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Post by choochoo on Jun 28, 2022 22:14:54 GMT -5
Yes
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johnr
New Member
Posts: 1,297 
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Post by johnr on Jun 29, 2022 6:13:31 GMT -5
There are several areas on the lake like this. Some are as obvious as B&B, others small and subtle. This small ones are special, as they can divert fish based on their seasonal migratory direction, making areas HOT HOT HOT, but only temporarily. Once you find these spots, they’re on like clockwork.
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Post by chrisw on Jun 29, 2022 9:10:15 GMT -5
John, it’s understanding what to look for that I’m hoping to learn. That way I can not only find my own spots at SML, but other lakes as well.
What is it you mean when you say “fishes larger than it is”? Does that mean fish density is higher at SML than similar sized reservoirs, or that more of the lake can be productive, or do you mean something else?
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johnr
New Member
Posts: 1,297
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Post by johnr on Jun 29, 2022 9:25:18 GMT -5
So as an example, I grew up fishing an 18k acre glacial lake up north. Relatively shallow 25’ average, featureless except for a few creek creek channels in the basin and a couple humps. The fish tended to congregate on just a handful of areas, which made the lake seem very small. A lot of water that you had no reason to look through. A quick look at the map and you could be in good fish.
Here we are on a lake of nearly the same size. But you could pick a couple large creeks and spend months learning the ins and outs of just those specific creeks, due to all the structure. Each creek here can be treated as it’s own lake (and should be). Add up all the creeks and you have a massive amount of angling possibilities to work through. It makes this lake seem overwhelmingly large.
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Post by bigun3 on Jun 29, 2022 12:08:32 GMT -5
Chris, there are no short cuts to learning the ins and outs of fishing SML. Time on the water is the only way. Like myself, everyone that has responded, has been fishing this lake for years. Like johnr said this lake can seem overwhelming to someone who is just starting out. All the structure in the world (and this lake has a lot) is useless until you learn the seasonal movements of the fish. After years of fishing you can use water temps and experience to almost figure out the monthly movements of the fish. You will waste your fishing trip time looking, without knowing where to start looking at. . Structure is everywhere, the fish are not. Like johnr said, I'm a big fan of parking up and waiting for them to pass under my boat.  and just because you find fish doesn't mean you will catch them. We all have sat on schools without getting a single bite. For me the hardest thing to do was to leave fish to go find fish. (active fish) a good fish finder is paramount to your success. Also stripers love to just lay on the bottom without any structure around at all. don't give up. If you have the patience and will power, you will figure it out. |
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Post by chrisw on Jun 29, 2022 12:40:34 GMT -5
Bigun, so you’re one of the ones that follows the guide boats too, huh? 😂
Yes, nothing can beat time on the water, something I wish I had more of. But there are some who spend years of time on the water and don’t learn much new in that time, they just do what they’ve always done. Others can catch fish on their home lake but don’t know why or how to reproduce it on another lake. And then there are those who know why the fish are there, and where to expect them next based on conditions.
I have comparatively more time to study charts, read fishing reports, and learn about fish behavior than I do Saturday mornings on the lake. The hope is that the few trips I do have will be focused on more likely areas because of my study, as opposed to blindly stumbling around in the dark.
And I’m sure there are others reading this thread hoping to learn from this discussion as well. Thank you everyone who has contributed.
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Post by bigun3 on Jun 29, 2022 12:57:50 GMT -5
Bigun, so you’re one of the ones that follows the guide boats too, huh? 😂 Yes, nothing can beat time on the water, something I wish I had more of. But there are some who spend years of time on the water and don’t learn much new in that time Only when I've been invited to. LOL Have you not seen the new law, Guide boats are clearly marked on the side of their boat. Against the law to fish within 50 yards of a guide boat, and will be enforced. Good rule of thumb on learning. "if you think you know what you are doing, you ain't learning nothing" Been fishing this lake since 1980. I still try and learn something from every trip. Even if it's something simple as, I don't like Burger Kings fries. lol |
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