre pond. Lot's of forage for the bass, stocked with threadfin shad, fertilized and managed.
Full of 4 pound + bass. Not so easy to catch.
1. Topwater before daybreak. Sometimes. Mostly Spinnerbait.
2. Worm, Jig, Shaky head, Etc. Bottom bumping bait after the sun hits the water. Sometimes a crank bait. No rattles.
3. Bass bite best with the wind chopping the water and in the heat of the day. Possibly even top water.
4. Late evening the bite shuts off and gets better again after dark. Two hours or more.
IgotWood reply :
1. Never fish any kind of north wind, except during winter.
2. Fish every piece of wood you see sticking out of the water.
3. Leave your crankbaits at home, except January and February.
4. The only topwater bait is a whopper plopper.
5. MOST IMPORTANT: Keep a minimum of 100yds between you and me!
Jar11591 reply :
On 7/18/2018 at 12:09 AM, IgotWood said:
5. MOST IMPORTANT: Keep a minimum of 100yds between you and me!
Amen. Wish everybody would follow this rule. I could drop anchor in the middle of the lake over 90’ of water and people would still crowd me.
WRB reply :
Bass are bass, actually they are sunfish and not a true bass.
Bass are bass, except more then 1 species that include Northern strain largemouth bass, Florida strain largemouth bass, northern strain and southern strain spotted bass, Smallmouth bass and a few other regional species all with different behavior charteristics. Florida LMB being the least aggressive and largest of the bass, northern spotted being the most aggressive and smallest of the common bass, smallmouth preferring deeper water and Nothern LMB bass, the "bass" most angler call bass are shallower water, very aggressive behavior.
4 seasons don't exist is the bass world, they have 6 distinct seasonal periods; winter or cold water, pre spawn, spawn, post spawn, summer or the warm water period and fall transition to winter.
Bass see better above the head then underneath it.
Each lake I fish have very distinct feeding periods, Lake Casitas very short 20 minute periods and you better be dialed into them or it's a long day on the water. Lake Castaic has longer and more often feeding periods and wider depth range where bass are active. Most of the other California lakes are similar to Castaic regarding bass activity.
Soft plastics tend to rule the majority of the time with crankbaits being least dominate, but can be very effective. Trail and error to find the life zone and the preferred lures the bass will strike are the rules I live by, it's called fishing.
Tom
papajoe222 reply :
When targeting big fish;
Put your back to the shore as 75% of the big girls avoid the shoreline pressure.
No bait is too big, or too small.
Three mommas in a day is a good day.
They actually eat more often than their little sisters.
The same structures produce regardless of the presence of vegetation, or other cover.
Always have some odd ball bait tied on a rod for the guys at the launch to see.
Hold on..............Are we talking your lake, or mine?
HeyCoach reply :
Mini 4” Zoom lizards in junebug are good from spawn through the summer.
Junebug anything does well.
Chartreuse reaction baits work over natural, white, or sexy shad.
When they drop the water level, the bite turns off.
When they raise the water level, the bite turns off.
A 3 pounder is considered a monster.
A-Jay reply :
I'm leaving a float plan with a responsible adult every trip.
My Life Jacket & kill switch lanyard always goes on before I start the Out Board.
Situational Awareness trumps everything.
Location and timing comes before what I tie on the end of my line.
My first task on every trip on every lake is to eliminate the areas that are not holding catch-able bass and target high % areas that have active bass.
A-Jay
mattkenzer reply :
On 7/18/2018 at 3:26 AM, A-Jay said:My first task on every trip on every lake is to eliminate the areas that are not holding catch-able bass and target high % areas that have active bass.
This is the part that can make my head hurt at times.
A-Jay reply :
On 7/18/2018 at 3:44 AM, mattkenzer said:This is the part that can make my head hurt at times.
This out weighs the 'catching' part by quite a margin.
Early & late season - there's a bit more 'predictability'.
But during the dog days of summer, it really pays off for me to get the timing down.
