bassin' a flat bottom lake

[JOSH]

I live in Cin. Oh, and I'm having difficuty locating bass on my home lake. The bottom is basically flat due to a recent rehab about 6 years ago. Some trees have fallen in the lake, but they are very shallow. The whole lake only averages 6 to 12 feet deep. I've tried several things from crankin to carolina rigs to flippin' bushes, without a single bite in three outings. Where should I go from here. All outings were in the month of June. The lake is Winton Woods, in Forest Park ,Ohio. I don't know of any fish die off, but the fishing in my neck of the woods has produced very little. The lake drops are very gradual. There is no vegetation. Mainly crappie have been caught, and a couple northerns. I have not talked to anyone who has caught a bass. there are some fish attracters, but I've been hitless on those, too.

[dansfishntales]

First off, welcome to Bassin' USA. I see you are a new member, and hopefully will find this an enjoyable spot to learn more about bass fishing, as many others have done.

As for you question, I have some of my own about this lake. Has there been any sort of fish kill, winter or summer? Has an official fish survey be conducted by the DNR?

Is there any weed growth? If so you may want to target the outer edges, and use these as if they were drop offs. Cattail areas are also good hiding places. I've seen heavy cattail growth in shallow, flat bottom lakes, and this has been about the only cover.

Since you said it is 6 to 12 feet deep there must be some small drops. Try to find them, especially if there is something different at some point, like a rock pile, or whatever.

Anything different in this type of lake can be a key. Even a spill area, or inlet tube.

Also, look for any feeding activity, which is always a give away to a spot to target.

I know this hasn't been the greatest help, and hopefully some of the other guys will have more ideas.

If you have anymore details to post it may be helpful.

Best of fishing,
Dan

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Joshua, Dan has offered some good advice, he knows his stuff. Hopefully you have other places you can fish, cause this place sounds awfully tough. I fish a few "featureless" lakes myself and they are difficult at best. My main plan of attack is with minnow baits and soft plastic jerk baits. Since there is little cover and no depth, these fish most likely spend a great deal of time suspended. The baits mentioned will catch suspended fish. I would work the very shallow water also, bass can be found in inches of water under some conditions. Good days to fish these lakes are overcast or rainy. Very early or late in the day should also be good. Since cover and depth are limited, the bass may be feeding primarily at night to give them an ambush edge over the bait fish. I doubt there was a fish kill if folks are catching crappie, there just probably aren't very many bass left in the lake. You might try some finesse fishing tactics, I suggest using a spinning combo, light line and small in-line spinners in silver or gray tones with an undressed treble hook. Good luck, keep in touch, Johnnie.

[JOSH]

Thanks for the helpful advice, and you will be hearing from me time to time


Joshua