Likes Likes:  0
Thanks Thanks:  0
HaHa HaHa:  0
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Finding Brushpiles

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    650
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Finding Brushpiles


    What's the best way to find brushpiles without a sidescan sonar? I'm on Lake wylie and it's a bunch of water to try to zig zag around to find em.

    Is there a public map or is that info available? I even tried to find the fish attractor that's on teh wylie map...found the spot but not the attracter..

    thanks in advance... going out saturday afternoon hopefully (chores in the morning).
    Jer
    "Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits." - Thomas Jefferson

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    .
    Posts
    1,213
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pomoxis View Post
    What's the best way to find brushpiles without a sidescan sonar? I'm on Lake wylie and it's a bunch of water to try to zig zag around to find em.

    Is there a public map or is that info available? I even tried to find the fish attractor that's on teh wylie map...found the spot but not the attracter..

    thanks in advance... going out saturday afternoon hopefully (chores in the morning).
    Jer
    I use a HB FF

    I work a logical search grid....
    -----------C---->---------------V

    V----------C----<-----B----------

    -----S------C---->--------------V

    V-------L-----C--<---------------


    ----> / <----- Dircetion of movement
    V= Shift down to lnext seach lane.
    C= Creek/channel
    B= Brush
    S= Stumps
    L= Log

    Set a waypoint at each structure and and then I can go back post grid and check them out in more detail.
    Last edited by Chasing Ghosts; 10-07-2009 at 11:29 AM.
    _____________________________________

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Gloucester, VA
    Posts
    6,080
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Here is my suggestion on what you need to do:

    If you have a GPS device that will read Navionics maps, get the Navionics HotMaps Premium card for your unit. Ask around to get a general idea of areas where they consistently catch crappie to narrow your search area. Then, go to the areas that are likely to have fish and use the map to follow the contour lines around 20 feet deep. You should find cover that will hold fish. Look really good around points and humps. It is amazing how often you will find sunken cover in these areas.

    This is how I found cover at Kerr for years. I found about 100 places over that period. Then I bought a side imaging unit and was able to find 200 more places in a couple of days of hunting.

    A paper map will also work to point you to the right areas and depths to search but it is more time comsuming to do it this way.
    Keith
    2008 NWR Bash Crappie Champion
    2010 NWR Bash Yellow Perch Champion
    2010 Buggs Bash Smallest Crappie Award

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Pell City
    Posts
    47
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    You should be able to purchase a map with structure icons along with culverts and cemetaries, old foundations and such at your local Walmart. Maybe check with your local bait shop for maps of the lake you plan on fishing.I have been building my own structure and going back to fish it, Good Luck

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Greers Ferry, Arkansas, United States
    Posts
    9,037
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Place some of your own in there and mark them with your gps.

    WALLY MARSHALL PRO STAFF
    CATCHIN' CRAPPIE GUIDE SERVICE
    CREEKS ROD TRANSPORT RACK
    870-307-2572

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Boiling Springs N.C.
    Posts
    4,893
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Spend a LOT OF TIME on the water,looking for brush, not fishing, That's what I did.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Lake Norman, North Carolina
    Posts
    2,258
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Countryboy N.C. View Post
    Spend a LOT OF TIME on the water,looking for brush, not fishing, That's what I did.
    Lord knows it pays off for ya too:D

  8. #8
    chaunc's Avatar
    chaunc is offline 2014 Crappie.com Man of the Year * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Sharon, Pa.
    Posts
    9,494
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Try drift fishing too

    Put a line down a foot above bottom and another up high and drift an area with the wind. On the deep rod, loosen up your drag, so if you get a hit, it will make it click or noise. If you get a snag a foot above bottom, it's usually a stump or brushpile. Dont break the line. Troll or motor back above the snag and take a look at whats down there. Drop a marker and fish it or come back later and fish it. This technique worked very well for me when i first started fishing Ky lake back in the 80's when i didn't have the type of electronics we have today. Still works. If you dont have all the do-dad electronics, this is the method to use. Fish and hunt at the same time.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    East Peoria IL.
    Posts
    4,898
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have the same delima.

    Althoug my lake doesnt have any topographical maps. The map I have is basically an outline of the shore with very little information. Couple of spots have depths. listed and the ramp is marked. That' it. No contour lines, no strucutre, or anything. Its an old strip mine filled with water. Max depth is about 65 feet with sheer vertical drop offs.

    The fisrt time out on the lake I fired up the outboard, and turned on my sonar unit. I did a couple of passes around the lake. If I found a structure I stopped and checked it out. I paid close attention to where others were fishing and when htey left I went and checked them out. I tried Google and a few other web sources. No more detail than the map I had.

    Now I fish a little, cruise around a little and search. I have sheared my prop pin numerous times. Been in weeds so thick they killed the motor, and jammed up my trolling motor. It was a chore to get through with my paddle.

    It all comes down to the same thing, spending time on the water. Oc coarse my wife thinks I dont know how to fish, and in some regards she is correct. Finding the fish is part of fishing. If we could catch fish every time we dropped a line in the water it would be called a sport.
    HOI Crappie Club
    Where family and friends come to compete for a little more than bragging rights.

    Quick, someone teach me how to fish so I can win this tournament!!!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP