Chain Lakes Blue or Black?

Hey CaveBay...First off...thanks for the question.

I am going to give you some ideas for Black and Blue Lake as you requested.  Keep in mind that there are 12 lakes in the "Chain", ranging from Thompson to Rose.

The bass are moving up into the shallows again, chasing the shad and other baitfish into the bays.  Both Blue Lake and Black Lake are excellent bass fishing lakes this time of year.  Luckily, the bass are pretty easy to find and catch.  Head down to your local fishing shop, and pick up a pack of Yamamoto Senkos 5", or Strike King Sinking Worms in Green Pumpkin with black fleck color (About $5).  If you can't find any in that color, then Cinnamon or Pumpkinseed will do.  Also, purchase a pack of Gamakatzu hooks.  Get the pack that says...1/0 worm hooks with offset shank (About $2.50).

Also, purchase a pack of twin tail grubs  in Green Pumpkin Color that are 4-5" in size (About $4). Yamamoto, Mr. Twister, and many other companies make them. At the same time, pick up a back of 1/8 oz jigs (About $2).  The workers at your local fishing store, or sporting goods store will be able to help you find these.

That is all the gear you will need for a great bass fishing day with your dad.  Now...on to how to use them.  In the morning, or evening, until the sun starts to raise up a ways into the sky, you will be fishing close to the bank.  Your depth should be about 8-10 feet deep.  Start with the Senkos, or Sinking worms, and rig them "Wacky Style" on to your worm hook.  Simply hook the worm right through the middle, and let both sides hang off your hook.  Cast out towards the bank, and let the worm sink on it's own.  Make sure to let enough line out to let the worm sink.  Once it has been sinking a while, slowly reel the line in just enough until it is straight and tight.  Often you will have a bass on at this point, as they love to hit them on the way down.  If you don't, twitch the end of your fishing rod just a bit.  The worm will jiggle in the water, which often draws a strike.  Do that 2-3 times, pausing in the middle.  If you don't feel a bass then, reel it in and re-cast.  Make sure you hit back corners of docks, and under trees.

Once the sun comes up, and the water begins to heat up (Around 10:30am), switch to your Twin Tail Grubs with the 1/8 oz jig.  Move your boat out to 15-20 feet of water along the bank, and cast in the deeper water.  Let the Grub fall all the way to the bottom.  Bass will often hit it on the way down.  Once it hits the bottom, let it sit there for a few seconds.  Slowly reel the line in until it is tight, and lift your fishing rod up.  This will bounce that grub off the bottom, and make the twin tails stand up.  It looks like a crawfish to the bass.  They will generally hit it then.  Hold on, because I have caught a ton of lunkers this way.

Finally, when the sun drops back down, head back up into the shallows, and fish right up on the bank with the Senkos again.  You will catch a ton of bass.

Now, stick to the bays and points on Blue andBlack Lakes.  The east side on both of the lakes are excellent bass fishing.  Use those Senkos early, and Grubs when the sun is high.  Let me know if you decide to fish for a different species, and we will give you some more tips.  If you decide to choose a different lake, let us know, and we will advise where to fish.

There have been some livestock and domestic animals that have died from drinking out of Black Lake, so make sure you don't take any fish home from this lake.  There is a bloom that takes place in spring that sprouts up and makes the water toxic.  Good luck, and I hope you have an excellent day with your dad on the lake.

Charles