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QUESTION: I have a river system near my home here in Kentucky that runs about 5000 acres at Summer Pool. It is a basic lake with alot of rock and wood cover. It has a good amount of creeks and a dam at the upper end. The name is Rough River Lake if you have heard of it. I enter bass tournaments on this lake and can never seem to do any good. I'm not good with seasonal migration movements of bass or where in the lake I need to fish during what season or what water temperatures. Any help regarding seasonal movements of largemouth bass and lure selecton for this lake would be really appreciated. Thanks

ANSWER: During the summer months COE Lakes stratify.. That is where temperature and Oxygen Content jump at a specific depth. Below that depth is very little oxygen. ON Rough River you can find out what depth that is by going to Fishin.com and checking the Rough River Fishing Report... There is a link to the COE for their Temp and Oxygen levels at different depths.
http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/wc/wq/rrrtext.html
is the link to the Water and Oxygen levels... For Rough River.
The bass will be holding during the middle part of the day in around 18 to 20 feet of water on Main Lake points, bars, and on channel drops. Crankbaits, Wacky Rigs, Jigging spoons, and other minnow style baits will work as will a Carolina Rig.
Today there is no real good stratification level.. The fish will hold in at least 2.0 Oxygen or better. Bass like temps around 68 to 70 degrees.. so today you would look for them around 18 or 19 feet deep. On a full moon like this weekend they will key on rocky areas because the crawfish will be spawning on the full moon. Start there. Use a jig and pig and on that lake Black and blue jigs work pretty good. (I live in Louisville so I talk to guys who fish that lake)
IF you get some rain, look for fish where there are incoming water falls, or springs. Work the outer edges first then work your way in.
Beyond that go to Fishin.com and talk to the guys on the discussion forum. Most of them will help you and you may find someone who will fish with you on that lake to help you learn how to fish it.
Jim Dicken
www.1fghp.com


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QUESTION: What would you do on this lake if you were to fish it in the fall for bass?

Answer
Early and late surface baits near the wood cover, spinner baits 6 to 10 foot deep during the mid day period as well as crankbaits.. IF that does not work try the jig with trailer. Temperature tends to drive my fishing. If the water is in the  70's I will fish from the surface to maybe 8 feet deep. If I am getting no love from the fish I might go deeper. On days like today when fronts are moving through I like to fish around cover with a fast moving presentation. Fish will be on their feed when fronts are in the area. In the fall this is especially true since they are putting on their fat for the winter and for the early spring egg development. I really like crankbaits and spinnerbaits at this time. (Still there will be days when they want something slower.) Carolina Rig, Texas Rig soft plastics can work as well.  Crawfish imitators can work well too. It depends on what the fish are keying on.
Looking down the fish's throat is a good idea.. if you see a tail or pinchers or the tell tale crawfish whisker then you know what they are keying on.
STILL, one bait I have always had success on even when I have found tons of crawfish in the bass I was cleaning..(Back before we did catch and release) is the Rat-L-Trap. It does not work in every lake but when it works it is a terrific bait. PLUS on Rough you may get a bonus 10 to 12 pound hybrid.