Fishing a local reservoir
I have a local reservoir about 15 minutes from my house that I kayak fish most of my time, but I think Moss lake is heavily fished. Sometimes I can catch a few but I do have trouble finding fish, I run a Lowrance hook 2 5 fish finder on my kayak, but its trying to understand what fish are what. What lures or rig would you suggest throwing? I use mostly worms and other soft plastic like the crawfish. I never had any success with a chatter bait, I can not get it to chatter in the water, I fish mostly top water and worms. But lately worms haven't been working and top water as well. Should I go the finesse route? like drop shotting, smaller baits? Back in April I was catching bigger fish on just crappie lures.
When I have trouble catching bass, I'll usually go for a finesse lure. Occasionally, I will mix it up and throw a big swimbait or some other lure that has completely different action. Two weeks ago, I fished a Ned rig, which I only just started fishing. Couldn't get a bite, even with other finesse techniques (shaky head and dropshot). Don't be afraid to try different things and be sure to vary how you fish the bait until you get a bite.
Okay, I'm trying out different lures but the water temp is about 85.6, would they be moving deeper? I normally cast into the bank, and reel back towards the boat. I also throw along the bank in about 5-15 ft of water. I never really had success in deeper water like with Swimbaits, only caught 1 bass in my life off a 20ft deep diving crankbait. What should I look for on a fish finder I have navionics on my Lowrance hook 2 5, just trying to figure out by look at a map for points and ledges, and flats I can't seem to understand that
With those water temps, I would start looking deeper (where contour lines are tight), but Greg Hackney has some other thoughts that may help your tremendously. Check out these videos:
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/shallow-water-fishing-all-year-long-greg-hackney - Shallow Water Cranking All Year Long
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/electronics-not-just-for-fishing-deep-greg-hackney - Electronics - Not Just For Fishing Deep
Greg loves to catch them shallow, and if that's how you like to catch them, he's got some tips on where to look and how to use your electronics to locate some bass.
Will check them out thank you sir!
Finesse fishing is a good technique to try if bites are few. The drop shot is hard to beat. If your chatterbait isn't working, try another. Sometimes they are faulty from the factory. You need to feel that vibration for it to trigger strikes. Don't give up on it. Its a highly effective bait.
