Approaching Shallow Cover

[Mobasser]

Years ago, most articles on bass fishing would say to always fish the edge of shallow water cover first. The concept was to pick off any bass holding on the outside first, then target your cast into the cover next, so as not to spook any fish holding in or under thick cover. When Dee Thomas started flipping for bass, I think this changed. He proved that you could flip right into the thick cover on your initial presentation, often getting the best fish off that spot.This evolved into pitching, which many of us employ. What dictates your initial presentation to a spot? How do you determine to cast, pitch or flip. The type of cover? The size of the cover? Water clarity and depth? Do you still go to the outside edges first, or do you go directly into the center of the thick cover? What are your thoughts on this?

Edited November 26, 2018 by Mobasser
Double post

[scaleface]

I fish the outside first . Often  that is where the biggest fish are at .

[TOXIC]

Depends on the cover.  One thing I have changed is that I no longer fish "around" what I consider the prime spot in cover.  I throw to the best spot first and work my way out.  

[BassNJake]

I am usually throwing a toad type bait and follow with a senko(reverse rig).

 

I'll cruise down a section of shoreline hitting all of the outside spots and the little cuts I can get my toad into.

After going down the section of shoreline this way, I'll turn around and work my way back concentrating on pitching the senko to the thicker and hard to reach spots.

 

My theory is that any fish I get on the toad is going to be an aggressive active fish, mainly holding near the edges of the structure/cover I encounter.

When I come back down the shoreline I am  picking apart the structure/cover for the fish that are not as aggressive or for what ever reason are holding tighter to these spots.

 

This has become the most efficient way for me to fish topwater first without feeling like I just passed over so many "prime" spots. It also gives these spots a chance to rest after seeing a topwater buzz by.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Depends if I'm gonna fish that bank again.

 

If I am, I'll KVD powerfish the outside edges with a crank or something fast moving, then I'll follow back by with a jig/senko something slow and hit prime(hard to reach) spots

 

If I'm only going to hit that bank once, I'll slow down and hit prime spots from all angles. So I guess for me it depends on how much time I have to cover shoreline.

[Deleted account]

It depends on several factors, but usually, if I'm fishing for numbers, I'll work my way in, If I'm fishing for size, I'll zero in on specific targets.

[Catt]

Totally depends on you're talking about?

 

Shallow water shoreline or deeper offshore structure.

 

I'll pitch 3/4-1 oz jigs-n-texas rigs in 18-20', it might be ledges, brush piles, or standing timber. 

 

We must examine each piece of structure/cover & approach it accordingly. Probably the biggest mistake I see most anglers make is poor boat positioning.

 

[scaleface]

My answer is based on something like a fallen tree with lots of branches . Where are the big bass positioned ? Nobody knows . So I'm going to start outside and work my way in . Theres a good chance that I'll hit it with more than one type of lure , for instance a spinnerbait and a Texas rig .

[Mobasser]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Totally depends on you're talking about?

 

Shallow water shoreline or deeper offshore structure.

 

I'll pitch 3/4-1 oz jigs-n-texas rigs in 18-20', it might be ledges, brush piles, or standing timber. 

 

We must examine each piece of structure/cover & approach it accordingly. Probably the biggest mistake I see most anglers make is poor boat positioning.

 

 

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

My answer is based on something like a fallen tree with lots of branches . Where are the big bass positioned ? Nobody knows . So I'm going to start outside and work my way in . Theres a good chance that I'll hit it with more than one type of lure , for instance a spinnerbait and a Texas rig .

I was wondering about this. When I first learned to flip several years ago, I thought it was the greatest thing ever. I wanted to flip all the time. Now, looking back, I realize I probably spooked fish that I tried to get in close on, and should have stayed back and cast to. And Catt, I agree. Sloppy boat control will ruin everything. Now, I'm more aware of this, especially in shallow water.

[Bankbeater]

For me it depends on the clarity of the water, and what type of cover it is. 

If I’m fishing timber in clear water I’ll be making long casts so I’m not seen by the fish. 

If I’m fishing coontail in murky water then I’ll get close and flip. With the murky water and coontail I’m not as worried about running the fish off. 

