Try to focus on just 3 lakes. A dark lake for sunny days, a clear lake for cloudy, and a numbers lake just for the fun of it. First 2 for me need to have some big fish, when you know the lake well and the fish are not biting the problem is the presentation, talk to others who fish the lake and you will learn new things. Do I follow my own advice? Kinda, love trying out new lakes, but I tend to do better if I focus. My 2cents
If I’m struggling, I stay on the same lake and I figure out what’s going on. Dark or clear water. The fish are doing something, but what where and why. Thats how I break it down. I never talk to any one who fishes the lake because I don’t like giving out my info and I don’t expect any one to do that either.
One lake-that’s focus.
I should say I don’t talk to guys at the launch. Because if I’m successful, I don’t want them to know that’s why I was sitting in my spots. I usually just mumble, that the bite was really tough.
One lake-that’s focus.
Not to tough when you know there are hogs in there. And I feel like moving between multiple lakes and thinking water color will change the behavior is odd. Yes each lake will be different and each lakes bites will be different, but if you don’t break down each water way separately, then all you are doing is confusing your self more then figuring it out.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tim hurley wrote:</div>
One lake-that’s focus.Not to tough when you know there are hogs in there. And I feel like moving between multiple lakes and thinking water color will change the behavior is odd. Yes each lake will be different and each lakes bites will be different, but if you don’t break down each water way separately, then all you are doing is confusing your self more then figuring it out.
This is how I am with White Bear. It can be one of the most frustrating lakes to fish, but when you figure it out it’s worth it.
A dark lake for sunny days, a clear lake for cloudy
This is about the only portion of your OP I agree with Tim. I have found the fishing to be better on murky water lakes when its bright sun out. And then when its cloudy or rainy, the clear lakes are often better. Just based on personal experience. Unfortunately we’ve had way too many sunny, hot days this summer. I think the weather pattern may finally be shifting though.
Weed Edge, that all you need to know. Bait hide in the weeds, big fish like bait.
I think having several different lake’s to rotate is a great idea. If you keep fishing a lake over and over at some point either you will educate those fish or you will bother them to a point where they will relocate to a totally different area. Fish move from one area to another for many reasons and heavy fishing pressure is one of them. As far as having different lakes to go to based on the current weather conditions – Also a good idea. I often base what lake I want to fish based on that days weather conditions. Be it wind, Sun and sky, or even recent rains ( Not that that one has came into play around here this summer ) As far as Big fish Vs #’s lakes go that’s a factor as well. Not saying you can’t have a #’s day at a know big fish lake or a big fish or two from a know #’s lake. but finding a lake with both is not real common.
I would agree with you FT except I’m back to fishing once a week 
Anyway those very clear lakes are totally different when it is cloudy, light rain even better.
I must be the aberration. I fish the lake I want to go to and figure out what they are biting on, where they are at, what presentation to use…..
Even if I get skunked I learn something new for the next time.
Heck, I’m fishing – could be waaaaaaay worse.
Every time you fish is good, any lake is good, if I had to take my bike down to the park to catch bullheads that would be good too. But if you walk away with zero or just small stuff, you might wonder if it was the lake or the presentation, if you know the good spots and have pulled out fish 18-20” you know the issue is the presentation.
Umy what you said about things could be waaaaaaay worse, I tell myself that if I have to wait launching or loading my boat- I think: really? This is a problem? Look at the lake, look at the birds, your healthy and lucky enough to be out here…
Every time you fish is good, any lake is good, if I had to take my bike down to the park to catch bullheads that would be good too. But if you walk away with zero or just small stuff, you might wonder if it was the lake or the presentation, if you know the good spots and have pulled out fish 18-20” you know the issue is the presentation.
Umy what you said about things could be waaaaaaay worse, I tell myself that if I have to wait launching or loading my boat- I think: really? This is a problem? Look at the lake, look at the birds, your healthy and lucky enough to be out here…
AMEN to that ( or AWOMAN, I get so confused these days) 
AMEN to that ( or AWOMAN, I get so confused these days)
If I’m struggling we usually go to the 3 Beer Plan.
Chug 3 beers, and the rest just figures itself out. 
