What areas of a lake do you fish and at what time of the day?

[John Alan]

I am trying to figure out the order of areas you should fish for bass during a normal day on a recreational lake. If you start early in the morning, should you go deep before all the boaters hit the lake or should you be doing top water? Later in the day, is the choice to start working docks around noon (sun high in the sky)? I am just looking for help to find the norm.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thats an age old question... Lowlight is the best for fishing. Which is early morning and late evening. You ant to put yourself in the best spot for those times of the day. There is a really good shallow bite early and late.. but, many dont know, there is a great deep bite at those times as well..

here is the way I look at it.. If you have a great deep spot. hit it.. otherwise, hit the shallow stuff.. Most of our MN bass dudes are still bank pounders.. take advantage of the good bite shallow in the low light and hit the deeper stuff when the rest of it has been hit...

unless its a lake that gets pounded right off the bat.. then just head for the best and do your best.

[John Alan]

Thanks for the input. When you say shallow, do you mean topwater in lilly pads, weeds, etc. Hold off on docks or would you classify docks as shallow also?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thats all going to depend on the lake... if its a very murky lake, that has little to no weeds, Docks sometimes are the only cover available... and fish will use them 24/7

To me..Shallow means... Shallow

Not top water, it could mean a flipping tube in weeds, topwater across it, a spinnerbait in and around it, a weightless worm twitched through it. a rattle trap over the top of it... shallow means, shallow.. the presentation you use will depend on the lake and the weather.

[bassNspear]

Dietz is correct,

the things that you have to look for, is where your money spots are. Fact of the matter is, if im on fish in 15 FOW, im not goign to let someone else go there fish, if i can fish it before they get there. Go to the spots that you know your going to get fish.

[basssmasher*]

Dietz, what do you charge a day 4 lessons in Bassin?? i can leanr A LOT in a day and I think it would be worth my $$

[pfluemis]

Quote:

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I am trying to figure out the order of areas you should fish for bass during a normal day on a recreational lake. If you start early in the morning, should you go deep before all the boaters hit the lake or should you be doing top water? Later in the day, is the choice to start working docks around noon (sun high in the sky)? I am just looking for help to find the norm.

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While I'm just out to fish, and targeting the "monsters" usually requires more time then I have, I just follow the basics to boat fish.

Wind blown shallows/shores in the morning.

EV in late morning, if there is any, otherwise I go to afternoon tactics.

Windblown dropoffs in the afternoon. Though there is nothing wrong with fishing cover like overhanging trees and docks in the afternoon either. I just prefer to break up a day of casting with a little jigging/dropshotting.

South and/or shaded shores before sunset.

Obviously every lake is atleast a little different, and adjustments might need to be made. IMO, the most important key is to have the right lure, with the right presentation, at the right time, in the right spot.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bassmasher- I have not thrown my hat into the "guide" ring yet. I've thought about it more than a few times, but haven't done it officially yet. I have thought more about "on water seminars" where I would do more teaching a technique than actual guiding. But that too, has only been a thought so far.

[basssmasher*]

Dietz, that's not gonna help me any cuz I don't have a boat yet!!!

[Juan Grande]

Deitz,

You should guide, I'd be willing to pay for a day on the water with you.

I think a lot of guys on this forum are like me in that I don't have as much time to fish as I'd like so I'd like to maximize the time I have out there by catching fish. I know you can't substitute for experience, but learning how to break down water and getting some tips on when and where to use certain tactics would go a long way.

I can regurgitate info I've read on this site all day, but I'm having trouble applying it (with success) to the lakes I fish.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Juan- thanks, I just may look into it a little more... The insurance is a killer though for guiding...Your comments have me thinking however!

[ocf1]

Rule of thumb,

Fish move deeper at around 9:00, and back shallower at 8:00, depending on sunset/sunrise time. Although there will always be fish deep and fish shallow. There wont be as many fish deep but will be more likely to bite.

[John Alan]

Deitz,

I would be really interested in talking with you about getting some training. Is it possible to get your email address?

[basssmasher*]

see what i started Dietz?? Everyone wants training from you.. just remember when your giude business starts booming ,who tto thank!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

John Alan, I sent you an e-mail.

Bassmash-