(Night ops can help)
Otherwise the hours of fish-less casting can really add up.
Be all kinds of awesome if all I had to do is show up, start casting & BAM - I'm whaling on them.
Rarely happens - at least for me.
A-Jay
.ghoti. reply :
My local lake has one great rule.
NO JETSKIS
Tennessee Boy reply :
1) You catch most of your fish on the lures you fish with most.
2) You catch most of your fish in the places you fish most.
In other words, once you start following a rule, that rule will govern how you catch fish.
Glaucus reply :
Spinnerbaits are useless.
No loud topwaters.
Worms have to be BIG.
Senkos have to be SMALL.
Black/Blue/Junebug colors.
Lipless >>> Billed
Frogs are great.
Rarely fish the lake though. Usually river and ponds.
Brew City Bass reply :
Only one rule
1 - Don't get hit by the drunk boaters.
Yakalong reply :
If one breaks your line it was at least 6 lbs
scaleface reply :
If the fishing reports say the bass fishing is poor , its good .
.ghoti. reply :
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
should say if you ain't broke, buy more fishing tackle.
mattkenzer reply :
On 7/18/2018 at 3:51 AM, A-Jay said:This out weighs the 'catching' part by quite a margin.
Early & late season - there's a bit more 'predictability'.
But during the dog days of summer, it really pays off for me to get the timing down.
(Night ops can help)
Otherwise the hours of fish-less casting can really add up.
Be all kinds of awesome if all I had to do is show up, start casting & BAM - I'm whaling on them.
Rarely happens - at least for me.
A-Jay
I agree totally A-Jay.
It puts a big smile on my face when I have a good day (doesn't have to be great) catching quality smallies in the heat of summer.
To me, this is the hardest part of bass fishing.
MrPeanut reply :
I only bring a couple of rules with me, wherever I go:
1) You can't control the fish / weather / conditions; only how you react to them
2) Have fun and enjoy the moment
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I totally agree with you on two points and that happens in Canyon Lake too.
1.I got quite a bit of top water bite but I have to work hard for it, and the result might not be as good as fishing with other type lure.
2.I hardly get any bite on fast moving lures even with top water, I have to retrieve as slow as possible.
I think may be water clearity have to do with it since here is so strain and murky.
Raul reply :
Bring your camera and you ain't gonna catch something worth taking a picture.... but it applies to smartphones, you can bring your phone but without the intention of taking pictures as soon as the idea crosses your mind all you'll catch is 8 inchers.
Kyhokie reply :
If they aren't hitting moving baits, they are on the bottom...and most importantly, no man is allowed a beer until he catches a keeper.
geo g reply :
1). In south Florida, no two days are the same.
2). Figure out what they want that day, that hour.
3). Stay off the trolling motor as much as possible, be in stealth mode with the wind doing your movement as much as possible.
4).Look for birds on the water, and look for happy water. (signs of fish casing bait)
5). Two or more types of vegitation is better then one big mass of the same.
6). An isolated clump of weeds in an open flat can be a honey hole.
7). In summer look for current, bass will position according to this flow.
8). Catch one, go back to the same area. Bass will bunch up according to size.
9). When things get tough slow down.
10). If you miss a bass go back with something else.
11). Have a game plan, but don't be afraid to change it with observations while out there.
I could keep adding but that is things I do daily when on the water.
buzzbaiter83 reply :
1. Lipless Crankbaits produce the biggest fish Feb-May.
2. Crawfish baits are useless
3. The only Shad that come close to bank are <3” long.
4. May-Nov bass are as likely to be caught casting a small square bill in the middle of the lake as they are around cover or bank.
5. Decent bass only come near bank between 4am-10am May-Nov.
6. Small baits work best if fishing soft plastics.
7. Bass change their patterns for no rhyme or reason what so ever. Doesn’t matter if the weather/temps/lake levels/pressure are constant, fish will be different each day.
