Patoka Lake
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Patoka Lake Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 7'-12'
Structure
Stumps
Forage
Shad
HotbaitJenko CD7 Crankbait - EOL Venus / 2 1/4"
Out of Stock
Shimano SLX Casting Reel - EOL Right / 6.3:1
Out of Stock
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 0-6'
Structure
Stumps
Forage
Shad
My favorite way to fish this bait is burning it in as fast as I can, but I never get bit while the bait is moving. The trick to a good pause is to stop the bait after making contact with structure. For example bring the bait over a log or off a ledge then pause. The idea of this technique is to not waste time working the bait where the fish aren’t and pausing it when it’s in those blatantly obvious ambush point.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Lipless Crankbaits
Structure
Laydowns
Forage
Crawfish
One of my favorite baits in the pre-spawn is a lipless crank bait. I like to fish the bait around wood cover which can be trick at times. I pair this bait with a stouter rod and heavier line for this application. The longer stiffer rod allows me to steer my bait clear of wood. With a stouter rod paired with heavier line you can horse those big bass right out of cover and into your kayak.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Points
Winter fishing can be tough. To increase your chances head towards the main lake basin and focus in on the main lake points. On a sunny winter day bass will move up in the water column and suspend. A jerkbait is a perfect tool get those lethargic bass to bite.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Spinnerbaits
Structure
Laydowns
Find laydowns in the backs of channel arms and throw around them. Bass will ambush their prey as they feed up for fall. Start throwing your bait wide and get tighter if they are not willing to commit to something farther away.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Summer
Technique
Crankbaits 7'-12'
Structure
Rip Rap
Find the parts of shore that have rip rap on them and throw crankbaits at the bottom of it wear the rock meets the natural bottom. Bouncing the crankbait off the rock is key to getting bit.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Wacky Rigs
Structure
Stumps
Look for shallow areas close to deep water. Old tree stumps make a great place for bass to make a protected beds on. Pitch the worm out and let it fall on slack line so it doesn't swing out from the structure. Watch your line for any movement to indicate you have a bite.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Lipless Crankbaits
Structure
Points
Straight retrieve or yoyo across main lake points making sure to switch up your retrieve if you are not getting bites. Hitting gravel and rocks and popping the bait off it seemed to help get strikes.
Crappie
