How To Find Fish On Any Lake! (Beginner to Advanced Maps and Electronics)

Its easy! You can find fish on ANY lake with these simple tricks! Its all about eliminating water quickly and searching for high percentage water. Come along as we look at the fastest way to find fish with a lake map, then take an in-depth look at how to break down a lake with advanced sonar mapping. 

Step one to breaking down any lake is deciding if you want a short term breakdown or an in-depth breakdown. If the goal is short term (day or weekend trip, week long vacation, etc) then the goal is to locate the single spot on the lake that has the highest odds of holding fish and focusing all of your attention in that one area. If your goal is to truly understand a lake (long term, in-depth) we'll divide the lake into sections and begin building repeatable patterns. 

The key to breaking down any lake is quality mapping. Whether you accomplish this with high end electronics, a map card, or a quality paper map, just depends on how much time you want to put in to the project. Below are links to the equipment we use, the most reliable map cards on the market, and the best paper maps of the most popular lakes around the country. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Related Videos... 

Google Earth Video- https://youtu.be/_ZgGGBWbyEs

How To Read Lake Maps Video (Circa 2011): https://youtu.be/Xo5ADb6Tgoc

Fishing Chickamauga in 2019 Video- https://youtu.be/gvBwBkjlwmA

Paper Maps... 

-Fishing Hotspots Maps: https://bit.ly/2FgBWHi

-Fish-N-Maps: https://bit.ly/2QXY5gt

Map Cards... 

-LakeMaster Plus Digital Charts (What we use): http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

-Navionics Hot Maps: http://bit.ly/2ZitTiR

Our Electronics... 

-Humminbird Solix 12 G2: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

-Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Finding Secret Fishing Spots With Google Earth! (Actual Favorite Waypoints Shown!)

There are so many Google Earth Tricks fishermen don't know how to use! With our cross country move we've been spending a ton of time on the computer preparing to explore new lakes. We've found a bunch of new spots using this method and today we're showing you how to do the same. Come along to some of our favorite fisheries and see our best spots as you learn the methods! (If you're a California angler, get ready to write down some coordinates!)

Every angler knows you can jump on google maps and get a good idea of what a lake looks like before you arrive. But few anglers know how to remove distortion from the map, jump between different water levels and times of year, drop waypoints, and export all of it to the electronics on your boat. Its amazing how far technology has come and if you're not progressing, you're falling behind. 

Google Earth is just one of the tools you have available as an angler today. Modern electronics have seen huge advancements as have the mapping cards that we use with those units. Google Earth is a free program that any angler with a computer can use. We combine that program with a few different electronics to maximize our time on the water. Below you'll find links to a few of our favorite items from different brands to help maximize your time on the water. 

Our Electronics and Mapping... 

-Humminbird Solix 15 CHIRP G2 Depth Finder: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Lakemaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Budget Alternatives... 

Humminbird- Helix 7 CHIRP G3 Sonar: http://bit.ly/2SoFl8a

Lowrance- Elite 7 Ti2 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/3aY4m4S

Alternative Mapping... 

Navionics Hot Maps Platinum: http://bit.ly/2ZitTiR

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Pond Fishing For Bass - Best Baits and Techniques

Want to fish a pond? These tips will make it much easier! Ponds can be some of the best bass fishing of your entire life if you know what to look for and which baits to throw. Keep it simple this year and use Tim's proven method to break down the water in steps. Don't get caught throwing just your favorite lure over and over again, its time to take your pond fishing to the next level. 

It doesn't matter if you're bank fishing or in a boat, this method will help you maximize your time on the pond. Start by covering water with fast moving baits or topwater to gauge how many fish there are and if they're in a feeding mood. Next, switch to slower moving reaction baits to pick off the remainder of the aggressive bass. Finally, wrap it up with finesse baits to catch as many fish as possible. 

Not all lures are created equal. Unfortunately there is a lot of junk and hype on the market today. Below you'll find an exhaustive list of baits we have confidence in for both pond and lake fishing. If you're looking to fill a particular category, these are lures we trust. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of every item. 

Creature Baits... 

-Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig: http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

-Zoom Brush Hog: http://bit.ly/2bnpCRx

Texas Rigging... 

Tungsten Worm Weight- Swagger Vader 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Bobber Stop- 6th Sense Peg X: http://bit.ly/2bHjowk

Offset Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Wide Gap 3/0: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

Fast Topwater... 

