"Where are the what...? Where are the bass!" How many of the anglers (tournament and recreational) go to a body of water you've never fished before, drop the boat in the water, then, ask this question to yourself? This is probably one of the biggest topics in bass fishing that an angler should learn more about.
Here you will be getting information on how to locate areas best for bass fishing. Locating bass and understanding the water would be the number one question among bass anglers today. The next most asked question would be is which baits they should use to catch a "big" bass.
Now when you think about it, there are really only two (2) main topics that go hand-in-hand when it comes to bass fishing. If you understood more about these two, you would definitely become a much better angler, and they are:
1. Knowing how to locate bass.
2. Knowing how to catch bass using all the different techniques, presentations, and baits.
Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of a challenge to most anglers because there are so many different factors that need to be determined such as:
1. Knowing how to read a map - this is the fundamental skill that you should try to learn because through a map it is easier for you to take on the appropriate location good for bass fishing.
2. Knowing the most practical places to look for Active Bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods - weather condition must be especially considered as well.
3. Understanding water depth- this is an important element because the depth or the hollowness of the water will serve as a factor for you to know if it is a good location.
4. Water clarity- it could be easier for you to now have your bass fishing if you are well-oriented about the water clarity of your location.
5. Water temperatures
6. Seasonal patterns- this is in relation with the trend whether bass fishing is seasonal or not.
7. Locating structure areas
8. Finding vegetation areas
But there is more! Being a consistent bass angler is so much more than just getting in your boat, hitting the water, and casting your baits. That's why bass tournaments are so competitive and exciting, because the more you learn about locating bass the quicker you can start catching them right? And hey, isn't that half the battle?
Let's start by looking at a lake map. There are two general types of lake maps that most anglers will use which are referred to as the; "Hot Spot" and "Topographical" maps. The differences between the two is that a "Topo" map shows more detail, and the "Hot Spots" map shows more fishing spots (well, at least they're supposed to).
The secret (or key) in learning how to use a lake map would be to sector the map. What I mean by this is that I will take the map and study it for a moment (looking for areas where the fish would most likely be.) Next, I will (using a highlighter) divide the map in sections based on how much time I have to pre-fish for a tournament or how many days I have to just fish the body of water for fun.
The size of the sections will vary depending on contours, structure, and how many places I may want to check out during the course of the day based on what the map shows me. I am certainly not one to just cast bait into the water and work it for five minutes and leave; I will try an assortment of baits if I see signs of fish in any given area to try to establish a working pattern.
Here are some key elements that you can usually look for when it comes to locating bass on any given body of water:
1. Vegetation areas
2. Irregular contours
3. Shallow water close to deep water areas
4. Points and point drops
5. Various types of structure
Location...location...location! How many times have you heard that in real estate? It is said that 80% of the fish are caught in 20% of the water. Where to fish is as important as where to build a house. One common theme to the diet of largemouth bass is that they take advantage of edges to capture their prey.
There is also a rule that bass and all living predators use. The energy used to catch food cannot be greater than the energy the food caught provides. If the energy used to catch food is greater than that the food provides, the predator will eventually die. Edges come in many forms and nearly all will attract and hold bass at one time or another.
Weed edges: Many forms of aquatic vegetation offer prime bass habitat. Whether you are fishing the edges of lily pads, pondweed or milfoil, always look for the "spot on the spot". The outer edges always seem to hold fish, but look for inside turns, breaks or weed points. Many times the inside weed edge is often overlooked and can be very productive especially in the morning and evening. The weed edges act as a place refuge as well as a place of ambush for bass. Eat and look out so you're not eaten.
Current edges: Smallmouth bass will seek areas in rivers that serve as a ambush point but also a resting point to expend as little energy as possible. Large boulders and turns in the river are prime places to look for active smallmouth bass. Current is also found in lakes. Many large lakes can have current on windy days in the neck areas in channels or in between islands. The current often times will push in baitfish for an easy meal. There are times that the bass can be stacked in these areas on windy days
Structural edges: Bass will often establish a" pecking order" on the prime structures. The prime structure edges include fallen trees and logs, docks, bridges, marinas etc.
Shade edges: Shade is one of the most overlooked edges of all. Docks, although a structure also provides a shady area away from the sun. Trees can also produce a shade edge. Early morning and evening can provide some of the best bass fishing in the day. One reason is the shade edge that is created by low sun angles behind trees and the horizon. Just think how at night when you have the lights on in your house, it is harder to see out in the dark, but it is very easy to see from a dark outside to a lighted home. These edges give the bass a very dramatic advantage over their prey.
If you can ever combine different types of edges into one area than you have your "A" spot for fishing. Seeking these structural edges will provide you with an advantage on having greater success on your next bass fishing trip.
Both Jack Mitchell & Stephen Long are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.