Rock cliffs

[ffmedic147]

I have a problem catching bass on one of the hardest lakes i have fished. The lake is called leesville lake in the southern part of virginia. This lake is part of the pump back system for the well known Smith Mountian Lake. The water can raise and lower ten feet in a day and consist of very few creeks. When the lake is down some of these Creeks become shallow. Most of the lake is steep rock cliffs that have been blown out when the lake was made. This is were i figure most of the fish stage due to the fact that they can move easier with the tide like water. But my question is: How do you fish these cliffs? I have little expierence with the deep vertical structure. Right now during the post spawn i can catch a few bass on the wacky worm in the small guts in the breaks of the rock walls but it isnt a strong pattern. Any suggestions will be appreciated?

[Peter E.]

with the rapidly changing water levels I would suggest looking for any vegitated water that is flooded when the water rises. Also hit key area and write down the results based on the water level. Then start to form patterns to match the water levels.

Good luck,

Peter

[Raul]

Something like this ?:

[Deuceu72]

I fish many lakes like the one you describe. I use small tubes, drop-shot panic minnow and Ika's9 Ika only for shallower water)..........I also like to jerkbait parallel to the cliffs.

[Cephkiller]

I also like to jerkbait parallel to the cliffs.

+1

[Cephkiller]

I fish many lakes like the one you describe. I use small tubes, drop-shot panic minnow and Ika's9 Ika only for shallower water)..........I also like to jerkbait parallel to the cliffs.

You have to be really careful jerkbaiting close to cliffs, though.  You might get distracted and fall off!

That one's for you, Muddy!

[mainebasser]

I also like to jerkbait parallel to the cliffs.

+1

+2

[ffmedic147]

Exaclly like what was in the picture. I am fishing it tommorrow and will try the suggestions and let you all know. Thanks

[Raul]

When fishing extremely steep slopes or vertical cliffs you cast paralel to the face of the cliff, this doesn 't mean in any way that topwaters or jerkbaits, shallow running cranks do not work, on the contrary they are very productive ..... if you fish them right.

Why does it gets hard to fish cliffs ?

Because you are fishing them like you fish in lakes that do not have such degree of slope, while in lakes with not a lot of slope you cover terrain with the bait in lakes that look like the one in the pic you have to cover DEPTH, that 's the main difference TERRAIN vs DEPTH.

First of all, slice the cliff by layers strating from the top and progressively increase the depth with yur baits until you find the depth at which the fish are holding, remember the fish are HANGING from the cliff and they are not going to chase your bait too far, that 's why you have to fish paralel to the cliff. Position your boat not too far from the cliff, you are not looking for depth, you are not looking for structure, depth is right below your feet and structure is right in front of you.

When fishing cliffs with soft plastic baits remember that you are NOT COVERING THE BOTTOM, you are covering depth, the bottom may be in many cases hundreds of feet deep, a common mistake is pulling your bait to much with the rod tip, you pull a couple of inches and your bait sinks into oblivion. Small twitches to maintain the contact with the cliff surface are a must and eye contact with the line at all times is mandatory, fish in most cases hit the bait as it sinks, if you are not watching your line you will loose those fish. Dropshotting is taylor made for fishing cliffs too.

Tubes, wacky rigged worms, weightless T-rigged worms are great baits for fishing the cliffs, if you feel that a worm doesn 't sink fast enough you can add a split shot on top of the hook eye.

Be aware that what you are looking above the water level is the same of what 's under the water level, fish are hanging from the cliff so any slight imperfection on the composition and contour of the cliff will attract the fish, in another lake it would attract nothing. Look carefully, in places like that landslides are common and where there 's a landslide there 's a rupture in the continuity of the composition, that will attract the fish.

[ffmedic147]

Thanks this will surely be taken into consideration. I am thinking about leaving right now and going to try it.

[bpm2000]

I fish many lakes like the one you describe. I use small tubes, drop-shot panic minnow and Ika's9 Ika only for shallower water)..........I also like to jerkbait parallel to the cliffs.

You have to be really careful jerkbaiting close to cliffs, though.  You might get distracted and fall off!

That one's for you, Muddy!

lol oh man, i'm almost ashamed I laughed out loud at this  ;D

[Guest Bountiful_Waters]

It's hard to beat a senko thrown against the rock wall and letting it slowly drop. It's another good way to find at what depth they are.