Boat positioning and the sun

[bassassinator]

Can the fish see you better if you are facing the sun or if they are?

I seems to me that if the fish is in the shade and I am facing the sun, the fish will see me and the boat better than if they were looking into the sun. There has been a article written on this subject in B.A.S.S. but I cannot find it. There was also an underwater picture to prove the point but I cannot remember exactly which way the evidence points.

[senile1]

I've debated this subject with myself a few times as well.  I see where you are coming from, but you also have to consider that if the sun is at your back, and your shadow is long, it will fall towards the fish.  This could be a problem when fishing for shallow bass, such as during the spawn.  

[bassassinator]

I was fishing grass in the shade yesterday and I was looking right at the sun and was not getting bit at all. I told my buddy that I think we are spooking the fish because they see us. He says thay cannot but as I argued I couldn't prove my point. I can see trying not to cast a shadow into the water where casting so your point is well taken. I need help not only to finish an arguement (even if I am wrong)but also to help in my skills. I tried to cast along side the grass at longer distance but no help there either.

Has anyone read the article I am referring to? :-[

[llPa1nll]

I have always been of the notion that you want to keep the sun in front of you, for instance a cast shadow will spook fish. The rule I go by is not to cast a shadow on the areas you intend to fish. This may mean coming at the area from a different location/angle. Anyway some tips I picked up from some touring pros Fish into the wind never with it and same goes for the sun.

[GrandSlamBasser87]

IMO, it is best to have the sun to your back as it makes it harder to make you out as opposed to the sun shining on you.  This is a tactic I use both on the water fishing and in the woods hunting. You never want to be looking into the sun as it will pretty much make you glow and allow deer to make you out much easier, yet if it is at your back when the deer approach, it will inhibit their ability to make out your outline as the sun will blur their vision and shadow your figure.  I also know that having the sun behind and over your shoulder, it betters your vision while sight fishing or just in general.  Test this theory by holding your thumb or cover it with your hand in the direction of the sun, and then away from the sun, you should be able to see the object much better when the sun shines on it; the same goes for taking pictures as well. I hope this helps and good luck!

[surfer]

I would think sun at your back for all the same reasons that GSB87 just said.  Add to this that if there is a tree the bass is probably on the shady side of the tree so if you are fishing towards your shadow you are on the sunny side of the tree and the bass is on the other side.  I think this is a more stealthy approach to cast to the shady side of the tree from the sunny side.

I am going to watch waiding birds that stab at minows to see if they know.  

[Jig Man]

Early morning top water and buzz bait fishing, I keep the sun in my face.  That way it is not in the fish's face.  I get more strikes that way over sun at my back and in the fish's face.

[senile1]

I was fishing grass in the shade yesterday and I was looking right at the sun and was not getting bit at all. I told my buddy that I think we are spooking the fish because they see us. He says thay cannot but as I argued I couldn't prove my point. I can see trying not to cast a shadow into the water where casting so your point is well taken. I need help not only to finish an arguement (even if I am wrong)but also to help in my skills. I tried to cast along side the grass at longer distance but no help there either.

Has anyone read the article I am referring to? :-[

I remember this article also, but for the life of me, I can't remember their recommendation and the logic behind it.  When I get home today, I'll look through my old magazines and see if I can find it.

[bassassinator]

Thanks Guys for all your input! I have come to count on this forum for tough answers, and have not yet been let down.

[linesider7]

I read an article some time back re: bed fishing...  It stated that bass do not face the sun when on the bed.   Perhaps this is the article you were talking about?

[bassassinator]

Well, the article I refer to was recent in either B.A.S.S. or in BASS times but they had a camera under water in what looked to be lilly pads in 3-4 ft of water. You could see the boat and the fisherman plain as day. You could even read the lettering on the boat. They were talking about  how well fish can see out under certain conditions and that we should avoid this type of approach (either sun in front or behind you).

It is confusing to me because I think that if I were sitting in the shade looking out, I would see better into the light than if I were in the light looking into the shade. I think that if I am looking into the shade, I would also be looking into the sun which would hinder my vision. So, my thoughts are that if the sun is at my back, the fish are looking into the sun and could not see me very well.

I think I will go with the sun to the back approach this afternoon and see what happens!

I like the "I am going to watch waiding birds that stab at minows to see if they know. " statement posted by surfer.

[surfer]

I havent had a chance to watch the birds yet, but let me know what you find in your trials.