Fishing steep points

[FishOnLMB]

Hey everyone, I was fishing some steep points with underspins, lipless cranks, t-rigs, and jigs. For the moving baits, how do you consistently keep the bait following the trajectory of the point. For the bottom baits, how do you maintain bottom contact. I am really confused and need help. These points are steep and have some small drop offs. 

[WRB]

Having spent most of the past 6 decades bass fishing California's deep structured highland reserviors, points are a major structure feature and holding area for bass. Learning to fish points is essential. 

First things first, are you a shore angler or fishing from a boat?

Tom

[FishOnLMB]

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

Having spent most of the past 6 decades bass fishing California's deep structured highland reserviors, points are a major structure feature and holding area for bass. Learning to fish points is essential. 

First things first, are you a shore angler or fishing from a boat?

Tom

Usally shore, but in this instance boat.

[Airman4754]

Ideally you want a 45 degree point with the wind blowing across it instead of into or away. If the wind is blowing across it position your boat into the wind and cast across it and work the bait back up hill towards you. If you have a lake with deep points use your electronics to get a general idea of how deep the fish are holding. 

 

When I get the ideal wind condition I like to throw a big swimbait about a foot from shore, then I go out deeper and work back up. If you are going to get bit on a big swimbait that first cast is when it's going to happen.

 

If the wind is blowing into the point I position my boat as close to the point as I can and work up hill. If the wind is blowing away I go out and fish down hill. Bait goes with the wind and the fish position themselves accordingly. 

 

For the areas between points look for transition areas on the bank; big rock to little rocks, clay to big rocks, etc. If you have a bank that all looks the same it's probably dead water unless there are stumps or boulders on it down in the water that you know of.

 

Reservoir fishing is very cut and dry from a boat and on shore. You know where the fish are, don't waste time.

[scaleface]

Texas rigs   and crankbaits  mostly . The same lures that allow me to hit bottom on long extended points ., Sinking  lures  naturally follow the contour .Just let them sink , move it , repeat . Diving lures  can be used off the sides to follow the contour for a bit . I usually just throw those well pass  the area I want to hit and make sure it dives deeper than the bottom I'm trying to cover .

[scaleface]

I use clear blue fluorescent mono filament when bouncing lures in deep water such as steep pints . Its a lot easier technique  with a   visible line . Let the lures fall on a semi tight line . When the lure  hits bottom it will slacken up a bit . It wont take long to get the hang of it . Windy days will require a heavier lure and a lower rod position .

[WRB]

Lets divide points into a few groups for mountain highland reserviors that are dammed canyons with 1 or more river /creek arms. 

Major point is a long main lake point that drops into the river bed, usually located near the dam or intersection of creek arms connecting to the main lake basin.

Main lake point is a point anywhere alone NG the main lake basin, may or may not drop into the river bed.

Secondary point in same as a main lake point except located inside a creek arm or bay.

Primary secondary point is a secondary point located where it forms a Y intersection splitting the creek arm.

Major points are obvious to anyone who bass fishes and easy to locate. Most boat anglers approach a major point incorrectly by driving up to the point from per and cast towards the base at the shoreline setting on top of the bass and passing them up. Shore anglers could approach the point at the base and cast out towards the deeper bass or cast more parallel along the shore and over the point base. It's difficult to get to a major point on most lakes from shore however and limited to cast far enough to reach the deeper bass located further  out. The boater can approach any point unrestricted by the steep terrain and work all aruond the point from multiple angles and depths, this is how I fish points.

Majot points are good year around with the exception during the spawn, however good winter to pre spawn location.

Main lake points are good during the summer, winter.

Secondary points are good pre,  post spawn and summer to fall transition.

Primary secondary points are usually good staging areas for pre and post spawn if a spawning area is close.

Tom

 

[WRB]

What to look for on point structure are irregularities in or on the structure. Saddles are low zones between two higher spots along the point ridge. Isolated rocks, brush, cuts or drains, soil changes, steeper breaks like shale ledges, etc. you need to study maps and spend time metering with sonar to determine what makes up the point.

Bass locate on points to feed so it's critical to know what they are feeding on and at what depth they are holding on the structure. Crawdads use jigs and crankbaits, Shad use Shad size and lure types, trout use Swimbaits. Depth the bass are dictate what lures to use to stay at the preferred depth.

Tom

[WRB]

Casting pattern to determine what depth, pace and lure type the bass want to strike.

I usually start a casting distance away from the point ridge crest at the base near shore.

Fan cast along the ridge and work down hill while moving towards tha base area. Continue casting towards the ridge as it get deeper and you get closer to the base still working down hill. Position near the base start to fan cast out deeper and start to work lures paralell along the point side and uphill as you move along the points side out deeper. Thoroughly target any isolated features. If there is a saddle cast over the ridge and work the entire saddle area. You are halfway done as you reach the deepest water depth that bass may be using, keep a close watch on your sonar for bass and baitfish.

Now you are in the location must anglers start at, however the deeper bass have been targeted along with the shallower bass without spooking them. You now work the opposite side of the point back towards the base and should have a good idea how deep the bass are and what lure is working. 

Good luck,

Tom 

[A-Jay]

11 hours ago, FishOnLMB said:

Hey everyone, I was fishing some steep points with underspins, lipless cranks, t-rigs, and jigs. For the moving baits, how do you consistently keep the bait following the trajectory of the point. For the bottom baits, how do you maintain bottom contact. I am really confused and need help. These points are steep and have some small drop offs. 

 

Regardless of the technique, the easiest & most effective way for me to maintain bottom contact while presenting a bait on a steep or even moderate grade, is to position the boat shallow, cast out to the deep and fish "Up Hill".

Isn't always possible or even necessary, but when it is - this generally works; especially during cooler water periods or when fishing pressured bass.

YMMV

A-Jay