Deep Water/ Thermocline Fishing

[MO_LMB]

I am typically limited to the shore and if I do get out on a boat it is usually on very shallow lakes with no thermocline, so I have a few questions regarding deeper structure fishing and fishing at thermoline levels.

 

When anglers say there is a "hard thermocline at 18-20'" and the fish and baitfish are holding tight at this depth, Does this mean that anglers are fishing the portion of the bottom that is in that thermocline range. I assume they would be only fishing open water if the fish were suspending at this range.

 

Basically in the picture that is attached below, If I wanted to target these fish I would want to get my lure on that gradual slope that hits the thermocline. RIght?

 

 

[greyleg33]

Right. Don't go below the thermocline.

[Nice_Bass]

offshore bait schools can be right at the thermocline and whatever eats those can in some places be nearby.  Whether it is schools of fish eating the baitfish, or on or above structure near that depth waiting for baitfish schools to come nearby- humps etc.

near shore the thermocline does not really appear.  Usually there is an flat or like structure, and if not wind and wave action help move/mix the water and only out does it have a chance to stratify. Every lake is different though.

[MO_LMB]

offshore bait schools can be right at the thermocline and whatever eats those can in some places be nearby.  Whether it is schools of fish eating the baitfish, or on or above structure near that depth waiting for baitfish schools to come nearby- humps etc.

near shore the thermocline does not really appear.  Usually there is an flat or like structure, and if not wind and wave action help move/mix the water and only out does it have a chance to stratify. Every lake is different though.

So you are basically looking for channel breaks, humps, ledges, flats  etc. on the depthfinder that come up around the thermocline depth>?

[J Francho]

I ignore the thermocline, and simply look for baitfish. Find the bait, and find the bass. Once you've gotten that far, and are cathcing fish, take note of the structure, and find similar spots on the lake to fish and see of they are holding bait and biting bass there as well.

[Wayne P.]

No illustration, but actual fishing conditions. I caught some of the bass that are where the temp readout is.

Simple and easy pattern for bodies of water that have a thermocline.

 

[Nice_Bass]

So you are basically looking for channel breaks, humps, ledges, flats  etc. on the depthfinder that come up around the thermocline depth>?

More looking for baitfish actually, and then fishing it if it looks promising.

Typically, I will check what is known structure, find baitfish and then relate that to the thermocline.

[papajoe222]

So you are basically looking for channel breaks, humps, ledges, flats  etc. on the depthfinder that come up around the thermocline depth>?

That is exactly where I'll begin my search. That and the depth that the weeds stop growing (light penetration) are the two 'magic' depths that I take into consideration when looking for active fish. There are active fish elsewhere, no doubt, but I tend to avoid the bank beaters and the fish that see a lot of pressure.

[Wayne P.]

Bass will go below the top of the thermocline for short periods.

The first image shows a school of bass that I must have scared by passing over them-the baitfish school is still above the thermocline. The top of the thermocline is about 17'  and the cover is an unknown object about 6'-8' tall and a 10' triangle shape. The next pass over the object they had moved away from it and about 1 minute later they were on the surface and I caught some of then with a topwater presentation.

 

 

[MO_LMB]

Thanks Guys. I really like the screenshots, it helps picture it better.

[Siebert Outdoors]

99% of your fish will be above the thermocline.  Bass do go below and can be caught below the thermocline.  Numbers wise and percentage wise I would not waste my time fishing below it unless they are feeding on the shad below it.

Every lake I have ever dove that has a thermocline there is very little to no life below the thermocline.  This includes any type of growth.