Standing Timber???

[Dukhunt22]

The River I Fish is Deep and mostly clear.  The only wood is in the sloughs, except for one part on the River that is about 2 hundred yards long.  We mostly catch spotted bass.  I really think I can catch some bass out of this stretch of Timber.  The Timber is in about 20-30 foot water.  What would be some good lures and technics to fish this Timber?  

Thanks

Chad

[Tanker4lyfe]

are they just trunks standing or is there branches?

[JShrock07]

Try some jigs or a deep diving crankbait, remember to always knock the lure against the wood, knocking the lure against the wood wil get you plenty of stikes.

[Btech]

That is my favorit situation - GET JIGGY WITH IT!

[mattm]

Jigs and heavy t-rigs is how I would go.  If fish were suspending or would come up to 6' or so I would also try square bill cranks.

[Catt]

In standing timber all lures and techniques would be applicable

Start out targeting the tree line first by looking for any points or pockets

Next target individual trees looking for a tree specific pattern, meaning if you catch a couple of bass off of oaks then target oaks only; this tree specific pattern may well be tree size.

Finally target thick clusters of trees located away from the tree line itself

With all three look for depth changes regardless of how slight

[Sam]

What Catt said X2.

Also, try a Fat Albert.  They work on the Chickahominy River in Virginia.

Search "Briery Creek" on this site and the web and see what others have to say and the baits and techniques they are using.

Good luck.  

[Dukhunt22]

Most of the trees just reach the top of the water and are gone.  Not many with branches.  With the trees in that deep of water would you try jigging a spoon around them?

Chad

[Mobydick]

Can I add a question, I dont want to start a new thread.

I heard guys talk about bad wood and good wood in the water. What is the difference and how do you determine one from another?

                                                                         Thanks,

                                                                             Ian

[fishfordollars]

Jig and a jigging spoon

[Catt]

While the tree stumps may only reach to the water level or a few feet above the tree tops and branches are still there on lying around on the bottom. Since we are talking a River System we must also consider tidal movement which will help determine bass location. With tidal fishing timing is extremely critical, tidal fish move a lot but can be very predictable. When you catch them pay attention to time and tidal level and get you a tidal chart. Some spots are good on high tide, some on low tide, and some spots are good in between. Your job is to determine when a spot is best and then to duplicate the timing in the future.

Jigging spoons, Jig-N-Craws, Drop Shots, & Texas Rigs can all be fished vertically but with any vertical technique you had better learn your electronics and learn them well.

As for good trees vs. bad trees I find it's more about tree location than tree types

Although in flooded river systems you will learn that some trees grow in certain soil composition giving you clues about bottom structure. Some trees grow closer to the actual river bank while some grow farther back; some trees grow in valleys while some grow on ridges.

[Raul]

Can I add a question, I dont want to start a new thread.

I heard guys talk about bad wood and good wood in the water. What is the difference and how do you determine one from another?

                                                                        Thanks,

                                                                             Ian

Bad wood.- recently in the water

Good wood.- been there for a long time

[bassmedic46]

Jig and jigging spoon.

[fishizzle]

don't forget a weighted weedless wacky senko or slow rolling a spinnerbait.

[ProCraft Joe]

Nobody uses crankbaits in standing timber? The lake I fish has miles of standing timber that are in 20-100' deep water. I use wide billed cranks and fishhead spins bumping them off the trees.