When Looking For Structure...

[SCangler91]

I should be going out to the lake soon and I may try and do some bass fishing. Since it's summer time I know the bass like to suspend around structures fairly deep in the water. Just how deep should I look for the bass and should we position ourselves right on top of the structure then drop a Trigged plastic down to the bottom? Also should I stay in contact with the bottom for a few bounces or reel it up slowly with some jerks?

[WRB]

You can search the site for topics related to deep structure fishing.

The basics;

1. Don't fish below the thermocline.

2. When you launch your boat meter the marina area to determine where the thermocline is or at what depth the fish in the marina are suspended at. Rarely this early in the summer period are LMB going to be deeper than 35', more than likely around the 10-25' depth zone.

3. Vertical presentations with soft plastics worms; drop shot, shaky head jig, and finesse doddling. You can also cast and retrieve a C-rig, split or slip shot rig.

4. Major points that drop into the creek channel, under water islands/humps near the creek/river channel are two good places to start.

The doddle rig is similar to a T-rig; add an 8mm glass bead between the weight and hook. You simply bounce the weight so the glass bead clicks; small 2"-4" hops for several seconds, let rest and repeat. Drop shot is very similar; hook about 8 to 12" above the weight and shake the worm while keeping the weight on or near the bottom

Good luck.

Tom