One
of the biggest obstacles an angler can face is finding, and then catching,
fish in Big Lakes or Reservoirs where the water levels fluctuate dramatically,
such as in Spruce Run, in New Jersey, in the recent past. Many lakes
or Reservoirs, can rise or fall as much as 10 feet. This happened to
us at a tournament in Bull Schoals, MO, a few years ago.
There are many factors that cause these fluctuations.
Bodies of water that are dammed by hydroelectric plants, have upsurges
of power in the extremely hot or cold periods of weather, that cause
them to run more turbines and the level of the water drops. Sometimes
it is a drought, and even the smaller bodies of water here in the Northeast
get drastically low at times. On some lakes, in the East, they lower
the water levels for irrigation, to build new launching ramps, to try
to control weed growth, and to keep the ice from cracking their docks
in the winter. Changing water levels can put even the best angler to
the test.
Some other reasons they lower the water levels are
due to an effort to try to restore the sportfishing to some lakes or
Reservoirs that have suffered a decline, due to poor water quality. This
happens a lot when the bottom of the lake, which is usually rock or mud,
accumulate to the point of oversaturation along the shoreline, and the
vegetation gets too dense. This can be from excess phosphorus, nitrogen,
and other things from chemical sewage treatment plants. These drawdowns
kills off the excess vegetation. I fished lakes in Florida, Missouri,
and right here in Delaware, such as Diamond in Milford, and Hearns in
Seaford. Becks Pond also is drawn sometimes, along with other Delaware,
New Jersey, and Maryland waters.
"What To Do"
If
the drawdown happens quickly, the bass, and the minnows they feed on,
will head to deeper water. Look for the deepwater points, any offshore
humps, creekbeds, stump fields, submerged islands, and docks the go out
into deeper water.
Since small baitfish and Crawfish are the main diet
of bass almost anywhere, the lure and color choices you make should reflect
that. Whether it's lipped or lipless crankbaits, blade baits, crankbaits,
jigs, flukes, or Jerkbaits, they should match the forage in the lake
or Reservoir. I like to use G. Loomis rods, and Shimano reels, in spinning,
and baitcasting models, in 6 1/2 to 7 foot lengths, with 10-14 pound
line.
"Develop A Pattern"
The
bass are going to be on the move in these low water periods, so you have
to be versatile. Vary your retrieves, working the edges of points and
humps from shallow to deep. If the banks are gravely, or sloping type
banks, then we generally use a jig, and other crawfish type baits. I
like to cast to the banks, and stairstep the lure down. This has worked
well for me in many New Jersey, and Missouri Reservoirs and Lakes. Keep
your eyes open for old duckblinds,and docks that border deep water. They
will block the sunlight, and provide good ambush points. After a big
drawdown, we take our cameras to the lake and take plenty of pictures.
This can really help later, and teach you what certain features look
like on the fish locator, since you will have seen it first hand. During
the drawdown at Diamond and in Red Mill Pond, we took plenty of photos
to compare later.
We found offshore humps in many places, which were
a bonanza at many times after the water was raised. Drop shot rigs,
with a spider grub, Senko, or small worm, worked on the drop-offs in
these areas in productive also. Keep your eyes open for any moving
water by points when a fast drawdown occurs. Cast downcurrent and work
the deeper running crankbaits from top to bottom. I like to use a Carolina
rigged bait during these times, in these areas also. Marking the humps,
points, and other visible structures on a GPS is a great idea. Combined
with first hand knowledge, photos, a map, and GPS points, you can win
a tournament or just increase your weekend fun.
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Steve vonBrandt
Delaware
Bass Fishing
