Hello everyone,
So within this year I’ve got very in to Bass fishing, I generally fish one lake which is closest (Lake Wylie). I know this Lake is tough but I think it makes things challenging so I am ok with it.
So I primarily fish jigs finesse swim skipping etc. I fish around docks, skipping under docks and I can say on every outing I have caught atleast 1 bass mainly between 1 and 4. I am very comfortable with a jig. I can say the same thing about a worm because they are fished similar. Now my confusion is understanding how these bass operate within the lake. Water temps at the moment and within the last month 66 to 58 degrees and and all I have practiced is fishing docks and laydowns. I have thrown a few jerk baits on points also, throwing to the shallow and reeling in with some success. My understanding is that during the summer bass are deep. Now when they say deep so they mean 20’ 30’ ? This lake has spots up to 40+ and so they mean deep structure? Underwater points and timber?
Now during the fall I’ve read Bass typically move from there deep habitats and tend to hang around more shallow areas. But what kind of areas? Just over the weekend on my outing I found a nice area of laydowns and I was probably throwing within a 50 yard area between 2’ and 3’ deep and caught 3. 1 spot and 2 large mouth. That was through out the day me starting there and returning in the evening. All caught in the same place. So why were these bass there? Is it that time for them to be that shallow? Or do bass stay around laydowns year around even if it’s shallow?
Another thing I noticed is a couple people have caught very large Bass in very deep water at this time of year. Atleast 3 to 7 lbs which is a good size for the lake. Most of mine are around 1 to 2 lbs with my lake PB at 3.4 on a jig. So why are these bigger bass so deep for at this time of year if it’s time for them to move up. I do notice bait balls on radar, deep large bait balls everywhere really. I never really know what to think of them if I should be fishing them or not. I do not have live scope only down scan and 2D sonar. I am really trying to get out of my comfort zone and start fishing my Deep Dives by Rapala. I just don’t know where to throw them. I feel like I’ve mastered the jig or atleast very comfortable with it. But I am far from understanding the bass them selves.
So to brake down my questions. Where should I focus on fishing.
Why am I catching bass around docks and laydowns. And can I be catching more bass if I moved away from those things.
At this time of year what are the bass moving torward and are they still deep with temps around 58-66.
Id like to go out there and feel like I know what I’m doing instead of just fishing the obvious docks and laydowns and points.
so if anyone could help a new angler out would be awesome give me some guidance and understanding. Thanks in advance.
