A Saturday Morning Question

[Mobasser]

Question: Do you like to cast your lures into direct sunlight, and retrieve them into shaded areas if possible? I've heard some say yes, some say it doesn't matter. I think it does. What's everyone say?

[MN Fisher]

I do the reverse actually - cast into shade and retrieve into sunlit waters.

[Catt]

If I can I'll work it like a weedline  ?

 

They will dart out of the darkness to ambush prey!

[scaleface]

I dont prefer either way . 

[rtwvumtneer6]

 

22 minutes ago, Catt said:

If I can I'll work it like a weedline  ?

 

They will dart out of the darkness to ambush prey!

Agreed.  The theory I've come to believe is if they are sitting in the shaded area, under grass, dock, overhang, etc. they can see out much further into the sunlit water than they could if they were looking in toward an area where the light cannot penetrate.  This is assuming some level of water clarity.  

 

[jimmyjoe]

   In moving water (rivers) I move from sunlight to shadows. In quiet waters, just the opposite; shadows to sunlight.   jj

[SigPig94]

I like shadow to sunlight....my thinking is maybe a bass sees it as something moving into the sunlight to warm up?  Also, I use plastic worms containing sparkles/flecks so the thought of a quick “flash” when my bait hits sunlight is nice.

[WRB]

Working the shade line is better then no shade line if you have that option. If you are fishing from a boat you have the option how you want to work wind and shade lines, from shore it's not always optional where you can cast. 

To me shade lines can be cover shade, structure shade or a combination of both. Structure shade I prefer starting to cast past the shade line and working into it if possible , especially into the wind.

Cover shade prefer casting into the shade and working out, especially down wind or wind blowing into the cover.

The lures path is very important shade is a important element along with depth, pace and angle or direction of travel.

Tom

[Mobasser]

44 minutes ago, SigPig94 said:

I like shadow to sunlight....my thinking is maybe a bass sees it as something moving into the sunlight to warm up?  Also, I use plastic worms containing sparkles/flecks so the thought of a quick “flash” when my bait hits sunlight is nice.

I think this is a good point about color too. I don't know if its been proven, but maybe the fish see the bait differently as it passes from sunlight to shade. This could possibly draw a strike? It's hard to tell for certain.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I think this is a good point about color too. I don't know if its been proven, but maybe the fish see the bait differently as it passes from sunlight to shade. This could possibly draw a strike? It's hard to tell for certain.

Well, what I do know is that the bass in my profile pic was caught this way. Yellow/White skirted, Colorado/Willow double blade spinnerbait with a trailer. Tossed into shadows caused by trees on the shoreline - got slammed about 5' after it came out into the lighted water.

[Mobasser]

I met and spoke to Charlie Cambell years ago. One thing I remember him saying was : In sunnny bright weather, bass love the shade. It's a form of cover and security for them. He thought he caught more fish by casting into the sunlight, and retrieving into shaded areas , because the fish would take advantage of the shady areas to hide and ambush food and there were more fish in these areas. I do know bass don't generally like bright sunlight and shallow water, and can become spooky in this scenario.

[Catt]

Some of y'all are referring to shadows caused by something singular in the water.

 

I'm referring to a shadow line on the eastern shoreline at daylight or the western shoreline at sun set.

 

Once the sun is up then I target the shady side of singular objects.

[WRB]

46 minutes ago, Catt said:

Some of y'all are referring to shadows caused by something singular in the water.

 

I'm referring to a shadow line on the eastern shoreline at daylight or the western shoreline at sun set.

 

Once the sun is up then I target the shady side of singular objects.

Deer hunters watch the rising and setting shade line for good reason and bass anglers should take notice.

Tom

[MN Fisher]

50 minutes ago, Catt said:

Once the sun is up then I target the shady side of singular objects.

 

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

Deer hunters watch the rising and setting shade line for good reason and bass anglers should take notice.

Tom

Ya, when the sun is higher, I target the shaded side of lily pad patches or weedlines.

[frogflogger]

We all know bass like to ambush prey along the shade line - I fish it from different approaches but usually sun to shade if possible.

[scaleface]

Sometimes bass are easier to catch on  the sunny banks other times the shady ones . When it comes to shade created by something like a tree , Im probably casting well past the target so yeah, I'm casting into the light and retrieving into the shade . If I'm fishing a sunny bank like in the morning with long shadows , I try to go the direction that keeps my shadow from hitting the area fished .