[IgotWood]

Ultimately, I’d say that boat position dictates my presentation and how thoroughly I’ll work a spot

 

I usually go by gut instinct. I fish out of a kayak. So on breezy days, boat control can be a real nightmare. I may only get 1-2 casts at a spot before I have to reposition my kayak, which disrupts the water and makes noise. I try to be as stealthy as I can. I also feel that if I am continually making casts at a brush pile/tree, the noise of my bait entering the water is heard, thus putting the fish on alert. I usually try to hit the likely spots first. I’ll move to the next spot along the bank, and then come back and hit it again with a different bait shortly after.

 

If I can stakeout and hold my position well without making a bunch of noise, I’ll still hit the likely spots first, and then work the rest of the structure thoroughly. 

 

 

[papajoe222]

How I attack a piece of cover depends a lot on water clarity.  If it's clear/calm, I'll stay off a ways. I'll also target the best spot first with something that I can get a soft entry with as fish in that situation will usually be holding tight to the cover and spook easily.  With murky water and wind, I can get closer, bulk up my presentation and work my way into the cover as the majority of fish will be hanging on the edges. These are just starting tactics and as I tend to fish deeper that a lot of guys, 'staying off a ways' is relative.

[187yak]

I fish from a kayak. I fish in a 40 acre lake that’s tannic on a good day.  There’s lots of lay downs . Lots of grass when it’s at normal level. Pressured bass. I basically ably finesse worms and throw flukes. The furthest I have caught from the bank is 15’. I anchor up and fan cast.  I just work my way down the bank. The most important thing in my lake is finding baitfish. The bass will get them right on the bank. If I make too much noise in one spot I just move along. I may come back in an hour or so if I think it’s a good spot.

[LionHeart]

On 11/26/2018 at 10:32 PM, 187yak said:

I fish from a kayak. I fish in a 40 acre lake that’s tannic on a good day.  There’s lots of lay downs . Lots of grass when it’s at normal level. Pressured bass. I basically ably finesse worms and throw flukes. The furthest I have caught from the bank is 15’. I anchor up and fan cast.  I just work my way down the bank. The most important thing in my lake is finding baitfish. The bass will get them right on the bank. If I make too much noise in one spot I just move along. I may come back in an hour or so if I think it’s a good spot.

What do you mean when you say "tannic?"

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

What do you mean when you say "tannic?"

Think of a solution consisting of a mixture of 3 or 4 parts tea and 1 part coffee.

Sort of a brownish / tan colored deal.

A-Jay

 

[Scarborough817]

35 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

What do you mean when you say "tannic?"

[LionHeart]

Thanks guys!

[WRB]

Approaching shallow cover on a large 3'-4' deep shallow flat area is different then shallow 3'-4' deep cover on top of a hump surrounded by 8' to 30'+ deeper water. The bass that live in shallow cover on a big flat will use any type of slightly deeper water like a ditch for entering and exiting the cover area. It's the small depression edge you want to target first, work quietly to any pockets or weed break edges keeping a eye out for movements.

The cover in shallow water next to deep water you want to take your best shot first and that could be an inside edge or pocket in lieu of the outside edges, depends on wind direction, type of bait the bass are looking for etc. 

Dee Thomas said shallow bass are biting bass, he didn't say where they were at because you don't know in advance.

Tom

 

[Catt]

Shallow is relevant to where you're fishing!

 

In my profile picture I'm 2 miles offshore fishing shallow water (15-18') Hydrilla flats. 

 

Shallow doesn't necessarily have to mean fishing a bank!

 

The approach is the same ?

 

That flat I'm fishing is a 100 acres, one side drops to 30', but on opposite side is the Sabine River & 80'.

[187yak]

In the 40 acre lake I fish shallow to is sitting in 8-10 feet of water and throwing into 4-8 inches of water. There’s a few places where it goes from 2-3 feet to ten or 12 really quick. 

[deadadrift89]

On 11/26/2018 at 7:40 AM, TOXIC said:

Depends on the cover.  One thing I have changed is that I no longer fish "around" what I consider the prime spot in cover.  I throw to the best spot first and work my way out.  

Same here. I use to pick it from out in now I pitch best looking spot first 

[WRB]

Cover depends on how you define it.

After the replies on isolated cover vs structure thread, everyone has their own definition what cover is, so how to approach is irrelevant.

Tom

[Mobasser]

27 minutes ago, WRB said:

Cover depends on how you define it.

After the replies on isolated cover vs structure thread, everyone has their own definition what cover is, so how to approach is irrelevant.

Tom

Yes, I guess it is irrelevant Tom. Everyone defines cover in a different way.