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just joined a new bass fishing club,and first tournament is at Chowan River in N.C. New water for me and would like to have a good starting point to prefish these new waters. I'll be going as soon as the weather permits

Nathan,
Is this a true river, like the Mighty Miss. or a damed up lake. With a little more info I think I can help, having fished both river systems and lakes for a looooong time. Get back to me. Johnnie Crain, Iowa Pro Staff.

Nathan,

Contact me by e-mail, and Ill see what I can to to help you out.

Brian Adams

Although I have never fished this water I can give you some simple tips that I use for pre fishing.

1. Get a good map
2. Talk to locals or those who have knowledge of that water.
3. Take into consideration the season and fish the proper kind of water, ( depth, cover, etc ) Dont try and fish everything in one trip, break down the water by seasonal patterns and start disecting.
4. Dont get caught up in techniques or patterns you are not good with. Fish your strengths. If you are a good shallow anglers start there.

I hope this helps, it sound simple but many people forget everything they know when they get to an unfamiliar body of water.

Nathan- Glad you posted your question to the Bassin'USA Pro's. I'm sure that if you contact Johnnie Crain, he will give you more specific information about waters similar to the Chowan River. Then use the suggestions from Eric Picarella on how to prepare for prefishing. Lastly, either answer Brian Adams' post or e-mail him. He sounds like he knows the river well.

Thanks to you all for helping Nathan. Much obliged. JoeM

Nathan,
Eric is correct, stick with what you do best. The fish are always, shallow deep, or somewhere in between. Start shallow, move to mid-depths, then go deep if necessary. Don't be afraid to fish deep water, there are more fish there than shallow, just harder to locate. Look for places that look like places in other lakes where you have had success. If you can locate points, coves, secondary points and deep water bluffs, you'll find fish. Any stump fields should be explored as should roadbeds and hedge rows leading into the water. Good luck, let us know how you do. Johnnie Crain

The first thing I would look for is some type of structure, trees hanging in the water, boulders sticking out of the water, boat docks, weed edges or lilly pads. Sure to find some bass hanging out in these locations.