Bass Tourney Without Prefishing

[RJSwirlz]

I found out on Wednesday that the tourney we were supposed to fish on opening day got pushed back a week due to launch issues. My partner and I have been so pumped about fishing our first ever tournament for the last 4 months and I really couldn't wait another week, so I found another tourney but we've never fished the lake. I'm pretty decent at analyzing a lake map, thanks to my gramps, but I'm just wondering what I should throw at em. I'm guessing my best bet would be to throw some search baits early, like lipless cranks and spinnerbaits, so that I can find some areas to come back to later in the day to throw some creatures, jigs, and worms. Any feedback would be appreciated. The tournament is a nbaa event and is in south west michigan, so don't give me any tips if you think you may be fishing the same event. Thanks.

[waterfoul]

Water temp will be key!! Lower 60's will have the buck largemouth shallow doing their thing and have the fat females on the deep edges waiting for their turn on the nest. I'd start the morning shallow looking for those "cruisers" ... possibly a pop-r or a Rapala. As soon as the sun comes up I'd move to the edges of the drop offs/weeds (if there are any weeds yet) and work those hens.

[RJSwirlz]

I keep telling my partner that the females just haven't showed up yet on the areas we've been keying in on, on other lakes. He's been telling me I'm crazy, but its good to have someone like waterfoul with some serious bassin IQ to give me some confidence that I at least have somewhat of a clue out there. Thanks a lot man. I've called some people out that way and they said that the lake gets covered with thick weeds, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to spot some cover to fish.

[catalysthackle]

I have caught 19 bass in the shallows the last 4 days and I don't think any of them were females. This morning I took an 18 incher in 4 fow and it was a male. I've been catching them on Traps, senkos and this morning a black gulp worm was the trick. Good luck, wish I was out there!

Mark

[waterfoul]

Temperature temperature temperature!!! Once it hits 64-66 the hens will move up. Till then buck buck buck!!! Been proving this all spring.

[roadkill]

I would fish shallow first.Lily pads,bays,canals.Then the drop offs and points.I already seen bass fry,in a couple of lakes by me

[catalysthackle]

How did you do?

[RJSwirlz]

Caught nothing but buck buck buck. It's pretty tough, especially when I thought we were only fishing 500 acres of the chain. Turned out to be about 3000. Had one on that seemed to be a female that decided to shake my trap out of her mouth before my partner could net her. Still a good learning experience and a good time. This saturday will hopefully be different.

[stinky reinke]

If you knew how to catch fish, I think you would've done better in the tourney. Sounds like your partner needs to find a new captain.

[RJSwirlz]

If you knew how to catch fish, I think you would've done better in the tourney. Sounds like your partner needs to find a new captain.

You and me. Anytime....Anyplace....As long as it's in a boat and not in waders. Loser buys a dirty 30 of delicious busch light. Oh, don't forget what it says under my name up there! :chicken: