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I need some help with a new lake I started fishing. This lake has deep and rocky shores... there is alot of over hanging trees and fallen trees in the water... and the water is really clear..... it is also very very rocky and steep drop offs... there are some shallows... should i focus on shallows or look around the rocky areas.... also i need some techniques such as lures to use ect.....the days are very hot around here..... somewhere around 90 degrees or so.... any help or suggestions would be great... let me know if i can provide any more information........thanks in advance....

Since I'm no pro I'll tell you how we fish a lake very similar to the one you're describing. With the dog days of summer the bass have scattered, gone deep and suspend on structure any where between 8' and 12'. During the day they are very difficult to catch. What I do is find them (usualy) some where close to a point with sonar. I'll mark the spot with a bouy and come back and use a drop shot rig. I've had some success with that. With so many overhangs, I would think you'd have some luck with the smaller fish holding in the shade at various depths. Lay downs adjoining deep water are good bets with swimming jigs. With very clear water I use natural colors such as brown and greens, but sometimes will go with blue/blk w/trailer. Some guys I know slow roll spinnerbaits, but I'm not very good with spinnerbaits. Best times,presunrise and night fishing. That's when I'll use buzz baits and top waters. Hope this has been of some help, very clear lakes are a tough nut to crack. Good luck, Carl.

Good advice from Carl.
I would definately try deep water crankbaiting. Use lures designed to reach the fifteen foot range and fish the ends of the trees and points. I would use wood lures that don't rattle, may spook some bass. A Carolina rigged finesse worm should work well too. Even Zara Spook lures will take clear-deep water fish, the action will pull them up from deep water, hang-on! Also try some clear baits, there are baits that are clear plastic, doesn't seem like they would work, but they do. Good luck, Johnnie

What type of fish are you after. i.e. smallmouth or largemouth. I have a couple of good patterns for both. let me know and I will respond. To get you started you must use and trust your electronics (flasher or graph). With deep rocky clear lakes once you find the fish they will most likely stay in that general area all year round. they will just position themselves differently during different times of the year. spring and fall they will be shallow to spawn and feed. summer time they will most likely suspend and winter they will go deep and or suspend. but you must first learn how to use your electronic because I could give all the ideas in the world, but if you can't find the fish you will just be out there casting and that no fun. Shut me an email and I will try to help you out.

Hey thanks for the suggestions.....I am tryin to catch primarily largemouth bass....I am going to try deep crankin for sure... any more suggestions will be great.. i dont have a fishfinder.... im just a poor college kid hahaha.... anyway.. any more tips would be awesome... thanks alot.....