Blog on Prefishing shallow cold water

Mike Cork · December 17, 2010, 12:15:43 PM

Check out my latest blog on prefishing for an up coming event on Caddo Lake. Caddo is a very shallow cypress tree filled lake and presents some unique challenges. See what you think and post your thoughts here?

www.ultimatebass.com just click on the link that says Caddo Lake Prefishing inside the "Get the Net" Blog

Lee Smith · December 17, 2010, 01:34:22 PM

Great blog Mike

It's tough right now making decisions on where to go, especially with the duck hunters

I really tend to agree with you to work in reverse. In my experiences this time of year, I have found the fish get more active around mid day rather than earlier. If I remember correctly, Caddo warms up pretty fast if you have some descent sun on the water.

I'd go for the sluggish bass first, then find the active late fall feeders, JMHO

Again, Great read, wish I was there!

-Shawn- · December 17, 2010, 01:37:31 PM

Great read!!

Camden · December 18, 2010, 09:49:55 AM

love the insight into another fishermans thought process.

great read

Mike Cork · December 18, 2010, 11:01:16 AM

Woke up this morning with a burning chest and a nose that a 2 ton bulldozer couldn't clear

Looks like tomorrow is going to be a slow go for me. Maybe my metabolism will match the fish and I'll connect

Camden · December 18, 2010, 12:05:33 PM

i got some hot sauce that will clear you right up mike. My own specialty

of course you wont have any taste buds left either

coldfront · December 18, 2010, 12:29:05 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 18, 2010, 11:01:16 AM
Woke up this morning with a burning chest and a nose that a 2 ton bulldozer couldn't clear Looks like tomorrow is going to be a slow go for me. Maybe my metabolism will match the fish and I'll connect

good luck...I'm wondering: are these fish more likely to be 'fall pattern'? or more likely to be 'pre=spawn'?

couple years ago I 'blew' a tournament fishing a very shallow lake that was really cold and to make it worse...muddy...fish were hard to come by in the tournament...but I had one break off...and another try to take my jig twice...(I got a good enough look at here to know she was around 5#)

with water temps around 48...most of us (me inlcuded) were trying to find them on riprap...and deeper water...with an hour to go...I found 'these' fish in less than 2 feet of water...in small isolated pieces of wood...

never would have expected them to be there...

Good luck and hope you feel better...

Donald Garner · December 18, 2010, 12:44:25 PM

Mike,

Another excellent article thank you for putting it together.

I also hope you get to feeling better.

Under the conditions you mentioned I'd fish the deep fish first until the shallow water warms up.
Of course most duck blinds are in the shallow water so you'd have to be careful on fishing those areas.

Yellow Puma · December 23, 2010, 09:15:12 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 17, 2010, 12:15:43 PM
Check out my latest blog on prefishing for an up coming event on Caddo Lake. Caddo is a very shallow cypress tree filled lake and presents some unique challenges. See what you think and post your thoughts here?

www.ultimatebass.com just click on the link that says Caddo Lake Prefishing inside the "Get the Net" Blog

Well Mike, How did the Tournament go?

Mike Cork · December 24, 2010, 10:16:54 AM

Not well for me. One 5 pounder and one 12 incher. As predicted the duck hunters had some of my water covered up pretty bad. First spot failed to produce. Second spot was many slot fish and third spot produced the two keepers. Went back to the hunter water and it didn't produce. But I rushed it as the livewell was so empty getting close to weigh in. Chalk it up to a learning experience!!!

-Shawn- · December 24, 2010, 10:22:32 AM

I think Duck hunters should posst they are going to be there so we don't screw up our prefishing.

Mike Cork · December 24, 2010, 10:34:52 AM

LOL I knew better. Should have found fish elsewhere. Funny thing is that my second spot was within 50 yards of the winning 26 pound stringer. I was fishing a tree line and he was working the grass line LOL close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades LOL

-Shawn- · December 24, 2010, 11:15:10 AM

YEP!

Guess it hasn't got cold enough to put a hurt on the grass yet? $:-\$

Yellow Puma · December 24, 2010, 01:22:43 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 24, 2010, 10:16:54 AM
Not well for me. One 5 pounder and one 12 incher. As predicted the duck hunters had some of my water covered up pretty bad. First spot failed to produce. Second spot was many slot fish and third spot produced the two keepers. Went back to the hunter water and it didn't produce. But I rushed it as the livewell was so empty getting close to weigh in. Chalk it up to a learning experience!!!

You will get them next time Mike. Yea I hear you about the learning experience but with all the notes I take I would think I wouldn't have so many "Learning" Days and a lot more catching days.

Mike Cork · December 24, 2010, 02:31:05 PM

Quote from: Yellow Puma on December 24, 2010, 01:22:43 PM
You will get them next time Mike. Yea I hear you about the learning experience but with all the notes I take I would think I wouldn't have so many "Learning" Days and a lot more catching days.

Man I'm with you there