Tough situation, need advice

[Paul_Kramer]

There's a small man made lake that I sometimes fish that's only about 18 acres, but gets over 40 feet deep, and is very clear. It is constantly stocked with rainbow trout and has a ton of stunted sunnies in it, and is hit pretty hard by lots of fishermen. Dosen't have much for structure, but lots of weeds until it drops really deep.

However, I've seen a few big bass crusing close enough to see, but they usually refuse to hit anything, and it seems like that's the case with everyone else I've talked to. One guy has seen a couple with lures stuck in their backs from people trying to get them and breaking off. I've heard of bass up to eight pounds coming out of this lake.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to offer these buggers. I've got a few mid-size bass on Comidas and 3" tubes, but not many. Maybe using a floro leader, or trying during lowlight? I was thinking about picking up some trout swimbaits like they use down south. Does anyone know of some good, affordable, trout imatating swimbaits? Or any other presentations that might take some fish. Thanks for any help.

[SledNeck]

Heres your answer........

THE CASTAIC TROUT

youre welcome!

[bassphish2005]

humn..if your a C&R kinda guy.....try live bait,or that swimmy bait thing might work....8 lbs bass,that is closing in on the state record????sounds like a great place to fish?

[PEATMOSS]

A live frog, unless you're a purist.

[RK]

Hiya -

Hmmm... Sounds to me like a good place for a split shot or Mojo rig. Put something like a Gulp Shaky Worm, Zoom Trick Worm or Robo Worm a couple feet behind a 1/16 oz split shot, cast it as far as you can, and just creep it along.

Or live bait. A fathead on a circle hook with a split shot rig is pretty awesome on tough fish.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[ikeslayer]

hey paul shoot me an e-mail - think we can dream something up!!!

[TonkaBass]

lol, I was just waiting for that Ike.

[Muddog]

Try the THE CASTAIC TROUT. Wait untill most of the trout are taken out before trying though. I'm sure a Bass could get quite big eating trout. It's how those Califoria Bass get so big!

[Paul_Kramer]

"]hey paul shoot me an e-mail - think we can dream something up!!!

Check your email Ike.

Thanks for the ideas everybody. I'll have to give them a try this year, if I get a good one I'll post it.

[st.crioxfishin]

I've fished a lake about a minute away from my house since I was about 12 years that has the same exact qualities as you decribe except the man made part... Very clear, stocked with trout (this will probably give away the lake), stunted bluegills, and full of weeds.

It gets fished a lot from the bank and by having a canoe I can get out offshore and fish some unpressured areas. I have had my best luck in the mid to late summer using texas rigged plastics in matted coontail thats out in the middle of the lake on humps. I've also had good luck with frogs in low light periods. Around bass opener I've had luck with weightless stickbaits up shallow.

Pick the most natural colors you can find for you baits and don't be afraid to throw clear hard baits (traps, crankbaits, translucent spinnerbait skirts, spooks, pop-Rs)

[ikeslayer]

lol, I was just waiting for that Ike.

can't blame me can you

the place is just a puddle and i know if i give out my secret magic tactics that all those meat eaters will divide and conquer

[SledNeck]

....

what about a rainbow chub?????

lol