Buzzbait- D&M Slow Roller Buzz: http://bit.ly/2t7BMKt

Whopper Plopper- Silent Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Toad- Strike King Rage Toad: http://bit.ly/2dekwdd

Toad- Zoom Horny Toad: http://bit.ly/2aY5lBt

Slow Topwater... 

Popper- Rio Rico: http://bit.ly/2f7gink

Popper- Bubble Popper: http://bit.ly/2yxP2ZQ

Frog- Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ

Subsurface Reaction Baits... 

Swimbait- 4.8" Keitech (Sungill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Hook- 1/4 oz Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Swim Jig- California Swim Jig 3/8 oz (Alabama Bream): http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Bladed Jig- Chatterbait Custom 3/8 oz (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2Ix71mI

Bladed Jig- Evergreen JackHammer 3/8 oz (BHite Delight): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Soft Jerkbait- Zoom Super Fluke (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Worms... 

Stick Bait- Big Bite Baits Wacky Stick (Watermelon Red): http://bit.ly/2rrNT6g

Stick bait- Yum Dinger (Green Pumpkin Purple): http://bit.ly/2J8nMrF 

Stick Bait- Yamamoto Senko 5" (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Worm- Netbait T-Mac Worm: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Tim's All-Around Pond Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 40 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 15 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Pond Combo... 

Rod- Denali Attax 7' Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2tDsOa0

Reel- Caius B 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2O3Dvuw

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

How To Catch The Biggest Bass In Your Lake - Full Seminar

Want to catch bigger fish? Want to catch the BIGGEST fish?! Targeting big bass requires a different mind set and a special set of skills. You need to set new goals, approach the water, weather, and environmental conditions differently. It might even require a bait or two you're not familiar with. But when you set the hook on the biggest bass you've ever seen, its instantly worth it! Dive in to today's full-length seminar and learn everything you'll need to know to catch the biggest bass in your lake. 

Tim does an extraordinary job of teaching what you'll need to know to be successful. Catching bigger bass starts with a shift in your mindset. You're no longer on the water trying to catch fish, you're there to catch ONE fish. None of the other bass in the lake matter as much as the single fish you're pursuing so stay focused. Fish when the weather and environment are working in your favor, and success will follow. 

While giant swimbaits are a huge part of consistently targeting BIG bass but there are other baits that will also catch these fish. Knowing how to "trigger" a feed response is critical. Baits like jerkbaits, crankbaits, and Alabama Rigs all play a key role in this method. Its also important to understand when conditions simply aren't conducive to big bait fishing and you're better off with a finesse approach. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Tim recommends  as you pursue the biggest bass in the lake. 

Swimbaits... 

-Baitsanity Explorer Gen 2: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

(Rainbow Trout, Shad, Kokanee)

-R2S S Waver 200/168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Light Trout, Rainbow Trout, Bluegill)

-Osprey Inline Heavy 12” Light Hitch: http://bit.ly/2laKeWD

(Light Hitch)

-Savage Gear 4D Pulse Tail 8” and 10”: http://bit.ly/399bx97

(Rainbow, Ghost Rainbow, Hitch)

-6" Osprey Tournament Talon: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

(Light Rainbow, Reverse Hitch, Chartreuse Shad)

-Little Creeper 6" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2xRdCFP

(Natural Hitch, Chartreuse Shad, Hologram Shad)

Traditional Baits... 

-R2S Tactical DD Crankbait 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(Natural Gill, Mirrored Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw, Ghost Minnow)

-Hog Farmer BFL HitchHiker A-Rig: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

-Megabass Vision 110 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

(Deadly Black, Mat Pro Blue, GP Pro Blue)

Finesse Baits... 

Neko Worm - Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

(Baby Bass, Natural Shad, Green Pumpkin Green and Copper Flake)

Dropshot Worm- Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

(Green Pumpkin Org Blk Purp Prl Bl, Green Pumpkin Purple Flake)

Big Bass Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

Split Rings- Owner ULTRA 5 and 6: http://bit.ly/3bQgswL

Hooks- Owner ST-56 3X Trebles: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Favorite Rod/Reel Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 35 lb Sunline FC-100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Alternative Rods... 

High End: Destroyer 7'11" Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Budget: Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G