CJ Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 When you are trying to locate bass, what do you feel is the most important factor of a pattern. In other words, what do you feel is most important such as: Bottom contour? Depth? Structure? Cover? Other? I don't think there is a wrong answer. Just thought it would be interesting to see what some of you thought. Thanks, CJ Quote
Cigarlover 1 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 As Bill Dance would say dep water close by. Quote
alger319 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 no to sound cliche, but all of them. i really look for the right mix of things, but ultimately structure(whether it be vegitation, a dock, or christmas trees) is the most important thing i look for. I also think structure and cover are kinda the same thing. Quote
John J. Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 It all depends on weather, season, and temperature. I do my best when the water temps are in the mid to upper 60s and 70s, it is sunny and hardly no wind, then I fish wacky plastics and jigs around shoreline cover (downed trees, bushes, docks, etc), in the shade. When it is over-cast and warm, and slightly windy, I enjoy throwing spinner-baits, top water in the morning, and texas-rigged plastics. I go to different patterns through different situations Quote
Bud Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Number one would be Structure Number 2 would be Cover Number 3 would be depth Quote
Super User Alpster Posted February 25, 2008 Super User Posted February 25, 2008 JMHO, Bottom contour, depth, points, flats and channels = structure Lilly pads, docks, lay down trees, stick ups, weeds, etc. = cover Structure & cover would be my choices. Ronnie Quote
fishizzle Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Cover and depth are most imp to me Find the depth of cover the fish perfer on that day I fish alot of small lakes full of grass and weeds under 20' deep Quote
Bud Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 I also think structure and cover are kinda the same thing. Someone needs to read Alpster post Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 25, 2008 Super User Posted February 25, 2008 Bass will be located on prime structures that contain specific elements that include a good sized feeding flat. That flat would ideally be heavily weeded, with a number of weed types and open pockets 4 to 8 feet deep. Other kinds of cover like trees, stumps, brush or rocks are also beneficial. Deep water down to 17 feet or more as near as possible and better yet, if there were a source of inflowing water, like a creek. Finally, we need the nearby presence of firm spawning bottom sand, gravel, clay, and perhaps rock. This area should be located where it remains calm; in essence, the spot should be protected from north winds. Quote
Super User burleytog Posted February 25, 2008 Super User Posted February 25, 2008 Getting the fuse just right... Quote
Red Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 i look for areas of the shoreline that are easily accessible with the golf cart (so i dont have to walk to far) and dont have too much crap in the way of casting, and have good areas that have sturdy ground to stand on ;D Cliff Quote
CJ Posted February 25, 2008 Author Posted February 25, 2008 Okay, say you found something that worked. Say, you just pulled up on a rocky point with stumps,10 ft. deep dropping off into 30 ft. of water. You crush em' right there on top of the point. Now you need to find another spot. 10 ft. being the depth the fish were caught 30 ft. being the deepest nearby depth The point being the structure The stumps being the cover The rocks being bottom contour Which feature would be most critical to duplicate from the spot you found? Quote
DangerRanger Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Okay, say you found something that worked. Say, you just pulled up on a rocky point with stumps,10 ft. deep dropping off into 30 ft. of water. You crush em' right there on top of the point. Now you need to find another spot. 10 ft. being the depth the fish were caught 30 ft. being the deepest nearby depth The point being the structure The stumps being the cover The rocks being bottom contour Which feature would be most critical to duplicate from the spot you found? Looks like you have them in order maybe flip-flop the bottom two In what I would look for. Main thing is that the fish are there. Quote
ILfisherman Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 JMHO, Bottom contour, depth, points, flats and channels = structure Lilly pads, docks, lay down trees, stick ups, weeds, etc. = cover Structure & cover would be my choices. Ronnie x2 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 25, 2008 Super User Posted February 25, 2008 I would try to find at least 4 of the 5 1. Points 2. 8-12' of water on top 3. Deep water nearby (20-35') 4. Stumps or rocks Quote
alger319 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 I also think structure and cover are kinda the same thing. Someone needs to read Alpster post your completely correct, i know they're different - i typed it wrong. Quote
Bud Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 CJ I would still have to go with Structure then Cover as to finding a second spot. BTW I know were their is a couple of spots like you described that 99% of the time will hold fish Quote
ba7ss3in Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 For me, Falling tide and cover on the river but on the lake depth and structure Quote
Super User Matt Fly Posted February 25, 2008 Super User Posted February 25, 2008 I think locating food sources and understanding that food sources habits can help cut search times down. You can be on a lake that meets 4 out of 5 things listed for the criteria used for locating bass on just about every point or creek channel in Fork. Got to be away to eliminate unproductive waters with out fishing all 50 points in one day to locate fish. Follow the bait, the bass do also!! Did you know in the winter, Bass don't bust a school of shad like they do in warmer months? Bait will ball up, but unlike the summer months, bass don't attack the schools. Bass simply follow and pick of weaker shad. Weaker shad will try to hide on bottom. If shad move back in a creek at this time of the year in Texas, it means the creek has warmer water back there. Bass will follow, and they will use the same contour as the shad when moving back. Why does it take awhile for Bass to leave the shallows after they spawn. EAsy meals are on hand for bass. Lots of shad fry, bass fry, and those egg robbers are going to be shallow spawning in late may and June, and bass know where to find an easy meal. Know thy food source. Know how the past 3-5 days of weather may position the bait. Too many factors to use. Wind, temps, bait, time of the year as to which seasonal movenment, structures and cover . Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 25, 2008 Super User Posted February 25, 2008 CJ I would still have to go with Structure then Cover as to finding a second spot. BTW I know were their is a couple of spots like you described that 99% of the time will hold fish Hey! I know who you were fishing with that other 1% of the time! : Quote
Popeye Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 I/we look for submerged structure first, then depth/temperature of the water and bottom contour. Cover is equally important in my opinion. Geez, that about covers them all. Quote
Shadcranker Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 1. Structure (some kind of edge), preferably with cover on it. 2. Baitfish If I can find cover on structure with shad in the right depth, I can usually catch em good. Ideal stuation would be a channel drop from 6-20 ft, with stumps on the drop, and bait fish working in the 6-12 ft zone right on top of the drop. Other would be a grass edge where it drops from 4-10 ft on a deep flat with bait fish active near the drop. Quote
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