Tom, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I've been in Saskatchewan all week (without internet access).
Mid lake reefs are very visible when you paddle over them or even from a distance. Look for a brownish color to the water. Look for waves that are just a bit taller than in other parts of the lake, or any difference in water movement patterns.
As you say, the best way to find mid-lake reefs is to follow a point out from the shore. Usually the reef will re-surface after it extends out a bit - humpbacked characteristics. You can also tell a lot about bottom characteristics by feeling your bottom bait - grub or Texas rig of some kind. Drift with the wind or water with your bait on the bottom - when you snag, there's probably a bit of reef. Use a rock as an anchor to do the same thing, but be careful with this trick if there's significant wind (especially in a Kevlar boat). If the rock snags, you're going to get wet and lose a fair amount of gear.
Fish the shady side first, then the sunny side. Depending on hunger and/or water temp (sunny side this time of year, I'd suspect), fish will choose one or the other. Top of the reef is usually the domain of little fish - fun as a starter. Bigger fish are usually deeper. Or, in our case this year, someplace else. We did not have good fishing in Other Man, nor did most of those we met on our travels.
Any salted plastic bait works best for us. We like the lizards 'cause the arms and tails resemble schools of mni-minnows. Usually great for bass of any size. Pike and Walleye will take them too. Plus, liszards are usually good for more than ten strikes or so b4 you have to discard them.
Salted grubs are my second favorite (I don't use anything that isn't salted - maybe that was our problem this year: they didn't want salt or they've seen that sort of thing b4).
You'll enjoy the scenary going in from cache bay. There's a little lake just up from Fran that's gorgeous in the early morning.

Posted by Skip Guyer on September 17, 1999 at 18:29