8. No matter if you have 3lb or 16lb, you may win a tournament on any day.
J_Pearson reply :
This is a fun post to read! I find it interesting how many lakes, from the smallest local lake to huge bodies of water have unique personalities.
A guess here are a few "rules" for a couple local lakes here that I've either kind of established through my own fishing or have picked up as community or "local" knowledge...
Lake 1:
- If you don't get a frog blow-up at "this spot" or "this spot" in 10min., the frog bite is OFF. (pick up flippin' stick) If you do get a frog bite at stop 1 or 2 in 10min, the frog bite is ON.
- If you get bit punching this clump of pads and that clump of pads, go to "the point" and flip those clump of pads...99.9999% chance of a quick fish there.
- If you aren't burning a skinny dipper around pre-spawn, your tail is getting kicked-in by someone who is...
Lake 2:
- a 2.5lb keeper is a TANK.
- You can catch 40 fish in a Tuesday nighter and not weigh-in a keeper.
- Don't get excited about going there.
Lake 3:
- Have a spook tied on every single trip there, 12 months of the year...Yes even ice-fishing, 'cuz who knows when they'll come blasting out through a foot of ice on shad...(okay, exaggeration but I won't fish there without one on-deck and ready, you'll get burnt sometime if you don't.
Lake 4:
- If you don't make a couple casts at "the bridge" before weigh-in, did you really fish the tournament?
Lake 5:
- Be prepared to literally catch more bullfrogs than keeper-sized bass...
Lake 6:
- Within 1 hr of not getting bit, head to the bar/restaurant and take it easy the rest of the day...You tried. A+ effort.
Lake 7:
- ALWAYS have a drop-shot rigged...no, no, no...not to catch a bass with, but to snag a 15lb carp in 3 ft of water...a carp hooked in the back on 6lb test is a blast!
Lake 8:
....eh...I'm outta ideas lol...
Jonathan
buzzbaiter83 reply :
On 7/20/2018 at 12:26 AM, J_Pearson said:This is a fun post to read! I find it interesting how many lakes, from the smallest local lake to huge bodies of water have unique personalities.
A guess here are a few "rules" for a couple local lakes here that I've either kind of established through my own fishing or have picked up as community or "local" knowledge...
Lake 1:
- If you don't get a frog blow-up at "this spot" or "this spot" in 10min., the frog bite is OFF. (pick up flippin' stick) If you do get a frog bite at stop 1 or 2 in 10min, the frog bite is ON.
- If you get bit punching this clump of pads and that clump of pads, go to "the point" and flip those clump of pads...99.9999% chance of a quick fish there.
- If you aren't burning a skinny dipper around pre-spawn, your tail is getting kicked-in by someone who is...
Lake 2:
- a 2.5lb keeper is a TANK.
- You can catch 40 fish in a Tuesday nighter and not weigh-in a keeper.
- Don't get excited about going there.
Lake 3:
- Have a spook tied on every single trip there, 12 months of the year...Yes even ice-fishing, 'cuz who knows when they'll come blasting out through a foot of ice on shad...(okay, exaggeration but I won't fish there without one on-deck and ready, you'll get burnt sometime if you don't.
Lake 4:
- If you don't make a couple casts at "the bridge" before weigh-in, did you really fish the tournament?
Lake 5:
- Be prepared to literally catch more bullfrogs than keeper-sized bass...
Lake 6:
- Within 1 hr of not getting bit, head to the bar/restaurant and take it easy the rest of the day...You tried. A+ effort.
Lake 7:
- ALWAYS have a drop-shot rigged...no, no, no...not to catch a bass with, but to snag a 15lb carp in 3 ft of water...a carp hooked in the back on 6lb test is a blast!
Lake 8:
....eh...I'm outta ideas lol...
Jonathan
I think your lake #2 & my lake are the same. I also think I fish tournaments out of your lake #4. ????????
J_Pearson reply :
On 7/20/2018 at 1:38 PM, buzzbaiter83 said:I think your lake #2 & my lake are the same. I also think I fish tournaments out of your lake #4. ????????
