Forums59
Topics1,039,371
Posts13,963,498
Members144,202
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
#4563372
03/04/10 04:29 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
manny_G_77
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687 |
I've often heard that when the lake is releasing water the bass are not as active. Anyone know why? And how can you entice them to bite, in this scenario?
Last edited by manny_G_77; 03/04/10 04:31 PM.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: manny_G_77]
#4563437
03/04/10 04:46 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 38,822
KingwoodCat
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 38,822 |
Actually the opposite is normally true. When the Dam is releasing water, there is a current created. With the current, Bass normally set up on the down stream side of structure and just wait for their prey to swim by. Most pros use the release schedule as one of their tools regarding where to fish...
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him had better take a look at the American Indian".
Henry Ford
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: KingwoodCat]
#4563469
03/04/10 04:54 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 506
HooksetBrother - Adam
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 506 |
A normal release I believe would set you up for great conditions, but when they have the flood gates wide open like they have going at Lake Belton than I believe it may affect them differently. Most anglers I have talked to in the past week have said the water level dropped drastically and believe the fish are affected. It is about spawn time at Lake Belton and with Water dropping hard for them to nest!
Hookset Brothers Combat Recovery non profit organization Empowering Veterans with combat related PTSD by providing them Hunting and Fishing recovery trips
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: KingwoodCat]
#4563501
03/04/10 05:02 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
manny_G_77
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687 |
Actually the opposite is normally true. When the Dam is releasing water, there is a current created. With the current, Bass normally set up on the down stream side of structure and just wait for their prey to swim by. Most pros use the release schedule as one of their tools regarding where to fish... Are you speaking of the lake or the low side of the dam?
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: HooksetBrother - Adam]
#4563521
03/04/10 05:08 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
manny_G_77
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687 |
A normal release I believe would set you up for great conditions, but when they have the flood gates wide open like they have going at Lake Belton than I believe it may affect them differently. Most anglers I have talked to in the past week have said the water level dropped drastically and believe the fish are affected. It is about spawn time at Lake Belton and with Water dropping hard for them to nest! I frequent Lavon and the past two outings I have zero'd out(during dam releases). I normally can at least get one nibble but nothing. I was wondering if the high volume of release was affecting the bass ambush abilities since it's hard to adjust to the changing levels. These drastic releases are not normal for Lavon and am questioning whether the bass are confused and can't settle down on the changing structure. Thanks for the info guys.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: manny_G_77]
#4563529
03/04/10 05:10 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,643
WaterLogged
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,643 |
Current is created in the high side too, just as letting the water from the bathtub. The current is usually a good thing, but the falling water will reposition the fish, most likely deeper, so you will have to look for them again
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: WaterLogged]
#4563549
03/04/10 05:14 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,106
Rudy Lackey
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,106 |
They move away from the bank, still feeding.
Rudy
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: WaterLogged]
#4563552
03/04/10 05:15 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
manny_G_77
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687 |
Current is created in the high side too, just as letting the water from the bathtub. The current is usually a good thing, but the falling water will reposition the fish, most likely deeper, so you will have to look for them again Gotcha. Makes total sense. Now to find deep structure on Lavon. That explains why I might not be getting bites, I haven't mastered "offshore" fishing.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: manny_G_77]
#4563608
03/04/10 05:29 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,546
TIM CLINE
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,546 |
The Dam releases affects us more than the fish. The fish react to their in enviroment. Tyipcally in a river system like in Tenn. current is daily and the ledges on the lakes are fairly shallow and helps the fish group together. The problem with the Lakes here in North Texas the river ledges are either non-existant or they are in deep water. Therefore the fish are harder to find. The main thing to keep in mind is if the water level is changing chances are the fish are moving with it to stay in that comfort zone. Lavon right now is probably muddy and cold. I would get away from the main lake mud this time of year the backs of your creeks and coves and the corners on bridges and rip rap will clear the fastest and warm the fastest. So on a day like today look for these areas that are close to or in spawning area. The fish will move to these locations regaurdless of water temp based on the photo period or length of day. These fish may not be in the mood to feed but I am sure they are ready after the past couple of days. IF water is extremely muddy go shallow after a day of sun go even shallower muddy water warms faster and will hold its heat better than clear water. I am not syaing you will light the place up but you should be able to find a few fish. Find the deepest water close to a bank or weed line and fish that cover. Say for example on a day like to day if you have a clump of gator weed hagning in 1 foot of water and it is right next to a 2 to 3 foot depression or channel chances are a fish is taking up residence. When water is changing levels the fish are moving in our lakes when they are running water that means either the lake is filling realy fast and rising and they need to catch up or they are lowering the level in the river system lakes again like in Tenn. and many you see on on TV shows the water level stays the same because it is coming and going at the same rate so it not quite the same as here when our gates are open. Remember this old saying "if you believe the fish is there he will be if you don't then why the hell are you fishing there."
Last edited by TIM CLINE; 03/04/10 07:03 PM.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: TIM CLINE]
#4563755
03/04/10 05:54 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,366
BNKrust
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,366 |
Great info, Tim. Thanks. Happen to be fishing a tourney on Belton this weekend and this will come into play pretty heavily.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: TIM CLINE]
#4563765
03/04/10 05:56 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
manny_G_77
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687 |
Excellent suggestions Tim. I can't wait to try them out. The back of the creeks were exactly as you described on Sunday, there was a 4 degree difference from the main lake. I beat that cove with not one bite. I now think they were in the same area and I was passing them up without a second or third cast. I know where the fish are I just now have to be patient and that's hard for me to do this early in the season. Thanks again for the suggestions ya'll.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: manny_G_77]
#4564016
03/04/10 07:11 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,643
WaterLogged
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,643 |
They may not be deep, but with waterline retreating it should push them off. Instead of looking deep, use your electronics and stay shallower, but stay close to deeper water access, maybe on tops of ditches or ledges. Its a tough call, this time of year they should be going shallow, but with water leaving it should push them off. They may still be shallow, but with quick access or close access to deeper water.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: WaterLogged]
#4564096
03/04/10 07:38 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
manny_G_77
OP
Pro Angler
|
OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687 |
They may not be deep, but with waterline retreating it should push them off. Instead of looking deep, use your electronics and stay shallower, but stay close to deeper water access, maybe on tops of ditches or ledges. Its a tough call, this time of year they should be going shallow, but with water leaving it should push them off. They may still be shallow, but with quick access or close access to deeper water. [s][/s] the water is right at about 1 foot over. at the rate that they have been releasing it should be shut off by Sunday. Once this happens I hope they are comfortable enough to feed in the shallows. I know of a place similar to what you describe as quick access to deep. Thanks everyone.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: manny_G_77]
#4564222
03/04/10 08:04 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,406
bassfishinglawyer
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,406 |
Manny - normally the current created by the water release sets bass up at ambush points and gets them active. However, you mentioned Lavon. Throw out anything you have heard about other lakes when fishing Lavon, especially when water is being released. The Lavon veterans will tell you that you'd better be lucky than good any time water is being released out there. So don't get discouraged. Plus, it is a tough pre-spawn lake.
|
|
Re: how does releasing water in dam lakes affect the bass?
[Re: WaterLogged]
#4564237
03/04/10 08:09 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,870
COHLMEYER
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,870 |
They may not be deep, but with waterline retreating it should push them off. Instead of looking deep, use your electronics and stay shallower, but stay close to deeper water access, maybe on tops of ditches or ledges. Its a tough call, this time of year they should be going shallow, but with water leaving it should push them off. They may still be shallow, but with quick access or close access to deeper water. +2
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|