Last time I bought beer they asked me if I want my receit, I said: I save my receit for things that don’t always work, beer always works—-keep it.
so the last time I was out, all we could find was quality fish. Not many but all quality. How does that riddle in this riddle? I find it hard to take advice when I’m on to something. Even though it went from a 40 fish morning to a 4 fish morning. But those 4 fish are the ones I was looking for.
I spent time looking for them. Why would you give up and switch lakes when you “might” be on to something.
How about trying something and sticking with it ? Is that a thing? Or do you just quit and run because you never had a thing going in the first place ?
Like fishthumper was saying its not good to spank the same lake over and over, that especially true if the lake is small and you fish a lot. Knew a guy who was fishing the same lake 3x a week, bringing different people, pulling out limits-not good, even if you practice C&R it gets to be too much. ‘Trying something and sticking with it” was pretty much my point, with a rotation I did well this morning on a clear lake which is what I target on cloudy days.
I live on a little lake where I hit the same spots quite a bit. It’s known not for numbers, but good size. The best thing I ever did was fish with a buddy who is a good tournament angler a few years ago. We fished spots I never fish. Fished topwater during the broad daylight. He gave me some goofy looking lure called a chatter bait. I now try a couple different spots every time out. They don’t always produce fish, but fishing on memories doesn’t always produce either. Nice to get some rain.
Like fishthumper was saying its not good to spank the same lake over and over, that especially true if the lake is small and you fish a lot. Knew a guy who was fishing the same lake 3x a week, bringing different people, pulling out limits-not good, even if you practice C&R it gets to be too much. ‘Trying something and sticking with it” was pretty much my point, with a rotation I did well this morning on a clear lake which is what I target on cloudy days.
I dunno. I fish the same lake weekly year round for 25 years. It really depends. If it’s not a highly pressured lake then I do not agree, but I do think they won’t keep falling for the same thing over and over
ok Bear.
Like hunting a property for the first time it is more challenging than being the owner who knows exactly where the game travels. Sure you can over hunt and change travel patterns and push animals off habitat.
But I’ve never found that to be true with fish, except the part about being constantly present to identify the common denominators. If fish could be over fished they’d recognize my hull and shut down. That don’t happen. I never decide whether they bite or not. They do.
Some folks train their brains for new lake or new land strategy and do well. They are typically successful because of the pre planning which involves eliminating land or water that is likely unproductive before ever turning the key to the vehicle that’ll bring you there.
I know I mentioned to Tim years ago that if he wants to increase catch rates to quit jumping lakes but that clearly was a large part of Tim’s enjoyment exploring new waters!! Nothing wrong with that, glad you are desiring a need to change to recognize increased success.
All too true, thanks FB.
One lake-that’s focus.
For me, it’s pretty much one lake (Platte/Sullivan) and one pattern (frogs) from Opener until they stop hitting on them in the Fall. I do throw other stuff, but 90% of the time, I’m frogging. I can’t get enough of it, even when they clearly aren’t hitting on top. The thing is with frogs, even when they are not hitting on top the right cast in the right place will get you a reaction strike, so there is always a chance the next cast will be it.
The top water thing is so addictive, would rather get one on top than 3 on a jig worm, BTW how late in the year do they hit froggie?
Oh, and how is Platte & Sullivan a ONE lake plan (sorry, I had to)
Thanks BP——
I think mid-October is the latest I have ever gotten a frog fish. Temps in the low 50’s. The past few years it has been over in Sept. When the weeds die back I tend to throw poppers and walkers over the weed flats. I have caught fish into November and down to 46-degrees doing that. I occasionally will hear stuff getting crushed in the reeds when I am working a weed flat on a calm night.
Sounds like a great lake I would probably be in a one lake plan if I lived near that one. Thanks
I just watched the Hellabass Livestream from a couple of weeks ago when he had Tuma and Walls on. And at the very end Tuma talks about a pattern they found getting frog fish down to 46 degrees.
Sat. I’ll fish a lake with a secci of 12.5 on a clear day, off the 3 list! Lake has become virtually private, low fishing pressure trumps everything! Can’t wait.
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