Wired2Fish’s own Nick Dumke and Will Stanley explore the challenges and rewards of fishing a new lake for the first time. Dumke and Stanley discuss the importance of using any resource available to learn about a new lake, such as satellite imaging, mapping, and more. They identify shallow water structure before heading out on the water, and proceed to focus on bank fishing techniques like the bladed jig and the frog, encompassing an effective two-person approach.
FEATURED PRODUCT (retail links)
- BLADED JIG – Berkley PowerBait SlobberKnocker: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- FROG – Snag Proof Bobby’s Perfect Frog, color – Hot Mess: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- ROD – Cashion ICON Series, 7’0″ Medium-Heavy Casting Rod: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- ROD – Cashion ICON Series, 7’4″ Heavy Frog Casting Rod: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- REEL – Daiwa Tatula 150 Casting Reel: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE – Seaguar Smackdown Braided Line, 30-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
BOAT SETUP & MISC.
- BOAT – 2021 Skeeter FXR21 Bass Boat: Check out at Skeeter
- MOTOR – Yamaha V Max SHO, 250hp: Check out at Yamaha
- CONSOLE GRAPH – Humminbird HELIX 15 MEGA SI+ G4N: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- BOW GRAPH – Humminbird HELIX 10 MEGA SI+ G4N: Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G4N Fish Finder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- MAPPING – Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card (Great Lakes): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Humminbird
- LIVE SONAR – Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST, 52-inch 36v (115 lb) / 24v (90 lb), MEGA Down/Side Imaging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
LOCATING FISH IN A NEW LAKE
When it comes to fishing an unfamiliar lake, Dumke and Stanley emphasize the importance of preparation. Before hitting the water, they took time to study LakeMaster maps and Google Earth imagery, identifying key areas to target. This pre-trip research revealed that much of the lake’s structure is concentrated near the bank, with shallow waters and submerged vegetation being the primary fish-holding spots.
TWO-MAN APPROACH: BLADED JIGS AND FROGS
On the water, Dumke and Stanley employ a two-person approach to cover water efficiently. Dumke works the outer edge of submerged grass with a bladed jig. Meanwhile, Stanley targets bass in the shallow pads with a frog lure. This combination proves to be a winning strategy, as both anglers consistently hook into solid bass throughout the day.
