Turns In Rivers

[cdunlapb12]

Is the inside or outside better in the turn of a river? The side that gets more sunlight or wind? Does any of this matter to bass or is it just over thinking?

[Ozark_Basser]

It matters, but it isn't a question with just one answer. There are a lot more factors involved than "which side of the river". Do yourself a favor and do a whole lot more research on winter fishing in rivers.

[fisherrw]

It matters, but it isn't a question with just one answer. There are a lot more factors involved than "which side of the river". Do yourself a favor and do a whole lot more research on winter fishing in rivers.

x2

[papajoe222]

One of the biggest factors in determining which to fish, is how fast the water is moving.  The outside turn is going to get more of a pounding by the current and that is both good and bad. That is the side where you're likely to find undercut banks and debris which is great if the current isn't in the process of cutting the bank and pusing the debris into it. On the other side is, slack water, eddys and normally shallower water. Again, those factors can be beneficial or not. 

Many other factors will determine prime fish location on turns and often the fish will stage above or below the turn.  Do a little research on the fish that you're targeting and how and when they relate to current. Your answer will become evident the more you know.

[RoLo]

Over the course of a year, exposure to sun and wind are a wash between inside & outside bends.

On the other hand, there are significant underwater differences between inside bends and outside bends.

 

At a given bend in a stream, the outside turn has a greater diameter than the inside turn.

Due to its greater diameter, the outside bend will have a higher flow rate than the inside bend.

The water at the outside diameter not only flows faster, but strikes the outside bank at a stronger attack angle.

Due to erosion over time, outside bends usually offer a steeper bottom slope and sometimes undercut banks.

 

Inversely, the water at an inside bend not only flows slower, but it flows 'away' from the bank

which sharply reduces erosion. As a result, inside turns are normally associated with

slow tapering bottoms. The neutral current on the downstream side of an inside bend

forms a back eddy where sediment is deposited as a delta (AKA point or bar).

 

On balance, bass are more inclined to use slow-tapering inside bends during the 'warm months',

and tend to use the steep sloping outside bends during the 'cold months'.

 

Roger

[Sam]

Good question.

 

When the river makes a turn the water erodes the outside bank which makes a natural area for bass to hide and some great fishing opportunities.

 

So we all understand what I am writing, if you are looking straight ahead and the river turns to the right, the outer bank is on your left.

 

The inside turn can be shallow and one must be cognizant of this shallow water or you can get stuck on a sand bar or mud flat.

 

The outside bank is a great place to fish when the tide is outgoing or in between high and low tide.

 

Crankbaits and plastics can work on the outside turns of rivers. If there are grass or pads along the outer bank you have a great place to find bass.

[ww2farmer]

I have little exp. in rivers, save for a few feeder/outlet creeks on the local lakes...........but the bends or channel swings are almost always productive, providing the fish are there. It's  one of the few times of the year on our seemingly "pattern-less" lakes that I can just about call my shots. The turns or bends don't even have to be obvious either, just a slight 1 or 2 foot change in depth where the old silted in channel gets close to the bank or goes around the bend will do, and any cover, such as weeds rock, wood on those spots is the "spot on the spot".

[chrisdm4]

On the outside of the bend will be deeper and sometimes will have a undercut in it.  This is a great spot for bass to be because of the current brake and a place to hide.  Working baits on the edges of the current will work the best.  If there is not much current finding rock or cover would be the first place i would fish.  on the other hand the inner edge (slow water) will most likely hold sun fish in the warmer water.  Bass will chase bait fish if held up in the lower water.  Also will be crayfish in the rocks and insects like hellgrammite.  A small moth favorite in rivers.  Remember the bass will follow their food source.  Find that, find the bass.  Hope that helps!

[jeff25]

Do you usually cast downstrem, upstream, or across

[RoLo]

Do you usually cast downstrem, upstream, or across

 

Quartering upstream (diagonally across)

[Hyrule Bass]

Quartering upstream (diagonally across)

do you reel it in as your lure drifts downstream? or do you let the bait drift all the way downstream before reeling back in? or both depending on the situation?

[RoLo]

do you reel it in as your lure drifts downstream? or do you let the bet drift all the way downstream before reeling back in? or both depending on the situation?

 

I'll normally let it tumble naturally with the current, while mending any excess slack 

 

Roger

[cdunlapb12]

I know I didn't specify, but the river I'm usually fishing is so big, that the current is that extreme. It's there. But. Not like a smaller river.