???????????? I believe it! haha
YaknBassn reply :
Memorial Day thru Labor Day, just stay home or fish Wheeler Lake.
Tournament pressure is constant in the summer and the pleasure boaters get dumber as the summer drags on.
If you like plenty of distance between you and other anglers, forget about fishing ledges. They stack on ledges within a few yards of each other.
And if you think you'll be slick and fish the creeks from your kayak, don't do it. There will be a guy in a $100k Phoenix that pushes his luck in your shallow creek.
God help you if you catch a fish within eyesight of another fisherman. The bent rod technique is king here.
Late September thru October, it's safe to go out on weekends again.
October thru November, tie on a frog and leave it on. Especially on cloudy, breezy days.
Mike L reply :
On 7/19/2018 at 9:46 AM, geo g said:1). In south Florida, no two days are the same.
2). Figure out what they want that day, that hour.
3). Stay off the trolling motor as much as possible, be in stealth mode with the wind doing your movement as much as possible.
4).Look for birds on the water, and look for happy water. (signs of fish casing bait)
5). Two or more types of vegitation is better then one big mass of the same.
6). An isolated clump of weeds in an open flat can be a honey hole.
7). In summer look for current, bass will position according to this flow.
8). Catch one, go back to the same area. Bass will bunch up according to size.
9). When things get tough slow down.
10). If you miss a bass go back with something else.
11). Have a game plan, but don't be afraid to change it with observations while out there.
I could keep adding but that is things I do daily when on the water.
Excellent, A few more...
There ARE fish in open water
Junebug
You can't out run a thunderstorm
Junebug
Okeechobee can generate it's own weather
Junebug
After running through a pad field stop, turn around, wait 10 min and throw a frog
Junebug
Leave your spinning rod with 6lb mono in the truck
Junebug
Mike
Bankbeater reply :
Only use weightless plastics around the dam, or the rocks will eat your bait.
Watch for snakes.
It isn't about how fast you launch the boat, but it's knowing where to fish after the boat is in the water.
jamey1e reply :
I have to agree a bass is not a bass wherever you go. I have 8 lakes within 2 hours of me and even though some share the same layouts the fish behave like polar opposites.
Rules for my favorite lake:
1. Wind is your friend, find the most wind blown bank and you'll find the fish.
2. When the bite is slow, up size your bait.
3. Dirty water is your friend.
4. Don't be afraid to fish an area behind someone or run through an area you've already fished. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten zero bites in an area or down a bank only to go back through it an hour later and wreck'em.
5. Reaction baits are number one in the winter.
6. Doesn't matter what day of the week or time of day. May thru September be prepared at any given time to have your world rocked by a wake boat.
geo g reply :
On 7/21/2018 at 6:05 PM, Mike L said:Excellent, A few more...
There ARE fish in open water
Junebug
You can't out run a thunderstorm
Junebug
Okeechobee can generate it's own weather
Junebug
After running through a pad field stop, turn around, wait 10 min and throw a frog
Junebug
Leave your spinning rod with 6lb mono in the truck
Junebug
Mike
I see you like Junebug. I too like it in heavily stained water, low light conditions, and rainy days. I have started to use Blackberry too, with similar results. Watermelon red in clear water, sunny days, and with bright sun overhead.
Mike L reply :
On 7/23/2018 at 11:29 AM, geo g said:
I see you like Junebug. I too like it in heavily stained water, low light conditions, and rainy days. I have started to use Blackberry too, with similar results. Watermelon red in clear water, sunny days, and with bright sun overhead.
Yep, Junebug has been my go to color for years especially on Okeechobee which I fish more than any other lake. Anything with a little red is a distant second.
Mike
haggard reply :
On 7/18/2018 at 3:26 AM, A-Jay said:I'm leaving a float plan with a responsible adult every trip.
My Life Jacket & kill switch lanyard always goes on before I start the Out Board.
Situational Awareness trumps everything.
More important than catching fish. This is what lets you keep catching fish.
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