Tough lake to fish.

[soundguy]

I'm about 20 minutes from this lake:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF...&z=12

The north 1/2 is more shallow (6'-15' on average) with a lot of stumps. The south 1/2 is pretty deep (25'-45' near the dam) . The southeast finger is not accessible due to 9/11. I guess the water board thinks someone will blow the levy.

The water is pretty clear. Grass is visible in 7' of water.

There are plenty of times when I will not even get a bump.
I try carolina and texas rigs, flukes, rattle traps, cranks, deep, shallow, some finesse.

I think the problem is there is too much food in this lake. There are shad everywhere and the bass just gorge on them.

Two saturday's ago, I pulled a 2.5 lb'er fishing a c. rig VERY slow and was ecstatic. I also caught 3 dinks throwing in the middle of shad when they were gorging.

My largest bass ever was caught in this lake. 8+ lbs on a deep crank. It was a perfect day though. Windy and thick overcast.

Closer to the point.

For about 18 months the level of the lake was dropped around 6' or so for levy repair. During that time new grass formed around the perimeter. Around the beginning of the year, the level came back to normal, and the fish just won't bite like they used to.

I still think there is too much forage.

So, what are some good techniques for this type of situation?

Thanks.

[mgrice1981]

This is besides the point, but I have passed that lake several times and always wondered if it was good fishing. The end close to hwy 98 always looked great to me. You already said you tried, but I would try ripping rattle traps through the grass. I got some Strike King red eye shads the other day and was using them while my buddy was using regular old rattle traps and I put a whoopin on him. There have been several times where I knew lots of people were throwing something particular and weren't doing anything. So I'll go a little different and get on the bite. (Ex: they were throwing a fluke and I went to a Flappin Shad). Also if you haven't gotten into using swimbaits yet I would definately give them a shot. I am hooked on them.

[mgrice1981]

Also something else to try might be a weigtless texas rigged lizard. There was a lake around here that you couldn't catch crap on unless you were throwing a weightless lizard. It is time consuming, but may be worth it.