Last week my Cabalas, hard back, 1416 page massive catalog came to my doorstep.  Like any angler, I went directly to check out all the new lures.  Over 50 pages of plastic and hard baits were listed and pictured.  Every bait company admirably represented of course.  No doubt, any Bassmaster could without any problem, catch every bass in Lake SWEPCO if armed with any of these lures.  Each lure description informs me of its fish catching capability. YUM- Start the Feeding Frenzy, Berkley Powerbaits-Fish Bite and won’t let go, or Bomber-Each lure with realistic features molded into the plastic. Here’s a secret, so do not tell anyone.  Fishing is easy. Catching fish, simple!  Locating fish takes skill which only a limited number of anglers have.  Take a look at which professional anglers win tournaments or finish in the prize money, week in and week out.  Notice usually the same professional angler’s colleting the cash.

So how do these anglers locate fish on unfamiliar reservoirs?  By study their maps. Anglers interested in catching more or better quality fish can begin with studying lake maps for pertinent information.  Another source of information on map study, Robert Knops book Catch Fish with Maps by Fishing Hot Spots. The books’ topics range from planning a fishing trip, finding fish on a map, locating fish by types of water, navigation on the water and other indispensable information relating to using lake maps.  Any angler interested in improving their map reading skills will find this book beneficial.  Now you can test your new map reading skills out on the new Fishing Hot Spots Beaver Lake Map just released.  It has been revised for 2007, and includes comprehensive lake data, detailed tips and techniques, enhanced lake visualizations with shaded contours, GPS points of interest, durable, waterproof, and made with tear proof material.  Anglers who have never fished Beaver Lake before will find the marked fishing points valuable with over 110 spots marked.  Every point thoroughly researched by Fishing Hot Spots with assistance from local experts.  See http://www.fishinghotspots.com/ for more information on lake maps available for your area. 
 
Anglers can only benefit by taking time now to study the subsurface features of a lake, they will be tournament fishing on or fishing for fun.  In the end, lures may catch fish, but first you have to locate them.  Lake maps have proven an indispensable tool for finding those fish.