Scenario time…….

Let’s say your going to fish in Arkansas or some southern lakes at about middle of march………you get a map of the lake the night before and that’s when you find out what lake your gonna be on and the next day you analyze and scout the lake and the day after that you actually fish.

How would you go about scouting and analyzing the lake…

You will need to have a meeting with the Apache Indian Chief. From there he will guide you through a Clunn like trance with the help of some herbal therapy. He will lead you towards your vision. Your interpretation of this vision will make clear your upcoming fishing experience. If after your meeting with the Fish Gods you are deemed worthy you will be visited by the premonition gods with detailed map locations and appropriate offerings. Once you have completed your quest you will be obligated to make an offering of your left testicle to pay homage to the IRS Gods…. And then there will be peace.

Jc

I think the whole concept you want to look at here revolves around “High Probability/Percentage spots” You can study the map to look for drop offs/hummps/points/flats/etc. Those are what I mean by “High %” spots. The places most likely to hold fish. Depending on the conditions, make your decision and go from there.

Once you’re on the lake, then you can VISIBLY look for more High percentage spots…IE–> Weeds/Stumps/fallen trees/riprap etc…

Odds are these spots will produce fish, and then once you get a better feel for the bite, you can work on pinpointing the hot pattern.

That’s how I would go about it. / BUT JC’S PLAN PROBABLY WORKS BETTER

The best place to answer this except for the map part is the “Day on a Lake With a Pro” section in Bassmaster. I think it is best part of the mag. It puts the pro in that new unknown lake situation. I got a lot of insight from it.

Piece of cake…hire a guide!!! Seriously though March is still going to find you fishing Suspending Baits from 3 feet to 15 foot depths. Historically the Bass desire current so the main lake/old river channel will give you the best points, especially when there is a big turn in the
lake. Side channels and big fingers off of the main lake that don’t have a creek feeding them can be really tough.
Those folks in Missouri and Arkansas take their bass and crappie fishing Real serious. So if you look around nearly any dock you are going to find bruch piles that hold fish. Pulling them out of there is more likely in March than shallower water,(lot’s of the piles are a ways out from the end of the docks.) If finding those types of spots is difficult for you then refer to Jeremy’s post………………………………..

Looks like JC forgot his meds again, or all those vaseline fumes have gone to his head. Bad boy, go take your medicine. Didnt you find open water yet?

March? Arkansas?

Rattle traps (1/4s & 1/2oz), Norman crank baits (chart & grape), spinner baits & tubes. Don’t forget the 1/4oz jig head & black/red flake or june bug 4″ worm either for when she’s tough.

Mouths of creeks, spawning flats and anywhere else in the creek a bass would spawn. Oh, you find shad, put the little motor down!

My $.02.

Thanks ,

Personally I would have done the left testicle deal, but I’m married now so she’s already got that one in her watch pocket .

Thanks ,

dang,i heard all you have to do is find a good pizza joint and get all the info there

OK , First lets look for rocks,then rock points and then windy rock points. Now lets check water clarity, if its good go Rouges if not so good got to traps or other noisy cranks. If those are a bust look for coves with good depth and wood,go with a jig and pork chunk and spinner bait the banks between the wood . If that fails go for lunch and pump the locals for info with a brew or two.

i lived in the south for 13yrs.It’s easier to find Bass then a good pizza joint

If you order pizza in Arkie stay with the cheese…never sure what kind of meat it would be…….really……was there last Nov….

But if you’d actually like to fish, I’d being drop shotting the deep main channel of lake points….

I FISH FOR EYES SO I NOT MUCH ON BASS ANY MORE , BUT THAT TIME OF YR. ISNT PRESPAWN, SPAWN GOING ON THEN?
KNOWING THAT IT’S JUST TIME ON THE WATER TO FIG. THINGS OUT.
BUT IT SURE SOUNDS LIKE FUN!

I would try to scout out spawning areas.Then establish water temp then look for structure with-in 3/4 of a mile from spawning area.

Take water temps at all of the different locations from the backs of creeks to the main lake. Figure out what temp the different species of bass spawn at and detemine what stage of the spawn they are likely at. Warmer upstream, colder downstream by the dam. Try and detemine what phase of the spawn they are in and go from there. Look for off colored water in a clear reservoir or clean water in dirty reservoir. Look for weeds too. Usually will be a big clear water reservoir so look for drains coming into the lake with warmer water. I am sure you have read as much about bass as the rest of us. Start out looking for spawning areas and work your back to wintering grounds. You should find them somewhere along the way. For AR bluff banks and areas with a change in bottom content on main lake and secondary points are key spots in the spring, spots where chunk rock goes to pea gravel, etc. Don’t overlook the small bays off the main lake as sleeper spots. You only need a handful of fish not the motherload so if you find a small school in a smaller bay or creek arm you may them all to yourself. Windy banks will hold fish more often than not in a clear reservoir. Good luck and be safe.