I do alright for a beginner now that I know how to use my
electronics in conjunction with a good lake map. This weekend
I was thinking about hitting up Lake Leon as soon as I can find
out if they have enough water for the ramps to be open.

I can't find a map for Lake Leon, I know it's a smaller lake.

Anyone have any tips for locating structure in deeper water
without a lake map to point out the humps and road beds?

I know I can go hit all the points, play in the stickups, hide
in the grass, and drop-shot the dam.. I'm just wondering how
to find the deeper water stuff without a map to go by.

Only thing I can think of is just cruising around at about
15 to 20 looking at my finder and then attempting to mark what
I find on whatever map I can printout online. (no gps yet).

Thats about it unless you troll crank baits like Buck Perry did before flashers were invented and that was before the units we currently have.

just drive around until you see a boat catching fish in the middle of the lake. I bet they are gonna be on deep structure. lmao.

I don't like crowding people. heh Guess I could mark it on my map and come back
a bit later. Viva la christmas time and GPS! *grin*

lol

You don't want to cruise Lake Leon at 15 to 20 mph trying to graph sructure. Your lower unit will probably find a stump.

Observe the surrounding dry land. What you see above water all leads to the lake. Never been to Leon or seen it.

Is there visible timber above water? I always target large trees, they are a sign most of the time of channels close by.

Notice creek bottoms, larger trees are always near deep channels edges.

Bridges normally means a deep channel runs under it.

Always stop at a local bait shop and pick up something, they usually have some type of map on the wall, and maybe able to give you a friendly pointer.

Good luck finding a map of Lake Leon I have looked for like 3 yrs and never been able to find one of any real value. I heard the west texas platinum chip has it on there but that chip is like 200 bucks.

Lake Leon TOPO MAP

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lon=-95.7556&lat=31.4961


Like others have said the land above the water is your first clue to structure below.. any creek will have one or more points at the mouth and up in the Creek the bends will have a deep and shallow side lined with timber as well as secondary points.

If you see a Draw with two or more Stock tanks/ Ponds up in a pasture chances are there is a third in the lake that was used for soil errosion control before the lake was impounded.

Most bridges and dams have a temporary work road or turn arounds used to move dirt and materials that becomes a hump when the lake is filled.

Roads leading into the water are and obvious clue.. look for open areas in the trees on the bank that indicate roads or Pipelines.

Bazz

Right on, right on. Sounds like even just a plain map wouldn't be
a bad place to start being able to see what creeks and such run
into it as well as the lay of the land around it if I match it up
to a satellite view.

Thanks again yall.

Texas Map Store....

http://www.texasmapstore.com/pindex.asp?Page=5

That topo link isn't lake leon. Lake leon I believe is in Eastland county.

just keep snagging till you learn the bottom.. :-)

The Top Map can be used anywhere in Texas/ USA but you have to subscribe to Zoom in.

Here's another one of those area lakes..

http://www.texasmapstore.com/Lakes_Cisco_Clyde_Coleman_Leon_Texas_fishing_map_p/lake918.htm

Bazz

Lake Leon is a neat little lake. Try looking at google maps just to give you an idea of the lake. The north/west end of the lake near the bridge (chock-a-block) is covered in timber. The lake is low right now so it will slow and steady getting through that area. The ramps at the dam and at LaMancha lake ranch should be open. Good luck.