Where to target Bass on a Unfamiliar Lake

[logs22]

Heading up to my Mom's in RI this weekend and found a good bathymetry map for the pond down the street (attached). Based on the contour map any suggestions on good spots to target? I am assuming water temps up there are about the same so I am thinking most of the Bass will be in post-spawn mode (at least that is what I am seeing at my local ponds). Besides the obvious structure targets (laydowns, grass lines, pads, etc) any particular bottom features that would be more likely to hold bass this time of year? Points, flats, drop offs, etc.? I won't have much time to fish so I want to go prepared and make most of my time. The pond is in the Newport area so I am hoping most people are more focused on the salt and this pond doesn't get too much fishing pressure. I will be limited to fishing from the bank but the pond is small Enough I think I can hit just about anywhere with a good cast. Any suggestions welcome. I Love new water!

In case the contours are not legible on the attached, contour lines are in 3 ft increments up to 33 ft (hole in top narrow portion of pond is 18 ft deep and lower part gets as deep as 33 ft). Lake is natural and fed by stream flowing into narrow top portion. It is surprisingly deep for its size.

[skippy]

I would try the area where the feeder stream comes into the pond. That area should hold a good baitfish and in turn attract the bass.

[Lard Almighty]

If you see any flats, target the break line beyond it, that's where a lot of the post-spawn bass will be.

[icebadger]

without having a photo of the lake and surroundings, i would try the two points in the middle of the lake.i also agree with skippy on the feeder streams, not only minnows but aquatic insects come to life earlier there.wind direction and weed growth will affect your choice where to fish. good luck and tight lines.

[NJSquatch]

http://binged.it/1WRxnVo

Bank access looks like it might be limited due to shrub cover

An interesting horizontal feature at the midway point. Right near the road

I would throw something that u can work deep or shallow. Swim bait or swim jig In bluegill color.

Watch for ticks. RI is really bad with them.

Good luck

[logs22]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, if there aren't any pics of fish Tuesday then you will know I struck out! Good to see I am not the only one who enjoys a good contour map puzzle. Attached is the satellite image requested. Thick cover along the banks will definitely be an issue (as will the ticks) but trekking through the woods is half the fun!

[logs22]

It's Tuesday and I am happy to report the Rhode Island trip was successful (at least from a fishing perspective). Got to Mom's mid-afternoon Sat. And as soon as I had unpacked the car I told my wife I was going to run to store for beer. True to my word I got some beer an then decided to try my luck in a reservoir that is right behind the store. All the Beaches in Rhode Island seem to have these impoundments right behind them, I guess being an island they try to conserve all the freshwater they can and so they dammed all the rivers and streams just before they reach the ocean. Anyway, I digress.

I Bushwhacked through some thorns and brackish swampy terrain (all the time wondering how many ticks I would acquire) and as soon as I saw water started casting. I figured I could swing about a 20 minute delay before my wife started asking questions so I didn't waste any time. Third cast I caught the bigger bass pictured in the link below, he weighed in at 1.4 kilos (my scale is stuck in metric). I Caught her on a small black jig with a chartreuse split tail grub trailer - strangely this contrasting color combo has always produced for me). I left just as soon as I saw my first RI bass swim away healthy and strong.

Next morning I go to the lake discussed above with my Uncle/Godfather who was visiting from AZ. This is the guy who took me fishin for the first time as a kid because my Dad wasn't into it. I hadn't fished with him since high school so it was really good just being out together. I caught the smaller Bass pictured on the link within the first 15 minutes of fishing. Same jig. A few swings and misses after that but nothing landed. It was a gorgeous day and I would hVe loved to fish from sunrise to sunset however family obligations prevailed.

Capped off the weekend last night back in good old Cranford NJ at my secret spot which has been underperforming so far this season. Black jig/chartreuse split tail did it again:-). Hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend.


https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9...S1uYkZLQlJNYW8

[Jerseydix]

Great story and pictures, so how many ticks did you catch? if

[NJSquatch]

great report...way to execute

What was that horizontal structure running across the lake?

I will be up in RI next week bass fishing.....

[logs22]

Originally Posted by NJSquatch

great report...way to execute

What was that horizontal structure running across the lake?

I will be up in RI next week bass fishing.....

We mostly fished from the spot where the pin is in the attached pic. There was a nice trail that went around the entire lake with cleared areas suitable for fishing ever 30 yards or so. The bottom was sAnd/gravel so I waded in wearing my sneakers. Sun was so bright and water so clear I could see tons of suspended and cruising bass. I didn't see any sort of structure running across lake so maybe be satellite pic showing it was old.

Good luck fishing in RI. After speaking with some old timers at the tackle shop in Middletown RI I learned that the best places for freshwater fishing in the area are the large reservoirs behind each of the public beaches. At least in Newport/Aquidneck Island, the reservoirs are technically 'off limits' for fishing however there is an unofficial 'look the other way' policy. My experience confirmed that fishing the reservoirs, while not encouraged, is tolerated. Def. check out RIs fish and game website they have contour maps for just about every puddle in that state. Good luck'