structure fishing

[mobassattack]

Ive learned to fish and how to feel a bite by junk fishing I can fish points decently other than points is there a first easy step to go out and find structure that you guys have found and perfer to fish with a high percentage rate.

[Matt Fly]

If you can't identify structure with a map or graph,  a carolina rig with 1/2oz weight dragged on bottom is sure fire way to learn what is on bottom as far as contour and structure.   Fan cast around the boat and you feel whats down there.   Where to start depends on your region and the seasonal patterns.   In TX, the shad are still cruising up and down the creeks.  Find the bait, and fish won't be far.  Untill the lake temps drops, the shad will be in the creeks,  but as soon as the water cools down more, secondary points and main lake points come into play.   Follow the bait in, and out,  and the bass will be close.

[Raul]

Look closely at the contour of the terrain ABOVE water level, opposed to cover structural features extend from the surrounding terrain into the lake for a long distance, some structural features are surrounded or border with a particular type of cover, for example, in Mexico willows only grow on places where the soil is moist year round, this particular association only takes place at river and creek channels, when they build the lake and the terrain floods the trees are going to be there for many decades after the river has ben dammed, locate the willows, the river or creek channel is right below them.

[Chris]

My first step is always to dig up a topo map. I then find areas that are different. This could be a sharp drop, creek bed, point, hump, or a road bed. Most all of this stuff can be spotted on a good map. The next step is to go out and scout around. Most of the great spots are not on the map because the contour lines are usually in 10ft intervals. So going out and doing some on the water searching will help narrow it down some. You take what is on the map as a guideline then search out in that area for something even better. It could be anything different that will attract fish away from the main structure. Like a stump or a rock pile or a deeper side on a point or a finger extending out from the main point. One part of a drop might be steeper than another part or a creek channel might have an older channel that's not on the map. Old road beds might have bridges or intersections not marked.

[paparock]

Good Topo Map, find a computer program digital map of lake, and a really good sonar coupled with time on the water looking. Some units even have digital storage of what you see coupled with GPS WASS which is very accurate and allows you to return to structure every time.