Thread: Learning lakes vs learning knowledge

To me...learning lakes is learning knowledge. Once you learn one lake real good, it makes it easier to learn other lakes because you know more about what to look for.

If you learn your lake then you can apply those same patterns on a different lake that’s about the same. Learning a different depth lake or drastic water color I’m finding is a bit of a challenge too. To answer your question I’d say pick your go to lake n learn it first.

I am a far cry from a good crappie fisherman but from my limited experience I would say if you only fish a lake once a month you will never learn that lake much less lakes around you. I have been working on basically 2 lakes for 25 years and still learning. When I fished 2 or 3 times a week seems like I could keep up with the fish, when I fished less each time is a hunt and discover trip. I know the depths, I know the currents, I know the brush, yet seems like things change every time I go. So, I just decided to enjoy my time on the lake and catch a few now and then. If you fill your cooler and don't enjoy it you have missed the point That is just my opinion,

Once a month will be tough but not impossible. I would focus on one lake and maybe even one section of the lake and learn best as possible. Trying to do more with only once a month will be very challenging. Also try watching YouTube videos as there are some really good videos that show you and teach you how to get the most out of your time on water, patterns and seasons. There are also some good post here on cdc that can steer you in the right direction as well. As Crappie Happy Pappy said above though just enjoy your time on the lake and catch what you can.

Thanks for the responses. Think I’m going to stick to learning Jordan and Harris. I still get skunked every once in a while but that’s fishing.


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I’ve fished Norman 98% of my life. I fished one of the Yadkin Trail summer wild cat tournies at Tuckertown and plan on fishing more of them this fall, to force myself to have some skin in the game and learn new water, learn to find fish, and keep pushing until the end, rather than have a tough go of it, load the boat back on the trailer and drive the 3miles back to my house from the ramp. Not saying right or wrong but I know the one tourny I fished, I worked until the very end to try to put fish in the boat, whereas a day like that at LKN (which rarely happens), Id have loaded up at 9:30 and came home to do something productive. I like catching, not fishing. I’ve got too much to do to enjoy sitting in less than ideal weather conditions (heat, rain, wind, cold, etc) to sit out there and not catch. One day I’ll maybe cross the bridge to “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work....” but I’d rather be productive at this point in my life than a glorified bobber on the lake doing nothing ��

Fishing tournaments is by far the best way that I have increased my catch rate. During the weigh-ins I used to walk around looking at how different teams set up their boats, what kind of rods, type of jigs and colors--all this adds to more knowledge. Making friends with the other guys and learning how they fish has been important as well. Definitely would not change a thing.

I’ve fished a few tournaments and got a fifth place in my first one but I definitely agree that I learn more during tournaments since there is some skin in the game. Just haven’t fished many the last couple years since I haven’t had the time to prefish.


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