Think like a predator?

[12poundbass]

I've been bass fishing for 15 plus years but the past few years I've really decided to get serious about it and more technical. I read the magizines, watch the shows, but since joining BR in October I've dove in even more. Lately I've been reading "best of posts" and others. 

  Like I've said I read and learned over the years, so I've read about structure, breaks, transitions, and everything else that goes along with it. 

  It's turkey hunting season in Michigan and I'm able to hunt the farm land across the road from me. I was walking my dog the other day and it hit me, "bass are preditors and so am I, we think a like". So what I did next really changed in my mind the way I'll approach fishing. I looked at this 200 or so acres of land as a lake and I was standing on the bottom. 

  The tress were the shore and some areas come out into a point, here you have great ambush points, there are a couple "pot holes" we'll call them another great area to hide. In the middle of the field sits a giant oak tree, you have tree stumps along the road, when the crops are up part is corn part is beans, the area where the two meet. If I understand correctly all these areas would be key areas if it were a lake correct? If I'm correct these are also great areas for prediters (me) to hide/ambush prey (turkey). 

  The prediter thinking is the same no matter what species you are. Like I've said I've read a ton, especially lately and to put all the pieces together and see it in front of me, instead of just reading is a big help. I hope I'm on the right track and if I'm not please steer me in the right direction. Like I told T9 I've only scratched the surface but this makes me eager to learn more. Thanks to Catt, Rolo,T9, WRB, and everyone else for sharing your knowledge with all of us, it truely is appreciated. 

[TOXIC]

You have to remember why a bass eats a lure.  You are correct, feeding is #1 on the list and tailoring you approach to that behavior will get results most of the time.  And you are also correct that bass, for the most part are ambush feeders but also remember they do not set up "in" the cover all the time.  The cover is for prey to hide in and many times they will be on the outside looking in.  Likewise if they are feeding on schools of openwater baitfish, there is no cover and you match the hatch to get a strike.  When bass aren't actively feeding, then go for the "instinctive" or reaction strike baits and if they are spawning, the annoyance baits.  There's a lot of ways to skin a cat.  

[everythingthatswims]

If only we could look at a lake like we look at a field. I'll figure out electronics one day.

[jr231]

The biggest loophole In this theory is the brain capabilities between humans and bass.... 

 

Humans tend to over complicate things ..  but also tend to achieve what they set out to do... The difference with bass is how they go about doing things.. 

 

See you set up for turkey with your camo, gun, possibly masking scent, decoys, hen or Tom calls, and a spot that you've tracked and marked turkeys at before... 

 

Where as a bass typically does one of two things ... Roams or lays in wait for prey to dare inch close enough to be lunged at ! 

 

Eat or be eaten is the story of a bass's life... Not so much for me and you.. 

 

Good luck on your turkey huntin! 

[Bluebasser86]

You're on the right track. Bass are predators and behave as other predators do. They use edges, funnel areas, shadows, whatever they can to gain an advantage on their prey. As with other predators that aren't top echelon predators, they must at the same time avoid becoming prey themselves. That's where the angler being and behaving like a predator comes into play. Using shadows and trees to conceal yourself and walking lightly instead of stomping around the shoreline will increase your chances of having a successful "hunt". 

[Catt]

 

Not on the best of list but give it a read

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/148959-bass-fishing-deer-hunting/

[A-Jay]

As a dry land hunter, something I'm certain you always account for, although omitted in your post is ~ The Wind.

In your example it would be equivalent to the Current on any & all bodies of water.

Whether wind blown or directionally fed, the current, just like the wind, almost always plays a major role in what a predator does, and how they go about it.

Having the opportunity to fish larger multi-species waters has shown me some of the wide varieties of ways bass & other even larger predators live and feed.  When a bass isn't the top of the food chain (and is actually food itself) they may not get to use the 'prime' locals.   So locating them requires 'another' level of thinking.

A-Jay

[Bruce424]

Hey Mikey I think he likes it!! Same here. Sometimes it just clicks. You look at something for years and FINALLY it makes sense or seems so simple. I think if I were a bass, Where would I hide for ambush. Where's the best place to get food. Whats the most comfortable place to chill out. 

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Bruce424 said:

Hey Mikey I think he likes it!! Same here. Sometimes it just clicks. You look at something for years and FINALLY it makes sense or seems so simple. I think if I were a bass, Where would I hide for ambush. Where's the best place to get food. Whats the most comfortable place to chill out. 

That's how I'm thinkin. Update: I got skunked tonight....the wife caught 4 on her Senko.