Bass Fishing help wanted...

[number01hunter]

Hey all, of course I am new to the board, but I would like some help...

Me and my family enjoy catfishing, so I am used to catching catfish, but I would love to get into bass fishing. I've tried so much to catch bass and i've only succeeded in small ponds and random places like that. But now i want to start fishing in a lake that is close to my home now.

If anyone on the board is familiar with Orange County, Virginia, then you should know about Lake Orange. Where we are living right now is not but 2 minutes from the lake and there is a spot down the road where a shallow cove is. How shallow, really shallow! I think from the bank to 10 feet out is like 1-2 foot of water...

I tried fishing it last summer since the cove is surrounded by trees and therefore provides shade for the bass, and not even had a hit! The cove is the only access I can have at Lake Orange. I am a 16 year old teen who still has his learner's permit so to speak.

Do i have any chances in catching any BASS in this cove? or do i need to get on the lake?

Any help or information will be very helpful and much appreciated!

Thanks!

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Hi Friend,
In a shallow cove 1-2 feet- in summer you have very little chance of catching any quality bass. Maybe early in the spring or during spawn. If you have access to the cove, you have access to the points at the end of the cove where it enters the main lake. These two points would be a much better place to fish. You're going to have to find access to the main lake to ever find good bass fishing. Bass can be caught off the bank, but you have to find them. Point hopping is your best choice. Any access roads that leads to the lake usually will allow some fishing. Boat ramps, boat docks and marinas are other good selections. Good luck, keep in touch, Johnnie

[carl]

Johnnie's got it right. Where do you catch catfish? If you're catching them in ponds with a bass population, I suggest you start there. That's where I started using, practicing different lures and presentations. Caught alot of big fish, so much so I got spoiled, thinking I was some hot shot angler. After I got my first boat, was I in for a surprise. Fishing a lake is a whole lot harder than a pond, but I was able build on the skills I learned from fishing those ponds. Are there any bass clubs in your area? Are there any bass clubs in your area? That's a good way to get on the water, pick up advice from more experienced angler. Good luck. Carl

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Hunter, if you can drive or have someone to drive you try fishing at the lake's dam. There are almost always fish around dams. There is deep water there and any type cover may hold some fish. The dam itself, no matter what it is constructed, of should hold some fish.
As Carl suggested, ponds are a really grteat way to learn how lures work because bass are more accessible there. Gaining confidence in your baits will come in handy later. At sixteen, you've got your whole life ahead of you and you have made a very good choice in picking this site. We have some knowledgable anglers here who aren't afaid to share what they know and break it down into terms easily understood. Just keep asking questions to anyone that will listen!! Watch other anglers fish. Good luck and stay with us. Johnnie